The Welsh Mountaineer

This is a new destination for the Railway Touring Company. We’re delighted to give our customers the opportunity to travel steam hauled by a Powerful LMS Black 5 Locomotive through Wales. Travelling along the scenic North Wales coast, through the beautiful Conwy Valley to Blaenau Ffestiniog, this one’s a journey to remember!

Departing Preston at 08:30 hauled by a LMS Black 5 locomotive we head down the West Coast Main Line calling at Warrington Bank Quay to pick up further customers. We call at Frodsham for water before continuing to Chester. On leaving Chester we pass the famous Roman Wall across the River Dee into Wales.

 

Running alongside the lovely Dee Estuary and the Irish Sea, we’ll steam past Prestatyn and Rhyl along a delightful coastline known for its beaches. At Colwyn Bay we enjoy wonderful views of the Great Orme

before arriving at Llandudno.

You’ll have around three hours to visit Llandudno and enjoy the town’s Victoria Extravaganza. We set off for Blaenau Ffestiniog behind our steam locomotive, following the pretty Conwy Valley through Llanrwst into the Snowdonia National Park and Betws-y-Coed. The next part of our journey is extra special; we enter the very heart of the Welsh mountains as our train climbs up to Blaenau Ffestiniog Tunnel. At over two miles long, this impressive piece of engineering is the longest single track tunnel in the country. We pass through the old slate quarry before arriving at our terminus, where you have a choice.

You can visit the famous narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway*, 177 years old and still going strong. Or you can choose to brave the dramatially gloomy Llechwedd Slate Caverns for a trip on the 800m battery locomotive-hauled Miners’ Tramway. You can even descend into the Deep Mine via a funicular railway, Britain’s steepest passenger line with a very challenging gradient of 1 in 1.8.

Our train departs Blaenau, steam hauled, at about 17:00 and retraces its steps back to Llandudno Junction before proceeding to Chester, still steam-hauled. On departure from Chester we call at Frodsham and Warrington Bank Quay to set down passengers. Our final calling point is Preston, here we say goodnight to our steam locomotive and it leaves for a well earned rest. 

 

*We have arranged a steam journey (extra cost) from Blaneau Ffestioniog to Ddault and back over the most scenic section of the line. This train will be hauled in turn by two narrow gauge locomotives.

• First Class includes morning coffee and Danish pastries and tea and biscuits in the afternoon.
• Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.
Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class for a supplement of £15 per person.
(subject to availability)