The Railway Touring Company
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The Railway Touring Company · Rail day excursion
The Slate Miner
One-day diesel-hauled rail excursion from Oxford to Welsh slate country
The Railway Touring Company's Slate Miner is a single-day rail excursion from Oxford and the West Midlands to Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales, running on two diesel locomotives. Departing Oxford, the train heads north through Banbury and Leamington Spa to Birmingham and the Black Country, then continues to Bescot where a Colas Rail Class 56 freight locomotive takes over. This rare haulage opportunity is a centrepiece for diesel enthusiasts and heritage-rail fans. The route then follows the West Coast Main Line through Crewe to Chester, hugs the North Wales coast through Prestatyn, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay, and finally reverses onto the 28-mile Conwy Valley Line. The final stretch climbs steeply through the Lledr Valley, crossing the 24-arch Pont Gethin Viaduct and threading through the 2.5-mile Blaenau tunnel, the longest unlined tunnel in the UK, before arriving at the historic slate-mining town. Four fare tiers accommodate a wide budget, from a reserved seat to a Premier experience with full breakfast and four-course dinner on board.
What to know before you look closer
- Only one departure is listed: August 2026.
- The from-price of 115 GBP covers a reserved seat only; dining and First Class amenities are in higher tiers.
- No day-by-day itinerary details are published; confirm the exact arrival time and on-site arrangements at Blaenau Ffestiniog with the operator before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1rail
Oxford to Blaenau Ffestiniog via the Conwy Valley Line
The train heads from Oxford via Banbury and Leamington Spa to Birmingham New Street, then through the Black Country to Bescot where a Colas Rail Class 56 diesel locomotive takes over, via Wolverhampton and Stafford, along the West Coast Main Line to Crewe and across the Cheshire Plain to Chester, then along the North Wales coast through Prestatyn, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay to Llandudno Junction. Reversing onto the Conwy Valley Line, it follows the Afon Conwy through Llanrwst to Betws-y-Coed, then climbs the Lledr Valley over the Pont Gethin Viaduct and through the Blaenau tunnel to Blaenau Ffestiniog, with free time to visit the historic slate town before the train retraces its route to Oxford.
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included in the price?
- Yes. The Railway Touring Company's package includes the entire rail journey from Oxford to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Fare tiers differ by seat class and onboard catering.
- What locomotives pull the train?
- A West Coast diesel pool locomotive runs Oxford to Bescot. A Colas Rail Class 56 freight locomotive then takes over from Bescot to Blaenau Ffestiniog via the Conwy Valley Line.
- What meals are included?
- Standard and Standard First (Non-Dining) tiers include no meals. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon and breakfast roll, and afternoon tea or coffee with a savoury and scone. Premier includes a full English breakfast and a four-course dinner freshly prepared on board.
- Where can I board?
- The Railway Touring Company lists multiple pickup points: Oxford, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Warwick Parkway, Dorridge, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, and Stafford.
- When does this trip operate?
- One departure is listed in August 2026. Check with the operator for additional dates and availability.
