(28/03/2011) The Snowdon railway is operating a service to Clogwyn or Rocky Valley. A full service resumes in May.

Although we have climbed Snowdon many times, we had never taken the train to the top. So, recently we decided the time had come to fix that, by way of a "road test" for our guests.

Yet again the bank holiday weather was fine and sunny, and the station in Llanberis was as busy as I've ever seen it with fairly long queues for the two snack bars. Gill took the opportunity to view the short film (I had a beer) giving some background information about the construction of the line: apparently the starting point might have been at Rhyd Ddu or Beddgelert rather than Llanberis because the local landowner was originally unwilling to sell. It's hard to imagine Llanberis without the railway.

The line was pretty busy, with two trains going up at popular times. We were pleased to find that we had been allocated to the steam train rather than the diesel. The coaches are small and can be a little cramped, but on the way up we had a spare seat in the carriage, which helped. (Disabled passengers board first, with a ramp for wheelchairs.) On the way back a walker took the spare seat, having decided to take the easy way down. This option is not always available at busy times. More importantly, if you miss the train for the return journey you are not guaranteed a seat on another train!

The train journey gives a different view of the route from Llanberis, although at times the line is close to the path. For example you get to see a nice waterfall which walkers miss. And for once it was pleasant to imagine how hot and thirsty those people would be walking up while we sat in (relative) comfort. You also get a commentary (up only) which was difficult to hear at times with the noise of the engine on the steep sections. Well OK, the diesel would probably have been quieter...

Passing the down train at half way:

And here's a view of Mynydd Mawr ("elephant mountain") and the Nantlle valley with the Irish Sea beyond:

At the top were the usual bank holiday crowds, and we would have had to queue for food and drink. But this wasn't an option as you only get 30 minutes at the top before the train returns (remember the "friendly advice").

Here's our train ("Padarn") at the summit. You can see the rack-and-pinion system that allows the engine to climb the mountain. The steam engines have to take on water half-way up, but not on the way down. Technical information about the railway is available here: http://www.snowdonrailway.co.uk/technical_info.php.

The caffi is wearing better than I expected, and the view from the picture windows is still spectacular. Oddly, it's almost more spectacular from the inside!

But it feels better with the wind in your face.

For the trip down we swapped seats to get a different view -- this time without the commentary.

Is it worth it? I would say yes, even at £25 per person return or £18 single (and no family tickets or OAP concessions any more). On a cloudy day the experience would be rather muted, but you might have a carriage to yourself.

The trip might even inspire you to take one of the other routes and walk up -- and maybe down too! Incidentally, on the Llanberis Path there is a recently refurbished "Halfway House" selling drinks and snacks.

The railway stops running at the end of October and starts again (weather permitting) in May.