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Vale of Rheidol Railway
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Vale of Rheidol Railway

Park Ave, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG
🕐Daily 10:00 - 16:30 (Timetabled services)

About

Venture into the wild heart of Mid Wales on the Vale of Rheidol Railway—an Edwardian masterpiece that traces the steep contours of the Rheidol Valley. Climbing nearly 700 feet from the coastal town of Aberystwyth to the legendary falls at Devil's Bridge, the line navigates cliff-hanging curves and extreme gradients. Having survived over a century with its original fleet of locomotives and carriages, it remains a testament to the golden age of light rail travel, offering panoramas that shift from coastal vistas to dramatic mountain gorges.

Heritage

The Edwardian Masterpiece

The Vale of Rheidol Railway (VoR) is a marvel of railway construction, winding its way through some of the wildest terrain in Mid Wales. Opened in 1902 to transport lead ore and timber, it quickly became a tourist destination. It holds the distinction of being the last steam railway owned by British Rail before being privatized in 1989. Today, its original locomotives and carriages continue to offer one of the most scenic rail journeys in the United Kingdom.

Infographic

    Infographic

    Location

    Park Ave, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG
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    Vale of Rheidol Railway

    Technical Specifications

    Track Gauge
    603mm
    Line Length
    11.75miles
    Opening Year
    1902AD
    Locomotives
    No. 7, 8 & 9Original
    Summit Height
    700ft ASLMax Alt
    Main Hub
    AberystwythTerminus