The Vale of Rheidol Railway
The Railway Today
High in the hills of Mid Wales lie The Devils bridge, Jacobs Ladder, The Mynach
Falls and The Devils Punchbowl. All these attractions are within a brisk walk
of the Vale of Rheidol Railway's inland terminus and the railway itself offers
views of the spectacular and remote valley of the Rheidol river.
 |
Prince of Wales is prepared
for another trip up the valley |
The railway's headquarters is at Aberystwyth station, which it shares with
Central Trains, after leaving the station, located in this major tourist centre, the
railway sets off up the flat broad valley. Initially running through the outskirts
of the town, the railway soon begins to cross open fields until, by the time the
train gets to Aberffrwyd, the character of the valley has changed, becoming
steeper and narrower. From Aberffrwyd on the journey becomes
unforgettably spectacular with the train hauling itself up a constant 1 in 50
gradient as it runs through severe horse shoe curves built on a ledge cut into
the valley wall. The traveller could be forgiven for becoming disorientated as
the train repeatedly doubles back on itself as it follows the contours of the
land.
Once the long climb gains access to Devils Bridge station, which is
surprisingly level and spacious, the traveller can disembark for a walk to the
many scenic attractions of the area, take refreshments in the cafe or watch as
the train is made ready for the (much less arduous) journey back. The
locomotives and rolling stock on this railway are built to a large loading
gauge with the result that the passenger accommodation is roomy and comfortable
(although I can remember a rough ride on this railway on one occasion) and the
engines are powerful and heavy. These locomotives are more modern than many
that we see on Britains narrow gauge railways and this is reflected in their
solid and purposeful appearance.
History and Origins
Construction of the Vale of Rheidol Railway was started in 1901, following an
act of parliament passed in 1897. This was one of the last of the Welsh Narrow
Gauge Railways not originally built as a tourist railway or volunteer project.
Some tourist traffic was envisaged but the primary purpose of the railway was
to haul minerals (lead, copper, zinc and iron ores) from the Devils Bridge area
to the sea and the railway in Aberystwyth. The railway was inspected for safety
twice in 1902 before being granted permission to start carrying passengers.
The locomotives were built by Davies and Metcalfe of Cheshire who produced a
pair of large, purposeful 2-6-2 two foot gauge engines one of which (Prince of
Wales) still graces the line today. Two later locomotives, built in the Great
Western works at Swindon, very much follow the style of the two originals.
The line has been through a large number of owners following the original
company, the next operator was Cambrian Railways who took over the line in 1913.
In the grouping of 1923 the line passed into the hands of the Great Western
Railway who moved the Aberystwyth terminus to its current location alongside
the standard gauge trains. The railway was closed during the war and, in 1948,
only three years after re-opening, Railway Nationalisation meant transfer to
British Rail, where, as steam passed away elsewhere, it became the last steam
operated BR railway. When closure looked imminent the
Brecon Mountain Railway (who operate a 2' gauge tourist line in South Wales)
took over the Vale of Rheidol in time for the 1989 summer season thus ensuring its
future although it has since regained it's independance under the current
management.