VOLUNTEERS are working hard in order to open the new look Corwen terminus station.

Project team members have been building various parts of the new island platform and preparing for the day when infilling of the gap in the embankment can start.

The installation of a new ticket office and waiting room has also been completed by engineers. The former dismountable classroom was donated to the project by Denbighshire County Council and brought in from a school at St. Asaph.

Corwen Central Railway Development project leader, Richard Dixon-Gough, said: "Bearing in mind the acquisition of the temporary building did not feature in the original plan, a lot of thought, time and effort has been put into this aspect of the development.

"Given the facility we have, albeit not yet the finished article, it is a glowing testimony to all the volunteer time, effort, dedication and expertise invested so far - all at a very reasonable cost."

The building is now being handed over to the station staff who have relocated to their new premises from the redundant facility at the former Dwyrain Corwen East platform which closed in November.

Located next to the town’s car park, the building has acquired a new roof and revised entrance/exit doors in keeping with its new role. Fencing is now also in place to direct visitors through to the subway access on to the elevated platform area.

Station staff are now busy decorating and fitting out the interior ahead of the terminus' opening day, which is set to be announced later this year.

This year promises to be a memorable one for Llangollen Railway as the trains finally reach the town centre at Corwen where a 20-minute stop-over is timetabled. The terminal loop facility will allow the engine to change ends on the carriages before returning to Llangollen. The aim of the new terminus is to attract visitors to the Railway from a new sector of North-West Wales and the North Wales coast to increase the foot-fall in Corwen and the Dee Valley.