Wales - best railway?
Aug 17th, 2007, 12:20 PM
#1
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Wales - best railway?
I'd like to take at least 1 rail trip while I'm in Wales. I've scoped out a lot of them on the web, but personal accounts would help.
I'll be in most parts of Wales so location doesn't matter that much. My criteria are:
~ great scenery and views
~ pref. 2 hours for a return trip, no more than 4 (and a fairly frequent schedule)
~ steam preferred but not required
~ good gift shop a plus (I have some train buff friends to buy for).
I'll be there end of September if that makes a difference.
TIA
I'll be in most parts of Wales so location doesn't matter that much. My criteria are:
~ great scenery and views
~ pref. 2 hours for a return trip, no more than 4 (and a fairly frequent schedule)
~ steam preferred but not required
~ good gift shop a plus (I have some train buff friends to buy for).
I'll be there end of September if that makes a difference.
TIA
Aug 17th, 2007, 12:36 PM
#2
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Rheilffordd Ffestiniog, from Blaenau Ffestiniog down to Porthmadog and back.
Oldest heritage railway in the world, narrow gauge, gorgeous scenery, some interesting railway features, like an awesome over-and-under spiral. They run both steam and diesel.
http://www.ffestiniograilway.co.uk/
The railway was chartered in 1832, which only two years after the Liverpool and Manchester, and was restarted as a heritage line in 1954.
The town of Blaenau is pretty interesting too, as a center for the slate industry. Pretty amazing to think the slate workers used to be able to split the stuff thin enough to read a newspaper through. Porthmadog is less than thrilling; there's a record store that used to be world-famous but is now a dire shop full of nasty old CDs.
It's possible to get off at the next-to-last stop and walk to Portmeirion Italianate Village, famous as the site of the TV show "The Prisoner".
There's a shop at both ends, too.
Oldest heritage railway in the world, narrow gauge, gorgeous scenery, some interesting railway features, like an awesome over-and-under spiral. They run both steam and diesel.
http://www.ffestiniograilway.co.uk/
The railway was chartered in 1832, which only two years after the Liverpool and Manchester, and was restarted as a heritage line in 1954.
The town of Blaenau is pretty interesting too, as a center for the slate industry. Pretty amazing to think the slate workers used to be able to split the stuff thin enough to read a newspaper through. Porthmadog is less than thrilling; there's a record store that used to be world-famous but is now a dire shop full of nasty old CDs.
It's possible to get off at the next-to-last stop and walk to Portmeirion Italianate Village, famous as the site of the TV show "The Prisoner".
There's a shop at both ends, too.
Aug 20th, 2007, 08:55 AM
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I agree with fnar - great ride on tiny steam train.
And Ffestiniog is like an Appalachian town out of the 50s - bleak - surrounded by slag heaps.
I loved the train ride.
Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway / Welsh Highland Railway (C)Ffestiniog Railway. Travel by steam through the spectacular scenery of the Snowdonia National Park.
www.festrail.co.uk/
Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway - Main PageThe Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the World - being founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832. ...
www.ffestiniograilway.co.uk/index.asp
And Ffestiniog is like an Appalachian town out of the 50s - bleak - surrounded by slag heaps.
I loved the train ride.
Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway / Welsh Highland Railway (C)Ffestiniog Railway. Travel by steam through the spectacular scenery of the Snowdonia National Park.
www.festrail.co.uk/
Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway - Main PageThe Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the World - being founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832. ...
www.ffestiniograilway.co.uk/index.asp
Aug 20th, 2007, 08:59 AM
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I won't add any confusion: I agree entirely with fnarf999, although I admit that there are Welsh railways that I have not used.
The spiral is impressive, but it is not original. Portmadog is pleasant enough, less tourism-oriented than one might expect in an area with many visitors. Blaenau is, as fnarf999 says, pretty interesting, albeit not pretty.
The spiral is impressive, but it is not original. Portmadog is pleasant enough, less tourism-oriented than one might expect in an area with many visitors. Blaenau is, as fnarf999 says, pretty interesting, albeit not pretty.
Aug 20th, 2007, 09:04 AM
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Well i forgot about the Mt Snowden Railway i also took as to me it was equally thrilling - again a steam train climbing to the top of Mount Snowden, highest peak south of Scotland i believe.
Both are great.
Welsh Heritage Railways - Snowdon Mountain RailwaySnowdon Mountain Railway - The Heritage Trail - railway heritage of Wales and the ... beautiful on a good day, Mount Snowdon can be an unforgiving place. ...
http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/in...wdon%20railway
Both are great.
Welsh Heritage Railways - Snowdon Mountain RailwaySnowdon Mountain Railway - The Heritage Trail - railway heritage of Wales and the ... beautiful on a good day, Mount Snowdon can be an unforgiving place. ...
http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/in...wdon%20railway
