Banner headlines: The engine starts its new timetable

The reopening of the Waunfawr to Rhyd Ddu section of the Welsh Highland Railway marks a return to steam after a gap of more than 60 years.

But a group of around 25 protesters, worried at the impact on the environment, gathered as the steam pulled into the station at the foot of Snowdon.

Meanwhile, an extension of the railway which would see steam trains travel right into the streets of Porthmadog, looks doubtful unless funding is secured.

The Welsh Highland Railway was first launched 80 years ago in 1923, and attending Monday's reopening was one of its original passengers , Richard Williams.

"Everything has changed - including me," said Mr Williams, who is now in his 90s.

"It's marvellous, marvellous - I'm in my second childhood."

But not everyone was so happy to see the resurrection of the railway which closed in 1937 after a lifespan of just 15 years.

Whereas, so the brochure says, on the train it will take one hour five minutes and cost you �14. How about that? Opponent Iorwerth Walters

Environmentalists, farmers and ramblers claim the reopening of the railway as a tourist attraction will ruin one of the wildest parts of the country.

Opponent Iorwerth Walters described the venture was a 'white elephant'.

"We have got an excellent bus service which runs from my village of Rhyd Ddu into Caernarfon for �2 and takes 20 minutes," he said.

"Whereas, so the brochure says, on the train it will take one hour five minutes and cost you �14. How about that?"

However, the Welsh Highland Railway - which is largely aided by volunteers - maintains speed is not always essential for tourists visiting the area.

Cutting the number of visitors using their cars inside the Snowdonia National Park is one of the arguments it is using to try to get funding to complete the steam line all the way to Porthmadog.

The railway takes in some of Snowdon's most spectacular scenery

The first stretch of the railway from Caernarfon to Waunfawr opened three years ago.

The final part of the project was put in jeopardy last month after the Millennium Commission rejected a bid for �7.24 in funding.

Railway chairman Michael Whitehouse said the would have to wait to forge ahead with the last 13 miles of the track until that funding had been achieved.