Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Waterfall Viaduct
Llanberis, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 28 May 1999
- Locality
- Llanberis
- Town
- Caernarfon
- Community
- Llanberis
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.11206, -4.12614
- Cadw reference
- 21850
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1896 "Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Located above the spectacular waterfalls of Afon Hwch immediately to the north of Waterfall Station on the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
History
An original structure on The Snowdon Mountain Railway, which was founded as The Snowdon Mountain Tramroad & Hotels Co. Ltd. in 1894 and opened in 1896. The engineers were Douglas and Francis Fox and the line was originally operated by 5 steam locomotives from Switzerland on the rack and pinion system first devised by Dr Roman Abt of Lucerne. Purely recreational in use, the line has always been a major attraction to tourists visiting the area.
Exterior
Railway viaduct comprising 4 tall skewed round-headed arches to incline. Snecked rock-faced rubblestone blocks with heavily tooled ashlar coping and toothed purple brick arches.
Reason for designation
Included as a major engineering structure on the pioneering Snowdon Mountain Railway; occupies a spectacular position over natural waterfalls.
Nearby in the register
- Lower ViaductTransportunder 1 mi
- Engine ShedTransportunder 1 mi
- Church of St PadarnReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Royal Victoria HotelCommercialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.