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| Railways of North Wales |
Whether you are a steam nostalgia nut, a child magically seeing one of the colourful steam trains for the first time or you just want to enjoy the views from the carriages as you sweep majestically through the countryside of North Wales, it’s difficult to avoid the desire to climb on board one of the trains for a trip along a restored line.
Many of the railways have a history stretching back over 100 years. The narrow gauge of the line and the “toy train” image of the tiny engines and carriages, compared with the usual mainline trains adds to their attraction. Nothing can compare with a journey at a leisurely speed through the countryside or along the coast being pulled along by a brightly coloured engine with mini coaches behind full of smiling faces waving frantically at everyone they pass.
Below you will find a list of all of the railway societies and companies in North Wales, where they are located, details about the line including website links. Click here for details of the great little trains of Wales special passport giving savings on 9 of the routes below.
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Website: www.snowdonrailway.co.uk
Address: Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL55 4TY
Line Length: 5 Miles
Any article on railways in North Wales must include this railway, one of the most famous in the world. The Snowdon Mountain Railway is the only rack and pinion railway in the UK and has carried passengers to the summit of Snowdon (3,560 ft / 1,085m) since 1896. Today everyone, regardless of age or fitness, can savour the breath taking views and claim this mountain peak as one of their lifetime achievements. Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales. The journey starts from Llanberis Station. From here the locomotives push the train up an average gradient of 1 in 8 (12.6%) to within 66 feet of the summit. On reaching the summit, the train waits for half an hour to allow passengers to savour the views and take refreshment in the summit café. The total journey time is 2.5 hours to the top and back.
Be aware that in adverse weather conditions, trains may only climb as high as Clogwyn (the three quarter point) or Rocky Valley (5/8 of the journey) in high winds. My advice is to check the weather in advance. Tickets on the 9am train are available at half price, subject to availability and if booked in advance.
Llanberis Lake Railway
Website: www.lake-railway.co.uk
Great Little Trains Of Wales Passport
Address: Llanberis, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 4TY
Runs from: Gilfach Ddu - Llanberis
Line Length: 5 Miles
The Llanberis Lake Railway will be the highlight of your visit to Snowdonia. From your seat in the comfortable enclosed coaches you can enjoy spectacular views of Snowdon and the surrounding high mountains. The railway is built on the track bed of part of the 4ft gauge Padarn Railway, which from 1843 to 1961 carried slates from Dinorwic Quarry, Llanberis, to Port Dinorwic on the Menai Strait. The rolling stock and track of the 4ft line were sold for scrap after closure, but the first two miles lay alongside the attractive lake, Llyn Padarn. This gave rise to the idea of using it as a tourist railway and a mile of 1ft 11½in gauge track was laid. Three of the steam engines and one diesel were purchased from the surviving stock of Dinorwic Quarry (which itself had an extensive system of 1ft 10¾in gauge lines) and converted to the more common gauge of 1ft 11½in for use on the new railway. The railway opened in 1971 and the following year the railway was extended to the two mile length of the lake. In early June 2003 the extension of the line to Llanberis village was opened. The full return trip is now just over 5 miles long.
Ffestiniog Railway
Website: www.festrail.co.uk
Great Little Trains Of Wales Passport
Address: Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF
Runs from: Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog
Line Length: 13.5 miles Journey Time: 1hr 15 mins
Stations: Blaenau Ffestiniog – Tan-y-Bwich - Penrhyn - Minffordd – Porthmadog
A unique steam hauled narrow gauge railway running along a 13.5 mile main line in miniature from the coastline at Porthmadog into the mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog. The memorable journey climbs over 700 feet through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round horseshoe bends and even a complete spiral, sometimes clinging to the side of the mountain or even tunnelling through it. Every twist and turn brings a new vista from the carriage window of the Snowdonia National Park and its surrounding landscape. Blaenau Ffestiniog station also serves as a mainline station on the Conwy Valley Branch line running to Betws-Coed and Llandudno Junction.
I took the return journey from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog over August Bank Holiday 2005 and was amazed with everything about this line. The trains are magnificently restored with their perfect paintwork and shiny brass. The route is incredibly picturesque, at times we seem to pass right through back gardens of village cottages and the garden walls were literally 6 inches from the carriage window. The train climbs high through the mountains and some of the views (and the drops!) are breathtaking. The carriages are exceptionally clean and the prices very reasonable. Staff on the trains also offered an at your seat refreshment service with drinks and snacks for sale and for an extra £6 per person you can ride in the first class carriages.
See the Welsh Highland Railway (below), which is also operated by the Ffestiniog Railway Company.
Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon)
Website: www.festrail.co.uk
Great Little Trains Of Wales Passport
Address: Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF
Runs from: Caernarfon to Ryhd Ddu
Line Length: 12 miles Journey Time: 1hr 10 mins
Stations: Caernarfon – *Bontnewydd - Dinas – Waunfawr – *Snowdon Ranger -Rhyd Ddu
* By request only
The WHR currently runs from Caernarfon, near to the castle, to the village of Rhyd Ddu, on the slopes of Snowdon. The line follows the coast as far as Dinas, site of the workshops, before turning inland through farmland and wooded valleys, running alongside the river Gwyrfai to reach the village of Waunfawr. The foothills of Snowdon beckon as the train leaves Waunfawr. The view is awesome and on a clear day you can see for miles as the train snakes along the valley and skirts the edge of Llyn Cwellyn. Snowdon Ranger Halt, beside the youth hostel, is at the foot of one of the recognised paths up Snowdon, as is the terminus station at Rhyd Ddu. Over the next 3 years, the line will be extended to Porthmadog to join up with it’s sister railway from Ffestiniog (see above), with services planned to commence Easter 2009.
Talyllyn Railway
Website: www.talyllyn.co.uk
Great Little Trains Of Wales Passport
Address: Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF
Runs from: Tywyn to Nant Gwernol
Line Length: miles Journey Time: 52 mins
Stations: Tywyn – Pendre – Rhydyronen – Brynglas – Dolgoch Falls – Abergynolwyn – Nant Gwernol
The Talyllyn Railway is a narrow gauge line using steam locomotives on all advertised passenger trains. It was opened in 1865 and runs inland from Tywyn on the Mid Wales coast to Nant Gwernol. Much of the railway is within the Snowdonia National Park with waterfalls and walks at Dolgoch and Nant Gwernol. In 1950 the railway was saved from closure by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society – the first such organisation in the world. The railway is now strongly supported by the Society whose members provide the train crew and station staff to operate the line. The Talyllyn railway is also the owner of the locomotive Douglas, which featured in the classic Thomas the Tank Engine books by the Rev. W Awdry as Duncan. The Talyllyn Railway is probably alone in still being able to run its complete original passenger train dating from the 1860’s.
Vale of Rheidol Railway
Website: www.rheidolrailway.co.uk
Great Little Trains Of Wales Passport
Address: Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1PG
Runs from: Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge
Line Length: 11.75 miles Journey Time: 1 Hr
Stations: Aberystwyth – Capel Bangor – Nantyronen – Aberffrwd – Devil’s Bridge
Commencing from the Cambrian coastal town of Aberystwyth near the BR station, the train travels for over an hour in each direction. During the journey, the train overcomes a height difference of over 600 feet. At Devils Bridge there is a café and picnic area. The famous Mynach Falls, Jacobs Ladder and the Devils Punchbowl are within walking distance of the station (operated as separate attractions).
The Vale of Rheidol Railway opened in 1902 to serve the lead mines, timber and passenger traffic of the Rheidol valley. To save money, and in deference to the hostile terrain through which the line was forged, the railway was built to a narrower track gauge than the norm, with many sharp curves and steep gradients. Yet despite the fact the rails are only 1’ 11 3/4” apart, the three steam locomotives weigh over 25 tons each and are more than eight feet wide! The locomotives and carriages were built for the line by the Great Western Railway at Swindon between 1923 and 1938. The line survived through changes of ownership and threats of closure to become the last steam railway owned by British Rail until privatised in 1989. The railway is now owned by a charitable trust.
Bala Lake Railway
Website: www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk
Great Little Trains Of Wales Passport
Address: The Station, Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd
Runs From: Llanuwchllyn - Bala
The railway between Bala and Dolgellau was built by the Bala & Dolgelley Railway Company (which used the English spelling for the latter place), and opened in 1868. The railway joined the Corwen and Bala Railway at Bala and with the Cambrian Railways at Dolgellau. The line was operated by the Great Western, which absorbed it in 1877. In 1896 the GWR enlarged Llanuwchllyn station, with an extended building and a new signalbox. A long passing loop and second platform were also added. The signalbox and its lever frame are still in use today. After nationalisation in 1948, most of the railway's traffic was diverted to the former Cambrian Railways line between Welshpool and Machynlleth. Passenger services through Bala ceased on 15 January 1965 and the line from Llangollen to Barmouth was closed. Rebirth came in 1971. A local engineer, George Barnes, saw the potential of the lakeside section for both local and tourist traffic. With the help of the late Tom Jones CBE, then Chairman of Merioneth County Council's Finance Committee, Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Cyf (Bala Lake Railway Ltd) became the first company to be registered in the Welsh language. The station buildings still survive, the buffet being the former waiting room and the seating section was once a waiting room at Morfa Mawddach (Barmouth Junction). The main building has been extended on the site of the old toilets to provide a booking office and store room. The waiting room on platform two is now an office. The canopy supports were built for the Cambrian Railways station at Pwllheli, but were taken down when the station was moved in 1907. They were then used at Aberdovey until 1979 when they were moved to Llanuwchllyn. The cattle dock is now the picnic area, and the stone goods shed a woodwork shop.
Welshpool & Llanfair Railway
Website: www.wllr.org.uk
Great Little Trains Of Wales Passport
Address: The Station, Llanfair Caereinion, Powys, SY21 0SF
Runs from: Welshpool to Llanfair
Line Length: 16 miles Journey Time: 50 Mins
The railway was built in the opening years of the 20th Century, opening in 1903 to link the rural communities to the market town of Welshpool. The gauge of 2 foot 6 inches allowed for tight curves and steep gradients following the contours of the countryside. Operated initially by the Cambrian Railways, the W&L was taken over by the Great Western Railway and British Railways being run with less and less hope of profit. After 1931 only freight was carried until eventual closure in 1956. In 1963 a group of enthusiasts rallied round and reopened the line, searching world wide for suitable rolling stock.
Your journey begins on the edge of the historic market town of Welshpool. Right from the start it is all action as the train battles up the notoriously steep Golfa Bank accompanied by the sound of the locomotive echoing off the hills. From the open balconies of our unique Austrian coaches you will see the beautiful mid Wales countryside roll slowly by as you travel into the delightful Banwy Valley. Your train will be hauled by one of the historic steam locomotives from as far away as Finland, Sierra Leone, Austria and Manchester! As your journey unfolds through this picturesque part of Wales you may well see deer, hawks and even otters. As you approach your journey's end the train travels along the River Banwy into Llanfair Caereinion.
Fairbourne & Barmouth Steam Railway
Website: www.fairbournerailway.com
Address: Beach Road, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, LL38 2EX
Runs from: Fairbourne to Penrhyn
Line Length: 2.5 miles Journey Time: 40 - 45 Mins
Stations: Fairbourne – Beach Halt – Gorsafawddachaidraigodanheddogleddollon- penryhnareudraethceredigion – Penryhn Point
The railway was originally laid in 1895 by Arthur McDougall (of Flour fame) to transport building materials for the construction of Fairbourne village. For more thana century the two and a half mile long Steam railway has carried passengers between the village of Fairbourne and Penrhyn Point and then by ferry to Barmouth providing an unforgettable experience for young and old alike. The F&BSR is known as the friendly railway and you will soon see why. They especially welcome children and have many special events just for them. Fairbourne station is the headquarters of the railway. The Mawddach station is recorded in the Guinness Book Of Records as the longest place name in the world. At Penrhyn Point the train meets the ferry to take passengers across the beautiful Afon Mawddach estuary to Barmouth.
Llangollen Railway
photo (Brian Jones)
Website: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk
Address: Abbey Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8SN
Runs From: Llangollen to Carrog
Line Length: 8 Miles
Stations: Llangollen – Berwyn – Deeside Halt – Glyndyfrdwy – Carrog
The Llangollen Railway runs through 8 miles of some of the most stunning scenery in Britain, following the course of the River Dee. Berwyn station clings to a rock shelf high above the river. One end of the station is supported by the recently restored Berwyn viaduct and is 25 feet above the road below. At Deeside Halt (which has no road access), there are superb walks available. Deeside Halt is a request stop so please inform the guard in advance if you wish to alight here. Glyndyfrdwy is a completely reconstructed station and is an example of the former London and North Western’s stations in Wales. Carrog represents the end of the line, set in a picturesque location near to the site of the summer palace of Owain Glyndwr, Prince of Wales, Carrog has been painstakingly restored to the condition it would have been in the 1950’s.
The Llangollen Railway is different to many of the other Welsh Railways because it is not a narrow gauge railway but a standard mainline gauge railway.
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