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Steam Trains |
"The Great
Little Trains of Wales"
The Llanberis Lake Railway will be the highlight of your visit to Snowdonia. From the comfortable enclosed coaches you can enjoy the spectacular views of Snowdon and the surrounding mountains.
Starting at Gilfach Ddu station in the Padarn Park at Llanberis, the trains take approximately 40 minutes to make the journey to Penllyn and back including a short stop at Cei Llydan for sightseeing on the homeward run.
The railway is very popular with visitors to Wales wishing to ride one of the 'Great Little Trains of Wales' without spending too much money or time doing so!
Opening
times
From mid March (limited service)
to end October
How
to get there
Off the A4086 Caernarfon to Capel Curig road.
Almost opposite the Snowdon Railway Station
follow the signs for Parc Padarn.
The world famous Ffestiniog Railway runs from the sea at Porthmadog for over 13 miles into the mountains to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
On leaving Porthmadog the breathtaking panorama of the Snowdon range towers over the River Glaslyn. On the other side the vista of the sea stretches out towards Cardigan Bay. Leaving habitation behind, the line winds through the enthralling surroundings of the Snowdonia National Park, giving unique views down into the Vale of Ffestiniog. After
tunneling through the hills and running right at the back of cottages, the grandeur of the landscape at Blaenau Ffestiniog is reached.
Opening Times
Trains run daily from 20th March - 7th November
( Limited Winter service)
How to get there
By road the station at Porthmadog is situated just off the A487 close to the
harbour. The station in Blaenau Ffestiniog is next to the main line station off
Church Street. Blaenau Ffestiniog is accessible from the North Wales Coast via the First North Western Conwy Valley line rail service. Minffordd is the interchange with Central Trains Cambrian Coast line. From Bangor,
Caernarfon is served by Arriva Cymru's bus route 5. Caernarfon and Porthmadog are linked by
Arriva Cymru's bus route 1 and Express Motors bus route 2.
In l896, the Snowdon Mountain Railway was completed from its starting point
at Llanberis. Some of the steam engines date from that year. The railway replaced the local guides with their sturdy mountain ponies which for decades
had been taking Victorian tourists to the summit to watch the sunrise.
The engines run for about five miles on a narrow gauge rack-and-pinion line, the
only one in the British Isles. The journey covering a maximum gradient of l in 5.5, is
completed in about two and a half hours, with half an hour allowed for refreshments at the little wind-swept cafe just below the cairn on the summit.
When the weather allows, for Snowdon is notorious for its sudden mists and
complete lack of visibility, the views are as spectacular as any in the whole British Isles.
Opening Times
Passenger trains run every day from 15th
March to 1st November inclusive.
How
to get there
Off the A4086 Caernarfon to Capel Curig road.
http://www.snowdonrailway.force9.co.uk/webmaster.html
Ffestiniog Railway
Llanberis Lake Railway
Snowdon Mountain Railway