Railtrail Annual Brochure 2016

Welsh Mountains, Steam & Coast Rail Voyager

N E W T O U R

A beautifully scenic rail short break. Glorious Cambrian seascapes, steam train nostalgia in Ffestiniog, the mountains of Snowdonia, plus the little steam railways of Wales not visited elsewhere in the Railtrail programme, all explored from our base in historic Chester.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 We travel by train to historic Chester , where our hotel is conveniently close to the railway station. (D) DAY 2 Today we relax on our lovely circular train journey of mountain vistas and seascapes. We travel through the hills of mid-Wales to the estuary of the Dovey ; turning north our train hugs the coast as castles and the mountains ★ ★ Dinner every evening ★ ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) ★ ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager ★ ★ Hotel Porterage ★ ★ Marvellous rail journeys of great vistas and rich delight ★ ★ Magical ‘coast & mountains’ circular rail odyssey ★ ★ Steam nostalgia on the Ffestiniog Railway ★ ★ Enjoy the wonderful Cambrian Coast Line ★ ★ Rail-cruise along the scenic Conwy Valley Line ★ ★ Sightseeing in the historic city of Chester ★ ★ Return journey on the Bala Lake Steam Railway ★ ★ Steam on the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway Also included in your Tour Fare:

Fares From £395

Barmouth Viaduct, Cambrian Coast Line

4 DAYS

© Arriva Trains Wales

of Snowdonia come into view. At Porthmadog we board our narrow gauge steam train and climb inland to Blaenau Ffestiniog ; here we transfer to our branch line train to descend the beautiful Conwy Valley , before journeying along the North Wales coast and turning inland again to Chester. (B,D) DAY 3 We head into the scenic heart of Wales by coach to experience two of Wales’ great little railways. At Llanuwchllyn we join the Bala Lake Railway , a ninemile steam return journey offering lovely views of Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) and the natural beauty of the Snowdonia National Park . After refreshments at the station buffet we continue to Llanfair for an 8 mile steam hauled journey to Welshpool on the charming narrow gauge Welshpool & Llanfair Railway , dating back to 1903. (B,T,D) DAY 4 It’s time to bid farewell to Chester and return by train to homeward stations. If you would like free time in the morning to explore Chester more, please state this at the time of booking. (B) COMBINE TOURS & SAVE MONEY! Certain departures can be combined with Canals, Steam & Historic Chester (page 11). Request details or see website.

DEPARTS

Thursday 14 April 2016 Thursday 23 June 2016 Sunday 10 July 2016 Sunday 14 August 2016 Monday 29 August 2016

FARES

FARE REGION

FIRST STANDARD RC £599 £490 -£10

London: Euston Greater London

HOTEL Queen Hotel, Chester Situated in the heart of Chester, directly opposite the railway station, the Queen Hotel is characterised by its elegance and Victorian heritage. The en-suite bedrooms offer modern facilities including direct-dial telephone, satellite TV, tea/coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi. The hotel features delightful Italian gardens, bar and restaurant. £625 £510 -£10 South of England £640 £530 -£15 East Anglia £675 £540 -£15 South West £635 £525 -£15 Heart of England £540 £460 -£10 Midlands £465 £440 -£5 Yorkshire £510 £475 -£10 North East £575 £515 -£10 North West £460 £440 -£5 South Wales £570 £470 -£10 North Wales £435 £425 -£5 Scotland £640 £500 -£10 Join & Leave at Hotel £395 JUNE, JULY & AUGUST Departure Supplement £40 Single Room Supplement £100 3 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’Hôte evening meal Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) Rail & coach transfer as described All excursions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager Hotel Porterage

Dovey Estuary, Cambrian Coast Line

© Crown Copyright (2012) Visit Wales © David Marsh Ffestiniog Railway

Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway

© Waterway Images

Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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