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For all steam train enthusiasts, this tour enables you to get around and link up with the very best steam railways in North Wales!
A blast of the whistle and the hiss of steam and you’re away! Discover the timeless appeal of our narrow-gauge steam trains and savour the grandeur of North Wales. Sit back, relax and let us take you on a nostalgic journey through some of Wales’ most spectacular scenery.
No two railways are the same and they all offer a unique experience of a bygone era. The special attraction of narrow gauge railways lies in their modest size compared with the main line ones and their leisurely speed gives time to take in some of the splendid scenery.
Our steam train tours are tailor made to meet your own specific needs, working around the operating timetables of each railway company.
We feature nine different steam railway touring options and the great benefit in taking our Steam Railway tours is that you can take in two different journeys in one day, as we link you quickly and efficiently between the railway operating companies.
Our most popular scenic Steam Railway Tour features the unique Snowdon Mountain Railway, along with the oldest operating railway company in the world, the Ffestiniog Railway!
The options below provide you with a choice of train experiences. We will work with you to design the perfect custom tailor made tour.
There are nine different railway options to choose from and subject to the operating timetables by each company,
we usually try to build a tour around two different experiences during one touring day, subject to the individal railway operating schedules for your chosen tour date/s
All train tickets are subject to availability at the time of booking and creating your personalised steam train tour experience
Truly one of the best ‘Great Little Railways’ of Wales and officially the oldest operating independent railway company in the World! The Ffestiniog Railway still operates three of their original steam locomotives, which are over 150 years old – and offers you an unrivalled journey back into the golden age of rail travel. This two foot gauge railway opened originally in 1836 and is a 13 ½ mile journey from the coast at Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The train journey climbs over 700 feet up into the mountains and provides beautiful scenic views of the Snowdonia National Park.Rated
The UK’s longest heritage railway with a track that runs 25 miles from coast to coast through the scenic Snowdonia National Park. Enjoy the site of the huge Beyer-Garratts steam engines. The train journey routes from Caernarfon, around the foot of Mount Snowdon, passing lakes and through the scenic village of Beddgelert and the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass to Porthmadog on the coast.
This a historic narrow-gauge steam railway which opened in 1865 and operates along the scenic and beautiful Fathew valley. The line runs for seven and a quarter miles from Tywyn on the coast to Nant Gwernol, from where a series of horse-drawn tramways continued into the mountains. Both the original locomotives and all the original carriages remain in regular use to this day.
Listen to the sound of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive working hard to climb 700ft (200m) in the 11 ¾ miles from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge. The line is a masterpiece of engineering, which opened back in 1902 and the locomotives and carriages currently in use were built for the line by the Great Western Railway between 1923 and 1938.The narrow track gauge allows the railway to follow the contours of the terrain with many sharp curves and steep gradients. Witness the countryside changing as you travel through wide open fields and meadows, through woodlands and onto rugged mountain scenery, with the line twisting and turning as it clings to the hillside.
Enjoy an 8 mile steam train ride through the Welsh countryside into the delightful Banwy Valley. The train will be hauled by one of our historic steam locomotives and the excitement begins as the train battles up the notoriously steep Golfa Bank accompanied by the sound of the locomotive echoing off the surrounding hills. The line was built as a light railway, with a 2 foot 6 inch narrow gauge track that allows for tight curves and steep gradients, enabling the line to follow the contours of the countryside
Primarily a steam hauled Heritage Railway capturing the sights and sounds of yesteryear. The Llangollen Railway is the only operating standard gauge heritage railway in North Wales and the line follows the River Dee for 10 miles and remains close to the waters edge through the picturesque Dee Valley to the town of Corwen. The views from the carriages are picturesque and ever changing as you meander through the Dee Valley, passing through some of the finest natural beauty North Wales has to offer. All the stations along the track are of a typical Victorian design and each station has been recreated in 1950’s Great Western colour scheme.
Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake Railway) offers a delightful journey from Llanuwchllyn (‘the village above the lake’) alongside Llyn Tegid, Wales’ largest natural lake. The narrow gauge steam trains give excellent views of the beautiful Snowdonia National Park as it passes through pastoral and woodland scenery, and of the nearby mountains, Arenig Fawr, Aran Benllyn and Aran Fawddwy. The steam locomotives are all ex-quarry engines, all but one from the slate quarry at Llanberis.
A very popular small railway track featuring little steam engines vintage steam engines rescued from the nearby Dinorwic slate quarries and lovingly restored. Originally built as a railway to export the slate from the Dinorwic Quarry, the line now features a journey alongside Lake Padarn and provides magnificent views of Mount Snowdon and the surrounding high peaks.
Departures operate from April through to October and are subject to weather conditions on the day on the mountain.
Enjoy an authentic experience with the heritage steam engines, The Snowdon Lily or The Snowdon Mountain Goat.
This unique journey features an original steam locomotive pushing the single carriage and there is only a maximum capacity for 34 passengers!
The Heritage Steam Experience only operates between Monday and Fridays from the 9th of June to the 12th of September, 2025 (weather permitting).
Enjoy an authentic experience on our heritage trains. The Snowdon Lily and The Snowdon Mountain Goat are accurate reconstructions of the Snowdon Mountain Tramroad & Hotels Co Ltd. observation carriages, built on the original chassis and bogies from 1896 and pushed by original Swiss steam locomotives.
Seating only 34 passengers with a central aisle, our Heritage Steam Experience is ideal for passengers who prefer a little more room. Steam trains run from the 9th of June to the 12th of September (weather permitting), with departures running on weekdays only. All bookings for this service include one Souvenir Guide per booking.
The Great Little Steam Train Tour of North Wales can be custom designed to fit a number of touring options such as duration and pick up/drop off locations.
We can start this tour from Chester and Liverpool or anywhere within the North Wales region. Remember, this will be your very own custom tailor made ‘Steam Train Tour of North Wales’. We plan the steam railway tours to coincide with each of the railway operators timetable to help you make the most of your visit.
PLEASE NOTE: The main bulk of the train schedules operate between March and October.
If you are a steam train fanatic, then ask about our three or five day ‘Steam Train Extravaganza’ tour. We link up with all the steam railways across the north Wales region and custom design your perfect private tour experience, where you can even get to ride on the footplate of a steam engine with certain train operators and visit the likes of the engine sheds.
Like most other professional private driver guide operators, our tour rates do not include:
Accommodation / Entrance fees to Attractions / Refreshments, Drinks, Meals / Gratuities.
By booking direct with us there are no booking fees or credit card charges.
We accept payment by American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Debit Card
or by Electronic Bank Transfer.
It’s your very own private tour and we can custom design a tour itinerary to suit what you want to do and see. Our flexibility in designing a tailor made tour means you have the flexibility to make changes to any of our tour examples. So take something out or add something more appealing to your desires, or alternatively, add an element from another tour and combine it to create your perfect touring day.
All you have to do is ask and if it is possible, then it will be our pleasure to accommodate your wishes.
