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It is perhaps a good thing
that the good lady has little or no sense of direction. A sunny Sunday
meant a trip into Wales, a run along the shores of Lake Vyrnwy (in the
car, that is...) and a picnic at Bwlch-y-Groes, high above Dinas Mawddwy.
"Let's take the road down to Bala Lake".
  The
road in question leads unerringly to Llanuwchllyn, headquarters of the
railway. "What a surprise." There was a little time to kill
before the train, so we had a look around the site, checking out the
residents of the shed and one or two other locomotives. "Holy
War", almost 100 years old, and due for celebrations shortly, was
undergoing some light maintenance, while Peckett "Triassic", a
mere 91-year-old, sat in need of some TLC. Meanwhile, out on the line was
"Maid Marian", whose centenary will be next year. Maid Marian
and Holy War both saw service in the slate quarries of North Wales in
their youth.
The line was built on the
trackbed of the former Ruabon - Morfa Mawddach line - same route as the
Llangollen Railway, some miles to the east. The run beside the lake was
very pleasant - there was much activity on the water of Wales' biggest
natural lake, while buzzards wheeled in the air above, and herons stalked
the streams beside the lake. The 4¼ mile line ends at Bala station, at
the opposite side of the valley to the town of the same name, and after a
quick run around, we began our return journey.
 This
is not one of those "keep off, out-of-bounds" railways. The fine
signalbox is open to visitors, and there were no objections to my requests
to visit the shed, and to cross the line to get to the "right side
for the light" ("don't cross while the train is moving
though"). The friendly staff at the station and on the loco were
happy to chat for a minute or two. Altogether a very enjoyable couple of
hours, rounded off by tea and home baked cakes in the station buffet.
Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid is recommended!
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; "A view down the line, Llanuwchllyn")
; "\"Triassic\" Peckett 1270 of 1911")
; "\"Holy War\" Hunslet 779 of 1902")
; "\"Bob Davies\" BD / YEC L125 of 1993")
; "I think it's a Ruston - can anyone help?")
; "\"Chilmark\" Ruston 194771 of 1939")
; "Maid Marian and train arrive at Llanuwchllyn")
; "Maid Marian HE 822 of 1903 at Llanuwchllyn")
; "Maid Marian and train at Bala station")
; "Llanuwchllyn box")