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Picturesque journey around Llyn Padarn on the Llanberis Lake Railway

Thomas the Tank Engine, Llangollen Steam Railway

The Stunning Setting of the Llangollen Steam Railway by the River Dee

Friend of Thomas the Tank Engine? Wales Steam Railways-great for kids

Snowdon Mountain Railway - one of the most popular

Fantastic views from the Fairbourne & Barmouth Railway

Visit the historic Talyllyn Railway & the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

Narrow Gauge Steam Railways Snowdonia Brecon Llangollen Wales

Wales is the home of the steam heritage railway, specifically narrow gauge railways. Steam rail routes abound around Snowdonia and into the Brecon Beacons via the Brecon Mountain Railway.

See too others superb narrow gauge railways in Wales such as Llangollen, Teifi and the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. Ditch the car, and hop aboard one of Wales' magical steam railways, many of which are up and running due to the hard work of dedicated volunteers and steam rail enthusiasts!

Snowdonia Steam Heritage Train Railways

You can't go very far in Snowdonia without coming across one of the many steam heritage mountain railways. Although these now ferry visitors around the national park to view the stunning scenery, many of them owe their origins to the past industry of the area. They are mostly narrow gauge lines that were initially used to transport goods such as slate from the quarries in the mountains. Many have been preserved by railway enthusiasts and volunteers who help keep them going as tourist attractions. The majority of the main stations have parking, shops, cafes, museums or opportunities to see the locomotives up close. Many offer family days out with special themed days for children and adults alike. You can also take bikes on board some of them and wheelchair access is usually available.

It's good to see that tourism has meant it has been possible to conserve these railways, but it is often only the visitors fares and donations that are keeping them going. It could be argued that these now offer an eco-friendly way of transporting visitors about the Snowdonia countryside as they cover a large proportion of the National Park and means that visitors can view the stunning scenery without polluting it with their own car emissions. For the more adventurous you can take you bike along for the ride. Snowdonia is certainly the steam heritage train capital in Britain. Check out the useful websites on the right for up-to-date information on journey's and events, timetables and fares. Discount cards are available that are valid for all Great Little Trains of Wales.

Snowdon Mountain Railway was built between December 1894 and February 1896 specifically to access the summit of Mount Snowdon and is arguably still the most popular. Just outside Llanberis you can take a short journey on the Llanberis Lake Railway for unrivalled views of the mountains of Snowdonia that are often not accessible by car. After Snowdon, the Ffestiniog Railway is probably the best known. The line runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog south to Porthmadoc passing through seven other stations en route and links the two main lines which access the National Park, (the Cambrian Coast Line and the route from Chester to Holyhead).

The Welsh Highland Railway will run twenty five miles from Porthmadoc to Caernarfon skirting around the western edge of Snowdonia National Park. At the moment half the line has been rebuilt from Caernarfon to Rhyd-Ddu and the rest through to Porthmadog is currently being completed. The Talyllyn Railway runs the seven and a quarter miles from Tywyn (on the Cardigan Bay coast) to Nant Gwernol, from where a series of horse-drawn tramways continued into the mountains. The Fairbourne & Barmouth steam railway is a fantastic little narrow gauge railway with gorgeous views over the Mawddach Estuary. Checkout too the Bala Lake Railway (Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid), another of the Snowdonia narrow gauge railways. This heritage steam railway runs for nine miles around the eastern shore of Lake Bala - Wales' largest natural lake.

Llangollen Steam Railway

The Llangollen Steam Railway route runs from West (Carrog) to East (Llangollen), and in between are the stations (which are restored) of Glyndyfrdwy, Deeside Halt and Berwyn. Berwyn Station and surrounds is perhaps the prettiest stretch of the line. Llangollen Station buildings are listed buildings. Don't miss a trip on this charming railway!

Brecon Mountain Railway

The Brecon Mountain Railway weaves its way up from Merthyr into the Brecon Beacons National Park past industrial sites such as former limestone quarries and iron works. Today the journey takes you through peaceful countryside where you can hop on and off train and take a walk through forests and reservoirs of the Neuadd area.

The route of this now tourist line was originally the Brecon and Merthyr Railway opened in 1859 and built with Merthyr iron. Read the painstaking restoration story, which began in the late 1970s, on the Brecon Mountain Railway weblink right. A wonderful day out, there are locomotives and various railway memorabilia at Pant Station, a restaurant, gift shop plus a kids play area at Pontsticill. Special events run throughout the year, with a Santa train and the like popular with younger children.

The Railway usually runs from March to October. The main station at Pant opens at 9.30 a.m. Train times are 11.00am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.45pm and 4.00pm but check the website or ring direct for the most up-to-date information.

Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, Welsh Borders

This delightful little 16 mile narrow gauge railway dates from 1903 and opened originally to connect Welshpool with Llanfair Caereinion. Popular with visitors, the narrow track has some tight curves and steep gradients en-route.

The journey begins in historic market town Welshpool, ascending then up the steep Golfa Bank on into the Banwy Valley. If your visiting towards the end of June, watch out for the celebratory Vintage Weekend (usually 23/24 June). There's also an annual Steam Galer here at the beginning of September.

See also the Heart of Wales Railway weblink right for details of one of Wales' most scenic railway journeys from Aberystwyth on the coast to Devil's Bridge.

Teifi Valley Narrow Gauge Railway

Explore the Teifi Valley by Narrow Gauge Railway - 'pay once and ride all day' if you like. This is as uncommercial and laidback as narrow gauge railways get up here at Henllan, North Carmarthenshire. A joy of a vintage railway, the Teifi Valley Railway relies totally on volunteers, and runs usually on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.

Join the journey at the little station at Henllan, which has a station tearoom and gift shop as well as a Railway Charity Shop, toilets, crazy golf and quoits. Picnic tables are also in the surrounding grounds.

The narrow gauge railway journey takes you through the Teifi Valley via Forest halt and Pontprenshitw (you have to request to stop!). The countryside round these parts is stunningly wooded, with a choice of woodland trails. If you stop at Forest Halt a favourite walk is the one to view the waterfalls. Other walks branch out from Llandyfriog.

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