Opened in 1882 by the Bala and Festiniog Railway to tap into the Blaenau Slate market. Between Blaenau and Llan Ffestiniog the line used the trackbed of the narrow gauge Festiniog & Blaenau Railway. Closed to passengers in 1960, and freight in 1961. A short section was linked in with the Blaenau Branch of the former London & North Western Railway to serve the power station at Trawsfynydd but this is now sadly abandoned.