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Snowdon Mountain Railway

The Snowdon Mountain Railway is Britain's only rack and pinion railway, and celebrated its centenary in 1996. This Summer, Hafod Eryri, the new summit visitor centre is due to open. (The summit is pictured (right), as loco Padarn and its train prepare for the descent)
It takes passengers from the station at Llanberis to within 66 feet of the summit of Snowdon - at 3,560 feet, the highest mountain in England and Wales - the terminus being 3,494 feet above sea level. From Llanberis, the train covers a vertical distance of 3,354 feet in 4 miles 1,100 yards, taking around an hour to complete the journey, with an in-train commentary revealing the secrets of Snowdonia, rich in landscape, wildlife, history and myth.
Hardly an inch of the single track (with passing places) railway runs on the level, the average gradient being 12.8%, and the steepest 18%. At the summit, there is a licensed bar, cafe, souvenir shop and  a posting box for letters and postcards. The highest in England and Wales, mail carrying ordinary postage stamps plus those of the SMR are franked Summit of Snowdon - Copa'r Wyddfa.
On fine days the views from the train and from the summit are unsurpassed, and the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland and the Isle of Man can be seen. Snowdon is a wild, untamed part of Britain, and because of its unpredictable nature, clear sunny days cannot be guaranteed. The summit is frequently in the clouds, so appropriate clothing should be worn. To ensure the safety of passengers, at times of bad weather, trains may terminate at either Clogwyn or Rocky Valley. (Please note: there are no facilities at either of these halts)

Four steam and four diesel locomotives operate the services on the 800mm-gauge line, which is single track, with passing places at Hebron, Halfway and Clogwyn. The oldest of the steam locomotives dates from 1895, while the most recent arrival (in 1992) was diesel loco No. 12.

(Schematic Route Map of Snowdon Mountain Railway)

2008 Opening times and fares

(Left) One of the SMR trains is pictured in spectacular scenery typical of the SMR route) The Snowdon Mountain Railway operates from mid-March  to the first week of November, but does not run to a strict timetable.
Except at peak periods, the first train is scheduled to leave Llanberis at 9am, then at regular intervals until mid to late afternoon. At peak times (Bank Holidays and from mid-July to early September) trains run at roughly half-hourly intervals, with the last possible departure at 5.pm. Trains do not usually run with fewer than 15 passengers, and at slack periods the time of the last train may be brought forward.

Including a half-hour (15 mins at Rocky Valley) wait at the terminus, round trips are 2½ hours to the summit, just under 2 hours to Clogwyn, and just over 1½ hours to Rocky Valley.

Return tickets entitle the holder to a return trip on the same train as they made their outward journey, and seats on later trains cannot be guaranteed.
Single tickets (Llanberis-Summit) are principally intended for people who are going to walk from the summit (allow about 2 hours). Single tickets for the descent are sold at the Summit or Clogwyn on a standby basis only, and are subject to availability.

There is also an 'Early Bird' fare which is half-price on the 9.00am departure, for tickets booked at least one day in advance.

Fares

Return Fares Llanberis to Summit
Adults £22.00; Children under 15 years £15.00; Students, Seniors, Disabled Adults £19.00; Disabled Child £12.00
Single Fares Llanberis to Summit
Adult £15.00, Children under 15 years £12.00. Students, Seniors, Disabled Adults £12.00; Disabled Child £9.00

 

Return Fares Llanberis to Clogwyn
Adults £15.00; Children under 15 years £11.00; Students, Seniors, Disabled Adults £12.00; Disabled Child £8.00
Single Fares Llanberis to Clogwyn
Adult £11.00, Children under 15 years £7.00. Students, Seniors, Disabled Adults £8.00; Disabled Child £4.00

Note:

  • Children aged 3 and under travel free of charge on the understanding that they do not occupy seats when the train is crowded, subject to there being no more than one free child per fare paying passenger.

There are also special fares for parties of 15 or more (£50.00 non-refundable deposit required), and for bad weather operation to Clogwyn or Rocky Valley.

Telephone booking are subject to a booking fee of £3.50 per transaction.

Telephone 0871 720 0033 or email info@snowdonmountainrailway.co.uk to make your booking.

Nearby attractions

Also in Llanberis, on the opposite side of the lake in Padarn Country Park,  is the Llanberis Lake Railway, adjoining the Welsh Slate Museum. Overlooking the lake is Dolbadarn Castle.
Electric Mountain is a science centre with art galleries, natural history films and displays, and a live weather station. It is also a starting point for tours of Port Dinorwic power station.

How to get there

Llanberis station is located 7½ miles from Caernarfon on the A4086 to Capel Curig.
The nearest station on the national railway network is at Bangor, from where Llanberis may be reached by buses via Caernarfon, or a less-frequent direct service from Bangor. In the summer months there is also a direct bus service from Llandudno, which is also on the national railway network.
For details of connecting services, including travel planner and timetables, visit the Traveline Cymru website.

Select this link to access the Snowdon Mountain Railway's official web site.

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Copyright © 1996/7/8/9/2000/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 by Deryck Lewis. Photographs copyright © Snowdon Mountain Railway. All rights reserved.
Page created March 20 1997; Redesigned March 29 1999; Updated May 21 2008
If you have any suggestions, comments, or glitches to report, please contact the author at WalesRails