Welsh Highland Railway - Access Statement
The WHR is a historic narrow gauge railway. We welcome customers of all
abilities.
We operate a fleet of mainly modern carriages and all of our normal service
trains have space available for customers with mobility impairments including
some wheelchair spaces. As space is inevitably limited, we strongly recommend
that wheelchair users contact us in advance in order that we can make suitable
arrangements. This will help us to make your visit a pleasurable one. A step and
wheelchair ramp are carried on all normal trains and these are available to help
you to access the trains – please ask a member of staff. However, it is worth
noting that although we can accommodate wheelchairs in the trains we do not have
turning spaces in the train due to the narrowness of our carriages, and the
space for wheelchairs in the carriages is constrained below what one would
expect on a main line train for the same reason. There is a staff train toilet
on all of our normal service trains which is available to customers on request.
This toilet is not available to wheelchair users.
Certain special services operate entirely with vintage carriages and we regret
that, at this stage, they are not suitable for customers who need to remain in
their wheelchairs and have no toilet facilities.
We welcome assistance dogs in all our carriages
If you have any questions as to how we can help you further, please do not
hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to help you to plan your visit.
Telephone us on 01766 516000, 01766 516024 or 01286 677018.
Facilities at our stations are as follows:
Caernarfon
This is our main terminus station situated close to the castle. We recommend
that you start your journey from here.
There is a level rough gravel car park from which the booking office / shop is
accessed via a gentle ramp. There is a drop off point by the car park entrance.
There is a low level counter. The ladies’ and gentlemen’s toilets are situated
behind the main building. There is also an accessible toilet with baby changing
facilities situated inside the shop within the main building.
The platform is accessed by a gentle ramp.
Bontnewydd Halt
This halt is accessible from the adjacent Lôn Eifion cycle path. The path is
tarmac and level in most places. There is no road access.
Dinas
There is a small tarmac car park but to access the station and trains, it is
necessary to negotiate a kerb. Once negotiated, the rest of the area including
access to both platforms is level.
Waunfawr
The station is at the south end of the village on the A4085 adjacent to the
Snowdonia Parc Brewpub. The car park belongs to the pub but may be used by
visitors travelling on the railway. It has a deep gravel surface, making it
slightly difficult for people with restricted mobility or to manoeuvre a
wheelchair over. Access to the platform is normally by a footbridge but there is
a rough, gently sloping path through the pub’s campsite. There are no facilities
on the platform.
The pub itself is wheelchair friendly and when open, has accessible toilets.
Plas y Nant Halt
This halt is only accessible via a narrow footpath and there is no level access.
Snowdon Ranger Halt
This halt is only accessible via a narrow footpath and there is no level access.
Rhyd Ddu
The station is to the south of the village beside the A4085. The car park here
belongs to the Snowdonia National Park Authority and there is only very limited
parking available. The National Park Authority has an accessible toilet in the
car park for RADAR key holders.
The platform is accessed via a tarmac ramp and level foot crossing. There is a
waiting shelter, and also a small booking office which is open on busy days.
Meillionen (Forest campsite)
This halt is situated within the Beddgelert Forest Campsite, primarily for the
use of campers. There is level access to the platform through a small gate.
This is a short platform and only certain carriages on the train will be
accessible from it. It is therefore advisable to phone Caernarfon booking office
on 01286 677018 before 1000 on the morning of travel so that the guard of the
train is aware of your requirements. If joining at another station and
travelling to Mellionen halt, you must advise the guard BEFORE boarding that you
wish to alight at the camp site.
Beddgelert
This station is the temporary terminus of the railway. It is situated above the
village with access through the public car park near the Royal Goat Hotel. This
car park belongs to the Snowdonia National Park Authority and there is only very
limited parking available. Between the car park and the station there is a long
tarmac ‘zig-zag’ sloping path which is relatively steep but usable by
wheelchairs. The slope is down hill from the platform to the car park. There is
level access on/off the platform and the ticket/information office is situated
beside the entrance to the platform. If this is not manned, tickets may be
purchased from the guard of the train. There are temporary toilets including an
accessible toilet with ramped access close to the gate on to the platform.
Once in the car park, the main village street is only a short distance away.
Pavements are quite narrow but it is possible to use a wheelchair. There is a
pleasant wheelchair friendly walk beside the river.
Hafod y Llyn
After 21st May 2009, trains will run through the Aberglaslyn Pass to Hafod y
Llyn. However, there is no platform or public road access so it is not possible
to alight or join a train here. A small platform for walkers may come into
operation later in the year but this will only be to access local footpaths and
we do not recommend its use for anyone other than those suitably equipped for
hiking.
Mobile Phone Coverage
Generally available between Caernarfon and Waunfawr, patchy further south with
no coverage at Rhyd Ddu. Between Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert, coverage is very poor
although the Orange network is available in Beddgelert.
Refreshments
Light refreshments are available via an at-your-seat refreshment trolley in all
but the older non-corridor carriages.
Blind and partially sighted customers
Welcome Aboard Leaflets and on-train refreshment menus are available in Braille
or large print for loan from the On Train Services team.
Last updated June 2009.