Llangollen Railway Branch Line Weekend April 11-13

That's ridiculous.

 

I don't tend to get as furious about this topic as some (understandably!) do but this is a particularly tricky one for me. 4 hours drive each way. I can't take the full day off so will need to factor in a few hours of work from somewhere nearby with good internet during the morning. Ideally I'd love to time my route and drive home to get a couple of pictures of the 37s on the returning Pathfinder Cambrian tour that day too to really make that complicated logistical day and big journey feel worth the diesel as if I'm going as far as Wales I may as well maximise what I do when there. Easter holidays means a lot of family priorities and April's a really busy work month, and as much as I love heritage railways, they're firmly behind home and work in my priorities.

For me personally, this is one where being able to plan my moves and timings is really a deal-breaker because I won't be able to be too ad hoc when I get there. Some days are fine to be a 'turn up first thing, leave last thing, plan on the hoof' but this particular one isn't so if there was any gala that was going to opt for a pre-event secrecy approach on its rosters, it's a shame it's this one as I was really hoping to make this my first Llangollen visit.

 

Thanks for the feedback Folks.

We appreciate that is an emotive issue. The costs of putting on a gala like this are a big risk for us at Llangollen. The transport costs for 6880 alone are very much at the limit of what we can justify. The bulk of our revenue comes from ticket sales.

Recognising that folk like to plan their moves, I've had a chat with both RA&FC (Gala Organiser) and our Commercial Manager today. We have agreed that all purchasers of advanced tickets will receive a TT with loco allocations on 4th April 2024 (one week before the event) by email to the address used to purchase the ticket.

Finally, the TT will ensure all the locos taking part get similar usage. Friday and Saturday also have identical loco allocations with only a minor swap round on the Sunday in connection with the South Wales theme.

 

Good morning.

We have listened to your feedback and have made the full Branchline Gala Timetable with loco allocations available to everyone today. It has just gone up on our Facebook page. We're more than happy for someone to share it on here for those not on FB. The version on the event page of our website will be updated today.

With one week to go, this should hopefully allow those visiting the chance to plan out their moves to bag as much haulage as possible.

This is our most ambitious gala for some time. Please do consider buying a ticket or making a donation to our LR50 appeal if you are planning to come and soak up the atmosphere and take photos. We need every penny of support we can get!

https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/branch-line-gala-weekend/
Donate to our 50th Anniversary Campaign: https://llangollenrailway.enthuse.com/.../support...

This week has not been without its challenges. An issue with 6880's loaned 7822 tender buffer came to light over the weekend. Massive thanks to Martin Fuller and the guys at the GWSR, who have expedited an extremely fast repair to sort this out. We also received a curved ball with NR slapping a very short notice weight restriction on the bridge over the Chester-Salop line at Ruabon which carries the A539 Ruabon-Llan. Nevertheless, 6880 should be arriving with us today and coming in over the town's Dee Bridge.

Here's to a great gala. We look forward to seeing everyone.

Diolch yn fawr iawn!

 

Will be included in the Gala programme on sale over the weekend, which also contains loco history, information about the South Wales Sunday theme, what to find at each station, and more!

A particular achievement to celebrate is that every set has disabled access, with the Sunshine coach attached to set V with the brake vans to provide such capacity there.

All in all, looking to be a good weekend and I'm excited to get back to one of my favourite places to visit.

 

Thank you Mr H. For this and all your hard work in putting the programme together for us!

 

6880 and 7822's tender arrived safely with us yesterday. Massive thanks to everyone who has helped get Grange to us.

Footplate rides will be available between 11 and 1 pm each day on Austin 1. These will cost £15 and can be booked on the day on Platform 1 at Llangollen Station. They will however run from Llangollen MPD down to Goods Junction, offering some rare track.

Guided shed tours will also run through the day and be available for a £5 donation to the LR Trust, also bookable from Platform 1 at Llangollen station.

A few people have been asking about parking, which is not without its challenges in Llangollen. There is a massive public car park right next to Corwen station and there are parking options in Llan too, gen here: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/how-to-get-here/

 

Updated timetable with some transposed Goods Junction timings corrected.

 

Is there an additional cost to ride in the brake vans? I can't see anything saying that on the website, but it is quite unusual.

 

No, but there will (should) be donation tins on the vans. We’re aiming to get a decent freight set sorted again so every little helps. Set V is 5 brakes and the pigeon van.

 

Four five of the gala fleet.

Photographers should note the once free parking at Chainbridge Hotel and on the road for Horseshoe falls is now entirely Pay and Display managed.

 

Another glorious day in north Wales.

 

Yesterday certainly was.

 

Well done to all. I hope you made some money. This is a railway that started with "two stations and ten miles of ballast" as someone said.

 

Really enjoyed yesterday's visit, my first Llangollen gala for several years and therefore my first visit to Corwen - wow, what a fabulous station has been built there!
There was a real sense of positivity around the line, having 4 steam locos in steam and a big visitor in 6880 clearly meant a great deal to the volunteers and enabled them to show the railway off again after a difficult period in its life
And what a railway it is, I overheard several people saying it is perhaps the finest in the country for scenery, some might argue that, but I am not going to disagree! The Corwen extension really does complete the railway now and gives it a destination.
A brilliantly organised event with an interesting timetable and lots of variety - I hope the additional costs of bringing in 6880 paid off, trains certainly seemed well filled yesterday (but not uncomfortably busy).
Some shots from yesterday's Cambrian day below.

 

Made a start going through my photos today having got home at just after 1am this morning. A thoroughly enjoyable gala and I hope it has done well for them financially.

A couple from Berwyn yesterday, including the one I got wet feet in the river for...