Vale of Rheidol Railway

The Vale of Rheidol Railway offers a memorable day out for all the family, with a heritage steam train journey from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge in Ceredigion.

Opened in 1902, this narrow gauge railway brings railway history to life with beautifully restored steam locomotives. Visitors can choose to travel in open or enclosed standard class compartments, or in First Class for a little taste of luxury/

The journey begins in Aberystwyth and travels inland through the Rheidol Valley, with woodland, hillside and valley views along the way. At Devil’s Bridge, visitors can discover the famous three bridges and dramatic waterfalls before returning by train.

Back at Aberystwyth station, the Engine Shed Museum adds more to explore, with locomotives, railway heritage and behind-the-scenes interest for children and grown-ups. There is also a café and shop, making it easy to enjoy a full day out.

Dogs can travel aboard our standard class carriages, and are welcome in all railway facilities.

We welcome all visitors to enjoy our heritage experience and strive to make your visit as pleasant and memorable as possible. Our stations and platforms are part of a historic heritage railway and were not originally designed with modern accessibility standards in mind. We are improving them over time, but there are still some limitations. Some areas and carriages are already easier to access, others are still limited because of the historic nature of the line and buildings. Full accessibility details can be found on our website: https://vor.wales/accessibility/

Aberystwyth Station: There is a dedicated railway car park located off Park Avenue/Boulevard St Brieuc with blue badge parking bays available. There is level access from the car park to the booking office and shop, toilets and train platform. The café and museum are just a short, level walk across the track from the booking office. The museum has a wooden block floor which may be uneven in places.

Devil’s Bridge Station: There is a dedicated railway car park located off the A4120 in Devil’s Bridge with blue badge parking bays available with a short walk along ramped access to the booking office.

The railway operates a fleet of historic railway carriages which were built for the line between 1923 and 1938. Many of the carriages are fully enclosed, whilst others are open. To access the carriages, there is one step of 400mm between the platform and the carriage floor. Extra steps are available if required, please ask the train Guard and wait for assistance before attempting to board or alight the train.

The carriage doors are 580mm wide and internal gangways are 420mm and 520mm wide. The train crew will assist passengers with limited mobility, if required. Grab handles are provided adjacent to the majority of carriage doors.

We welcome wheelchair users and will always do our best to help everyone enjoy the railway however because of the age of our trains, there are some limitations on where wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be carried.

A wheelchair accessible “summer carriage” is scheduled to run on every train. This space can be booked from the booking website or by contacting the booking office directly. Unfortunately wheelchair access is not currently possible in our closed or First Class carriages.

If you are a wheelchair user you have the choice of either transferring to one of the bench seats in the open carriage if you are able, or you are welcome to remain in your wheelchair in the reserved area.

Wide doors are located at the Aberystwyth end of the carriage. The door width is 900mm
The ramp has a maximum weight limit of 300 Kg. We are able to stow and transports foldable wheelchairs and scooters in our guards van for passengers who are able to mobilise and access the carriages via the steps.

If booking the wheelchair space we recommend starting your journey from Aberystwyth station
If you use a larger wheelchair or scooter, please contact us before travelling so we can check measurements and discuss what is possible.

The Booking Offices at both Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge both have portable induction loops at the counters. Hearing aid users should switch to “T Position”. Booking Office staff are trained to assist hearing aid users and are also aware of the needs of visitors who are lip-reading.

Owing to the nature of a railway environment, there are drops from the edges of platforms onto the tracks. Partially sighted visitors are asked to take care when on or around our stations. The platform edge is picked out with a white line. Buildings are designed so as to provide a good contrast/definition between surfaces.

Toilets are available at at Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge stations with separate gentleman, ladies and fully accessible toilets available. The accessible toilets have lateral transfer space and grab rails. There is a baby nappy changing facility within both the accessible toilet and the ladies toilet.

Unfortunately there are no toilets on board our trains.

We welcome all registered guide dogs, hearing dogs and medical alert dogs. Assistance dogs can travel on trains free of charge and are welcome in all railway facilities and on board our trains. Please note only registered assistance dogs are permitted in our First Class carriages.

Water bowls are available throughout the site.

Carers accompanying a person with a disability are able to claim a discount of 25% off a standard adult full line return ticket. To receive the discount, documentation or ID proof of disability must be shown. Call or visit our booking office direct to book this ticket type.

Devil’s Bridge Waterfalls are operated as a separate attraction. For further information, including accessibility details, please visit www.devilsbridgefalls.co.uk or call 01970 890 233.