All aboard! Welsh steam railways uncovered

A trip to one of Wales’ many steam railways is a fantastic way to sample some of the country’s most spectacular views at a wonderfully leisurely pace. Many of the narrow gauge railways which run through Wales date back more than 100 years and are a key part of the country’s industrial history. Here is an introduction to Welsh steam railways, including a quick guide to the famous 10 Great Little Trains of Wales and a handy money saving discount to pick up along the way.

Steam Trains in Wales

Wales is famous for its brilliant steam railway journeys and most of these railways are part of the group of Great Little Trains of Wales (you can read more about these below). The excellent Llangollen Railway is not included in the Great Little Trains group because it runs full sized locomotives and is not a narrow gauge railway, however this is a superb journey not to be missed.

This steam hauled Heritage Railway Line runs 7.5 miles upstream from Llangollen Station along the River Dee to the village of Carrog. The views through this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are stunning. The Llangollen line has delighted many guests along the riverside since 1975 and it is the oldest standard gauge railway in Wales.

The Great Little Trains of Wales

The Great Little Trains of Wales is a scheme which was set up in the 1970’s to promote Wales’ wonderful narrow gauge railways to visitors. A highly attractive feature of the trains on these railways is their narrow size compared with mainline trains.

There are 10 railways included in the group, most of which were originally built to transport slate from quarries down to the sea. Although the function of this network has now shifted to the tourist trade, the old trains still retain a rustic charm with unique features to transport visitors to a bygone era.

To help everyone enjoy the delights of these steam systems, Great Little Trains of Wales have created a £10 discount card to use on any of the 10 railway lines in the scheme. Each discount card is valid for 12 months and during that time, visitors can ride on any normal timetabled trains with a 20% discount.

These railways each take in a real variety of scenery, from the lovely Welsh coast to the impressive mountains of Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. Wherever you choose to go in Wales there will be a great little steam journey within easy reach.

Below is a guide to each of the 10 railways to help you decide which journeys to take on your holidays.

Bala Lake Railway

The charming Bala Lake Railway takes you on a journey along the beautiful Bala Lake in the Snowdonia National Park, offering fantastic views of the mountains and the lake on the way. Starting at the main station of LLanuwchllyn the railway runs 4.5 miles passing through 4 small stations, some of which are request stops, and terminating at Bala station near the town of Bala where there are interesting attractions to explore and lots of outdoor activities on offer.

Brecon Mountain Railway

The Brecon Mountain Railway provides spectacular views of the Brecon Beacons. Running for a short 2 miles along the Pontsticill Reservoir , the railway takes you to a remote part of this National Park that cars cannot reach.

Ffestiniog Railway

The Ffestiniog Railway route lies mainly in the Snowdonia National Park and runs from the harbour in Porthmadog up to the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Built in 1882 to transport slate, this 13.5 mile journey takes you from the coast through forests and up beautiful mountain scenery, which includes lakes and waterfalls. We recommend that you stop off Tan-y-Bwlch half way along the line, where you can find some excellent walking trails. At Porthmadog it is possible to connect with the Welsh HIghland Railway (see below).

Llanberis Lake Railway

This is a 2.5 mile railway running along the north shore of Lake Llanberis in the Snowdonia National Park. The route takes you from Gilfach Ddu to Penllyn and on the way you pass 13th Century Dolbadarn Castle and get a great view of Mount Snowdon. The return journey takes around 60 minutes and, despite being fairly short, the route is very popular because it offers truly breath-taking scenery.

Snowdon Mountain Railway

Mount Snowdon in the Snowdonia National Park is one of Wales’ biggest tourist attractions and the incredible Snowdon Mountain Railway takes you all the way to the summit of this magnificent mountain. The train starts at LLanberis and travels 4.7 miles, climbing 1085m all the way to the peak, offering truly spectacular views all the way. This is genuinely a journey of a lifetime and should not be missed. Expect crowds and book tickets in advance online if you can.

Talyllyn Railway

The Talyllyn Railway route runs 7.25 miles from picturesque Tywyn on the Mid-Wales coast to Nant Gwernol. A major highlight on the way is the Dolgoch waterfalls and you can find some excellent forest walks in the Nant Gwernol Ravine.

Vale of Rheidol Railway

Running 11.75 miles through the Rheidol Valley from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge, the Vale of Rheidol Railway offers beautiful views of the Welsh countryside. You can often see red kites flying alongside the train and the scenery varies from meadows and valleys to mountains and lakes.

Welsh Highland Railway

The Welsh Highland Railway offers a 25 mile journey through the spectacular Snowdonia National Park starting beneath the castle walls in Caernarfon heading up to the foot of Mount Snowdon, before travelling down to the harbour in Porthmadog. The line passes through a number of popular tourist spots and attractions: the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass is a real highlight of this trip. At Porthmadog it is possible to connect with the Ffestiniog Railway (see above).

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, also in Porthmadog, is different from the others on this list. The railway is only 1 mile long, but a journey aims to recreate the exact experience of the original Welsh Highland Railway and you will see replica original buildings and travel in carriages that are exactly like they used to be. There is a very good museum at the end of the line and nice places to walk before you take the train back.

Welshpool & Llanfair Railway

Running 8.5 miles from the town of Welshpool to the village of Llanfair, taking in Castle Caereinion on its way, the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway passes through some lovely scenery. This journey is very relaxed, as are the towns which you can explore at each end.

We recommend visiting as many Welsh railways as you can before you return home - armed with a Great Little Trains of Wales discount card of course - to savour Wales’ beauty from coast to coast. From coastal lines to peak-climbing tracks, you are sure to find a great railway adventure wherever you go in Wales on your holidays.

 

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