WOW! What a brilliant day was had. While staying in a lovely location in North Wales we decided to take a steam train ride – not just any old train but one on The Welsh Highland Railway that takes you through the Snowdonia National Park, down from Caernarfon and directly into Porthmadog. Using the largest two-foot gauge steam locomotive that can be seen anywhere in the world, it pulls this long train to cope with the sharp curves and undulating gradients amongst beautiful scenery.
It weaved and wound its way, through dappled sunlight of the trees, into tunnels cut into the mountains and pass sparkling waterfalls, puffing but certainly not panting. Travelling in the observation car of the Pullman carriage gave us glorious views; hikers and picnickers gave us waves and enthusiastic locomotive watchers ‘trained’ their cameras on us. It was not exactly a dry or hunger depriving trip either. Beer, wines and spirits together with tea and coffee are supplied on a buffet trolley with snacks, Welsh Afternoon Tea and even a range of hot meals and freshly cooked food supplied and brought to your table. Even better on a hot day – ice cream!
Climbing aboard at Waunfawr this one-and-a-half hour trip each way is not exactly cheap at approximately £100 for two but it is worth every penny of an exciting, picturesque form of viewing North Wales from a different angle. One not to be missed if you have the opportunity.
