British Food and Travel

A ride on a steam train is a fun, nostalgic way to enjoy a day out. It gives the sense that you’ve stepped back in time. You’re on an adventure! Whether you want to ride up a mountain or along the coast, a full-size train or a miniature railway, Wales has plenty of options. We look at a few below.

Snowdon Mountain Railway

No trip to Snowdonia would be complete without a trip to the peak for which the park is named. If you aren’t feeling ready for a walk, or if you hiked up and want an easier way down, the Snowdon Mountain Railway has been ferrying passengers to the summit since 1896. Choose from one of the historic steam or diesel engines for your trip from Llanberis to the Visitor Centre. On your way, you’ll pass stunning waterfalls, former slate mines, and rocky grazing ridges. Once at the top, you might even be able to spot Ireland on a clear day.

Trains run from March to the end of October. The return journey takes two and a half hours, including a 30 minute break at the summit for photos. Prices vary by day and type of engine, and it is a good idea to reserve tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways

Not to be confused with the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (see below), the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways cover 40 miles in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park. Ride one or both and experience the beauty of north Wales.

Covering 13 and a half miles between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog, the Ffestiniog Railway has been in operation for almost 200 years and is the oldest narrow gauge railway in the world. Three original locomotives and the original carriages carry travelers on a climb of more than 700 feet to the old slate mining village, which has become a haven for adventure seekers. Tour the old underground mines or ride a zip wire course.

Alternatively, take the Welsh Highland Railway between Porthmadog and Caernarfon. At 25 miles, it is the longest heritage railway in the UK. The two-hour journey winds beneath Snowdon and through charming villages before arriving at your destination. The station is next to Caernarfon Castle so you can start sightseeing straight away. There are lots of stops along the way if you prefer a shorter trip.

Both lines run year round but may be subject to cancellations if the weather is bad. Special trips are also scheduled for Halloween and Christmas.

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

If your interest in trains goes beyond the ride itself, a day with the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway may be just the thing for you. The historic railway only operated under its original intent as an industrial transport for a mere 15 years, from 1922 to 1937. Now, visitors can ride on the train, but what makes this a delight for true fans is the visit to the Engine Sheds. Learn about steam and diesel locomotives, climb into the cabs, and even operate some of the controls. And since tickets are valid all day, feel free to hop on and off as much as you like.

Trains depart several times a day from the Welsh Highland Railway Station in Porthmadog. Service runs from April to October, with a few special events throughout the year.

Fairbourne Steam Railway

In the mood for a miniature steam train? Then you’re in luck. The Fairbourne Steam Railway first made the journey between the village of Fairbourne and Penrhyn Point in 1895. Over the years, it has had varying success, changing ownership and closing several times. Since 2009, it has been owned by a charitable trust. Service varies throughout the year. Peak service offers trains roughly every hour during half term, Easter, and the summer holidays. Fewer trains operate at other times so be sure to check the schedule in advance. Santa Specials run one weekend every December.

Vale of Rheidol Railway

The Rheidol Valley has much to offer daytrippers. Open meadows slowly merge into woodland, and the land grows steeper as you climb out of the valley into the hills. But the valley has more to offer thank just breathtaking scenery. Birdwatchers come to glimpse the many birds of prey that nest here. You might also catch sight of a rare pine marten.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway was a modern steam train marvel at the time of its construction in 1901. The terrain between its starting point in Aberystwyth and its destination at Devil’s Bridge is so rugged that a standard rail line would have been too expensive to build. This narrow gauge line made travel in the region much easier and many hoped that it would revitalize the fading lead mining industry. Although it did not bring the hoped-for economic boost, the railway continues to operate more than a century later, now as part of a charitable trust. And the passengers are now daytrippers, history buffs, and walkers.

Steam trains run from February to late October or early November. In 2018, there will be no Santa rides because of construction. But check back in 2019 for the return of the Christmas fun rides. Tickets take the form of day rovers, so walkers can hop and off as they choose throughout the day. If you do plan to walk, be aware that many of the paths require good footwear.