A railway line could reopen for the first time in almost 80 years, according to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway.

The line, which runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog station to the now popular tourist destination of Llechwedd Quarry, was last used in 1946.

Paul Lewin, director and general manager of the railway, said: “We’re currently working through land registration and surveying the lines. In order to do this we have had to clear vegetation away from the tracks.

“The new line would benefit Blaenau, the railway and the slate quarry.”

Paul added that the railway want to make sure the line will have environmentally friendly trains on the tracks.

He said: “We have a close eye on green issues so we would like to pursue the possibility of modern shuttle trains powered by hydroelectricity.”

Paul said the powering the trains this way would be made easier by the fact the slate mine end of the tracks will be close to Ffestiniog hydroelectric plant.

“Water is brought up from the mines, put through the turbines and could then power the trains,” he said.

But Paul added that the work is still very much in the early stages.

“We have just started working,” he said.

“People get excited as soon as they see train lines getting cleared.”

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online tomorrow