Back

31 August 2009 Big Boost for Narrow Gauge Trains in North Wales Llanberis Wales UK - North Wales narrow gauge railway lines are enjoying a bumper summer season with trade soaring by more than half in some cases.   Many heritage railways across the region expect passenger records to be broken this year as unprecedented numbers of people have ridden on them in the first half of the year.   Special events, like this weekend's Teddy Bears Picnic at the Llanberis Lake Railway and the Steel, Steam, and Stars gala at Llangollen last April, have boosted ticket sales.   The biggest increase of all was 55% on the Welsh Highland Railway, which now runs between Caernarfon and Hafod-y-Llyn near Porthmadog.   At Llanberis the Snowdon Mountain Railway have seen ticket sales rise by 30% as trains are now running through to the summit again.   The Welsh Highland Railway launched a major marketing campaign in advance of the opening of the section through the Aberglaslyn Pass, voted Britain's favourite landscape in a national poll last year, just before Easter.   Despite earlier fears, the Welsh Highland has not taken trade away from its sister company, the Ffestiniog Railway, which has reported an 11% upsurge in passenger numbers during the first six months of this year.   Welsh Highland Railway general manager Paul Lewin said:  "The fact that more people are holidaying at home has made a big difference. Passenger numbers are up but they are spending less on refreshments. Takings in the shops are up, but by no means as much as ticket sales."   At Llanberis the Snowdon Mountain Railway officials reported an unprecedented demand for tickets to the summit following the opening of Hafod Eryri visitor centre in June.   A spokesman said ticket sales were up about 30% on budget with more than 1,000 visitors a day using the 106-year-old rack and pinion track, the only one of its kind in Britain, as it trundles the five miles from Llanberis to the peak.   Hundreds of people travelled on special steam trains from Liverpool to Holyhead on the Cambrian Coast from Machynlleth to Pwllheli during August.   On Saturday the Llanberis Lake Railway's Padarn Bear invited his friends to visit the four-mile long line with fun events for children.   The fun continues today and teddy bears travel free, along with one friend under 10 years old.   Eryl Crump. Back

Cordova Station Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada - http://www.cordovaStation.ca/