Oswestry Update

Only 3 more weekends before Austin 1 returns to Llangollen, so if you want to see it in action at Oswestry. . . .

We are also hosting Ellsemere Model Railway Club who will be bringing various displays to Oswestry Station on Sat 30 and Sun 31 August.

Meanwhile, at Llynclys. . .
The site will be open as follows
Sat 23 Aug - No trains running
Sat 6 & Sun 7 Aug - Trains (Pacer) running both days
Sat 4 Oct - No trains running
Sat 18 Oct - Trains running

 

Oh dear!

Austin 1 was failed yesterday with hot water emerging from behind the lagging. Hopefully a repair can be made, but . . . the loco is nearing the end of its ten years certificate (spring 2026 I believe).

 

I didn't expect that, I remember seeing it puffing along quite well along the line when I was on duty, it seemed solid to me.

These things happens unfortunately with anything mechanical.

 

Nor did we!
Austin 1 will be returning to Llangollen shortly. They will have to strip the cladding (which will also require cab roof off) for assessment for repairs, but my money is on it joining the overhaul queue rather than a quick fix.

Boiler overhaul for our own Barclay 2261 (https://www.heritage-railways.com/locosdb/locosdb2.php?RefNo=656) is progressing steadily, but . . . I don't know what we will be using for steam heating for Santa trains.

 

You need a Yankee tank from Shillingstone

 

Recently visited the Llynclys site and noticed at the Penygarreg halt there appears to be a big massive hill blocking the way to Pant, what's the story behind it ?

 

This is all before my time, but the story as far as I know it is that the small bridge which takes Penygarreg Lane over the railway was filled soon after the line closed (Not sure if it has actually been removed and road lowered). Getting passed that would only give access to another third mile before Pant, where the trackbed is obstructed.
The former owners of the property adjacent to Penygerreg platform used to allow an unofficial footpath from platform to road, but new owners have closed that off.

 

Ah thanks, I did wonder about the access from the Halt to the main road when I looked at Google maps, maybe a staircase and a lift to the road would alleviate the access issue or buy the land from the owner to create a path.

 

This should be capable of providing steam heating!

 

New toy arrived for Christmas...

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17ohcwTz9C/

Cambrian Heritage Railways are proud to announce the arrival of 'No 32 Gothenburg' which is on hire to us from East Lancashire Railway for our Santa and Mince Pie Special Services.

Gothenburg will make its CHR debut during our upcoming Santa Steam Services which start on Saturday 29th November.

Santa Services will be starting on Saturday 29th November and will operate every weekend until Sunday 21st December.

Please note over the 29th & 30th November dates our 'Early Bird' prices are in place where the price for a Family of 4 (2a/2c) is just £40...

Trains will leave Oswestry Station at 1000, 1130, 1300, 1430 & 1545 on all dates.

Please visit our website for more details & to book your space.

https://cambrianrailways.com/santa-train/

Booking will be essential. We look forward to seeing you

(Please note the Santa Services will not be operating to Weston Wharf this year)

#heritagerailway #cambrianheritagerailways #trains #santatrain #christmas2025 #Christmas #santa

 

5944 beat me to it. Only here until the New Year, so if you want to see it. . .

More loco details here https://www.heritage-railways.com/locosdb/locosdb2.php?RefNo=1905

 

From a recent CHR Newsletter update, but also announced on FB.
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Cambrian Heritage Railways are delighted to announce that, following the National Rail Heritage awards ceremony held today (3 December) at the Merchant Taylors' Hall in London, the winner of the BAM Nuttall Partnership Award goes to Shropshire Council for the external restoration of Oswestry Station on the Cambrian Heritage Railway.

​

The restoration of the station building, which had been in a state of disrepair for many years, was instigated after storm damage in 2022 resulted in the building being clad in scaffolding. Over the intervening years, a plan was put in place and funding obtained - with the result that, in the summer of 2025, the scaffolding was removed to reveal a building that the people of Oswestry should be proud of.
Oswestry Station is owned by Shropshire Council, with Cambrian Heritage Railways leasing the ground floor - from where they are currently running the 2025 Christmas Santa Specials.

 

I hope the moderators don't mind my giving this a plug here.

https://cambrianrailways.com/buy-a-ton/

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1846a4d4UL/

Cambrian Heritage Railways are happy to announce that in December 2025, we were given the opportunity to bid on several items being disposed of by the National Museum and Galleries of Wales.

From that bidding we are pleased to announce that we were successful in securing 3 items:
• Cambrian Railways 1st/3rd Composite Carriage no.238
• GWR 6-ton hand crane + match truck
• GWR shunter’s truck

These items have been formally transferred into CHR’s ownership and will be arriving this week (w/c 9th February 2026).

Cambrian Coach 238 will be placed inside our Oswestry Museum where we hope it will add to the story of the Cambrian Railways not just in Oswestry but the whole of the Cambrian Railways network – this 1895 built coach would have seen plenty of use from our fantastic Oswestry Station building.

The GWR 6-ton hand crane + match truck & GWR shunter’s truck are both restoration projects which in time will be restored to again show how the railways operated in the past.

If you wish to support CHR and it’s railway projects please visit – www.cambrianrailways.com

Stay tuned for further updates…

All pictures in this post credited to Mr A Jenkins

 

This is excellent news, the carriage will look far better in the museum than an array of interesting but part dismantled saddle tank locos

 

Excellent news. A real boon for the group. Hopefully 238 can get some runs out!

 

My understanding is that the interior has been stripped out, so not much use on passenger trains.
However, it will provide some very useful extra space inside the museum building.

 

Certainly not immediately but it is one of only a few Cambrian surivors and the most complete of them all is in my mind, the sort of medium term project that usually gets the attention during award season.