December 2009 - NGG16 No.143 and K1 double-head towards Rhyd Ddu in a Winter Wonderland.

The railway starts beside the awe-inspiring Caernarfon Castle, snaking around seemingly impossible bends, up hard gradients and around the foothills of Snowdon to arrive at Rhyd Ddu, about 12 miles from Caernarfon and high up in the Snowdonian mountains. Leaving Rhyd Ddu, trains pass glistening Llyn y Gader and climb to the summit of the line at Pitts Head. The descent to Beddgelert follows rapidly, as the line ‘zig-zags’ down the steep hillside revealing new and unexpected vistas of the surrounding mountains at every turn.

May 2009 - 143 snakes through Aberglaslyn pass bound for Haod y Llyn.

Beddgelert station is just a short walk from the centre of the village, which - with its cafés, shops and riverside walks - provides the perfect reason to stay and explore awhile.

After Beddgelert, the railway heads toward the Aberglaslyn Pass. Trains run beside, then high above, the fast flowing Afon Glaslyn before plunging dramatically into a tunnel through the hillside. Emerging on the far side, the line descends past Nantmor village to reach a temporary loop at Hafod y Llyn - from where the trains currently return to Beddgelert and Caernarfon.

However, there is more to come, as we are working to complete the railway through to Porthmadog - where WHR trains will connect with the world-famous Ffestiniog Railway, offering onwards travel as far as Blaenau Ffestiniog. In total, a trip from Caernarfon to Blaenau will be a staggering 40 miles – truly a new 'Great Railway Journey'.

The Welsh Highland Railway is, probably… the most exciting railway project in the country - providing ‘access for all’ to some of the best scenery in the UK – it’s quite simply a must-see!

A more detailed Access Statement is available here.

PLEASE NOTE: No charge is made for Guide / Assistance Dogs travelling on our trains.

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