National Slate Museum

Since the 1950s, railways originally built to carry slate have evolved into heritage railways in north-west Wales. Enthusiastic volunteers were instrumental in this from the outset. Most of the volunteers were, though, not from Wales. This article explores aspects of the sometimes uneasy relationship between them, and those that live and work in the vicinity of railways which once serviced 'the most Welsh of Welsh industries'. The recent restoration of the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon to Porthmadog has shown that relationships continue to be problematic, at times, despite the significant contribution made by these railways, their volunteers, and their passengers to the economy of north-west Wales.