LLANGOLLEN Railway is set to celebrate its 50th birthday with a special event later this month.
Staff and volunteers will be having a big party on the weekend of September 12-14 as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first open day at Llangollen Station.
The first open day in 1975 was held by members of the Flint & Deeside Railway Preservation Society, not long after taking on the lease of the derelict Llangollen station and trackbed towards Berwyn from Clwyd County Council (later Denbighshire County Council).
The treasured 10-mile heritage railway has since received international acclaim, become one of North Wales’s leading tourist attractions, and is supported by a team of 400 volunteers and 20 paid staff.
On Friday September 12, the timetable will reflect the development of the railway from 1975 onwards, with special services starting in Llangollen station (1975) and then running in stages to Goods Junction (1981), Pentrefelin (1982), Berwyn (1985/6), Deeside (1990), Glyndyfrdwy (1993), Carrog (1996) and finally Corwen (2014-2023), where LR finally completed their founder’s vision in opening a permanent and purpose-built new station in 2023.
On Saturday (September 13) there are plans for a busy timetable using steam, diesel and railcar fleet. From 6pm, the railway is holding a 50th birthday party and extend a warm invitation to both visitors and the local community to come and celebrate with them.
The new station bar will be open and a food stall will be on site. The evening will have a 70’s and 80’s theme that reflects its early preservation with a DJ and live band.
The Sunday is set to be a Welsh Day, where the Welsh language will be celebrated. There will be a number of Welsh speakers to hand to help visitors pick up some basic Welsh.
There will be a miniature railway at Llangollen Station on Friday and Saturday, along with talks and demonstrations from volunteers, photo displays and tours of Llangollen engine shed throughout the weekend.
Tim Pulford, Acting Llangollen Railway (LR) Trust Manager, said: “The weekend will be a celebration of everything achieved by our volunteers and staff over the last 50 years. Through this time, we have faced many challenges and indeed continue to do so.
"Only last week, Austin 1, our very first steam locomotive and planned star of the event, has sadly had to be taken out of service for boiler repairs. However, if our team have proved one thing over the years it’s that we are a resilient, determined and dedicated bunch who rise to the challenges that come with railway preservation!
"Our event will still go ahead with our Great Western Pannier Tank No 7754 taking Austin 1’s place. This engine itself has a long and proud history at our railway, arriving in 1980 after 17 years post-BR of use with the National Coal Board and subject to a massive restoration project that finally saw her steam in the mid 1990’s. Another major overhaul led by our volunteers returned her to traffic again in 2023.
“We look forward to celebrating our special occasion and hope you can join us."
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