The Snowdonian on Grand National Day

At about the same time as the horses and jockeys race around Aintree on Saturday 8th April I'll be looking out for The Snowdonian.

It's a triple marathon covering the 80 mile round trip starting from Porthmadog at 08:45. Breakfast is served on the train en route to Caernarfon, with lunch at The Goat in Beddgelert on the return to Harbour Station. Then it's up and down the Vale of Ffestiniog and back to the starting point at 18:15 if all goes to plan.

The very few first class tickets cost £400 but if you don't mind slumming it in 3rd class it's a mere £180. Booking details are here. 

The last time I watched it going past it was running a bit late as it rounded Tank Curve and past Campbell's Platform.

Trains over the Roof

There’s something really relaxing about water flowing through the garden; the stream, various ponds and waterfalls. But the best water feature of all is steam – steam trains gliding over the roof of the house. Running water and running trains. All the mod cons at Campbell's Kingdom.

One Swallow does not a Summer Make

Merddin Emrys marks the start of summer

Yes, but the first train at the end of March marks the start of the summer timetable and from now until autumn there will be trains every day.

Next week we’ll have some ‘blue days’, that’s the colour coding on the timetable for four trains a day, and then over Easter we’ll ratchet up to yellow with six – that’s a dozen times I’ll be waving to people as they trundle past Campbell’s Platform.

Somehow the novelty of waving never fades.

Depending on the direction of the wind you can hear the whistle of the train from way down the line, but the first train managed to sneak up the valley, and I had to make a dash for it ..... as you can see in this short film!