Wales seemed our best chance and when we arrived in Aberystwyth we went around to the little station...
While he was doing that, that's me down the hill and looking at the waterfront...
Yesterday we drove towards Caravon and stopped at the little rack railway that goes to Snowdonia...it looked promising as the ticket office was open...but the ticket seller wouldn't sell us any tickets in case the second train for the day (and the last!) didn't get enough people to run...he wanted 25 people to buy tickets...once more DH took photos of this fascinating type of railway...the beautifully restored carriage sitting at the platform...
Those 'teeth' on the rack line...these help get the train up steep hills...
Here come the 12 midday train back from its trip...
As we drove towards the castle at Canarvon we saw another railway and I went across the road to make enquiries...this train was running and the next one would leave in just under half an hour. We could also park for free on the station property...what a win!
The countryside we passed through was gorgeous...
There were lots of sheep grazing...they looked different some how? Then I realised that unlike Aussie sheep, these sheep still had their tails...
We passed a number of clear streams...babbling brooks perhaps?
We had been told to get off the train at Rhyll Ddu as the train we were on was not returning to Canarvon until the next day...our next train came within a few minutes...
The interior of the second train was a little different...
Don't you love bends on the railway line?...
A couple of ladies out for a run...
Canarvon Castle shrouded in mist, just before we came into the station...
As I said to DH...if the Snowdonia train had been running we would have missed the steam train from Canarvon...and it had been such a lovely ride. A railway staff member did tell us that the mist/fog was so bad that day that not much could be seen from the train that day if we had have got that other train.
I was surprised to see the castle right in the middle of a busy area....I expected it would be solitary out in the countryside...which perhaps it once was.
ReplyDeleteLovely! Looks like a definite case of "third time lucky".
ReplyDeleteI will email you about this... but if you fancy a train ride from Manchester into Hebden Bridge... the trains are slightly more reliable, and run 3 times an hour. ( The trains aren't nearly as pretty as these ones though). They take about 30-40 mins depending on whether you get one that stops everywhere, or one that just stops in Rochdale and Todmorden before getting to Hebden Bridge. The country side is lovely, and you actually go under the Pennines to cross from Lancashire into Yorkshire. I could pick you up at Hebden Bridge station....trains go from Victoria Station in Manchester...not the main Piccadilly station.
ReplyDeleteVictoria Station in Manchester is currently undegoing some serious renovations, so you cant see much of the Victorian splendour, but there is a brilliant tiled wall map of the region on the left hand side of the station as you go in. I dont know where you are staying in Manchester, but if it is anywhere near Victoria, the train trip would be much quicker than the road trip to Hebden.
Your photos are lovely, and you do seem to be relishing the poor weather !
I was so pleased that you and your DH came upon that train ride - was feeling so disappointed on your behalf as I read through your post.
ReplyDeleteIn the end it turned into a really great trip and that gorgeous scenery.
Yes, that particular train trip had seats reserved for you both ... it just took a little while for you to find out :D)