Nine "Great Little Trains of Wales" offer an opportunity to enjoy beautiful Welsh scenery and travel on a narrow gauge steam railway at the same time.

No trip to Wales is complete without a trip on a steam train. All over the Principality little engines, some over 100 years old, pull coaches full of tourists through sensational scenery. The network of narrow gauge lines, known as the Great Little Trains of Wales, trace their origins back to the industries of the late 19th and early 20th century. Then they carried produce, mainly slate from the local mines, to the larger towns where it was transferred to the main rail network.

The lines below market themselves collectively as "The Great Little Trains of Wales". Other lines include more narrow gauge lines and a number of preserved standard gauge lines that have been restored following withdrawal of passenger services. The Snowdon Mountain Railway allows those unable, or unwilling , to walk to visit the summit of Wales's highest mountain.

Talyllyn Railway

Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY, 01654 710472

A daily service between Easter and October runs between Tywyn and Nant Gwernol. The journey is 7 miles long and parking is available at Tywyn and Abergynolwyn stations.

Directions to Tywyn

Tywyn is midway between Aberystwyth and Barmouth on the A493. Cambrian Coast trains between Aberystwyth and Pwllheli call at Tywyn station, which is about 300 yards from the Talyllyn terminus.

Llanberis Lake Railway,

Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL55 4TY

Travel from the foot of Snowdon, along the shores of Padarn Lake, past the 13th century Dolbadarn Castle and enjoy superb views of Mount Snowdon and the Snowdonia National Park.

Trains on the four mile journey run most days between April and October, with limited service the rest of the year. Please contact the railway to confirm times.

Getting there

The train is easily reached from the centre of Llanberis.

Ffestiniog Railway,

Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF, 01766 516000

The oldest independent railway company in the world celebrated its 175th Anniversary in May 2007. Steam locomotives, some built in 1860, haul trains through the Snowdonia National Park between Porthmadog Harbour and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Easily accessible by public transport, there are main line connections at Blaenau Ffestiniog and Minffordd stations.

Trains on the 13 mile route run daily between April and October, with a limited service in March. The Ffestiniog also own the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) and aim to connect the two routes at Portmadog by 2009.

Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon),

c/o Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF 01766 516000

Snowdonia’s newest railway currently runs on a 12-mile route from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu at the foot of Snowdon. This railway is owned by the Ffestiniog Railway and work is underway extending the line to Porthmadog, where it will connect with Ffestiniog services.Services run daily between April and October.

Caernarfon station is in the town centre, near the castle. Use town centre car parks and follow the brown tourist signs.

Welshpool & Llanfair Railway,

The Station, Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool, SY21 0SF 01938 810441

There is a chance to see deer, hawks or otters as this 50 minute steams through the Banwy Valley into Llanfair Caereinion.

Llanfair Caereinion and Welshpool are both on the A458 Shrewsbury to Dolgellau road. The terminus at Welshpool is about a mile from Welshpool mainline station,which is on the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth line.

Vale of Rheidol Railway,

Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, S23 1PG 01970 625819

The line runs for 11¾ miles from the mainline station at Aberystwyth, through the woodlands of the Rheidol Valley, to Devil's Bridge. At Devil's Bridge the Mynach Falls drop 300 feet to meet the River Rheidol. There is a small charge to take the pathway from the bridges up to the falls.

Trains run daily in July and August and most days between April and October. Please contact the railway to confirm times.

Brecon Mountain Railway,

Pant Station, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 2UP 01685 722988

The Brecon Mountain Railway runs from Pant , just north of Merthyr Tydfil along the Taf Fechan Resevoir to Pontsticill and Dol-y-gaer in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Trains run most days between April and October. Please contact the railway for details.

Pant station is three miles north of Merthyr Tydfil and is well signposted from the A465 and A470. If travelling by public transport take the 35 bus from Merthyr Bus Station.

Bala Lake Railway,

The Station, Llanwchllyn, Gwynedd, LL23 7DD

Trains on the 9 mile return journey from Llanuwchllyn to Bala along the shores of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) are hauled by steam locomotives over 100 years old. Llanuwchllyn, is just off the A494 where there is free car parking and the usual facilities. The Bala terminus is merely a halt with no facilities..

Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog),

Tremadog Road, Porthmadog, LL49 9DY, 01766 513402

Not to be confused with the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon), this is a totally separate business. A 40 minute round trip from Porthmadog to Pen-y-Mount and Traeth Mawr offers views of Snowdonia and the local coastline.

The Porthmadog station is opposite the mainline station in the town centre and should not be confused with the Ffestiniog Railway's Porthmadog Harbour station.

All these railways are members of the Great Little Trains of Wales, and a £10 discount card offers 20% off a return journey on all nine member railways. The cards are valid for 12 months from the date the first journey is made.

Preserved Railways

Other things to do in Wales

Things to do in South West Wales

Family Days Out in South Wales

National Trust in West Wales

National Trust in South Wales

Days Out on The Gower Peninsula

Free Days Out in South Wales

Things to do in Snowdonia Wales

Things to do in Cardiff

Margam Country Park ,South Wales