Talking Timetable
01970 624 350

Copyright ©2011 Bruce Yarborough

A blast of the whistle and the hiss of steam and you’re away! Sit back, relax and let us take you on a nostalgic journey through some of Wales’ most spectacular scenery.

Travelling on the Vale of Rheidol Railway is the finest way to see the stunning Rheidol Valley. Opened in 1902, the railway has been delighting passengers young and old for over a century.

From the comfort of your carriage watch the scenery passing by. See the countryside change as you travel through wide open fields, woodland and rugged mountain scenery, the line twisting and turning as it clings to the hillside. Listen to the sound of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive working hard to climb 700ft (200m) in the 11 ¾ miles from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge.

Birds of prey such as Red Kite and Buzzards are regularly seen soaring high above the valley floor and breathtaking views can be enjoyed by all.

The line is a masterpiece of engineering, opened in 1902 to carry lead ore, timber and passenger traffic. The narrow track gauge allows the railway to follow the contours of the terrain with many sharp curves and steep gradients which add to the railway’s charm.

Our vintage steam engines and carriages were built for the line by the Great Western Railway in the 1920s and 30s. Now restored, they are still operating the trains today.

The 11¾ mile journey takes approximately one hour in each direction. Trains normally wait for one hour at Devil’s Bridge before returning to Aberystwyth.
If you need more time to explore, you may return by a later train. If in doubt ask the Guard.

The original carriages used on the railway were not designed to carry wheelchairs and therefore access at present is only possible if wheelchair users can climb two steps from the platform into the carriage. An access statement is available on request.

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