Bala Lake Railway, Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd

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Brief description

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bala_Lake_Railway

"The Bala Lake Railway (Welsh: Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid) is a narrow-gauge railway along the southern shore of Bala Lake in Gwynedd, North Wales. The line, which is 4

+1⁄2 miles (7.2 km) long, is built on a section of the former standard-gauge Ruabon–Barmouth GWR route that closed in 1965. Another section of the former permanent way is used by the Llangollen Railway. The Bala Lake Railway, which runs on 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in)-gauge preserved rolling stock, is a member of the Great Little Trains of Wales.

The railway now has the largest collection of historic narrow-gauge quarry locomotives built specifically for the slate industry in North Wales by the Hunslet Engine Company in Leeds. 

Bala Lake Railway opened on 13 August 1972. In its first season, it operated a small industrial diesel engine with two open carriages on 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) of track between Llanuwchllyn and Pentrepiod. Extension work continued throughout this period with the help of local ex-British Rail employees. The line was extended to Llangower by the start of 1973. In 1975 the line reached a new temporary station at Pant-yr-hen-felin.[1] The following year the line reached Bala (Llyn Tegid), now known as Bala (Penybont). There were expansion plans to extend the line into Bala's town centre by 1981 but these plans were abandoned early in that year.[2]

The canopy at Llanuwchllyn was built in 1979 with supports which were made for the Cambrian Railways station at Pwllheli, but were relocated to Aberdovey in 1907 when Pwllheli station was moved. The stations along the line are:

• Llanuwchllyn, includes the main buildings, cafe, workshops and railway offices.
• Pentrepiod Halt, an operational request stop.
• Glan Llyn Halt, a limited-use station, open only during the Halloween and Santa Special train services.
• Llangower, principal intermediate station that all trains stop at. It has a passing loop for two-train services.
• Bryn Hynod Halt, a request stop that closed in 2011 (platform demolished in February 2012).
• Bala (Penybont), terminus located near the town of Bala.

The company now has the largest collection of historic narrow-gauge quarry locomotives built by the West Yorkshire Hunslet Engine Company specifically for the North Wales' slate industry

The Llanuwchllyn Heritage Centre is a museum of Welsh narrow-gauge railway located at Llanuwchllyn railway station.[3] It won the 2020 Railway Heritage Association award for Outstanding Visitor Attraction.[4][5] Exhibits on display include Hunslet Engine Company locomotive Nesta and a replica of Lord Penrhyn's private carriage, both from the Penrhyn Quarry Railway.[3] It also houses locomitves that are not currently in use which frees up spaces in the running shed and has a variety of exhibits relating to the quarry industry."

Address

Email

Phone

Website

https://bala-lake-railway.co.uk/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bala_Lake_Railway

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57455413

Directions

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Transport

Amenities

Close by is "Bwch-yn-Uchaf Campsite & B&B, What3words: Double.Scariest.Moth  https://www.bwch-yn-uchaf.co.uk/location.html located on the outskirts of the village of Llanuwchllyn (translated means church village above the lake) within the Snowdonia National Park. We have 11 acres of land for you to roam around including a 500 yard stretch of the Twrch river.

Bala Narrow Gauge Railway Station is a 2 minute walk from the cottage where a train will take you along the lake shore to the market town of Bala 5 miles away. You can also visit the train workshops, signal boxes and coffee shop - a real treat for train enthusiasts!

The village is in a large valley and the cottage has stunning scenery being overlooked by the Arenig and Aran mountains.

A ten minute walk into the village is a local pub that serves excellent food from local produce.

Bala market town has several pubs and restaurants, two small supermarkets and many small shops of interest. There are also a few takeaways when you don't fancy cooking!

The Campsite & B&B is in a good central position for exploring North & Mid Wales. The coastline of Barmouth and Aberdovey is within an hour's journey. The slate mines are 30 minutes away and if the water sports on the lake appeal to you, only 5 miles."