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 are no on train toilet facilities.
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.
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. We do have
wheelchairs available for loan which one of these is in Caernarfon and the other
at Rhyd Ddu.
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. A hearing loop facility is fitted. 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.
There is an accessible toilet beside the Goods shed adjacent to the platform.
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 (our temporary terminus) 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. An extra accessible toilet is available close to the station platform between May and October.
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.
Mobile Phone Coverage
Generally available between Caernarfon and Waunfawr, patchy further south with
no coverage at Rhyd Ddu.
Refreshments
Light refreshments are available via an at-your-seat refreshment trolley in all
but the older, non- corridor carriages.
Blind & Partially Sighted Customers
Welcome Aboard leaflets are available in both Braille and large print for loan
from the On Train Services Team.
Last updated March 20th. 2008