Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon),
c/o Harbour Station,
Porthmadog,
Gwynedd,
LL49 9NF
Telephone 01766 516000
Fax 01766 516005

Web: http://www.festrail.co.uk
Email: enquiries@festrail.co.uk
Satnav Postcode: LL55 2YD
Map Link: Here

The Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) is the latest member of Great Little Trains of Wales and is one of Snowdonia's newest tourist attractions.

This railway has a chequered history. It was part of a proposed network of eight narrow gauge lines across North Wales in the late 1800s. However, only two of these were built and although the line was opened right through to Porthmadog by 1923, it was never very successful and the line was officially closed in 1937. By 1941, most of the equipment had been removed for the war effort and the line was dead. In 1960 efforts were started to revive it, but it was not until the late 1980s - when the trackbed was acquired by the Ffestiniog Railway - that rebuilding was able to start in earnest and the first section of the new Welsh Highland was opened from Caernarfon to Dinas in 1997. Since then, this exciting restoration project to restore the line back to Porthmadog has attracted significant funding from bodies such as the Millennium Commission and The Welsh Assembly Government.

The line today starts its journey from beside Caernarfon's famous castle in St Helen's Road. The town is only 15 minutes off the A55, ten miles south of Bangor. There is plenty to do and a wide choice of places to eat within a few minutes walk of the station.

From Caernarfon, the train runs along the old LMS trackbed as far as Dinas, sharing the route with the Lôn Eifion cycle path. From Dinas, the line turns sharply inland and heads for the hills of Snowdonia. Waunfawr station, approximately halfway along the line, has a friendly pub and campsite beside it and there is a craft village a few minutes walk away.

The section beyond Waunfawr, as far as Rhyd Ddu, was opened in 2003. The scenery on this section is awesome as the valley opens up and Snowdon beckons. This is mountain walking country with one of the footpaths to Snowdon's summit starting from Snowdon Ranger Halt and another from Rhyd Ddu station.

Beyond Rhyd Ddu, work is in full swing to complete the last section of line to Porthmadog. There is much to be seen and what better way to do it than from an open top bus? Buses run during the summer months and at bank holidays.

We have an annual beer festival in May and an enthusiast weekend in September each year, as well as smaller events throughout the year.

The Welsh Highland is easily accessible by public transport. The nearest main line station is at Bangor with regular bus connections to Caernarfon. Many of the other stations are served by the Snowdon Sherpa bus routes.

For more information on how to find us, what is happening, and how to make the most of your visit, please visit our website www.festrail.co.uk

Your GLTW Discount Card also entitles you to discounts at the following accommodation providers. Please Note: You must disclose that you are a GLTW card holder at the time of booking and show your card on arrival.

Hotel Plas Dinorwic Felinheli 01248 670559 www.hotelplasdinorwic.co.uk 10% off
Tyddyn Iolyn Farmhouse Pentrefelyn, Criccieth 01766 522509 www.tyddyn-iolyn.co.uk 10% off 2 nights or more
Ty Mawr Tearooms & B&B Rhyd Ddu 01766 890837 www.snowdonaccommodation.co.uk 10% off 2 nights or more
Wenallt Guest House Penrhyndeudraeth 01766 770321 www.wenalltguesthouse.co.uk 10% off 2 consecutive nights

Whilst you are in the area, why not visit some of the other nearby places of interest:-

• Mighty Caernarfon is possibly the most famous of Wales's many castles. Its sheer scale and commanding presence easily set it apart from the rest-and, to this day, still trumpet in no uncertain terms the intentions of its builder, Edward I. Begun in 1283 as the definitive chapter in his conquest of Wales, Caernarfon was constructed not only as a military stronghold but also as a seat of government and royal place. The castle's majestic persona is no architectural accident; it was designed to echo the walls of Constantinople, the imperial power of Rome and the dream-castle, 'the fairest that ever man saw', of Welsh myth and legend. After all these years, Caernarfon's immense strength remains undimmed.
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• The Fun Centre in Caernarfon is North Wales biggest indoor adventure play centre! While the kids are wearing themselves out on the giant drop slides, ball pools, tubes, bridges, maze, climbing walls, net and ropes..... The adults can relax in the fully licensed restaurant, enjoy the outside patio area or have a look around our interactive museum.

• Bicycles can be hired in Caernarfon. There are a number of good safe cycle ways and bicycles can be taken on the train if you fancy a one way trip. Dinas Dinlle beach is a few miles from Dinas station and has vast areas of sand from mid-tide level. The foreshore consists of natural pebble banks. The beach offers exceptional views towards the Llyn Peninsula (Penrhyn Llyn) and towards Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn Island) on Anglesey.

• Rhyd Ddu is well known as a popular starting point for walks up Snowdon (via the Rhyd Ddu Path), Moel Hebog, Yr Aran and the Nantlle Ridge. Rhyd Ddu railway station is the current terminus of the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon. It is planned to open through to Porthmadog in 2009.