Welsh Highland
Railway (Caernarfon)
Caernarfon, Caernarfonshire
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Booking
office and end of buffers with Caernarfon Castle beyond
Picture by
Eric
Jones |
The newest railway in Snowdonia, currently a 12
mile line from Caernarfon, overlooked by the castle, to the village of
Rhyd Ddu which is 650 feet above sea level on the slopes of Snowdon. This
is the halfway stage, work is in full swing on the remaining section to Porthmadog, which will then join up with the
Ffestiniog Railway, to eventually
produce a 40 mile narrow gauge steam route.
This runs on a 2ft (1ft 11 1/2) gauge line.
The expansion under way will complete the railway through to Porthmadog
via Beddgelert and the famous Aberglaslyn Pass. Next year (2009) this line will
have been extended and join up with
Welsh Highland Railway
(Porthmadog).
They say:-
| "Imagine a
railway that runs 40 miles from the North Wales coast at Caernarfon
through the heart of Snowdonia, linking Beddgelert, Porthmadog and
Blaenau Ffestiniog. A railway which starts under the walls of an
ancient castle, runs past streams and woodlands, skirts pretty lakes
and the foothills of Snowdon, swings around tight curves, through
forests, hugs the side of the magnificent Aberglaslyn Pass and races
across the flatlands to Porthmadog. There joining up with the historic
Ffestiniog Railway and its famously scenic route up to the dramatic
slate quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog. An exciting prospect, isn’t it?
Even more exciting is the fact that, in
2009, you won’t need to dream as right now, work is underway on the last ten
miles of the link that will make it all possible". .....
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Read
more
 of what
they are doing and progress made to date from their website. There are two
websites devoted to providing progress information and photographs and there is a
lot for them to report, links are below. The track should all be laid this year
and the line ready to open fully next spring 2009.
On this line you are pulled by the most powerful 2' gauge locomotives, around
unbelievable curves, up steep gradients. These South African engines weigh 62
tonnes, are 48 foot long, and can carry 1,500 gallons of water and 4 tonnes of
coal. They can travel up to 25MPH. They have two power bodies, giving it a
better grip and ability to climb slopes of 1 in 40, step in railway terms,
while pulling 12 coaches.
At the moment there is plenty to photograph,
with the castle and boats etc at Caernarfon, the railway, scenery, and more.
Stations along the line, OS Grid references and
postcodes for use with Satnavs:-
|
Station |
Parking Notes |
Post Code |
Post Code Notes |
Grid
Ref |
|
Caernarfon |
Railway Car Park + others |
LL55 2YD |
Generic
Post Code for St Helens Road |
SH481624 |
|
Bontnewydd |
No Car Park |
|
|
SH479600 |
|
Dinas |
Free Parking |
LL54 5UP |
Select WHR
Light Railway |
SH476586 |
|
Waunfawr |
Car parking at pub |
LL55 4AQ |
Generic
Post Code - Select Snowdonia Parc |
SH528588 |
|
Plas y Nant |
No Car Park |
LL54 7YR |
Generic
Post Code for Betws Garmon |
SH548560 |
|
Snowdon Ranger |
No Car Park |
LL54 7YS |
Generic
Post Code - Select Youth Hostel |
SH565552 |
|
Rhyd Ddu |
SNPA Pay and Display |
LL54 6TN |
Generic
Post Code of Rhyd Ddu Villiage |
SH572526 |
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.
Planning Grid
|
Location: |
Welsh Highland Railway
(Caernarfon) |
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Grid Reference: |
SH 481624 |
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Getting there: |
off the A55, ten
miles south of Bangor
Near to
Caernarfon castle |
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Access: |
See table above for
details on stations |
|
Parking: |
At
Caernarfon
there are three large public car parks within
10 minutes walk of the station in addition to a small car park at the
station itself. See the table above for details on parking at
different stations. |
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Facilities: |
Trains have a trolley
service |
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Things To Do,
See and Photograph: |
Castle, boats, railway,
scenic, |
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What to take: |
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Nature highlights: |
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Address: |
c/o Harbour Station,
Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF |
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Postcode: |
LL55
2YD |
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Telephone: |
01766 516000 |
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Opening times: |
See their website for
dates and times of trains.
There is also a
trains this week page,
allowing you to se which engines will be in use. |
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Charges: |
(Some options - there are other options)
Adult:- Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu or vice versa, return fares are £17.50
(Adult), £15.75 (Concessions); single £9.90 and £8.95
Half-way returns (Caernarfon or Rhyd Ddu to or from Waunfawr £9.90 (Adult),
£8.95 (Concessions); Single £6.60 and £5.95
Pullman Luxury On some trains, Bodysgallen, the
Pullman carriage will be attached offering an extra level of comfort. A
supplement of £4.00 single (Concessions £3.60) or £8.00 return (Concessions
£7.20)
Children under 3 travel free, One child
3-15 years travels free with each paying adult, additional children
half-fare.
Dogs and bicycles £2.50.
Seat reservations are available for a supplement of
50p per seat
Special
Three-in-One ticket - giving one return journey on any three days in seven
on the Ffestiniog Railway, the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) and the
Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog). The fares are £32.00 Adults and £29.00
Concessions. Children £16.00. |
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Photo Restrictions: |
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Other Restrictions: |
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Special Needs Access: |
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Special Needs Facilities: |
Disabled Passengers: Carriages on some trains have extra
wide doors for standard width wheelchairs. Advance notice is required, and
special discounts apply for parties. |
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Children Facilities: |
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Dogs Allowed: |
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CIN Page Ref: |
Welsh_Highland_Railway_Caernarfon |
Date Updated: 06/2008 |
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Please let us know any other information that we
can add to the Further information and Planning Grids or page and any errors that you discover. Before making a long trip to any location it is always
wise to double check the current information, websites like magazines may be
correct at the time the information is written, but things change and it is of
course impossible to double check all entries on a regular basis. If you have
any good photographs that you feel would improve the illustration of this page
then please let us have copies. In referring to this page it is helpful if you
quote the CIN Page Ref at the bottom of the Planning Grid above. To print the
planning grid select it then right click and print the selected area.
Please submit information on locations you discover so
that this system continues to grow.
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