Activities

Bala Lake Railway

The Station, Llanuwchllyn, nr Bala, Gwynedd LL23 7DD

Tel: 01678 540666

e-mail: balalake@btconnect.com

website: www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Run by the company and a team of voluntary helpers, the narrow-gauge Bala Lake Railway operates a four-times-a-day service between Easter and the end of September. Three steam and one diesel locomotive haul the trains from Llanuwchllyn to Bala, enjoying wonderful views along the lake shore on their 25-minute journey. The trains run on the track bed of what was once part of the standard gauge Great Western Railway line from Ruabon to Barmouth, a line that was closed under the Beeching proposals in the early 1960s.

The main station is at Llanuwchllyn (`the village above the lake'), where there is a buffet and souvenir shop. Here, visitors can see the engine being prepared for its journey to Bala and on most days can have a look in the loco shed. All trains stop at Llangower, the mid-point along the Lake, and at the other stops, Bryn Hynod and Pentrepiod, passengers can board by signalling to the driver and alight by telling the guard in advance. The trains all finish their day's work at Llanuwchllyn. Volunteers provide the train crews and fill other posts connected with the running and maintenance of the Bala Lake Railway, one of the Great Little Trains of Wales.

Click here to leave your feedback on this establishment - featured in The Country Living Rural Guide to Wales