Snowdon Mountain Railway workers battle to reopen snow-hit track

The snow on the mountain railway is being cleared by diggers

Workers are battling to reopen Snowdon Mountain Railway after it was hit by 30ft (9.1m) snow drifts.

Two excavators are being used to clear the 4.7 mile (7.5km) track.

It is unlikely passengers will be able to travel to the summit over Easter but it is hoped the train will be running to stops three quarters of the way up.

The railway resumed operations from Llanberis last week after the winter break but they were suspended within days after heavy snow on the mountain.

Alan Kendall, general manager of Snowdon Mountain Railway, said: "It's the worst I've experienced in the 11 years I've been here.

"We were looking forward to two good weeks at Easter but our first week has effectively been wiped out because of the weather. We're now working hard to try to get things turned round for the rest of the holiday period."

He said around 12 people were attempting to clear the snow.

The wall of snow stands higher than the digger being used to clear the track

Mr Kendall added: "The snow is absolutely solid about half way up but we're using two rubber-wheeled excavators to help clear a way through."

Although trains had travelled to the summit over the last four years during Easter, traditionally the service went only as far as Clogwyn when Easter fell in March.

Meanwhile, walkers and climbers have been warned to be prepared for the conditions after six people were rescued over the last week.

On Monday, six climbers were airlifted from the snow-covered peaks.

An RAF rescue helicopter from Valley, Anglesey, winched three men from Northumberland from Snowdon's Pyg Track. One was taken to hospital in Bangor with a dislocated shoulder.

In a second rescue above the Ogwen Valley, three people from Warwick had called for help in the snow and bitter wind.

John Grisdale, chairman of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, said: "There is an incredible pressure on our rescue teams at the moment.

"It is difficult enough to rescue troubled walkers when the weather is pleasant but saving walkers in weather like this is difficult and time consuming and totally unnecessary."

He said temperatures were dropping to -20C in places.