A DENBIGHSHIRE town's railway past is now on view for all to see following the conclusion of a major project.

On March 1, exactly 161 years to the day after the railway station in Ruthin was opened in 1862, new information panels about the railway’s history in the town were unveiled adjacent to the old railway crane in the grounds of Ruthin Craft Centre.

The information panels were part of the ‘Railway in Ruthin – Past and Present’ project organised by Ruthin and District Civic Association in conjunction with Ruthin Craft Centre.

The project involved the refurbishment of the crane at the craft centre, the new information panels about the railway’s history, a series of lectures and then verbal history sessions which led to a digital history booklet made by A Book of You.

The unveiling event included Vernon and Arnold Hughes, who are sons of the last stationmaster of Ruthin Railway Station, who shared their memories as part of the Book of You project, as well as their priceless memorabilia of the station such as old photos and train tickets.

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Pupils from Ysgol Borthyn were also present at the event.

The project was funded by the Heritage Fund 15-Minute Heritage Scheme (provided by Cadw and the Welsh Government), as well as by local engineering firm Jones Bros, the Clocaenog Windfarm Fund, Ruthin Town Council and Denbighshire Leisure.

Jones Bros chairman Huw Jones said: "We are pleased to have been involved in conserving Ruthin’s railway heritage, particularly after Jones Bros was involved in clearing the site more than 50 years ago."

It is believed that the crane was used for decades to load and unload goods and machinery at Ruthin railway station that was located until the 1960s on the site of Briec roundabout and Ruthin Craft Centre.

It was a station on the Vale of Clwyd line, from Rhyl to Corwen.

The line originally ran south to north through the town under Well Street, past Railway Terrace, and then through what is now the industrial estate towards Denbigh.

Anne Roberts, chair of the Ruthin and District Civic Association, said: "We are very glad to have been involved in the project to restore the railway crane here in Ruthin in co-operation with Philip Hughes and the team at Ruthin Craft Centre, who have been fantastic to work alongside during the project.

"The project has been good from start to finish and we are extremely grateful to the project coordinator Fiona Gale for all her hard work and the funders of the project.

"I would encourage locals and visitors to view the new information panels and learn more about the town’s history and association with the railway."

The station and line were closed as part of the changes following the Beeching Report in the early 1960s.

The crane itself was put in storage by Denbighshire County Council, but then placed in its current position when the craft centre was first built in 1982.

Concerns over its condition were raised over many years prior to this project.

Anyone wishing to join or contact Ruthin and District Civic Association should email cymru@clwyd.org