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Details
16 mile return journey by narrow gauge steam train through beautiful Mid Wales countryside.
Opened in 1903 to link the market town of Welshpool to the rural community of Llanfair Caereinion, this 2 foot 6 inch narrow gauge steam railway now provides a tourist service for all the family and a welcome change from the rush of everyday life. Built as a Light Railway to avoid some of the costs of railway construction, the narrow gauge allows for tight curves and steep gradients, enabling the line to follow the contours of the countryside. Most of our trains are steam hauled, either by one of our unique original locomotives or one from abroad. The carriages too are special; those in regular use being from Hungary and Austria with access to the enclosed seating area via an open balcony - a great way to watch the world go by.
Your journey begins on the edge of the historic market town of Welshpool. Right from the start it is all action as the train battles up the notoriously steep Golfa Bank accompanied by the sound of the locomotive echoing off the hills.
From the open balconies of our unique Hungarian and Austrian coaches you will see the beautiful mid Wales countryside roll slowly by as you travel into the delightful Banwy Valley.
Your train will be hauled by either one of our historic steam locomotives which include 'The Earl' and 'The Countess' supplied new to the railway in 1902 or one of our other operational steam locomotives were built for use in Sierra Leone and Romania.
LLANFAIR STATION, SHOP & TEA ROOM
As your journey unfolds through this picturesque part of Wales you may well see deer, hawks and even otters. As you approach your journey's end the train travels along the River Banwy into Llanfair Caereinion. Here you can visit the shop, have a snack in the Tea Room that serves hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes and freshly prepared sandwiches. On colder days soup is available, on hot days the selection of ice creams are always popular. The tearoom can be found in the same building as the shop and booking office at Llanfair Station.
DRIVE A STEAM LOCOMOTIVE EXPERIENCE DAY
Driver Experience Days are designed to give you the thrill of being at the controls of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive, doing the job for which it was designed. You will be hauling one of our standard train sets along a challenging route that abounds with sharp curves and steep gradients.
Driver experience days are restricted to one person to maximise driving time and must be pre-booked. Under the guidance of one of our regular drivers, our day starts with a short health and safety briefing before taking the controls of one of the passenger steam locomotives. Once familiarised with the controls, you will take a standard rake of carriages over the entire railway from Llanfair Caereinion to Welshpool and back.
Please note that the Raven Square Station, Welshpool is closed during the winter.
Rail Route: Llanfair Caereinion - Welshpool
For group travel at discounted rates please contact the station. We like to know in advance (if possible) if customers who use wheelchairs are travelling with us. This is because our guards can give extra help and make our wheelchair lifts available for easy access to the carriages.
Opening details
Prices
2020 Day Rover Tickets:
Adult £14.80 (in advance online £13.80)
Children aged 3 to 15 £5.00 (£4.50); Children under 3 Free
Family (2 adults + 2 children) £34.50 (£32.50)
Dogs £3.50 (£2.50)
Note: Different fares may apply for Special Events
Also at this Venue
Address
The Station,
Llanfair Caereinion,
Welshpool,
Powys,
SY21 0SF
Directions
Map reference: SJ 105067 Lat: 52.65061 Long: -3.32438
By Rail - The Welshpool Raven Square Station is approx. 1 mile from the mainline (Shrewsbury - Machynlleth - Aberystwyth) station. Passengers arriving by rail should head towards the center of town and continue straight ahead at the crossroads. Beyond here the road begins to climb before dropping back down to the roundabout at Raven Square.
By Road - Both the main stations are located adjacent to the A458 main road. Welshpool Raven Square station (Postcode is SY21 7LT) is at the west end of the town (follow the brown signs or A458 Machynlleth / Dolgellau).
Llanfair Caereinion station (Postcode SY21 0SF) is at the east end of the town. Coming in from the east (Welshpool end) on the A45, the station is first on the left immediately after the 30mph speed restriction starts. From the west continue on the A458 and follow the brown signs.
There is plenty of free parking at both Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion stations. Please note that there are no car parks at the intermediate stations.
Parking: free
Accessible by Public Transport: 1 mile from Welshpool station
Nearby
Facilities
Baby changing facilities
Coach parties accepted
Credit cards accepted (no fee)
Disabled toilets
Facilities for groups
Facilities for educational visits
Gift shop
On-site light refreshments
Picnic site
Postbox
Public toilets
Regional Tourist Board Member
Wheelchairs available
Accepts groups
Electric car charging point
Children welcome
For group travel at discounted rates please contact the station. We like to know in advance (if possible) if customers who use wheelchairs are travelling with us. This is because our guards can give extra help and make our wheelchair lifts available for easy access to the carriages.
Self-Assessed Accessibility Details
Parking
Designated parking for guests with disabilities
- The surface of the car park and pathway leading to entrance:
is gravel
Drop-off point for guests outside entrance
- The route from the parking area to the entrance:
Has a ramp
Public Areas
- Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift:
From the entrance to reception / ticket area
To a specially adapted public toilet suitable for wheelchair users
To the gift shop
Baby changing facilities
General
Seating available for visitors with limited mobility
Wheelchairs provided
Free
Audible alarm system
Entrance
Ramp to entrance
Entrance is well lit
Food
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift to cafeteria
- Restaurant / cafe provide meals for visitors with special dietary requirements:
Vegetarian
Seating suitable for wheelchair users, ie moveable and good height for person sitting in a wheelchair
Children's menu
Notes
We have two main stations, which makes filling this form a little harder. In general we would say that the disabled parking at Welshpool is a little more convenient than Llanfair for wheelchair users as it is near to the main entrance ( at Llanfair it is a little over 50m away). We have lifts for wheelchairs at both ends to help customers alight the carriages. Advance notice of customers using standard sized wheelchairs is not necessary, but much appreciated. Most standard carriages are accessible by standard sized wheelchairs and some have been adapted to take wider and electric wheelchairs. These are not always available, please check before travel.