The Welsh Highland Railway is running a more intensive service towards the end of the week but at the point we travelled the line there were two round trips, one from each end. Later in the week this extended to 2 1/2 round trips with the locos starting at the other end each day.
In many respects this is a “new” railway, travelling from Porthmadog it follows the alignment of the old line through to Dinas it is fair to say that the line was rebuilt from nothing.
The line runs out of Porthmadog in the opposite direction to the Ffestiniog generally heading north. There is a flat crossing with the National Rail line (currently non-operational due to the closure of Pont Brivet) and we pass the other Welsh Highland – the WH Heritage Railway which lies on the left hand side passing their terminus at Pen-y-mount. On this section we bowl along at a respectable speed as the line is either level or only a very slight gradient, stopping at Pont Croesor. This continues until we take a sharp left turn at what was Croesor Junction, the old Croesor Tramway continuing ahead. Afon Glaslyn is alongside to the left and shortly before Nantmor Halt we commence a more serious climbing passing through the Aberglaslyn tunnels.
This is the most scenically attractive section of the route as we are in the Pass of Aberglaslyn with rails, road and river close together. Between the railway and river is a restored pathway with many walkers and photographers observing our progress. Through Goat Tunnel and into Beddgelert station for a welcome breather. We are now at the bottom of a continuous climb at around 1 in 50. This section of the route is not easy as twice we turn back on ourselves as we climb – with sharp curves as well, once before Meillionen and once after. Just before the summit at 648ft above sea level there is a good view of Snowdon – as usual the top is lost in the clouds.
We pause at Rhy Ddu which was the terminus from Caernarfon for some time until the line was opened. It is a lot easier for the locomotive and crew now. Today we are behind No 138 which has performed well on the climb. We pass 143 which is operating the other service. Rather than the heavily wooded countryside we passed through earlier this is rather more bleak as we look at the lower slopes of Snowdon but as descend the landscape softens. Dinas houses the locomotive and carriage works for the West Highland Railway and there are clearly significant facilities here as we pass the Locomotive shed as we run into the station and then pass the carriage shed as we leave, the loco having taken on coal loaded by a mechanical digger.
The original Welsh Highland ended at Dinas with a connection into the Caernarfon to Afon Wen branch. The new railway however has adopted the old track bed and we continue onwards into Caernarfon coming to a rest at the temporary station almost in the shadow of the walls of the Castle. Indeed it has now been announced that a more permanent station is to be built to replace the temporary structure. Dinas to Caernarfon had been converted to a cycle path after closure of the rail line and some re-alignment of the latter has allowed the rail route to be re-instated.
There is one drawback to this one train each way timetable – we only just about have time to consume lunch in a pub before returning and no time to explore Caernarfon. Oddly I have been to the castle before – and there is not a lot to it. A return to be arranged once that new station is built. Even better if the line is extended through the tunnel under the town and there is continuing talk that for £40m a narrow gauge line could run to Bangor along the route of the standard gauge line closed in 1970.
The return working is even better. The clouds have lifted and the sun is shining and it is now possible to see the summit of Snowdon from the train. Pity we did not plan a day out visiting it!