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Hands up if YOU'RE coming too!

Snowdon Mountain Railway

The majestic mountain adventure!

Since 1896, visitors from around the world have travelled on Snowdon Mountain Railway. Trains scale the highest mountain in England and Wales(1085m) where Snowdon boasts dramatic landscape and scenery. This unique railway is one of the most popular visitor attractions in North Wales. The Summit of Snowdon, at 3,560ft (1085m), is the highest mountain in England and Wales.

Facts & Figures

The Railway was built at the end of the 19th Century, first opening to passengers on 6th April 1896. The Railway is laid on the north-western slopes of Snowdon and in early 2008 trains will be travelling to Clogwyn station situated approximately 200 meters from the Summit. Passenger trains consist of a locomotive uniquely pushing single carriage, the carriage always being uphill of the locomotive and, for safety reasons, not coupled to it.

The trains may be either steam or diesel hauled subject to , there being 4 operational steam locomotives and 4 diesel locomotives The line is single track with passing places at Hebron, Halfway and Clogwyn. Laid to a gauge of 800mm it is fitted throughout with a double bladed rack to the design patented by Dr. Abt in 1882. With the exceptions of the tracks in the Engine shed and the sidings at Llanberis, there is not one inch of level track on the Railway. The average gradient is 1:7,8 and the steepest is 1:5.5.

The Journey

Your journey begins at Llanberis Station and continues across an impressive viaduct, past a spectacular waterfall cascading through an ancient oak forest before entering open countryside, dotted with long abandoned dwellings and grazing sheep. On fine days the views from the train as you are carried along a spectacular ridge towards the Summit are breath taking.
During the ascent of the mountain an in-carriage commentary reveals the secrets of Snowdonia, a region rich in landscape, wildlife, history and myth.

Train Operation:
Dates open: Everyday15th March to the 1st week of November (Daily Weather Permitting)
Early season trains will run to Clogwyn Station which is 3/4 distance up Snowdon. Upon completion of construction of the new Summit building, trains will again travel to the Summit.
Opening Times: 8:30 am to Mid/Late Afternoon (Dependent on demand)

Take the train to the Snowdon summit.

Attraction in Llanberis Gwynedd

Ten Top Attractions

Ten Top Attractions