Vale of Rheidol Railway

The Vale of Rheidol Railway is a steam-powered narrow-gauge railway running approximately 12 miles (19 km) between Aberystwyth station and Devil's Bridge through the Rheidol Valley. The line climbs around 700 feet (213 m) through wooded sections, over stone viaducts, and along steep hillsides above the river Rheidol.

The line opened in 1902 to carry lead ore from local mines to the harbor for export. As mining declined, the railway began carrying visitors to the Devil's Bridge waterfalls during the 1920s and passed into Great Western Railway ownership in 1922.

Three preserved Great Western Railway steam locomotives haul restored passenger carriages along the 1 ft 11.5 in (603 mm) narrow gauge track. Drivers and conductors wear period uniforms and use hand signals reminiscent of early 20th-century railway operation.

Trains run from Easter through October with several departures daily from Aberystwyth, reaching Devil's Bridge after about an hour. Visitors can board at either terminus, with carriages offering both open and enclosed compartments depending on weather conditions.

The workshop at Aberystwyth station carries out restoration work on historic locomotives and provides maintenance services for other heritage railways across Britain. Visitors can watch ongoing work on boilers, wheels, and running gear through the workshop windows.

Location: Aberystwyth

Inception: 1897

Address: Vale of Rheidol Railway, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1PG

Website: https://rheidolrailway.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 52.41114,-4.07909

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29