Compact Wales: The Great Trains of Wales Explored

Author: Arfon Haines Davies

ISBN: 9781845242602

Publication Date: 22 March 2017

Publisher: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, Llanrwst

Format: Paperback, 150x155 mm, 128 pages

Language: English

The Great Trains of Wales offers a wealth of industrial heritage but their journeys also take the passengers from the coast to the mountains, through some of the most spectacular scenery you could imagine. Including colour photographs throughout.

The following has been provided by the Publisher:

Table of Contents:

North Wales:

1. The Ffestiniog Railway

2. Talyllyn

3. Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

4. Bala Lake Railway

5. Llanberis Railway

6. Snowdon Mountain Railway

7. Penrhyn Quarry Railway

8. Llangollen Railway

9. Fairbourne Railway

10. Welsh Highland Railway

11. Rhyl Miniature Railway

12. The Great Orme Tramway

13. Conwy Valley Miniature Railway and Museum

Mid Wales:

14. Vale of Rheidol

15. The Welshpool and Llanfair Railway

16. Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

17. Corris Railway

18. Rhiw Valley Light Railway

19. Centre of Alternative Technology

South Wales:

20. Brecon Mountain Railway

21. Barry Tourist Railway

22. The Gwili Railway

23. Pontypool Blaenafon

24. Teifi Valley Railway

Author Biography:

Arfon Haines Davies has always been a locomotive fan. His interest in the steam railways of his country has tied in with his talent to communicate with his public as a broadcaster. Having presented many programmes on Welsh Heritage Railways, he is the ideal person to guide us around the tracks with interest and appreciation.

Further Information:

Wales can be proud of its railway heritage: the oldest surviving railway company in the world (Ffestiniog Railway); the first successful volunteers’ railway preservation society (Talyllyn, 1951); the highest railway in the British Isles (Snowdon); one of the first narrow gauge railways in the world (Llandegai Tramway, 1798) and the first steam engine railway in the world (Merthyr, 1804).

With its wealth of natural resources – slate, coal, ore – Wales became the first industrialised nation in the world in 1851, when most of its workers were in industry rather than toiling the land. Railways became essential links between the mines and quarries – often in high and narrow valleys – and the sea ports. The Great Trains of Wales offer a wealth of industrial heritage but their journeys also take the passengers from the coast to the mountains, through some of the most spectacular scenery you could imagine. Pastures give way to trees as you steam past ancient woodlands, streams and waterfalls.