The Snowdon Mountain Railway is a rack and pinion mountain railway which runs from Llanberis (108m above sea level), travelling 7.6km to the peak of Mount Snowdon at 1,065m above sea level.

The railway was built between December 1894, when the first piece of earth was ceremonially cut by Enid Assheton-Smith (after whom train No. 2 is named) and February 1896, at a total cost of £63,800 - equivalent to £6,658,000 in today's terms.

On its first day of operation, in April 1896, the railway suffered an accident in which one passenger died, and was closed until September of that year, when services to Hebron re-opened, April 1897, when services to Clogwyn resumed, and by June 1897 services had again resumed all the way to the summit station.

To this day the railway operates from mid-March to November (inclement weather aside) and carries more than 130,000 passengers each year.


Click to view route map

Track layout

Stations in detail

Llanberis

The lower terminus of the Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis opened on 6th April 1896.

Player count : ALL
Build spaces : 0
Surveyor pts : 0

Two Viaducts

Technically not a station, the two viaducts between Llanberis and Waterfall Station were of vital importance to the route - whilst the trains were delivered in July 1895, until the viaducts were completed in August very little track was laid, as all track-laying had to start from one end of the line.

Player count : ALL
Build spaces : 6
Surveyor pts : 1

4 rubble (excavation) - 4 points
2 rubble (excavation) - 2 points
4 stone - 9 points
3 stone - 7 points
2 stone - 4 points
1 stone - 1 point

Waterfall Station

Waterfall railway station was built to allow visitors to use the train to travel to a spectacular waterfall close to the line. The station is closed to passengers but the station build remains in use as an engineers' base.

Player count : 3-5
Build spaces : 3
Surveyor pts : 2

2 rubble (excavation) - 3 points
1 steel bar - 7 points
2 stone - 4 points

Hebron Station

Hebron is an intermediate stop on the railway, located near a small chapel on the lower slopes of Mount Snowdon.

Player count : ALL
Build spaces : 5
Surveyor pts : 4

2 rubble (excavation) - 3 points
3 stone - 6 points
3 stone - 7 points
1 steel bar - 7 points
1 steel bar - 5 points

Halfway Station

Halway Station is an intermediate stop on the railway, close to the Halfway House cafe on the footpath leading to the summit.

Player count : ALL
Build spaces : 6
Surveyor pts : 7

2 rubble (excavation) - 3 points
2 rubble (excavation) - 2 points
1 steel bar - 7 points
1 steel bar - 6 points
3 stone - 6 points
3 stone - 5 points

Passing Loop

Whilst the railway has three passing loops (at Hebron, Halfway and Clegwyn stations), only the one at Halfway station is included in the game, and then only when playing with five players.

Player count : 5
Build spaces : 4
Surveyor pts : 9

4 rubble (excavation) - 5 points
1 steel bar - 8 points
1 steel bar - 6 points
2 stone - 5 points

Rocky Valley Halt

Rocky Valley Halt is an intermediate station which consists of a small platform sheltered by a rocky outcrop to the east.

Player count : ALL
Build spaces : 2
Surveyor pts : 11

4 rubble (excavation) - 5 points
4 stone - 9 points

Clogwyn Station

Clogwyn is an intermediate station on the railway located on an exposed ridge overlooking the Llanberis Pass and the Clogwyn Du'r Arddu cliffs, a popular climbing spot.

Player count : ALL
Build spaces : 5
Surveyor pts : 15

6 rubble (excavation) - 9 points
3 stone - 6 points
3 stone - 7 points
1 steel bar - 7 points
1 steel bar - 6 points

Yr Wyddfa (The Summit)

This station is the southern, upper terminus of the railway, standing at 1065m above sea level, 21m below the summit of Mount Snowdon. The original station was constructed in 1934 / 5, designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, replacing the ramshackle buildings that stood there previously. In 2005 the station was demolished and completely rebuilt - until the opening of the current 'Hafod Eryri' visitor centre and station, passenger services terminated at Clogwyn.

Player count : ALL
Build spaces : 6
Surveyor pts : 21

3 rubble (excavation) - 5 points
3 rubble (excavation) - 3 points
2 steel bars - 14 points
1 steel bar - 7 points
3 stone - 7 points
3 stone - 5 points

Scenario trains

Trains in detail

No. 1 L.A.D.A.S.

L.A.D.A.S. was the Snowdon Mountain Railway's first steam engine built in the 1890's. She was manufactured at the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works in Winterthur, Switzerland in 1895, arriving at Llanberis in July 1895, costing £1523.00. She was named after Laura Alice Duff Assheton-Smith, the wife of a major local landowner. The train was operating the first public passenger service on April 6th, 1896 when she had a very unfortunate accident. She was coming back down the line when she derailed and went cab over wheels down the mountain. Once she rolled down the mountain, she was a complete wreck with only the pistons, motion, frames and wheels still intact. She was beyond repair, so she was scrapped. To this day, the Snowdon Mountain Railway has never replaced L.A.D.A.S. with another steam engine carrying the number one.

Whenever the Owner of this Train carries out the Excavate Action, the Labourer excavates at 2 more than the current Excavation Work Rate. The total can exceed the maximum rate on the board.

No. 2 Enid

Enid was constructed at the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works in Winterthur in 1895, and was delivered to help with the construction of the 4.7-mile mountain railway up Snowdon that year. She was named after Enid Assheton-Smith, the daughter of Snowdonia's then-landowner George William Duff Assheton-Smith and his wife Laura Alice Assheton-Smith. Enid cut the first sod in December 1894 in place of her mother, who was ill at the time. Her namesake arrived at Llanberis in August 1895 and cost £1,525.

Whenever the Owner of this train uses the Works action, they may convert 2 Iron Ore into a Steel Bar instead of 3.

No. 3 Wyddfa

Wyddfa (Welsh for "Snowdon") is the Snowdon Mountain Railway's No. 3 who works and shunts at Llanberis. Wyddfa was built at the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works in Winterthur, Switzerland in 1895 and arrived at Llanberis on 7 December 1895.

Whenever the Owner of this Train takes the Stock Yard action, they may take an additional cube from the Stock Yard, if available (subject to the maximum of one Coal per action).

No. 4 Snowdon

Snowdon was built at the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works in Winterthur, Switzerland in 1896 and is still in operation.

At the end of the game this Train card adds 9 victory points to its Owner's score.

No. 5 Moel Siabod

Number 5 was named Moel Siabod after the nearby mountain in the Moelwynion range and at 872m it is the highest peak in the range.

This Train costs 1 Steel Bar less to purchase than most of the other trains (as it doesn't come with any benefit other than the ability to access your additional Labourer). It also comes with 2 Coal cubes.

No. 6 Padarn

Named after the lower lake at Llanberis. Originally named Sir Harmood after the chairman of the company, Sir John Sutherland Harmood-Banner, it was renamed Padarn in 1928.

At the end of resolving the Build Action Area [E], if there has been at least one Build action performed this round by any player, the owner may perform an additional Build action.

No. 7 Ralph

No.7 was in the second batch of locos delivered to the Snowdon Mountain Railway by the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works in 1923. Originally named Aylwin until October 1978 when it was renamed Ralph Sadler, later shortened to Ralph, after the company's consulting engineer between 1964 and 1977.

The Owner of this Train may Lay Track at a rate one more than the current work rate for that action. The total can exceed the maximum rate on the board.

Scenario contract cards

Contract cards in detail

Contract no. 1

Contract terms
Move 5 of your ownership markers from completed excavation and/or non-excavation building sites.

Bonus effect
Whenever you take the Lay Track Action this Round, you do it at one more than the current Work Rate.

Type : Building bonus
Effect location : D
Points : 15

Contract no. 2

Contract terms
Move 4 of your ownership markers from completed excavation and/or non-excavation building sites.

Bonus effect
Whenever you take the Lay Track Action this Round, you do it at one more than the current Work Rate.

Type : Building bonus
Effect location : D
Points : 10

Contract no. 3

Contract terms
Move 3 of your ownership markers from completed excavation and/or non-excavation building sites.

Bonus effect
After all other Excavate Actions has been resolved you may excavate completely the next space with Rubble in it (Track card or BUilding site).

Type : Building bonus
Effect location : A
Points : 6

Contract no. 4

Contract terms
Move 2 of your ownership markers from completed excavation and/or non-excavation building sites and move 2 of your ownership markers from completed Track cards.

Bonus effect
Swap the Weather disc in the middle position on the Weather Track with one of your choice from the general supply. (This weather will be used at the start of the next Round)

Type : Building and Track bonus
Effect location : A
Points : 17

Contract no. 5

Contract terms
Move 2 of your ownership markers from completed excavation and/or non-excavation building sites, 1 of your ownership markers from a completed Track card, and 4 rubble pieces from your personal supply.

Bonus effect
Draw the top two cards from the Contract Card Deck. You may keep this card or one of the cardsyou have drawn. Discard the other two cards.

Type : Building, Track and Excavation bonus
Effect location : F
Points : 14

Contract no. 6

Contract terms
Move 12 rubble pieces from your personal supply and 1 of your ownership markers from a completed Track card.

Bonus effect
Whenever you take a Build Action (E) this Round you may use 3 Iron Ore as if it was a Steel Bar.

Type : Track and Excavation bonus
Effect location : E
Points : 22

Contract no. 7

Contract terms
Move 8 rubble pieces from your personal supply.

Bonus effect
Whenever you take a Stock Yard Action this Round, you may take two additional cubes (the one Coal per Labourer limit still applies).

Type : Excavation bonus
Effect location : E
Points : 11

Contract no. 8

Contract terms
Move 8 rubble pieces from your personal supply.

Bonus effect
After all other Lay Track Actions has been resolved you may take a Lay Track Action as if you had placed a Labourer here this Round.

Type : Excavation bonus
Effect location : D
Points : 11

Contract no. 9

Contract terms
Move 6 rubble pieces from your personal supply and 1 of your ownership markers from a completed Track card.

Bonus effect
Whenever you pay a Stone requirement for a Building site this Round, pay one Stone less.

Type : Track and Excavation bonus
Effect location : E
Points : 14

Contract no. 10

Contract terms
Move 4 rubble pieces from your personal supply.

Bonus effect
After all other Build Actions have been resolved, you may take a Build Action as if you had placed a Labourer here this Round.

Type : Excavation bonus
Effect location : E
Points : 5

Contract no. 11

Contract terms
Move 4 rubble pieces from your personal supply.

Bonus effect
Immediately convert 2 Rubble in your personal supply into 1 Stone up to 3 times. Take the Stone from the Supply Bag.

Type : Excavation bonus
Effect location : C
Points : 5

Contract no. 12

Contract terms
Move 12 rubble pieces from your personal supply.

Bonus effect
Immediately convert 2 Iron Ore from your personal supply into 1 Steel Bar once or twice. Put the Iron Ore into the Bag.

Type : Excavation bonus
Effect location : C
Points : 16

Contract no. 13

Contract terms
Move 4 rubble pieces from your personal supply and 2 of your ownership markers from completed Track cards.

Bonus effect
After this card has been played, no other Contract cards may be played for the rest of the Round

Type : Track and Excavation bonus
Effect location : A
Points : 18

Contract no. 14

Contract terms
Move 4 rubble pieces from your personal supply and 1 ownership marker from a completed Track card.

Bonus effect
Whenever you pay a Stone requirement for a Building site this Round, pay one Stone less.

Type : Track and Excavation bonus
Effect location : E
Points : 11

Contract no. 15

Contract terms
Move 8 rubble pieces from your personal supply and 1 ownership marker from a completed Track card.

Bonus effect
Whenever you pay a Stone requirement for a Building site this Round, pay one Stone less.

Type : Track and Excavation bonus
Effect location : E
Points : 17

Contract no. 16

Contract terms
Move 8 rubble pieces from your personal supply and 2 ownership markers from completed Track cards.

Bonus effect
You may discard this card instead of a Steel Bar when required to pay for train maintenance.

Type : Track and Excavation bonus
Effect location : Train Maintenance
Points : 23

Contract no. 17

Contract terms
Move 16 rubble pieces from your personal supply.

Bonus effect
Whenever you take a Build Action (E) this Round, you may use 2 Rubble as 1 Stone, or 4 Rubble as 2 Stone.

Type : Excavation bonus
Effect location : E
Points : 21

Contract no. 18

Contract terms
Move 11 rubble pieces from your personal supply.

Bonus effect
Immediately draw three cubs from the Supply Bag; return each Event cube drawn this way.

Type : Excavation bonus
Effect location : G
Points : 15

Contract no. 19

Contract terms
Move 7 rubble pieces from your personal supply.

Bonus effect
Immediately draw three cubs from the Supply Bag; return each Event cube drawn this way.

Type : Excavation bonus
Effect location : G
Points : 10

Contract no. 20

Contract terms
Move 5 of your ownership markers from completed Track cards.

Bonus effect
Immediately take any 2 cubes from the Stock Yard (one Coal maximum).

Type : Track bonus
Effect location : A
Points : 40

Contract no. 21

Contract terms
Move 3 of your ownership markers from completed Track cards.

Bonus effect
You may discard this card instead of a Steel Bar when required to pay for train maintenance.

Type : Track bonus
Effect location : Train Maintenance
Points : 24

Contract no. 22

Contract terms
Move 3 of your ownership markers from completed Track cards.

Bonus effect
Take the Start Player marker. The marker cannot move again this Round.

Type : Track bonus
Effect location : A
Points : 24

Contract no. 23

Contract terms
Move 4 of your ownership markers from completed Track cards.

Bonus effect
Immediately take any 2 cubes from the Stock Yard (one Coal maximum).

Type : Track bonus
Effect location : A
Points : 31

Contract no. 24

Contract terms
Move 1 of your ownership markers from a completed Track card.

Bonus effect
Immediately convert 2 Iron Ore from your personal supply into 1 Steel Bar once or twice. Put the Iron Ore into the Bag.

Type : Track bonus
Effect location : C
Points : 4

Contract no. 25

Contract terms
Move 1 of your ownership markers from a completed Track card.

Bonus effect
Whenever you take a Build Action (E) this Round you may use 3 Iron Ore as if it was a Steel Bar.

Type : Track bonus
Effect location : E
Points : 7

Contract no. 26

Contract terms
Move 2 of your ownership markers from completed Track cards.

Bonus effect
Whenever you take the Excavate Action this Round take double the number of Rubble Cubes (Work Rate plus any bonuses).

Type : Track bonus
Effect location : B
Points : 15

Contract no. 27

Contract terms
If the player has this Contract card, score 2 victory points per Coal cube in your personal supply.

Bonus effect
Immediately move your Surveyor 1 Station further along.

Type : Coal bonus
Effect location : G
Points : 15

Contract no. 28

Contract terms
Move 5 of your ownership markers from completed excavation and/or non-excavation building sites - this contact is complete if your Surveyor has reached at least Station 6.

Bonus effect
Immediately move one of your placed Labourers to any different, empty, Action space.

Type : Surveyor bonus
Effect location : A
Points : 23

Contract no. 29

Contract terms
This contract is complete if your Surveyor has reached at least Station 5.

Bonus effect
You may ignore the limit on taking Coal from the Stock Yard this Round.

Type : Surveyor bonus
Effect location : A
Points : 6 points if your Surveyor has reached Station 5, 10 if he has reached Station 6, 15 if he has reached Station 7

Contract no. 30

Contract terms
Move 2 of your ownership markers from completed Track cards.

Bonus effect
Whenever you take the Excavate Action this Round take double the number of Rubble Cubes (Work Rate plus any bonuses).

Type : Track bonus
Effect location : B
Points : 15

Scenario action spaces