Buildings of Distinction - The Snowden Mountain Railway - Wales
Apr, 14 2026
Some of the most distinct and unique finds are found as we travel abroad. The Snowden Mountain Railway is special for locals and travellers.
In the year 2021 it took 98, 567 passengers up some steady inclines to experience some picturesque views. It was officially opened in 1896 and has grown in capacity since. It operates over 7.6 kilometres from Llanberis to the Summit station.
If you’re considering a venture up there you may want to watch the following video for a full travel guide –
Rob gave some top tips there such as pre booking in advance to assure your ticket, wrapping up warm as you reach the summit and not to miss the train coming down or you’ve got a long walk back.
It’s also interesting to know that cliff faces are popular for rock climbing and the mountain was used by Edmund Hillary in training for the 1953 ascent of Mount Everest. The mountain, alongside Ben Nevis in Scotland and Scafell Pike in England, is climbed as part of the National Three Peaks Challenge.
Other fascinating facts include –
- The name "Snowdon" is first recorded in 1095 as Snawdune, and is derived from the Old English elements snaw and dun, meaning "snow hill".
- The Welsh name of the mountain, Yr Wyddfa, is first recorded in Latin as Weddua vaur in 1284.
- The mountain is linked to figures from Arthurian legend, a legendary Afanc (water monster) and the Tylwyth Teg (fairies).
- The Welsh mountain is sometimes referred to as "Mount Snowdon" or "Mt Snowdon” but this is discouraged by many as there is another mountain in British Columbia of the same name.
The railway was constructed between December 1894, when the first sod was cut by Enid Assheton-Smith (after whom locomotive No.2 was named), and February 1896, at a total cost of £63,800 (equivalent to £7,338,000 as of 2025).
When the Snowdon Mountain Railway was opened in 1896, the company strove to get an alcohol licence for its own proposed new hotel, but being unable to, took over both summit huts by 1898.
For more information simply visit the following website link –
The train is safe and maintained by a series of staff members to give passengers a comfortable ride. But those who choose to hike the height of Snowden have been known to plunge to their death. There are, on average, about 8 deaths every year on Snowdon.
In 2021 two people were injured and taken to hospital after being struck by lightning on top of Snowdon. This year alone, two people died after being reported missing on the mountain.
On a brighter note, in 1968, scenes representing the Khyber Pass were filmed for Carry On... Up the Khyber on the lower part of the Watkin Path. In 2005, Angela Douglas, one of the stars of the film, unveiled a plaque at the precise location where filming took place to commemorate the location filming. It now forms part of the North Wales Film and Television Trail run by the Wales Screen Commission.
It remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK, increasing trade and tourism every year. The Snowden Mountain Railway is a whistle stop tour around this magnificent mountain – Snowden.
^Alex Ashworth CCG Content Creator
