About this 2 part series: As a steam train aficionado, I was recently invited by the folks at Visit Wales and British Airways, to experience some of the marvelous small trains in North Wales. This series covers 3 aspects of that trip. The first describes some of the small trains that dot the Welsh landscape; the second describes some of the, I think, unique places I stayed in, along with ideas on equally unique sights along my route of travel; and finally, our third feature covers a village that is the most unusual – and certainly most colorful – anywhere in Europe. It’s Port Meirion and you might know it from television. I wonder if you can even guess why it’s so special? You’ll read the answers – and more – in our 2nd story. Clickety Clack - Spectacular Train Travel IS Back! Words and pictures by John Clayton Did you have a train set as a youngster? Come to that, do you recall the magical days of steam trains and all the wonder they evoked with their unique whistles, clanging bells, swishing steam and giant wheels? Have you ever wondered, as I have a hundred or more times, what is it about steam trains that still – all these years AFTER they disappeared from railroads around the world – fascinates kids and grown ups alike? Check out a stunning piece of real estate that’s filled with lovely lakes, magnificent mountains, and pretty pastures called North Wales, and you’ll find what I call “Train Sets That Are Bigger Than Toy Ones.” Go online to a wonderful website called www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk and you’ll know you’re in train nirvana. Most are of the narrow gauge kind, and almost all make you feel as if you’re in a Thomas the Tank Engine fantasy. Visit North Wales and ride some of these marvelous mechanical masterpieces of railroad engineering, and you’ll be transported back in time to the days when life was slower and easier. Come with me as we enjoy the one-of-a-kind tingling excitement – and magical moments – of three of these mesmerizing attractions. The incredible Snowdon Mountain Railway (www.snowdonrailway.co.uk) ; the gorgeous Ffestiniog Railway (www.festrail.co.uk) ; and the expanded Welsh Highland Railway – also covered on the same website www.festrail.co.uk – but let me also suggest you Google “West Highland Railway, Wales” – for news, information, free maps and vacation planning advice, see www.travelwales.org Pictures often do “say” more than words, so in order to give YOU an up close and personal view of these little wonders, let me share with you some words and photos from my journey through spectacular scenery in a wonderland of train magic from yesteryear in North Wales. The Snowdon Mountain Railway
This Is Where The Excitement Begins! With its unique trains to the top of Mt. Snowdon, the Snowdon Mountain Railway is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the United Kingdom. At 3,560 feet, it is the highest mountain, and the longest and oldest rack and pinion railway in the UK. Your journey begins here, with departures on the right, and on the left, coming back. Around140, 000 people enjoy its trains and fantastic sights every year. The narrow gauge track is two foot seven and half inches wide, and runs for a total length of 4.7 miles - a one hour journey in each direction. Whether you go in summer or winter, be sure to have a warm coat for the final leg of the trip.
The Magic of Steam! The ride to the top of Mt. Snowdon is one of the most exciting trips I’ve ever done, and the scenery encompasses stunning vistas of plunging valleys, soaring cliffs, and wind swept mountain passes. There is an average of about 4 trains each hour, and the track layout has been designed so that trains can pass each other on the way up – or down. There are 3 passing loops, all 15 minutes apart, with trains traveling at 5 mph. There is now a top notch café and Information Center on the Summit, that opened on June 12th, 2009, called Hafod Eryri - at a cost of about eleven million dollars. Be sure YOU climb a few steps outside this building and go right to the top - and see what locals call “The 5 Great Kingdoms – Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland – and Heaven.” When you visit Snowdon, be sure you buy a fascinating little booklet called “The Snowdon Mountain Railway Brochure,” as it’s filled with marvelous period photos, large mountain maps, and tons of offbeat, unusual facts and information. A Mechanical Masterpiece!
The Ffestiniog Railway
A Most UNUSUAL Locomotive! When you first see the engine shown in this photo, you wonder if your eyes are deceiving you! I mean how is that this engine looks as if it is going in two ways at the same time. More on that in a moment. The train in the foreground is the Arriva train from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog (www.conwayvalleyrailway.co.uk) and during this one and a half hour, 27 mile journey, you pass through some gorgeous scenery that – in many places – reminds you of Switzerland. Do it if you have the time. This most unusual engine (shown above) concept was first created in 1864, with the idea that the standard engine was not designed to drive in reverse for long distances – requiring a turntable at every terminus. The one pictured – the David Lloyd George – was actually built in 1992 (!) and is one of three Double Fairlies in running condition on the Ffestiniog, where the narrow gauge track is one foot eleven, point 5 inches wide. See more on Wikipedia under Double Fairlie engines.
The BEST Railroad Thrill Of All! Next to “flying” a modern jetliner myself in the confines of British Airways training center at Heathrow in London, my next biggest thrill was riding up front with the driver (engineer) on the Ffestiniog Railway. It is a thrill and excitement unlike anything I’ve ever done, and can be arranged through the line’s head office before booking. Be sure when YOU do it, to keep your head well inside the cab, as the train passes exceptionally close to large out croppings of rock that could severely impact your head if they connected! The line has 8 wonderful little steam engines with evocative sounding names like Prince, Blanche and Earl of Merioneth.
Travel In Style! When you ride this quaint, lovely, mesmerizing train along its nearly 14 mile route from the coastal town of Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, you climb 700 feet and see superb vistas of fabulous forests, wonderful waterfalls, and around many picture taking moments on horseshoe curves that makes you feel as if you’re in train nirvana – which you are. Travel in open coaches, closed ones or as I did, aboard the new, totally luxurious Observation Car – where super “Room Service” comes with the ticket – and oh my goodness, what wonderful views you get from THIS carriage The Welsh Highland Railway
What A Funny Looking Engine! Any steam buff will tell you that this is one of the true classics in steam train design – the venerable Beyer Garrett #143 proudly working the line of the Welsh Highland Railway (WHR). Her “home” was originally South Africa, and she joined the WHR in 1998, and was built in 1958. She has 3 separate “frames,” with a power unit front and rear. This design allows for a larger boiler, and because it’s articulated, means it can travel much tighter curves than regular steam engines – and thus has the power to haul up to 12 coaches on hard gradients of 1 in 40 on WHR. Check out the Wikipedia website on Beyer Garrets for more intriguing insights into this type of engine.
Many Ways to Travel The journey on the WHR concludes by historic Caernarfon Castle, and travel there can be in either the open carriage; the luxurious Pullman Observation car; or in one of the regular carriages. All are superb, and all offer different degrees of travel on this one-of-a-kind railway.
Gorgeous Scenery! A new section of track was recently opened to the wonderful sounding Hafod y Llyn that offers up even more scenic wonders of tranquility and serenity shown here – all a photographers' delight, as the train chuffs and puffs its way through Snowdonia National Park.
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