Since June 2018 staff at the Ffestiniog and Eryri Welsh Highland Railway have been attending weekly Welsh classes in Penrhyndeudraeth.

The course has been delivered by Learn Welsh North West on behalf of the National Centre for Learning Welsh and has been funded by the Ffestiniog and Eryri Welsh Highland Railway Trust.

The learners have successfully completed the first part of the course and they will now be sitting the Entry WJEC Welsh exam in June.

The Highland Railway has been praised for its supportive attitude towards the Welsh language.

Course co-ordinator Elin Davies said: “It’s very encouraging to see a local business making such a significant investment in the Welsh language and that they see a benefit in their staff learning and using the language with each other or when greeting visitors.

“The Ffestiniog and Eryri Railway is a venture that invests in the industrial heritage of north Wales but they also acknowledge that the Welsh language has a key role to play in their brand and this is something to be praised.”

Jonathan Baker, operating manager, who is also a member of the class said: “The course has been met with lots of enthusiasm, from our Welsh-speaking colleagues as well as the participating staff.

“It has also gone down well with the local community.

“The participants come from across the railways, giving us all an opportunity to socialise with people that we wouldn’t ordinarily have many dealings with.

“Thanks go to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Trust for providing the funding.”

The learners will receive their exam results at the start of August.

Further information regarding learning Welsh can be found by visiting www.learnwelsh.cymru