Their little steam engines take you on a five-mile return journey alongside Lake Padarn, right in the heart of Snowdonia.
The journey takes you past the 13th century Dolbadarn Castle, across possibly Britain’s shortest river and past Llanberis’ twin lakes. From Llanberis the train runs non-stop through the Padarn Country Park, joining the 1845 slate railway route to run along the shores of Lake Padarn to Penllyn, and giving stunning views of Snowdon, the highest peak in England and Wales.
There’s a short stop at Cei Llydan, a beautifully tranquil place that’s ideal for a lakeside picnic, and at Gilfach Ddu, where you can visit the National Slate Museum, watch the driver stoking the fire, the engine taking water, or spend some time in their gift shop and cafe.
The five mile return trip takes around 60 minutes, and all advertised trains are scheduled to be hauled by one of their vintage steam engines rescued from the nearby Dinorwic slate quarries and lovingly restored.
All their trains have wheelchair accommodation, but spaces are limited, so please let them know you are coming. Toilets, including disabled access, are situated nearby in the Country Park.
The Train Journey
Most of their passengers begin their journey at either Gilfach Ddu station, in Padarn Country Park or at Llanberis Station, now that the line has been extended. As it’s been their traditional terminus, they’ll start the journey at Gilfach Ddu.
If you arrive by car, you will find plenty of parking in the pay and display car park operated by Gwynedd Council. This serves the railway, the slate museum and several other attractions in Padarn Country Park. Before you make your way to the station, take a moment to think if you were here 200 years ago, you would be standing in the middle of the lake, as the whole of the car park and the area known as Gilfach Ddu is reclaimed land as a result of the quarry tipping slate waste into the only available space at the time, the lake. Would that be allowed today?
Tickets for the train ride are sold in the Station Building, as is a range of gifts,books, souvenirs and refreshments.
