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.