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 Flying Scotsman. Most of what is listed here are tourist lines. Try railadvent.co.uk for a list of special steam and diesel excursions around the entire UK.

Rail enthusiasts can have very particular tastes….choosing what you think is best is not a smart way to approach your very generous holiday offer. 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

As said above, you really need to try and find out if possible, the type of trains that your nephew is interested in. It might be all trains, steam trains or high speed trains or narrow gauge slow ‘tourist' steam lines in Wales? If the latter, Porthmadog would make a good base for part of your trip and can be reached by ‘normal’ trains. See:> https://www.festrail.co.uk/

Nephew might also be interested in seeing trains at speed:> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYtq1qtJ1yE

This You Tuber might be of interest:>https://www.youtube.com/@SuperalbsTravels

It is not accurate to call any of the Welsh railways tourist railways. They are heritage or preserved railways, each with a strong history of an original reason for existence- one which each and every one is proud of.
Each in it's own way is part of the history of Wales.

The one possible exception on the list above is the Snowdon Mountain Railway- which was built originally for tourism, but does have a heritage all its own. Even then it is the only public rack and pinnion railway in the UK, so has a heritage value all of it's own.

A tourist railway would be the likes of the Rhyl Miniature Railway.

I appreciate everyone suggestions. My nephew has given me his list of must see sites but I want to make sure I give him the best trip possible.

I've several suggestions for you-

Find out from the Ffestiniog Railway when their tours of the Boston Lodge works are next year;
At the Tallyllyn you can organise special tours of the Railway and their works. These come at a cost- currently £150 per person. Way beyond my pocket!

I'm nothing like that much of an enthusiast.

At the end of April each year there is a special train- the Snowdonian - from Blaeneau Ffestinog to Caernarfon. If you can time your trip for that, it may be worth doing.

The Ffestiniog have a travel arm-Ffestiniog Travel. They organise both escorted and independent rail tours worldwide. But closer to home they have three North Wales Tours where they organise everything for you as bespoke personal tours, including hotels and car rental if needed.

I 110% trust their hotel choices.

I've travelled with them in the US, Australia, Switzerland and elsewhere, and they are brilliant. The US tours especially covered ground probably few Americans have covered.

Quality does not come cheap, I have to say.

If interested do have a look at their website.

Wales is a great place to visit. Depending on the time of year it has beautiful scenery. My wife, daughter, and I visited a couple years ago and had a great time. We did drive, but also rode several of the railway systems. Somewhat like you Nephew, I grew up in a railroad family and it is exciting and nostalgic to do that in any country.

I would not normally reply to a post where so many people have given you so very good suggestions. Obviously, their input is going to add to your research. I would only suggest that you spend the night in Cardiff and enjoy so much that it has to offer. It is the capital of Wales.