Engineers have been working for almost four months on the damaged line

Network Rail say the work prompted by February's torrential rain should be complete in time for summer timetables.

Stretches of the Conwy Valley line near Llanrwst were completely swept away in the floods, leaving some track dangling in mid air.

Alternative bus services have been running for passengers on the line during nearly four months of repairs.

Entire communities in the valley were completely cut off when the River Conwy burst its banks in the floods in early February.

A 10 mile stretch of railway line between Tal-y-Cafn and Betws-y-Coed was badly hit with parts of embankment washed away and huge gaps left underneath parts of the track.

Celebration

"The flooding was to such an extent that this work had to be done and the rail line temporarily closed, " said a Network Rail spokeswoman.

"Rather than repair the line temporarily it was decided to do everything from scratch."

Engineers have concentrated on three areas of track - renovating the actual track, relevelling the ground beneath and protecting the embankments to stop further landslide.

Another week of spring floods in early March set back the project by a week, but it is now hoped to be complete by 22 May.

Arriva Trains Wales which operates services on the Conwy Valley line said they had been working with local groups to plan a reopening celebration in time for the May timetable.

"We have also been identifying new promotional opportunities for our customers to explore the line, including an enhanced Red Rover ticket," said Ben Davies, stakeholder liaison manager.

"This will be an integrated rail and bus ticket allowing our customers to travel within a specified area.

This one-day ticket will be available for use when the line re-opens in May."