| Scenic Railways Wales UK |
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Featured Article
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Two Fantastic Journeys on Just One Ticket by John Davies
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The Conwy Valley train travels through some of Wales' wildest and most beautiful scenery and connects easily into the Snowdon Sherpa buses to get you almost anywhere in the northern Snowdonia area; and to the Ffestiniog Railway for a thrilling ride on a vintage narrow gauge steam train to the Cambrian Coast at Porthmadog. And both these trips can be done with just one ticket from your local station
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 The Conwy Valley Line's breathtaking range of scenery unfolds before your eyes, from the historic castle at Conwy, through estuary rich in wildlife, to gentle slopes that give way to majestic crags as the train crosses the Lledr River over the dramatic Gethin's viaduct. You glimpse fairytale landscapes, the imposing 12th century
Dolwyddelan Castle, ancient quarries and tracks, forests and the high peaks of Snowdonia before entering the heart of the mountain to emerge some minutes later in the imposing and historic industrial landscape of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
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 It all begins at Swansea (or Travel beyond on the Ffestiniog Railway and you will see more magnificent landscapes from a narrow-gauge carriage usually hauled by an historic steam locomotive.
The descent to Porthmadog is dramatic, starting with the craggy mountain sides, then through Dduallt where the track spirals to reach a lower level; Tan-y-Bwlch where the line passes through beautiful woodland nature reserves; the small former industrial village of Penrhyndeudraeth; finally reaching Porthmadog over the famous 'Cob' causeway across the estuary.
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Betws-y-Coed is a bustling hub of Snowdonia, with lots to see and do. It is also your main gateway to northern Snowdonia, where Sherpa buses will link you direct to Capel Curig and Pen-y-Pass for Snowdon itself. By further interchange at Pen-y-Pass, still on your through ticket, you can reach Llanberis and Beddgelert. 
Blaenau Ffestiniog, slate capital of the world, is the gateway to southern Snowdonia. Visit a working slate mine,or take a scenic bus ride to Dolgellau; or to Harlech and Barmouth where you can link with the Cambrian Coaster trains.
 There is a series of scenic walks from stations on the Conwy Valley line. Ask for the '9 Walks from the Conwy Valley Line' brochure at principal rail st tions or pick up at one of the Tourist Information Centres in North Wales. For more strenuous activity, Sherpa buses access many mountain walks, and Roman Bridge station is the starting point for some of Snowdonia's more challenging walks including the mountains, Moel Siabod and the Moelwyn Range.
Through trains run from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Warrington and Chester to Llandudno Junction from where it is a simple interchange on to the Conwy Valley Line. You can buy your Ffestiniog and Snowdon Connection tickets at any main station.
For train times and fares, call 08457 484950 or go to www.arrivatrainswales.com;
for further information on the Conwy Valley Line, go to www.conwyvalleyrailway.co.uk;
for the Ffestiniog Railway, call 01766 516073 or go to www.festrail.co.uk, and
for Snowdon Sherpa, call 01286 679535 or email bwsgwynedd@gwynedd.gov.uk.
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Associated Features
Through the Heart of Wales
My Escape to the Cambrian Coast
Eryri-Rhwng y Graig a'r Tonnau
Snowdon Sherpa'r Wyddfa
The Flexible Travelling Companion
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