1. Can you share a brief history of the Snowdon Mountain Railway?
“Snowdon Mountain Railway is the UK’s only public rack-and-pinion mountain railway. It was built in 1895 to carry visitors from Llanberis to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest peak in Wales. Inspired by pioneering alpine railways in Switzerland, the line was engineered to tackle steep gradients and challenging mountain terrain. It quickly became one of Britain’s most remarkable feats of Victorian engineering.
For 130 years, the railway has welcomed generations of travellers from around the world. It offers a unique and accessible way to experience the spectacular landscape of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Eryri National Park. Over the decades, it has carefully balanced heritage and innovation. The railway preserves its original character while investing in modern carriages, sustainability initiatives and enhanced visitor experiences. Today, Snowdon Mountain Railway remains one of Wales’s most iconic attractions and a symbol of adventure, heritage and discovery.”
2. How long have you been using Bradite paints on the railway?
“We have been using Bradite paints on the railway for the past two seasons. This was following a recommendation from Phil at Brewers Decorator Centres in Bangor, who suggested Bradite as a high-quality solution suited to the demanding conditions we work in. One Can has proven to be a reliable product for use across the railway.”
3. Where and how do you use Bradite protective coatings?
“We initially began using Bradite’s protective coatings to refresh the appearance of some unsightly steel inspection covers at the summit station. We were very pleased with the ease of application and strong rate of coverage, particularly in such an exposed mountain environment. Following those results, we have since extended its use across the wider site to help keep key areas looking their best.”
Photographer: Philip Marsh
4. Which key features of Bradite products make them ideal for this use?
“We find that Bradite products are particularly well suited to our environment because they dry quickly, provide strong coverage and perform reliably in colder conditions. This helps us continue our annual maintenance works, which are carried out between October and March when weather conditions on the mountain can be especially challenging.”
5. Can you tell us about the recent redecoration of the railway entrance and cinema screen?
“This winter, we carried out a complete redesign of our arrival’s corridor and cinema space. Our cinema, now renamed The Picture House, has been transformed to capture the character and charm of a vintage theatre. The project included the manufacture and installation of new wall panelling with raised and fielded detailing. The existing cinema screen has also been enhanced with a newly finished surround.
This was the first time we used Bradite One Can internally, and we have been very pleased with both the coverage and ease of application. The arrivals corridor has received the same treatment. As this is a particularly high-traffic area, we are looking forward to seeing how it performs over time.”
6. Are there any upcoming projects where One Can will be particularly suitable?
“We plan to continue using Bradite One Can across a variety of upcoming projects throughout the railway. Its ease of use, strong coverage and dependable performance make it a practical solution for a wide range of touch-up and refurbishment work across the site. We are increasingly working with local producers, as supporting local businesses is something we are truly passionate about.”