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In May I'll be delivering my dad to Holyhead so he can take the ferry to Ireland, and we would like to visit one or two narrow gauge railways.  Which are most interesting?

I've based this list on the railways listed on "The Great Little Trains of Wales" website (http://greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk/index.html (http://greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk/index.html)), and I assume they're all included.

I've set up this poll so voters can select up to three railways.

It's going to depend on how long you've got. For example the Brecon mountain railway is in South Wales  so isn't going to be an easy visit from Holyhead. It might be an idea to check where they all are on the map and narrowing the choice down a bit.

Closest to Angelsea are the WHHR (good cafe, good selection of stock and museum), WHR (a very nice run, but the section from Waenfawr to Caernarfon is a bit dull) and FfR (hard to say what's interesting about the run - perhaps it's over familiarity). It might also be worth looking into going to Penrhyn Castle (a National Trust property) for the railway museum.

Another pointer is seeing what is en-route. MrsW and I often stop off at the Welshpool (specifically Llanfair) for a cuppa and a slice of cake (which has always been very tasty!) on our way from Birmingham to the top left hand cornet of Wales, and it's not to difficult to then go from Llanfair to Towyn before turning right to go along the coast.

No vote from me as three votes is not enough though there are three lines that I would not vote for. Each railway has its merits and demerits. One has to experience each line to decide whether a return is worthwhile. Then the question is which line is worth a return visit and what criteria do you put forward to make that return ride. Is it the big or little steamy thing pulling your selected train through dramatic mountain scenery or along a lakeside or through rolling hills. Some lines are progressive and others less so while other lines have changed and developed in quite subtle ways.

Tom, it is really up to you to make up your own mind which railway to travel on. My own recommendation would be one of the railways in Caernarvonshire. Then work down the coast to Towyn and then inland to Welshpool.

Roger

I've just seen this.. I'm off to Porthmadog for the 1st May bank holiday, then a nice little week with the family.. Lots of train rides and Castle visits :)

I could NEVER support or recommend the Festiniog in any way after the way they treated the Welsh Highland Heritage line. I know that is going to be contentious but it is how I feel.

Rod

Assuming that this is just a bit of fun and fitting in with the "worth a visit" theme I'd like to recommend Vale of Teifi -

ideal for a visit with a family of non-enthusiasts, short enough not to bore them, close to many other places to visit on holiday and a halt with a name that is bound to appeal anyone of a juvenile nature  :laugh:

"Most worth a visit" is a bit hard to tie down between a purely subjective 'favourite railway' and something more quantifiable.

Rod, I don't want to get into an argument with you but would the heritage crowd have done what the FR has done. Compare the timescale of the WHHR to what the FR has achieved and from where would they have got the financial clout to do it.

Roger 

This isn't really an answer to the question, but the Vale of Rheidol is one of the most underrated in my opinion. Far from the usual tourist traps and a bit difficult to get to, a sparse service, little in the way of shops or refreshments, but an excellent journey with brilliant scenery. Really the only thing that spoils it for me is the air pumps on  the tanks fronts of the locos. They are also making large capital investments which suggest it's going to be a "must see" destination before long.

I agree with Chris regarding the Rheidol. Once they have everything in place it will be worth the extra mile to go to Aberystwyth.

Roger

Fellow Forum Members,

Before you post in this thread, will you please read the original poster's question before replying.

This is not about the politics or attitudes of the various railways,  it is about the potential visitor experience of the railways as they are now.

I'm receiving complaints about some of the postings made, so do keep to the point please;

Garry

Quote from: garrywhiting on April 12, 2014, 19:23
Fellow Forum Members,

Before you post in this thread, will you please read the original poster's question before replying.

This is not about the politics or attitudes of the various railways,  it is about the potential visitor experience of the railways as they are now.

I'm receiving complaints about some of the postings made, so do keep to the point please;

Garry

Thanks, Garry. I was about to post something similar as I, too, have had a complaint.

I voted for the FR, WHR and WHHR.

At the end of the day if you are going to NG railways in North Wales these are the ones not to miss.

However I agree about the VOR, when all the plans come to fruition it will be an unmissable NG location.

Quote from: chrisveitch on April 12, 2014, 17:46
They are also making large capital investments which suggest it's going to be a "must see" destination before long.

I think you will find that all the major capital investment on the VOR is coming from one individual!

Brian Meldon

Quote from: B.Meldon on April 14, 2014, 13:47
I voted for the FR, WHR and WHHR.

At the end of the day if you are going to NG railways in North Wales these are the ones not to miss.

However I agree about the VOR, when all the plans come to fruition it will be an unmissable NG location.

Quote from: chrisveitch on April 12, 2014, 17:46
They are also making large capital investments which suggest it's going to be a "must see" destination before long.

I think you will find that all the major capital investment on the VOR is coming from one individual!

Brian Meldon

I don't think I suggested otherwise, did I? I just said "investments" plural because there's work going on at several sites on the railway. I think the new workshop will be particularly impressive - note to self to bend some ears to get a visit sometime.

I say:

W&LLR - Parts history, friendliness, and difference to the others
VoR - Best in rainy conditions for some awesome wheel slip!
Tal-y-llyn - The original preserved railway and its unique engines

I was in Wales last year over the summer and did a few more:

FR - Nice, unique engines
WHR - What a massive project, unique engines again
Snowdon - Too commercial...

The only one I wouldn't recommend is the Snowdon, sorry for any fans!

Do them all and remember to ask for the "Great little trains of wales pass"....

When I voted I was thinking of railways which are unusual or interesting or have just opened, such as Corris or Brecon (opened their extension on 1st April). Some of the smaller lines/museums are quite interesting as well and good if you want to have something to eat and not take too long, such as Conwy Valley Museum, where there's a 15 inch gauge overhead electric tram running ( http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=4158 ).

I'm off to Wales next week..

My list is.. Ffestiniog, Welsh Highland, Welsh Highland Heritage and Talyllyn. Not sure about Snowdon.

That makes the Great Little Trains Card at

Hi Scott.

There are also some very good walks that take in abandoned NG railways that may well be of intrest to other members of your family for their scenic value.#

It will depend on where you are staying, but with the evenings now getting lighter weather permitting it may be ideal to go for an hours walk after your evening meal.

Brian Meldon

Cheers Brian.. I'll look at that..

At the moment I'm struggling with the Welsh Highland Timetable..

The trains Tuesday and Wednesday only give an hour in Caernarfon..

Yes indeed 13:05 to 14:15 is not really enough time to look around the castle and certainly not enough for a boat trip.

Brian Meldon

Might be a miss this time :( I don't think the wife and baby will last 2hrs there, 1hr then 2hrs back..

I'm already pushing it with the other days out!