Accessibility at Vale of Rheidol Railway
We welcome all visitors to enjoy our heritage experience and strive to make your visit as pleasant and memorable as possible. Please note that by their nature, heritage stations and vintage carriages were built in less enlightened times where the access needs of people were not considered. We are actively improving accessibility across the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Some areas and carriages are already easier to access, others are still limited because of the historic nature of the line and buildings.
This page explains what is currently accessible, what may be challenging, and how we can help you plan your visit. If you are unsure, please contact us before you travel so we can advise you.
Getting here and public transport
If you are travelling by public transport, Aberystwyth mainline railway station is a short distance from the Vale of Rheidol station. There are regular rail services to Shrewsbury and Birmingham (New Street or International).
Aberystwyth is served by regular bus services from across Wales. The bus station is located next to the mainline railway station. There is a short walk from the mainline rail and bus stations to the Vale of Rheidol booking office, approximately 10 minutes.
Devil’s Bridge is a rural location and is not served by public transport.
Stations and facilities
Our stations and platforms are part of a historic heritage railway and were not originally designed with modern accessibility standards in mind. We are improving them over time, but there are still some limitations.
- Aberystwyth Station: There is a dedicated railway car park located off Park Avenue/Boulevard St Brieuc with blue badge parking bays available. There is level access from the car park to the booking office and shop, toilets and train platform. The building doors are 850mm wide. A second door can be opened to give a 1.6m opening. The café and museum are just a short, level walk across the track from the booking office. The museum has a wooden block floor which may be uneven in places.
- Devil’s Bridge Station: There is a dedicated railway car park located off the A4120 in Devil’s Bridge with blue badge parking bays available with a short walk along ramped access to the booking office. The booking office and gift shop is accessed through a 680mm wide door and is accessible for many smaller wheelchairs. It is staffed daily during the operating season. The counter level is approx. 900mm above floor level.
Current Access restrictions – At present, some larger wheelchairs may not be able to access the Booking Office. Railway staff will open a gate to allow wheelchair users to access to/from the platform. - There are small stations at Llanbadarn, Glanyrafon, Capel Bangor, Nantyronen, Aberffrwd, Rheidol Falls and Rhiwfron. There is a waiting shelter and raised platforms at all these stations with the exception of Llanbadarn and Glanyrafon which have ground level un-surfaced platforms and no buildings. There are no passenger facilities or toilets at any of these locations. Rheidol Falls and Rhiwfron Halts are inaccessible by road.
- All trains stop at Capel Bangor and Aberffrwd stations, however if you wish to alight at an intermediate station you will need to inform the Guard prior to boarding. The Guard will arrange for the train to stop. If you wish to board the train at one of these locations, please give a clear hand signal to the Driver as the train approaches.
If you are unsure whether a particular station will be suitable for you, please contact us so we can talk through the details.
Trains and carriages
The railway operates a fleet of historic railway carriages which were built for the line between 1923 and 1938. Many of the carriages are fully enclosed, whilst others are open.
To access the carriages, there is one step of 400mm between the platform and the carriage floor. Extra steps are available if required, please ask the train Guard and wait for assistance before attend to board or alight the train.
The carriage doors are 580mm wide and internal gangways are 420mm and 520mm wide. The train crew will assist passengers with limited mobility, if required. Grab handles are provided adjacent to the majority of carriage doors.
The carriage doors are fastened using a handle on the outside of the door. The Guard will secure and lock all the doors prior to departure. Upon arrival at your destination, the Guard will unlock the doors and assist passengers alighting.
Because of the age of our trains, there are some limitations on where wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be carried. Please see the section below and contact us before travelling if you use a larger chair or scooter.
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters
We welcome wheelchair users and will always do our best to help everyone enjoy the railway.
A wheelchair accessible “summer carriage” is scheduled to run on every train. This space can be booked from the booking website or by contacting the booking office directly. Unfortunately wheelchair access is not currently possible in our closed or First Class carriages.
If you are a wheelchair user you have the choice of either transferring to one of the bench seats in the open carriage if you are able, or you are welcome to remain in your wheelchair in the reserved area.
- Wide doors are located at the Aberystwyth end of the carriage. The door width is 900mm
- The ramp has a maximum weight limit of 300 Kg.
- The railway treats wheelchair users and mobility scooter users equally. As space is limited, priority is given to those who have booked space in advance.
- We are able to stow and transports foldable wheelchairs and scooters in our guards van for passengers who are able to mobilise and access the carriages via the steps.
- If booking the wheelchair space we recommend starting your journey from Aberystwyth station
- If you use a larger wheelchair or scooter, please contact us before travelling so we can check measurements and discuss what is possible.
Facilities for visitors with hearing impairments
The Booking Offices at both Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge both have portable induction loops at the counters. Hearing aid users should switch to “T Position”. Booking Office staff are trained to assist hearing aid users and are also aware of the needs of visitors who are lip-reading.
At present none of the staff are trained in British Sign Language (BSL) however we do provide staff with prompt cards for providing First Aid to visitors who communicate using BSL as well as a range of other languages.
Facilities for partially sighted visitors
Our staff will be able to assist visitors and can provide verbal background information about the railway and its history.
Owing to the nature of a railway environment, there are drops from the edges of platforms onto the tracks. Partially sighted visitors are asked to take care when on or around our stations. The platform edge is picked out with a white line. Buildings are designed so as to provide a good contrast/definition between surfaces.
Toilets and facilities
Toilets are available at at Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge stations with separate gentleman, ladies and fully accessible toilets available. The accessible toilets have lateral transfer space and grab rails. There is a baby nappy changing facility within both the accessible toilet and the ladies toilet.
Unfortunately there are no toilets on board our trains.
Assistance dogs
We welcome all registered guide dogs, hearing dogs and medical alert dogs. Assistance dogs can travel on trains free of charge and are welcome in all railway facilities and on board our trains. Please note only registered assistance dogs are permitted in our First Class carriages.
Water bowls are available throughout the site.
Accompanying carers
Carers accompanying a person with a disability are able to claim a discount of 25% off a standard adult full line return ticket. To receive the discount, documentation or ID proof of disability must be shown. Call or visit our booking office direct to book this ticket type.
Other local information
Devil’s Bridge Waterfalls are operated as a separate attraction. For further information, including accessibility details, please visit www.devilsbridgefalls.co.uk or call 01970 890 233.
Our staff
We strive to provide the best possible service. If you are unsure about any aspect of your visit or need any assistance throughout your visit, please ask a member of our team.
Contact us for accessibility advice
Every visitor’s needs are different, and we know this page cannot cover every situation. If you have questions or specific requirements including hidden disabilities, sensory needs etc, please feel free to contact us before you travel so we can advise you:
Telephone: 01970 625 819
Email: info@vor.wales