FUNDRAISING efforts to secure the future of Llangollen Steam Railway, in response to serious loss of income brought on by Covid-19 measures, have been backed by an MP.

Clwyd South's Simon Baynes MP has shown his support for the Llangollen Railway Trust which stands to lose up to £600,000 in the coming period - a loss which could threaten its existence, according general manager Liz McGuinness.

The Railway Trust has set up an appeal for donations to offset loss of trade caused by lack of visitors. So far, £75,000 has been raised from donations including gift aid, but much more is needed.

Simon Baynes MP said: “Everyone in the area knows how vitally important the Llangollen Steam Railway is to us as a community. It is of great importance, culturally and economically, with tourists coming from far and wide to see our beautiful steam trains in action.

“It would be a massive blow to lose our incredible Llangollen Railway, and I’m calling on the Welsh Government, which is in charge of transport in Wales, to do whatever they can to help.

“In the meantime, I’d encourage anyone who’s able to to support this incredibly worthwhile campaign. It’s vital we do what we can to keep our railway going through this difficult time."

At the end of April, Llangollen Railway general manager Liz McGuinness made a heartfelt plea to the public not to let the service “die” as the impact of coronavirus causes serious financial concerns over its future.

She added: “We run steam engines, diesel locomotives and heritage rail cars and we have about 100,000 passengers on the railway throughout the year, in terms of general travel and attending our events.

“This [situation] has just devastated us. It has stopped all of our income. It is common knowledge that we have had a bad few years of trading due to engineering issues, but this year was going to be the first in a couple of years that we’d have been in profit."

Liz McGuinness thanked the members of the public and businesses who have donated to the appeal already, and said the organisation is looking into all applicable funding streams to ease the financial strain.

Llangollen Railway got its lease and opened its gate for the first time in 1975.

It reached Berwyn with passenger trains in 1985, then Glyndyfrdwy in 1992, before finally coming to Carrog in 1996.

There was then a break until 2010 when the transport and works order was received to allow extension to Corwen.

Corwen temporary station was opened in June 2014 and continued until 2018 when the temporary station was closed to allow the main station to be completed.

To donate to the cause, visit: www.llangollenrailway.charitycheckout.co.uk/cf/covid-19-appeal