Date: 18/03/2018

On Easter Monday 1896 the ribbon was cut on the Snowdon Mountain Railway's inaugural ride but all did not run smoothly. On the way back down the mountain (at 3,560ft the highest in England and Wales) the steam locomotive LADAS derailed and plunged off the edge of a cliff. The driver and fireman leapt to safety. Even though the carriage being pulled behind ground safely to a halt, two passengers also jumped out. One, Ellis Griffith Roberts, sustained fatal injuries in the fall. The railway which runs five miles up the side of the mountain from the village of Llanberis to within 60ft of the summit was mothballed while a safety review ensued.

External links

Work begins on 10 year programme to modernise the famous Snowdon Mountain Railway

Telegraph

On Easter Monday 1896 the ribbon was cut on the Snowdon Mountain Railway's inaugural ride – but all did not run smoothly.

Related images

Smoke and Mirrors. Waiting at Halfway station for the up train to the summit of Snowdon in August 2011.
Location: Halfway
Company: Snowdon Mountain Tramway and Hotels
15/08/2011 Ian Dinmore

No 3 and No 6 photographed on 19 July 2007 at the Snowdon Mountain Railway's locomotive shed at Llanberis.
Location: Llanberis
Company: Snowdon Mountain Tramway and Hotels
19/07/2007 Bill Roberton