Victorian steam train is back on mountain track in Wales

Victorian steam train is back on mountain track in Wales

A vintage Victorian steam train is back on track to Britain's highest station after a 17-year renovation.

The classic 121-year-old locomotive is carrying passengers up Mount Snowdon in Wales, after being brought back to life by a £60,000 makeover.

The train has been in sidings since 2000 but it is now ferrying holidaymakers up the 3,500ft Welsh peak continuing a tradition that spreads over 100 years. 

Pictured:  A vintage steam locomotive chugs its way along the rugged mountain track as it ferries tourists up Mount Snowdon

Pictured: Eager tourists peer out of the carriage's window as they feast their eyes on the beautiful hills of Mount Snowdon

Pictured: These are the stunning views holidaymakers can enjoy as the train climbs the 3,500ft Welsh peak

Pictured: The workers behind the renovation believe they have set a 'benchmark' or future locomotive re-builds

Pictured: The train stands at the platform at the summit of Snowdon as passengers enjoy the view of surrounding countryside

General manager Alan Kendall said: 'It's exciting to have this classic train back on track. It's been a long job to get it back into shape but has been really worth it.

'Now passengers are enjoying the ride on this vintage train again and seeing the magnificent views from the summit recently voted UK's favourite view.

'Rather than having to hike up to the summit the easiest way to experience the UK's most impressive vista is to relax and take the train.' 

The train - Loco No 5 - first took passengers along the rugged mountain track when the railway opened in 1896.

It was one of the original batch of five rack locomotives built for the Snowdon Mountain Railway in 1895 by a Swiss Locomotive and Manufacturing company.

It operated regularly on the five-mile line from Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon until 2000 when it failed an inspection due to firebox damage.

Enthusiasts feared the train would run again, especially after the railway took on larger carriages which were pushed by powerful diesel locomotives.

Pictured: The classic locomotive had been in sidings since 2000 and its extensive renovation cost £60,000 to complete

Pictured: The train operated regularly on the five-mile line from Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon until 2000 when it failed an inspection due to firebox damage

Pictured: Hikers stop to admire the locomotive as they trek up and down the picturesque Snowdon peak

Pictured: Black smoke billows out of the train's chimney as it makes its way along the winding track of the mountain railway

The train was one of the original batch of five rack locomotives built for the Snowdon Mountain Railway in 1895 by a Swiss Locomotive and Manufacturing company (pictured, a steam train pulls into Snowdon station in the line's early days)

Pictured: The Loco No 5 train rolls into Llanberis station during its early days on the unique mountain railway lien

But the popularity of the railway's steam-hauled heritage prompted a change of mind and a second carriage was built requiring more than two locos to be available for service.

The locomotive 'Moel Siabod'- named after another Snowdonia peak- was brought back to the Llanberis workshops and staff say it 'looks as good as new'.

The Snowdon Mountain Railway now has four steam locomotives to operate the steam services which are frequently fully booked during the summer.

Steam train driver Pete Willliams said: 'Our engineers assure me it will be the best presented locomotive on our railway and the benchmark for future locomotive re-builds.' 

 

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