Llangollen Diesel Weekend: 2nd & 3rd October

Hot on the heels of a very successful 1960's weekend which saw a very shiny D6940 return to traffic in splendid form, I am pleased to provide some information about our diesel weekend in October.

We are delighted to announce that there will be a visiting loco and it will be hydraulic power in the form of Class 14 No D9521, usually based at the Dean Forest Railway. Thanks to the owners generosity, the locomotive will arrive at the Railway at the end of August and stay with us until just after the gala. This is the first time a 14 will have worked on the railway, although two unrestored machines were based on the Railway many years ago. The little Type 1 should find Berwyn Bank an interesting challenge and there'll be something a little different to sample thrashing through the tunnel. The loco is likely to debut to traffic at our September running day, may star in the largely steam GWR 175 weekend, be available for a driver experience day and star in an atmopsheric WR photo charter. The latter is subject to their being sufficient advanced bookings.

Resident 2010 fleet stalwart BRCW Type 2 No D5310 and freshly overhauled EE Type D6940 will also be at work over the weekend. If possible we will also attempt to resurrect D1566, subject to being able to get the loco water tight enough to run reliably for a trip. If anyone can help us source some 12LDA cooler group elements, even on a loan basis, then please contact me off-thread.

We also hope to offer much-awaited shunter haulage with EE shunters 08195 and Davy top and tailing a brake van shuttle to Goods Junction and back. This attraction is subject to timetabling and LR approval as we do not own 08195 and it is in busy daily use working the MPD yard.

A real ale bar is also being considered, perhaps with a band - seeing as both seemed to go down so well at the 60's weekend. What do folk think?

The timetable is in progress and more details will be communicated as they become available. As usual, please keep an eye on our regularly updated website for details. A Diesel Weekend page will appear soon (once we've fully recovered from 60's weekend!).

Cheers

 

Bit of an update Folks.

D9521 has settled in well and worked at the GWR175 weekend. It's out again on Saturday, then will be working at the diesel weekend on both days, along with D6940, D5310, 08195, Davy and hopefully D1566, which looks like it will be OK for limited operation. However, this will depend on whether all is OK elsewhere on the loco given that it's not run for some time.

The DMUs in use at the event will be BR Blue Classes 104 and 108, to match the recently reliveried 6940. With a spruced up 03162 on display at Llangollen for photos, it's looking like it will be a bit of a BR Blue fest!

Prices are now confirmed:
Gala Return Fares (From any Station to any Station one return trip only)
Adult £13, Senior £11, Child £9, Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) £35, Under 3’s FREE

Gala Rover Tickets (Rover tickets are valid for unlimited travel all day)
One Day Adult £16, One Day Senior £13, One Day Child £8, One Day Family (2 Adults+2 Children) £40, Under 3’s FREE
Two Day Adult £30, Two Day Senior £22, Two Day Child £15, Two Day Family (2 Adults+2 Children) £75, Under 3’s FREE

We hope to be able to release the timetable by the end of the week.

 

Timetables for the diesel weekend are on our site and can be accessed at http://www.llangollen-diesels.org.uk/?page_id=679.

Note that D1566 is not included on the diagrams at this stage, but will be added if the loco is confirmed as fit for traffic next week.

 

D1566 will unfortunately not now be available for the diesel weekend as the repairs required to the cooling circuit are too extensive. The job will now be done thoroughly over the Winter and we may also take the opportunity to attend some other issues that we have lived with on the loco for some time.

Sorry to disappoint Folk who were hoping to come along for a spin behind her. We will aim to put her on display at the gates by the reception road so she can be viewed from the shed car park, as will 03162

 

My son and I enjoyed a great day yesterday but I was shocked at how few people were on the trains. Was it the rain or were three locomotives insufficient to attract people?

The mist and rain was atmospheric, and lent a lovely sheen to the stock, great for photography and no worries about sun position. The turbulent Dee was close to bursting its banks. The sound of the 26 evoked memories of childhood holidays in Scotland, the 37 recalled more recent trips along the North Wales Coast while the 14 was a new and exotic beast for me.

A marvellous day out, beats being stuck inside on a wet day.