Llangollen Railway

Some interesting thoughts on Corwen in the posts above.

Trains running to and from Corwen are already making a significant difference to our passenger mix. The feedback I have received was that pre-Corwen, around 4% of passengers started their journey from Carrog. In the first few weeks since Corwen opened, 12% of passengers were starting their journey there. During our Classic Transport Weekend, it was 22%. In re-branding as "Llangollen & Corwen Railway" we see the Corwen-end of the line as a very significant opportunity for the railway to evolve. There is talk of the Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty becoming a National Park. Regeneration around this, with an emphasis on Corwen will be at the heart of this. Already, some of the businesses in Corwen are reporting improved footfall with trains running to the town again.

The large car park at Corwen, right next to our new station, with a £3.50 all-day parking rate is also extremely attractive compared to the challenges of trying to find somewhere in Llangollen.

We continue to work very closely with Denbighshire County Council, who have recently awarded us a UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund grant, that will allow the recruitment of 4 fully-funded full-time staff to assist with our business development. These posts have been advertised on the railway's social media channels this week and applications are welcomed.

The SPF grant also helps cover some feasibility work for the improvement of Llangollen Station's facilities, which we all know have fallen behind what many expect these days. We are also looking at how we can work with our partners towards the construction of a permanent ticket office building in Corwen to replace the current temporary structure.

 

Llangollen Update

Steam Fleet Update
Austerity No 68067 will be covering our steam turns until further notice. "Robert" has been a very welcome visitor to the railway since last August and is staying with us until at least the end of the year.

7754 has successfully worked to Corwen and back at the end of June, as the photos show in the previous postings. A few minor jobs came to light as a result of this, most of which are now complete. The loco is now undergoing painting and should be out on running-in trains some time in August. We can't wait to welcome her back to traffic.

3802's extensive bottom-end overhaul continues. The brake gear is currently being reinstalled and her owners are hopeful of a return to steam in the autumn, with the 2-8-0 then handling our Santa season.

80072's frames were lifted last weekend, with the pony and bogie removed for dispatch to LMS at Loughborough. The frames will also be headed there once the A1's protracted overhaul is concluded. A brand new rear can and bunker section along with heavily refurbished side tanks are complete. The boiler will be done in-house at Llangollen. The team who have worked on 7754 will be turning their attention to the standard when the pannier is back in traffic and settled-in to running.

Austin 1 is staying at Llangollen for the foreseeable future and not going out on hire. The front wheelset axlebox ran hot during our Corwen Opening Weekend and the loco will require a lift to drop the wheelset for repair.

5532's boiler is now being worked on at Tyseley.

Diesel Fleet, Class 25 Visitor & Gala

We're delighted to welcome Class 25 D7659 to the railway for the next couple of months, thanks to Waterman Railway Heritage Trust, the Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway and the Epping & Ongar Railway for all working with us to get a Rat back in North Wales!

Revised Llangollen & Corwen Railway Diesel Running Days for the rest of the season are as follows:

Friday 28th & Saturday 29th July. D7659 debut (B timetable with steam)

August:
Friday 4th August (A timetable)
Saturday 5th August (B timetable with steam)
Saturday 12th August (B timetable with steam)
Saturday 19th August (B timetable with steam)
Friday 25th (A timetable)
Saturday 26th (B timetable with steam)

September:
Friday 1st September (A timetable)
Saturday 2nd September (A timetable)
Friday 15th-Sunday 17th September. Diesel Gala
Saturday 30th September. TBC

All non-gala turns (except 30th September) are currently rostered for Class 25 No D7659, subject to availability. 31271 will be standby, once a traction motor blower brush (the awkward one underneath the motor!) has been replaced.

I await confirmation on which diagrams the 25 will work on the B timetable 2-train service days with steam. However, the minimum will be 2 trips to Corwen and back - which now offers 40 miles of haulage and the chance to tick off the track into our new station.

The Diesel Gala will see a 3 trip "A" timetable on the 15th and then a 3 train service on the 16th & 17th. D7659, 31271 and 1566 should all be in traffic, subject to availability.

Engine repairs to 5310 continue, with all heads and pistons removed yesterday and the liners next. The 26 is expected to return to traffic before the end of the year.

Our appeal to help raise funds towards D7659's transport is also still open: https://llangollenrailway.enthuse.com/cf/class25transport. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far!

Railcar Fleet
Railcar operations continue to provide the backbone of the railway's services, especially midweek. Loadings continue to be beyond expectations, with a 4 car unit often required.

The Class 108 has recently received a roof repaint and is looking very smart. Unfortunately a window was broken due to vandalism last week, which has briefly taken the unit out of traffic whilst this is repaired.

The Class 109 has also received a roof repaint and handles most mid-week services.

The Class 104/108 hybrid continues to put the miles in too. The other Class 104 car is receiving bodywork attention.

Work on the Class 127 "Bedpan" Rolls-Royce power car, Class 105 trailer and the Class 100 at Butterley continues. The Railcar team are a very busy bunch.

Our annual railcar gala will be held on 7th-8th of October

 

The LR's unofficial Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/61796596150/ has just posted the sad news that a great friend Derek Foster has, today passed away after a long illness. I first met Derek when we founded the Liverpool locomotive Preservation Group back in December 1968. In 1973 we moved the LLPG's locos to Steamport Southport and it was here that Derek, with the assistance of other LLPG and Steamport members restored his first ex Barry loco, Jinty 47298, in time to take it to Rocket 150. I'll never forget Derek's comment when I showed him a photo that I'd taken of an S160 on a, then, recent trip to China .... "I've got to get myself one of those!" - and he did.
Derek will be sadly missed by all those who knew him.
Ray.

 

These are wonderful photos of Derek, Ray. Thank you for sharing them. I hope you don't mind me sharing them on the LR Facebook page. Derek's wife has also asked that we send her the photos that people share - so I will pass these on to her as well.

 

No problem at all. If you need any more or at a higher res. please let me know. The photo below shows Derek on 7298 having a chat with a young enthusiast at Man. Vic. as the convoy awaits the 'road'.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Ray was a great help when we got 47324 out of Barry and again with 44123. I was too young to understand much of what was going on. RIP to a preservation friend.

 

Not me, mate - I think you mean "Derek".
Ray.

 

Sorry, too much wine at lunch time! Yes. Derek Foster.

 

Should have done it in rail blue, with a large double arrow

 

I did try and convince the 7754 team that BR blue would have been a great interloper at our recent Diesel Gala. The bruises are fading, maybe next time!

 

That’s something a bit different. Nice one

 

D7754 surely?

Is this a livery that 7754 carried- or a representation of a livery carried by some Panniers?

Either way, looks great- credit to all those involved with returning the pannier to service!

Chris

 

Any news on 3802? Will it be running at Xmas as it appears in the adverts on facebook?

 

It is progressing. It’s planned to use 7754 for some of the Santa trains. But that doesn’t appear in the adverts. The railways publicity pictures were taken during a previous Santa season.

 

Llangollen Railway up for 'Attraction of the Year' prize
A statement from Llangollen railway read: "We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for “Attraction of the Year” at the Go North Wales Tourism Awards, which will be announced next Thursday 23rd November.

"With our fabulous new station at Corwen now open and a nearly sold-out Santa Special season still to look forward to, we’ve had a very successful 2023. This nomination is the icing on the cake!"
https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23932186.llangollen-railway-attraction-year-prize/

Congratulations to everyone involved (fingers crossed for next Thursday).

 

Thank you, fingers crossed for Thursday evening!

 

A bit smarter than when I last saw it. https://flic.kr/p/2mkRnz6