Classy Carriage!
This week has been an exciting one for the Snowdon Mountain Railway - one of the area's most popular attractions, and just a short hop from the Oakeley Arms Hotel. The railway has taken delivery of some shiny new railway carriages - the first new carriages in almost 100 years!
The Snowdon Mountain Railway or Rheilffordd yr Wyddfa has been trundling from Llanberis up and down Wales' highest mountain since it opened in 1896. The railway cost nearly £64,000 to build, which in today's money is over £5 million! It is the only rack and pinion type of public railway in the UK, and during the summer months, the busy carriages are packed with tourists and sightseers who wish to travel in style to the top of Snowdon.
The Snowdon Mountain Railway was opened as a way of bringing visitors and trade to Llanberis, and there was a great deal of excitement on the day of the grand opening, but tragically disaster struck when a carriage left the track and lost control. Sadly, a passenger was killed when they jumped from the carriage. The railway was closed until the following year, when it re-opened to great anticipation; it has been a favourite of visitors to Snowdonia ever since.
The current carriages on the railway have been with the railway since 1923. Of course, they've been modified, repaired and adapted since then, but the new carriages will mean a potential increase in passengers, and comfort!
The railway is now closed for the winter months, but will re-open in the Spring when the four new carriages will be unveiled.
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Image by Mike Shields on wikicommons
You can find out more information about Snowdonia Mountain Railway, as well as updates, news, prices, booking and history on their website, click here.
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