Bala Lake Railway, Heritage railway in Llangywer, Wales
Bala Lake Railway is a narrow-gauge railway running 4.5 miles along the southern shore of Bala Lake, with views across the water toward surrounding mountains. The line connects the stations at Llanuwchllyn and Bala.
The route originally operated as a passenger line under the Great Western Railway from 1868 onward. It closed in 1965 during the Beeching cuts, but was later revived as a heritage railway.
The railway preserves the story of narrow-gauge transport that once served the slate quarries of North Wales through its working locomotives. Visitors experience this industrial heritage firsthand as the trains operate along their original route.
Trains operate seasonally between the two stations, with special events requiring advance booking. The route runs alongside the lake, allowing visitors to enjoy the lakeside scenery during their journey.
The operating company was the first business to register under a Welsh language name, a choice that reflected the importance of Welsh language and identity in the area. This distinction marked a significant moment in the region's cultural history.
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