Llanberis Lake Railway
Llanberis Lake Railway (Welsh: Rheilffordd Llyn Padarn) is a 1 ft 11½ in narrow-gauge heritage railway in Snowdonia, North Wales, running for 2.5 miles along the shore of Llyn Padarn. It operates on a section of the trackbed of the former Padarn Railway, the 4 ft gauge line that carried slate from the vast Dinorwic Quarry to the harbour at Port Dinorwic on the Menai Strait.
After the Padarn Railway closed in 1961 with the run-down of the Dinorwic Quarry, much of its trackbed was lost, but the section beside the lake survived and was relaid at narrow gauge in 1971 as a tourist line. Trains run from Llanberis through the country park alongside the lake to Penllyn, and on summer weekends to Brynrefail.
History
The line opened in 1971, using the former Dinorwic Quarry workshops site (Gilfach Ddu) as its base, the same buildings that now also house the Welsh National Slate Museum. The railway was rebuilt at 1 ft 11½ in gauge using locomotives originally built for the quarry workings themselves, giving the operation strong authenticity. The line was extended to Penllyn in 2003 and to Brynrefail (a station nearer to the head of the lake) shortly afterwards.
Original line history
The 4 ft gauge Padarn Railway opened in 1843 to carry slate from the enormous Dinorwic Quarry to a transhipment quay at Port Dinorwic on the Menai Strait. It used unique double-bogie wagons that carried 2 ft gauge quarry wagons piggy-back. With the decline of the Welsh slate industry, the line closed in 1961.
Stations and infrastructure
Gilfach Ddu is the headquarters, occupying the former quarry workshops complex (which also houses the Welsh National Slate Museum). Cei Llydan is an intermediate halt with picnic facilities, and Penllyn and Brynrefail are at the far end of the lake.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Events include steam galas with visiting industrial locomotives, photographic charters, and Santa Specials. The line's connection with the National Slate Museum allows combined visits.
Visitor information
Llanberis is on the A4086 between Caernarfon and Capel Curig. Padarn Country Park provides parking, walking trails and lakeside access. The Snowdon Mountain Railway is a short walk away.