Vale of Rheidol Railway
The Vale of Rheidol Railway is an 11¾-mile, 1 ft 11¾ in (597 mm) narrow-gauge railway in mid-Wales, running from Aberystwyth on the Cardigan Bay coast to Devil's Bridge high in the Cambrian Mountains. The line climbs 680 feet through spectacular scenery, with the upper section running through the Rheidol Gorge.
The line opened in 1902, primarily for lead ore traffic but with a substantial summer tourist trade. It was absorbed by the Great Western Railway in 1922 and continued under the GWR and the British Railways Western Region. Uniquely, after the end of standard-gauge BR steam in 1968, the Vale of Rheidol continued as the only steam railway operated by British Rail, even being officially repainted in BR blue with double-arrow logos in the 1970s. It was privatised by sale in 1989 to the Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust.
All three of the line's GWR-built locomotives (1923–24) survive and remain in regular service.
History
The Vale of Rheidol Light Railway was opened in 1902 by the Vale of Rheidol Railway Company to carry lead ore from Cwm Rheidol to Aberystwyth, with a substantial summer tourist business. The Cambrian Railways acquired it in 1913, and the GWR inherited it at Grouping in 1922. The line was nationalised in 1948 and uniquely survived the end of BR steam in 1968, running as the only steam railway in the BR fleet for over twenty years, even being formally repainted in BR corporate blue with double-arrow logos. In 1989 it was privatised to the Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust, which has maintained and developed it ever since.
Stations and infrastructure
Aberystwyth is the coastal terminus, sharing the railway station building with Transport for Wales' Cambrian Coast Line services. The narrow-gauge platform is at the end of the building. Devil's Bridge is the spectacular upper terminus, near the famous Mynach Falls and the medieval bridges. Aberffrwd is the principal intermediate stop.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The line operates an enthusiast Steam Saturday programme, gala weekends, and Santa Specials. Driver experience courses on the GWR locomotives are available.
Visitor information
Aberystwyth station is the terminus of the Cambrian Line from Birmingham, Shrewsbury, and Machynlleth. The narrow-gauge platform shares the same building as the main-line trains.