Llangollen Railway

So that's where its gone!

 

Full page article on troubles at Llangollen Railway in the latest issue of Railway Herald does not make for easy reading.

"Llangollen cease steam operations after resignations"

Perhaps the need for steam to attract the public is greater than thought.

 

Any information about the board removing volunteer status of 3 long serving members?

 

Is there a reason you have copied exactly a post from yesterday under a different name?

 

It seems that Swanage isn't the only line to suffer from a smear campaign.
Ray.

 

This thread seems increasingly filled by grinding axes...

 

Meaning what?

 

So are things not as rosy at Llangollen as they'd have us believe (going on the basis of the resignation of two HoDs) or is it all just sensationalism? I'm losing track of what's what now.

Surely the 'reduced demand for steam' figure is misleading - every GM of a heritage line knows that Steam sells, but with the drought conditions resulting in steam bans, combined with the coal issues... surely it's less of a reduced demand and more of a reduced opportunity or capacity?

 

Fabulous trip on the line today, having not visited in maybe 15 years. Did a return and a half (as I was travelling on to Barmouth by bus). Austerity in steam making a good racket, load five so on the edge of what it could handle but keeping to time. Upgrade to the GWR inspection saloon on the Eastern end of the train, easily worth the extra fiver as I had forgotten how exceptional the scenery is in the Dee valley. Talking to staff gave some interesting info: Corwen should be opening with the start of next season in March (and indeed people were beavering away at the station when I passed on the bus); I was also told that a DMU service only needs 12 passengers to cover its costs so you can see why the railway is scaling back the steam.

The railway seemed to be pulling out the stops to get extra money in. Stalls at Carrog, every service had a raffle, both tea rooms were doing good business, and the shop at Llangollen was well stocked with some good items I'd not seen at other railways (a very tasteful Llangollen branded wallet was a bargain for a tenner). The trains were well filled, every compartment had several people in.

Really hammered home what a loss to the movement it would be if we lost the line. I will be investigating becoming a member.

 

Thanks for coming along for the day to support us, glad you enjoyed your visit. Trust membership is available via the LR website. Our season has been a modest success in terms of passenger numbers and we are ahead of budget. With rising costs impacting further on our operations, volunteers and visitors, 2023 will be another very challenging year - for us and other railways. Our experiences this year with a higher proportion of railcar and diesel use bode well for being able to run a lower-cost but successful operation with an appealing offering. Steam will still be very much at the LR's heart, but is not something we can be solely reliant on, particularly at quieter times.

 

Any news on 3802? Will it be in use over the Xmas?

 

I recollect seeing a comment on Facebook saying 68067 would be in use over Christmas, please don't take that as gospel though.

 

This one’s on the pit ready for the weekends Santa trains.

 

What's the situation with 5619? ISTR that it failed whilst on hire to LR but since then .......
Ray.

 

Probably a question best asked in the direction of the owners. Failed with firebox issues, so requires specialist repairs I believe.

 

Some rather large progress today. The assembly of the canopy at Corwen station has begun. Facebook page link below.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...oYxscNwSwLvLUCx6Sgnn4nWSMl&id=565414286884098

 

Carrog station building for sale.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132104789#/?channel=RES_BUY

@mdewell did you move at the wrong time?!

 

I didn't realise that the booking hall and refreshment room at Carrog isn't in LR ownership. Hopefully the future purchaser is supportive of the railway.

 

Very nice but a bit too rural for our needs (Looking at old age, we need local shops and year round public transport).
Happy to be in Ruabon now.

 

From memory owned by the former GM and her family .