Challenges in building

The first challenge was to find the safest method to transport the trains up the steep slopes. The Snowdon Mountain Tramroad and Hotels Co. Ltd. visited Switzerland to find the most advanced mountain railway technology. The company came across Dr Roman Abt, a German engineer's rack and pinion system. His system had been trialled in the Alps. In 1895, while in Switzerland the company purchased three steam locomotives to assist in the construction of the railway and a further two locomotives arrived in 1896 when the railway was opened. The locomotives pushed the carriages up the mountain. Each carriage had a set of brakes and they operated independently of the locomotives. If the driver were to lose control, the carriage would come to a halt, detaching itself from the locomotive.

The double rail track ensured a smooth and comfortable journey up the steep slopes. The pinion was mounted underneath the train, ensuring that there was a sound grip between both carriage and track. The pinion was the only form of grip between both, with the wheels supporting the weight of the locomotive.

The first turf was cut at Llanberis station in December 1894 by Enid, the daughter of Assherton Smith. The intention was to open the line in the summer of 1895, but due to the harsh winter of 1894 the construction of the two large aqueducts between Llanberis and the waterfall weren't completed until August 1895. The track to the summit was laid in 72 days, with the first train reaching the summit in January 1896. After the completion of the fencing and installation of the signalling system the railway was opened to the public during Easter 1896.