• About Us
• History of the Line

About Our Railway

Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake Railway) occupies the trackbed of the former standard-gauge Ruabon to Barmouth line of the Great Western Railway. Our line runs between the peaceful village of Llanuwchllyn and what was Pen-y-Bont Halt on the opposite side of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) to the market town of Bala.

Opened as a narrow gauge railway in 1972, we are one of the younger of the UK narrow gauge railways, although nearly all the steam locomotives we normally use are over 100 years old.

The railway, whilst being relatively young in narrow gauge terms, uses the original standard gauge station buildings and signal box. Although there have been considerable changes, adapting premises to our needs, the character of the buildings remain.

Sympathetic Development

To the original buildings much sympathetic development has taken place. The Llanuwchllyn station buffet was created out of the former waiting room and the seating section was once a waiting room at Morfa Mawddach (Barmouth Junction). The main building has been extended on the site of the old toilets to provide a booking office and store room.

The canopy supports were built for the Cambrian Railways station at Pwllheli, but were taken down when the station was moved in 1907. They were then used at Aberdovey until 1979 when volunteer workers helped the railway company move them to Llanuwchllyn.

The cattle dock is now the picnic area, the stone goods shed a woodworking shop and the waiting room on platform two an office. The ex-GWR Signal Box survives intact with its original lever frame.

Every effort is made to ensure visitors are made welcome, and where possible visitors are allowed to visit the signal box and loco shed/workshop.

Old Fashioned Charm

The smaller scale of the railways operation, of the old buildings and locomotives means the railway has all the charm of the old fashioned narrow gauge railway, and it remains a place where the staff and volunteers have time to deal with passengers on an almost individual basis.

Our steam locomotives are all ex-quarry engines, all but one from the Dinorwic slate quarry at Llanberis. Four of the loco’s were built by the Hunslet Engine Company and are all over 100 years old. The odd one out is a Pecket built locomotive from 1911 and was used by Rugby Portland Cement at Southam.

Stunning Views

The railways base is just off the A494 in the village of Llanuwchllyn, where there is adequate car parking, and of course café/gift shop.

From Llanuwchllyn the line descends to almost lake level and is never far from the lakeside. The train ride gives excellent views of the lake amid its surrounding pastoral and woodland scenery, and of the nearby mountains, Arenig Fawr, Aran Benllyn and Aran Fawddwy.

Picnic sites at Llangower provide the perfect spot for a break in the journey on a summers day. From here short walks along the foreshore will provide stunning views over and along the lake. At the Bala terminus a short walk into the town for the shops and cafes will provide entertainment for the more active passenger.

Ever Changing

Bala Lake Railway is forever changing. Sometimes in subtle ways, by removing line-side growth to open up fresh vistas and sometimes more permanently, for example by the complete movement and rebuilding of Llangower Station.

One of the more subtle recent changes has been the granting (to Llanuwchllyn Station) of a license to hold Wedding and Civil Partnership ceremonies. The old world setting has already been used by couples seeking an alternative to the local registry office. If you are looking for a venue for your big day, why not contact Roger or Bobby Hine to discuss how we can add that extra-special charm.