Llangollen Railway - Corwen extension.

The project team reckon on three years, funds allowing.

Bob.

 

I'll look forward to that. It really struck me as a very pleasant ride with great potential. What about extending the other way? Is that a no hoper?

 

Not unless you win the euro millions and blow the whole lot!

 

The abject failure of previous management to prevent greedy developers from building on the trackbed means that the only way out of Llangollen to the east is to build along the river bank for 6oo-700 yards. The trackbed to Trevor is then clear. The platforms still exist at Trevor, although much overgrown.

Bob.

 

The latest site photos are on the www.corwenstation-new.co.uk website.
The timber decking work to the platform is about to start, but the scaffolding ramp still remains to be erected.

Bob.

 

If you fancy a ride along the new extension our trains will be running to Corwen during the gala on 29th - 31st August.
Looking at the working timetable they will be a combination of top and tail with steam loco on the western end , diesel on back, or propelled back using the new braked & glazed panels fitted to the corridor ends. The turnround time appears to be 2 minutes. as the platform is still under construction & not useable yet.

Bob.

 

Hi Bob and thanks for the info although I would have thought the newest extension section would have had to been passed by the Railway Inspector before allowing trains into Corwen.
The latest time table for the weekend Gala shows trains only to Bonwm.

 

Was it an abject objection....?

 

The working timetable from the Operations Director indicates a turnround at Corwen, but to the best of my knowledge the track, although perfect, hasn't yet been passed for passenger operations. I'll find out on Saturday when i'm down there.

Bob.

 

The timetable was written over a month ago, to allow time for checking, approval and us rostering type people to sort crews out. So it was all done on the assumption that the extension would be passed fit to run i guess. A week to go, but with crew training still required for the new track it might be cutting it a bit fine!

 

Latest progress up to 15.00 today - The 100 metre long scaffolding platform was having its final bits & pieces done prior to planking the deck, which should be completed by the end of next week. The first section of scaffolding for the ramp is in place, & the project team were installing bases for a landing section where the ramp has to move over a couple of metres to clear the sloping embankment side. The ramp should be completed in a couple of weeks, leaving things such as handrails & the fence at the back of the platform to complete. We also need to treat all boarded surfaces with anti-slip coating & install tactile panels along the length of the platform.

Bob.

 

I was a bit (but only a bit) disappointed not to make it to the temporary station at Corwen yesterday, I can wait though....

On the subject of the temporary station - how long would it take to walk into Corwen itself and are there any good pubs?

 

Its a 5 minute walk into the town centre (at the most). I cant say ive been to any pubs there, but there are some rather good cafes and chip shops. And the Indian is well recommended. I'm sure it will be high up on the priorities to organise a volunteers pub crawl when the extension opens!

 

yes, it looks a nice little town and I planned to set up camp there for the evening on my visit. However I asked a couple of local car boys where I could get petrol and they told me just a couple of miles up the road and I ended up in Betws y Coed ! Running on fumes by the time I got there...thanks lads!

 

Not sure that's of much help now but thanks

 

Not forgetting the one on the A5 at Glyndyfrdwy.

Bob.