One of the most scenic train lines in the country has reopened to the public.
Conwy Valley Line runs through the deep valleys of Blaenau Ffestiniog, past a wildlife-rich estuary and along the gentle slopes and magnificent rock formations of this stunning patch of North West Wales.
Although the Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog route is only 26 miles long, the train journey takes more than an hour. This is largely due to the route’s sinuous and steeply graded nature, which winds through the impressive peaks and rugged splendour of Snowdonia National Park.
As much as the line is mostly used by commuters and those living in the area, it does attract train enthusiasts. One wrote on Tripadvisor: “The line from Blaenau Ffestiniog up to Llandudno is incredibly scenic, and if you’re looking for a rail journey in Snowdonia this is right up there with the heritage narrow gauge lines.”
As part of a discussion about which railway line in the UK is the prettiest, one train-head wrote: “How has nobody mentioned the Conwy Valley? It’s utterly spectacular and crams more into an hour than the ECML does into four. One of the nicest little tours you can do in the UK is a loop of Chester-Llandudno Jn-Blaenau-Porthmadog-Machynlleth-Shrewsbury-Chester, though you’ll probably need to use a bus rather than the FfR for the middle bit at present.”
The line reopened to passengers on Monday, 27 October, following four weeks of intensive work by Network Rail engineers, as part of a £1.4 million programme to make the railway more reliable during extreme weather.
Over the past month, teams have been working across the scenic valley – removing high-risk trees and clearing 600,000m² of vegetation along 54 miles of track. This work will hopefully help prevent fallen trees from blocking the line during future storms.
A new, technologically advanced solution to the age-old problem of leaves on the line is also being tried out.
For the first time in Wales, Network Rail trialled a new rail treatment on the Conwy Valley line. A road-to-rail vehicle applied a gel solution to the rails. The coating breaks down leaf contamination and stays effective for up to seven days before reactivating with rain.
“The Conwy Valley line is one of the most picturesque in Wales, but also one of the most weather-exposed. In the past decade, storms have forced the line to close for more than 500 days – disrupting passengers and the transportation of freight goods,” Network Rail wrote in a statement.
It’s not just a pretty line. There is plenty to do on it as well, depending on which of the stops you make. You can:
- Experience life as a Welsh slate miner at Llechwedd, where you can join a deep mine tour, go off-road in a quarry explorer, or have a go at slate splitting. From the mine, you can take a ride on Europe’s steepest cable railway as you’re brought back to the surface.
- Learn about local life at Llandudno Museum and Gallery, which is located in the heart of this seaside town. It is a great place to uncover the fascinating stories of local people and how the area has developed over hundreds of years.
- Discover hidden gems as you explore the Conwy Valley line on foot with Ramblers and Transport for Wales. Travel by train and explore on foot with a series of exciting walking routes with Go Jauntly and Transport for Wales.
- Request a stop at Roman Bridge. The station is an ideal starting point for walkers and cyclists looking to explore the area’s breathtaking scenery. Take in the views of the secluded cwm of Blaenau Dolwyddelan before walking to Dolwyddelan Castle, the 12th-century stronghold of Prince Llywelyn the Great.
- Stop off at Deganwy. The town overlooks Snowdonia, the Conwy Estuary, Puffin Island, and Anglesey. Just behind the town is the site of Castell Deganwy, once the seat of King Maelgwn Gwynedd. This much-visited attraction (rebuilt by Henry III in 1245) dates back to the 6th century and plays an important role in the history of Wales.
- Frolic in the spray of a waterfall. The Conwy Falls are located near Vetws-y-Coed and cascade down a gorge in the Fairuy Glen area.