Wales Heritage Train/Steam Train itinerary suggestions

How long are you planning to stay in Wales? Where are you basing yourself? Will you have a car.

OI've been on all three railways and enjoyed each of them. They are very different. Don't forget there is also the Welsh Highland Railway from Porthmadog to Caernarfon, whiuch ties in nicely with the Ffestiniog Rialway. The Tallylyn can be done as a day trio from the Porthmadog area.

We are planning to stay 10-12 days. I hope to not have to rent a car. I’m planning this as a graduation gift for my nephew so I want to hit all of the highlights that an 18 year old train enthusiast wants to see.

While at Porthmadog there is another Heritage railway- the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway- just a very short line, not to be confused with the Welsh Highland Railway to Caernarfon (!!)- https://www.whr.co.uk/

You could also go to Aberystwyth for the Vale of Rheidol Railway- https://vor.wales/
and the little cliff railway- https://aberystwythcliffrailway.co.uk/

You don't say how long you have there, but a bit further afield there is the Bala Lake Railway and the newly extended Llangollen Railway from Corwen to Llangollen
https://bala-lake-railway.co.uk/
https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/

On the same day as you do the Tallylyn you could also do the Corris Railway and the Fairbourne Railway
https://www.corris.co.uk/
https://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/things-to-do/fairbourne-railway-p1725051

Also worthy of mention is the Snowdon Mountain Railway- https://snowdonrailway.co.uk/
and the Llanberis Lake Railway- https://www.lake-railway.co.uk/

Further afield towards Shrewsbury is the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway- https://wllr.org.uk/

and in South Wales- the Brecon Mountain Railway- https://www.bmr.wales/

Then in Carmarthenshire there is the Teifi Valley Railway-https://www.teifivalleyrailway.wales/

Time and level of interest are key here!!

PS- All can be reached by public transport, even the Teifi (although that is a real outlier)

18 year old steam enthusiasts likely have their own ideas. You should consider one off excursions with engines like the Fly Scotsman. Most of what is listed here are tourist lines. Try railadvent.co.uk

Rail enthusiasts can have very particular tastes….choosing what you think is best is not a smart way to approach a very generous holiday offered by the OP. I am an enthusiast and currently work in the rail industry…..so it’s not my imagination and I’ve “chased” steam and old diesels on excursions in Europe.

Good Luck