WORK could soon take place to restore part of the oldest operating railway workshop in the world to how it would have looked in its 19th Century heyday.

The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway has applied for planning permission to replace four previously demolished brick chimneys at the Blacksmith’s Shop at Boston Lodge, Minffordd.

Built on the site of the quarry for the stone used in building Porthmadog’s Cob between 1808 and 1811, Boston Lodge was named after William Madocks’s parliamentary constituency in Lincolnshire, serving as offices, stables and barracks.

The Ffestiniog Railway Company Works was established there in 1847 for the repair of wagons and has expanded greatly around the original buildings, and by now is the oldest railway workshops still in operation – continuing to serve its original railway.

With the first locomotives having been built at the works in the 1870s, locos, wagons and carriages have been built there ever since. But in a bid to restore the site to its former glory, its owners have now applied for listed building consent.

According to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highand Railway, the Blacksmith’s shop is now beginning to show its age, with roof repairs “urgently”  needed to ensure it continues to be watertight.

The design and access statement accompanying the application, says: “The appearance of the Blacksmith’s shop will be improved by the removal of the 60’s Britomart shed and the restoration of the corners of the roof to their original form.

“The appearance will be further improved by restoring the roof to a good condition. Apart from this the appearance of the building will remain unchanged.”

Although it's not made clear when the chimneys were removed, the Heritage Impact Assessment says: “The proposal is to restore the four brick built chimneys that have been demolished and to take down and rebuild the existing chimney.

“It is proposed to re-cover the rear face of the roof with new Ffestiniog slates. At the same time it is proposed to re-instate the wooden lantern structure at the apex of the roof and roof vents as shown on old photographs.

“The chimneys will be re-built using re-claimed imperial bricks, selected to match the original bricks as closely as possible.

“The impact on the building should be positive, with restoration of the chimneys contributing towards retuning it more closely to its 19th century appearance.”

It's expected that Gwynedd Council planners will make a decision on the application following the August recess.