Welsh Mega Steam

An amazing 8 day Steam tour - of Railtrail’s renowned German Mega Steam proportions but based in Wales! We compiled and operated this tour in 2009 for a private group of German enthusiasts who were visiting the UK and it was so popular and incredibly enjoyable we are delighted to repeat it for you.

A unique opportunity to experience all the steam possible in the stunning scenery of Northern Wales. If you’ve always promised yourself to ‘do’ all these famous railways but never got round to it, then this is a unique opportunity to bag them all in one go. What’s more, by using University accommodation, there is no single room supplement to pay if you are travelling alone. So, book now for a wonderful 8 day ‘bash’ with great camaraderie!

FIRST class with Railtrail: Start your holiday in style; travel First Class from your Home Station to the Tour Base, and return. Upgrades from as little as £25.

DAY 1 Saturday August 28th: Travel independently to Bangor (special value ITX rail tickets available for this tour, only from Railtrail) where we have three nights half board accommodation at the University*. DAY 2 Sunday August 29th: We travel aboard our private coach to the foot of Snowdon for a return journey on the Llanberris Lake Railway before taking steam to the new summit station (weather permitting) on the breathtaking Snowdon Mountain Railway. Upon returning to base station we continue our circular tour by calling in at Llandudno to enjoy a journey up the Great Orme Tramway. DAY 3 Monday August 30th: Seen as being one of the great wonders of the world, the new Welsh Highland Railway takes us by steam from Caernarvon along the whole length of the section open to the public including the glorious Aberglaslyn Pass and returning to Beddgelert, from where we continue by road to Porthmadog for a steam journey on the Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog) - including a visit to the shed and museum collection. We then continue an amazing circular tour travelling up the Ffestiniog Railway from Porthmadog to Blaeanau Ffestiniog then by road across to the Welsh Highland to steam back to Caernarvon and by road back to Bangor. DAY 4 Tuesday August 31st: It’s transfer day and whilst your luggage is placed on our coach we travel by train from Bangor via Llandudno Junction then along the scenic Conwy Valley line to Blaeanau Ffestiniog before boarding the Ffestiniog train to steam down to Porthmadog. After a break in Porthmadog we board the Cambrian Coast express for a steam hauled run along the spectacular coastline to Machynlleth where we board the scheduled service train for our onward journey to Aberystwyth and the university that is our home for the next two nights. DAY 5 Wednesday September 1st: The Vale of Rheidol Railway is our base for the morning as we complete a return journey over the whole length of the line to Devils Bridge and back to Aberystwyth. In the afternoon you can choose to have a second run up the line to Devils Bridge and back or accompany the Tour Manager on our coach to Fairbourne for a steam ride through the sand dunes. DAY 6 Thursday September 2nd: Once again its transfer day and with luggage safely stored on our coach we spend the morning visiting the famous Talyllyn Railway with ample time to complete a return journey along the whole length of the line from Tywyn Wharf to Nant Gwernol before heading off for an afternoon on the Bala Lake Railway. Then its on Wrexham University, our home for the next two nights. DAY 7 Friday September 3rd: Today we have a full day at the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway on what is expected to be the first day of their annual gala. A superb 8 mile long line with great photo opportunities. DAY 8 Saturday September 4th: The final day of our memorable holiday features the very best of the Llangollen Railway. We have a very special relationship with the volunteers of the railway as we organise their annual ‘works outing’ holiday. So a wonderful day is in store with multiple return journeys along the line, shed and works visits and lots of camaraderie with our friends there. We conclude the holiday by road to Crewe for homeward trains.