On Saturday 17th July, Dan Laidlaw manhandled Francis Stapleton’s restored Dinorwig rubbish waggon (complete with double flanged wheels) on to the main line for a short test run with George B. The wagon performed well, but unsurprisingly was kept well clear of the point work during the test.
Our new arrival, ex Llechwedd Quarry Bagnall Dorothy no. 1568 of 1899 has been partly assembled and moved into the museum for display until work on her return to steam begins once Holy War and Alice have been completed.
On 9th May 2021 our Dinorwig wagons went out for a test run after a week long axle box overhaul had been undertaken in order to get them back into working order for use at galas and photo charters.
On 9th February 2020 the Heritage Railways Association held its annual awards dinner in Birmingham. This is heritage railways night of the Oscars. Out of the 160 heritage railways in the UK the Bala Lake Railway won the award for being the most outstanding visitor attraction with the opening of…
Hunslet 704 Nesta of 1899 has been loaned to us for display by Rob Gambril. She was unloaded and eased into position on 17th October 2019 and is now on public display. Nesta was rescued from a Swamp in Puerto Rico a few years ago and has been in store…
Some of our waggons were out on the line for the June 2016 steam gala in Bala. Below is a video of some of the action including some on train footage showing what it’s like to ride in an unsprung slate waggon.
In addition to this website, we now have a Heritage Centre Facebook page where you will find updates on our waggon restoration work as and when it happens, see: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2105983689500135/
The Heritage centre is now open, after a ceremony performed by the Bala lake Railway chairman, Dr David Gwyn a noted expert on the Welsh Slate industry. Below are some pictures and a short video from the opening morning.
We have been awarded a Grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop a new carriage shed and heritage centre at Llanuwchllyn. Watch the video update on YouTube for more on this exciting development.