10 top tips to enjoy the Rheidol Steam Festival!
Visiting our Rheidol Steam Festival event….?
Here are 10 top tips to make the most out of your day!
- Tip #1: see all of the engines!
The Steam Festival event is the only time in the year when we run all of our steam locomotives together!Extra trains will be running on all three days: click here to see the event timetable. - Tip #2: don’t miss a trip behind ‘Palmerston’…
‘Palmerston’ is one of the oldest working steam locomotives in the world: the 160-year old engine is our headline act, and is visiting us from the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways.Enjoy a short spin to Capel Bangor (1035 each day) or Aberffrwd (1320 each day), or go the whole hog and enjoy a round trip to Devil’s Bridge at 1600. - Tip #3: drive an engine…
There will be opportunities to drive two steam locomotives during the event: no pre-booking necessary, just turn up and go!’Margaret’ (built in 1894) will be offering short Driver Experience sessions at Aberystwyth each day (1000-1700), whilst ‘Wren’ (built in 1918) will be doing the same at Devil’s Bridge (1030-1730) Each session lasts a few minutes, and costs just £7.50. You can enjoy a footplate ride for only £5.00 too! - Tip #4: bring the family
The Steam Festival event offers great value: travel at normal fares, and enjoy all of the extra attractions at no extra cost. Don’t forget that your ticket is a ‘rover’ ticket (valid all day), meaning that you can ride all day behind as many locomotives as you like!As a bonus, children travel for just £5.00 each. Where else can your child get a whole days entertainment for just a fiver? - Tip #5: make time to visit our Engine Shed Display
Explore our collection of locomotives and rolling stock from around the world!Your ticket includes entry to our newly opened Engine Shed Display building at Aberystwyth station, which will be open from 09.00 to 18.30 each day (last entry 18.00). - Tip #6: change between trains…
Remember that your ticket is a rover ticket, valid on all trains all day. Why not change trains at Capel Bangor or Aberffrwd?To do this, make sure to let the guard know where you plan to change trains before you board. He will come and unlock the door when you wish to alight. Note that this is only possible at Capel Bangor and Aberffrwd. - Tip #7: bring your camera!
Whether you’re snapping with your phone or a DSLR, there will be plenty to photograph. - Tip #8: soak up the atmosphere in Aberystwyth…
Aberystwyth station will be the ‘hub’ of the event, with lots going on. Spend time watching the trains, as locomotives take coal and water before heading up the valley again.There will be train movements all day, with lots of shunting to watch. - Tip #9: it’s not long until Christmas…
Look out for extra bargains and special deals in our shop over the weekend: Lightmoor Press will be in attendance selling their books, whilst our well-stocked shops will be open too.Local authors Geraint Roberts and John ‘Abergynolwyn’ Davies will be signing copies of their new books during the weekend too (specific times, see social media for details). - Tip #10: keep an eye out for the big reveal…
An Indian locomotive (Gwalior Pacific No.762) will be display in Aberystwyth for the first time: be among the first to see it!
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The Rheidol Steam Festival is our showcase event for the year, with all of the home fleet in steam and on parade. It is a great time to visit us: why not book your tickets today?
We look forward to seeing you!