The first plaque to be unveiled following the 2018 National Railway Heritage Awards – announced in December 2018 – was that made to the Landmark Trust for the superb restoration work undertaken to the railway cottage at Coed Y Bleiddiau on the Ffestiniog Railway. The cottage, dating originally to the 1860s, was occupied at one stage by the Superintendent of the Line but had been used primarily as holiday accommodation until the early years of this century when its condition deteriorated. The Landmark Trust stepped in to take on the restoration of the building and the work was completed to the trust’s usual high standard, with lovely period detail included, making the cottage available once again to holiday visitors. On Saturday 13 April 2019 guests were conveyed to the unveiling in a special two-coach train with the plaque being unveiled in superb spring weather. Present were Mark Roberts and Richard Burton of the Landmark Trust along with Simon Jenks representing the sponsors Taylor Woodrow and representatives of both the National Railway Heritage Awards and Ffestiniog Railway. All present were grateful to the couple who were renting the cottage for the weekend for the opportunity of seeing inside the cottage.
