Railway Rambles in Snowdonia: Featuring the Great Little Trains of Wales

Ian Coulthard

“Railways are used to access more remote routes and quiet, lesser-used footpaths and tracks … I commend this book to those with similar interests to myself …” – Peter Austin, Secretary of The Great Little Trains of Walks consortium.
Enjoy the history, engineering and romance of Snowdonia's seven preserved steam railways – while exploring the countryside of the most dramatically beautiful parts of Britain. This is the first book to attempt a comprehensive coverage of all the railways, with walkers in mind. Includes Bala Lake, Fairbourne & Barmouth, Ffestiniog, Llanberis Lake, Talyllyn and the Welsh Highland Railways, including the route to the foot of Snowdon.

The seven steam railways of Snowdonia, plus its excellent mainline network, combine to give endless possibilities for indulging in a love of steam railways with walks in splendid scenery. Publication of this book is planned to coincide with the extension of the Welsh Highland Railway through the Aberglaslyn pass and along the foot of Snowdon to reconnect Caernarvon and Porthmadog.
Although books have been written about walks based on individual steam railways, this is the first comprehensive publication, enabling walkers to explore the whole of Snowdonia and to enjoy the varied locomotives so lovingly preserved on this valuable national network.
There are 30 excellent walks from easy strolls of a few miles over fairly level ground to more energetic rambles of up to 11 miles. Each of the walks includes at least one train ride – allowing walkers and train fans to indulge both passions!
An extra treat for rail enthusiasts – three ‘bonus walks’ outside Snowdonia using the Brecon Mountain Railway, Welshpool & Llangair, and Vale of Rheidol lines.
Author, Ian Coulthard has combined his interests in Walking and history with guidebook writing. Ian lives in Wirral, just over the Welsh border, and is a frequent visitor to the mountains and railways of Snowdonia.