Snowdonia National Park  |  Railways in the Snowdonia National Park  |  Mountain Biking  |  Walking in Snowdonia

Railways in Snowdonia

The Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway between Porthmadog harbour and the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog - the world's oldest operational passenger railway.

The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the World - being founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832. The railway was built as a gravity and horse drawn line to transport slate from the quarries in the mountains around Blaenau Ffestiniog. As the slate industry flourished, so did the railway and the town of Porthmadog. Slates from Blaenau Ffestiniog were exported to ports all over the globe - many in ships built in Porthmadog.

The railway was extremely successful and introduced many innovative engineering solutions to cope with the rapid increase in output from the quarries and in the number of passengers it carried. Engineers from around the world came to study the Ffestiniog Railway and, as a result, it has influenced the design and construction of railways in many countries.

However, the slate industry - and then passenger numbers - slowly declined, until finally the railway closed to traffic in 1946. Luckily, pioneering railway enthusiasts were determined that the railway should survive and it was re-opened in 1954.

Over the last fifty years, the Ffestiniog Railway has become a leader in railway preservation and is now one of Wales’ top tourist attractions. Visitors to the railway can enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of Snowdonia as they pass through areas inaccessible by road undisturbed by the sights and sounds of modern life.

The Welsh Highland Railway joins Caernarvon to Rhyd Ddu, a village on the slopes of Snowdon. Conwy Valley Railway links the north coast to the heart of the park.

The Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) - Journey behind the most powerful 2' gauge steam locomotives in the world through the fabulous scenery of the Snowdonia National Park. We offer high-quality carriages with on-train refreshments, the superior comfort of a first class Pullman "Bodysgallen" or you could even experience the scenery with the wind ruffling your hair in our open coaches!

The railway runs from alongside the awe-inspiring Caernarfon Castle, snaking around seemingly impossible bends, up hard gradients and around the foothills of Snowdon to arrive at Rhyd Ddu, about 12 miles from Caernarfon and high up in the Snowdonian mountains.

The railway links to some tremendous walks too, not least the Snowdon Ranger and Rhyd Ddu paths up Snowdon or the Nantlle Ridge or Mynydd Mawr walks from Rhyd Ddu. There are excellent real-ale pubs at Waunfawr and Rhyd Ddu, and the Lôn Eifon cycleway runs alongside the railway from Caernarfon to Dinas - we even have special bicycle wagons so you can take a bike on the train too!

But… Rhyd Ddu is only the half-way point of this phenomenal railway project. We have already started work to complete the railway through to Porthmadog via Beddgelert and the famous Aberglaslyn Pass. At Porthmadog, the WHR will connect with the world-famous Ffestiniog Railway, offering onwards travel to Minffordd (for Portmeirion), Tan-y-Bwlch and Blaenau Ffestiniog. In total, a trip from Caernarfon to Blaenau will be a staggering 40 miles – truly a new 'Great Railway Journey'.

The Conwy Valley Line

The Conwy Valley line, part of the National Rail Network, runs alongside one of the great rivers of Wales, The Conwy and continues along the banks of the turbulent river Lledr after its confluence with the Conwy at Betws y Coed.
From your departure at Llandudno to your arrival at Blaenau Ffestiniog a breathtaking range of scenery unfolds before your eyes, from the historic castle at Conwy, through estuary rich in wildilfe, to gentle slopes that give way to majestic crags as the train crosses the Lledr by the dramatic Gethin’s viaduct.

You glimpse fairytale landscapes, the imposing 12th century Dolwyddelan Castle, ancient quarries and tracks, forests and the high peaks of Snowdonia before entering the heart of the mountain to emerge some minutes later in the imposing and historic industrial landscape of Blaenau Ffestiniog, the very centre of Wales’ slate quarrying and mining industry. The Conwy Valley line at 27 miles long offers one of the most beautiful rail experiences in Britain.

Llangollen Railway

Llangollen Railway is probably the UK’s most scenic railway, running east to west along The River Dee in North Wales from Llangollen Station, via Llangollen Junction - where it connects with the main Shrewsbury to Chester line - to Carrog Station, the present end of the line.

Llangollen was extremely popular for tourists in the 1840s, and from 1848, visitors could travel by train on the main line to reach Llangollen and thence to Barmouth on the Cambrian Line. Goods traffic included slate, coal and lime.

Between the wars, the service was at its most intensive. Paddington to Barmouth could be done in a little over six hours. However, the advent of World War 2 saw a much reduced service, and after the war the old service was never re-instated.

 

Today trains run on week-days starting from April through to the end of October and on the weekends throughout the year. The trains run from Llangollen between 11am and 3pm, with a journey time to Carrog of 30 minutes.

Corris Railway

The Corris Railway is a narrow gauge railway whose origins date back to the 1850's. The line was originally built as a horse-and-gravity-worked tram road to carry slate down to the Afon Dyfi (River Dovey), where it was loaded into ships. A semi-official passenger service, using adapted wagons, was very popular in the early 1870s.

In 1878 Imperial Tramways Ltd, a London company, bought the line and three steam locomotives. Ten purpose-built passenger carriages were introduced. For the rest of the nineteenth century the Railway was very successful, developing substantial tourist traffic.

Early trains ran over lightly-laid construction track. More recently, the line has been upgraded to passenger standards and now runs the short distance to Maespoeth, where the yard has been transformed to provide much-needed siding space, and the installation of a platform for the use of passengers.

Opening times of Museum, Railway

The Corris Museum will be open between 10.30 am and 5.00 pm on train operating days. (other openings by prior appointment). Trains leave Corris Station on the hour from 11.00 am to 4pm. On arrival at Maespoeth passengers are given a guided tour and talk about the sheds and railway. The return train arrives back in Corris at 10 minutes to the hour giving a round trip of approximately 50 minutes.

The Ticket Prices:
Adult £5.00
Children 5 yrs-15 yrs £2.50
60 yrs and over £3.50

Talyllyn Railway

Opened in 1865 as the first narrow gauge railway to be built for steam haulage, the railway was taken over by a group of enthusiasts in 1950. Thus it became the first volunteer-run preserved railway in the world. From the Wharf Station at Tywyn, the railway runs inland via Rhydyronen, Brynglas, Dolgoch Falls & finishes at Nant Gwernol. Hugely popular with tourists, the railway hosts annual ‘Race the Train’ races, Victorian Train with period dress, and ‘children’s days out with Duncan & Sir Handel. Visit the railway’s website at www.talyllyn.co.uk for details of bookings & availability.

 

The Great Little Trains of Wales

Wales hosts a number of other narrow gauge railways as well as those listed on this page. Built in a time less hasty than ours, all are steam trains, most originally built to carry Welsh slate from the quarries to the sea.

Llanberis Lake Railway runs from the station at Llanberis along the shores of Lake Padarn at the foot of Snowdon taking in the views at Gilfach Ddu and Cei Llydan. Details can be found at www.lake-railway.co.uk

Welshpool & Llanfair Railway runs from the station at Welshpool up the steep Golfa Bank and into the beautiful Banwy valley into the western terminus at Llanfair Caereinion. More information can be found at www.wllr.org.uk

The Vale of Rheidol Railway runs for 11 ¾ miles from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge and takes approximately one hour. Trains stop at Devil’s Bridge for one hour to enable passengers to take in the views and maybe a walk to the Devil’s Punchbowl. Times & booking information are available at www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

 

Bala Lake Railway runs between the peaceful village of Llanuwchllyn and what was Pen-y-Bont Halt on the opposite side of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) to the market town of Bala. From Llanuwchllyn the line descends to almost lake level and is never far from the lakeside. More information is available at www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk

The Welsh Highland Railway at Porthmadog, not to be confused with the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) is a delightful railway with the emphasis on an enjoyable family day out. The journey is just one mile long but takes in the engine sheds and a miniature railway for a hands-on experience of steam trains. For more information and availability visit www.whr.co.uk