Llangollen Railway

Took a trip here yesterday for the first time since April 2014 (where does the time go?)

I travelled by train to Ruabon and then bus to Llangollen. I had forgotten how easy it is to do this, being dropped off right by the bridge makes it so easy to get to the station. I was sat on the train within 25mins of getting on the bus.

It was two train timetable with 7754 out on the Mk1s and also the 108/127 hybrid unit. I took a full return journey on each.

Despite the challenges that have happened since my last visit, the railway seemed still top notch, I would say the LR sets the standard every heritage railway should be aspiring to achieve. Most things were in very good condition and hardly any eyesores at all.

The scenery is fantastic, crossing the Dee and then hugging it most of the way, the section out of Glyndyfrdwy is so naturally beautiful and similar on the last stretch after Carrog.

Corwen is a great station considering the limited room embankment it is built upon. A walk across the car park and in the centre of the town! Definitely completes the railway and at 10 miles long is more than a decent journey.

Fantastic to see token catchers in use at both Goods Jcn and Glyndyfrdwy, to both drop off and pick up tokens, something rarely seen.

Volunteers were very friendly, I saw 7754's crew ask people on the platform if they wanted to go into the cab, something I've rarely experienced.

Every train departed Llangollen and Corwen on time, the last train arriving into Llangollen bang on the advertised 17:01.

I will definitely not leave it over 11 years to return, and hopefully get off the train and explore the areas around the railway a little bit more next time.

 

It's lovely to see Llangollen come back from the brink, it'll be even better once the resident Prairie is in service- very much the "classic" Welsh line with locos appropriate.

Chris

 

You may already have done this but if you go to the Llangollen Railway website , "about us", "heritage trains", "steam locomotives" donations can be made to the 5532 fund with gift aid boosting the amount.

 

Wonderful to see the positive feedback and folk enjoying visiting us again. We've come a long way in 4 years. There's still a lot to do, but we are determined to celebrate our 50th Birthday by very much looking forward to the future and seeing our railway still here in another 50 years.

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/17mq7avDLF/

The Future Berwyn Shuttle

We are very excited to announce that Waggon & Maschinenbau Railbus No. 79962 will soon be coming to us.

The project, which is due to begin in February 2026, will involve 79962 arriving on loan from the Vintage Carriages Trust for return to working order. 79962 is expected to start running between Llangollen and Berwyn in 2028.

Better utilisation of our Berwyn shuttle service aims to reduce parking pressures at Horseshoe Falls and help further open-up the stunning Dee Valley gorge at Berwyn.

2026 sees the 60th anniversary of the type’s withdrawal from BR service. Lightweight, economical and seating around 56 passengers, the W&M Railbus was designed specifically for flexible operation on rural routes. Only five of the type were built in 1958, with four surviving into preservation.

This smaller Railbus offers a more environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional longer and heavier train formations. Its ability to operate frequent, efficient services with lower fuel use makes it ideally suited to supporting responsible tourism and sustainable access to the Dee Valley.

Tim Pulford, Engineering Manager said, “This is a genuinely exciting and achievable project. A great deal of preparatory work has already been completed on Railbus 79962, including asbestos removal, floor repairs, heater overhaul and soundproofing. From an engineering perspective, this is a well-understood vehicle with clear solutions to the remaining challenges. Our volunteers have already inspected it and are confident it can be restored to a high standard.”

Ian Smith, Vice Chairman of the Vintage Carriages Trust, said, “The Vintage Carriages Trust is delighted to be working with Llangollen and Corwen Railway on this project. Railbus 79962 is an important historic vehicle, and this partnership allows it to be used in a way that is both historically meaningful and environmentally responsible. Supporting sustainable access to landscapes like the Dee Valley is exactly the sort of role these vehicles can play today.”

As part of the partnership, the Vintage Carriages Trust will fund the overhaul of the Railbus and provide technical advice, operational guidance and crew training. In addition to its environmental benefits, the project will create new volunteering, training and skills development opportunities in light traction operation, mechanical systems, and heritage restoration, supporting the railway’s long-term sustainability.

Dave Hennigan, LR Trust Manager, added, “The W&M Railbus project reflects Llangollen Railway’s commitment to practical, partnership-led solutions that protect the environment while widening access to the Dee Valley. We look forward to working with the VCT to get 79962 back in use and sharing more updates about this exciting project as it progresses”.

 

As the only one of the four surviving W&M Railbuses that I haven't travelled on, it will be nice to have a trip on if/when it returns to service.

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Busy time for Llangollen - the W&M arrived last week, and looking at photos on Facebook just now, the first vehicle of the class 110 formerly based at the East Lancs has just arrived as that unit transfers over to the line. At least one vehicle should be operating at the October railcar gala according to a previous post from the railway's own page. Looks to be quite the varied railcar collection forming in Denbighshire - a potential choice of host for a future DMU anniversary gala perhaps, should such an event be feasible?

 

Has the 110 changed hands? As a former Calder Valley unit it's a shame in one sense to see it move further away from where it once worked. But it'll be loved and appreciated at Llangollen no doubt, based on the other DMUs there.

 

No …loan for some tlc …

 

I'm not sure if the Llangollen Railway have just possibly announced the "Ultimate" railway enthusiast event......

Red Dwarf themed train, with Chris Barrie.

I suspect there is a massive crossover between rail enthusiasts and Red Dwarf fans.

Great work!

Chris

 

SMEG!

 

Stoke me a clipper, I'll be back for Christmas.

 

It's an Ooooo.... It's an Ooooo...It's an Oooo - I can't do it, Mr. Lister

 

I think it's start of what could be quite interesting trend of railways and Comic Cons/Pop Culture crossing over.

The Bluebell have really started to get on board with it anyway. They did a Comic Event last year with Peter Davison as the main guest, have a display of Batmobiles at Kingscote this coming weekend, a Whovian Day coming up in April and a Star Wars themed event at the start of May as well.

 

Some lines have hosted Steampunk events

 

Midland Railway did Indietracks up to about the pandemic. Never made it down shamefully but if the will is there, events are there for the taking.