The Welsh Highland Railway

Welsh Highland trains cross the width of the Snowdonia National Park, past the foot of Snowdon and the beautiful village of Beddgelert, before travelling the length of the Aberglaslyn Pass – voted the most beautiful spot in the UK by members of the National Trust.

The Welsh Highland operates the most powerful narrow gauge steam engines in the world – Beyer Garratt NG/G16s weighing over 60 tons. These are the only locos capable of hauling long trains on some of the longest and steepest gradients to be found on any railway in the UK.

On April 20, 2011, the Welsh Highland was officially opened throughout from Caernarfon to Porthmadog. At 25 miles, the WHR is the longest heritage railway in the UK. Its connection with the Ffestiniog enables passengers to travel between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Caernarfon – almost 40 miles of narrow gauge steam.

Rebuilding the 25 mile Welsh Highland Railway cost £28 million, most of the work being carried out by volunteers. £12.5m of the funding came from the Welsh Assembly Government, the EU and the Millennium Lottery fund, the remainder being raised through donations and fund raising schemes. In 2014, a £1.25 million rebuild of Porthmadog Harbour Station was completed to enhance customers’ experience.