Railway prepares to host its Heritage Railcars Gala

* The DMU leaving Berwyn station.

Railway enthusiasts and families are in for a treat this weekend as the Llangollen and Corwen Railway prepares to host its Heritage Railcars Gala on Saturday and Sunday October 17 and 18 featuring rare vintage diesel railcars, unusual train formations and a special evening journey through the beautiful Dee Valley.

The two-day celebration will bring together four heritage railcar types, with the eagerly anticipated Gala debut of the Class 110 Calder Valley unit, following extensive restoration work by the railway's dedicated volunteers.

The Class 110, comprising vehicles 51813 and 51842, will operate alongside the distinctive Class 109 Wickham, Class 108 and Class 127/108 units, providing an exciting programme of services between Llangollen and Corwen.

One of the highlights on Saturday will be the 9.30am departure from Llangollen, featuring Classes 110, 109 and 108 operating together in an impressive six-car formation. At Glyndyfrdwy, the Class 108 will detach, allowing the Class 110 and Class 109 to continue towards Corwen.

Sunday promises even more excitement, with a special six-car formation featuring Classes 110, 108 and 127/108 on the morning departure, offering another rare opportunity to experience these historic vehicles operating together.

Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to enjoy an intensive timetable, with opportunities to travel on different railcars and experience unusual combinations not normally seen on heritage railways.

The celebrations will extend beyond the train services themselves.

At Llangollen Station, visitors will be able to see restoration work taking place on a Class 105 Cravens trailer car, while the Class 507 Preservation Society will be hosting a railway driving simulator in the station waiting room.

• There will also be traditional railway goods loading and unloading re-enactments, providing a glimpse into railway operations of the past.
• A special Saturday Evening Landcruise will provide another highlight, with Classes 110 and 109 operating an evening service departing Llangollen at 6.30pm.
• The train will pause at Glyndyfrdwy, where Porters Bar and the Tea Room will be open, before continuing to Corwen and returning to Llangollen at approximately 9.05pm.
• The evening journey is included at no additional charge for Gala ticket holders, while children under 16 can also travel free. Other adults can enjoy the evening service for £10.
• Jordan and the railway's catering team will be serving food and refreshments throughout the weekend, including catering for the Saturday evening train.

John Joyce from Llangollen Railcars said, "This promises to be a fantastic weekend for everyone who loves heritage railways, and particularly for those with a passion for Britain's classic diesel railcars.

"The debut of our Class 110 Calder Valley is a very special moment. It represents an enormous amount of dedication and hard work by our volunteers, who have spent countless hours bringing this wonderful piece of railway history back to life.

"We've put together a really exciting programme, with unusual formations, plenty of opportunities to travel behind different units, and a special evening service through the Dee Valley.

"But this isn't just an event for railway enthusiasts. Families and visitors looking for something different to do this weekend will find plenty to enjoy, from the beautiful scenery to the restoration displays and driving simulator.

"Most importantly, it's a celebration of our volunteers and everything they do to keep these historic vehicles operating for future generations."

Tickets for the Heritage Railcars Gala cost £36 for adults and £6 for children for a single day, or £65 for adults and £10 for children for the full weekend.

Tickets can be booked online at:

https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events-in-2026/heritage-railcar-gala

The Saturday Evening Landcruise can also be booked separately at:

https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events-in-2026/saturday-evening-landcru

All services and advertised formations are subject to operational requirements and vehicle availability.

Care home residents take sentimental journey on memory train

* The journey begins as Mario Kreft MBE Pendine Park proprietor waves the green flag to signal the departure of the Memory Train experience for the Pendine Park residents. They are pictured with (L/R) train guard Grant Latham, Teagan Rowlands, care practitioner, residence Sandra Swift, Sarah Edwards, Pendine consultant artist in residence, residents Gwen Davies and Mary Prytherch, care practitioner. Pictures by Mandy Jones

* On board the train are Jason Bennion, creative arts consultant, and resident Irene Bishop.    

* Pianist Chris Simms who played for the train passengers.

Care home residents living with dementia were taken on a nostalgic “trip down memory train” through the picturesque Dee Valley.

Around 50 residents from Pendine Park’s care homes in Wrexham travelled on the first dedicated Memory Train service between Llangollen and Corwen.

The special trip was organised by Llangollen Railway and Pendine Park to mark World Alzheimer’s Day, with the leisurely journey designed to spark memories of rail travel from years gone by.

The idea came from railway manager Dave Hennigan whose grandmother died after suffering Alzheimer’s. He hopes the new initiative will become the first of many trips for people with dementia.

Entertainment was provided on the platform in Llangollen by Corwen musician Chris Sims who played the piano and sang nostalgic hits including Blue Moon, Blueberry Hill, It's a Long Way to Tipperary and Show Me the Way to Go Home.

During the journey, Dee Valley Tours guide Louise Scotcher was on hand to tell the residents about the history of the railway and the region, as well as talk to them about their train experiences.

The residents were treated to snacks and drinks on arriving at Corwen and then enjoyed tea and cake on the platform back at Llangollen on their return.

Pendine Park owner Mario Kreft MBE said: "I think it was a fantastic experience for our residents, a real trip down memory train.

"Dave Hennigan and everyone from the railway trust in Llangollen have done a wonderful job in organising such a memorable occasion.

"We know Dave from his involvement with the Llangollen Eisteddfod which we support, and the idea he came up with of our residents going on this first Memory Train was an offer too good to refuse.

"Trains and railways bring back such wonderful memories for many of our residents, I suppose as a child so many people would say they wanted to be a train driver.

 

"This is the first Memory Train, and we have supported in various ways the Llangollen trust that runs the railway, and they are all volunteers, just a group of hugely committed people, so it is fantastic to be working with them on this new venture.

Dave Hennigan said: "My grandma had Alzheimer's and I felt strongly there was not enough support and not enough engaging things for her to do when she was suffering.

"That stuck in my head and the idea for the Memory Train came from a discussion with Mario.

“Our first Memory Train was made possible with generous support from Dementia Aware Denbighshire, helping us raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.”

Sarah Edwards, Pendine Park's consultant artist in residence, organised the trip for the residents.

She said: "It was wonderful to see the joy on our residents' faces and them reminiscing about their past travels on trains.

"And you do get such wonderful views of the Welsh countryside from this train, you can't really ask for more.

"The railway trust have been wonderful with our residents and we can't thank them enough, they have been so helpful and caring.

"There was such a lovely atmosphere on the train and everyone enjoyed themselves so much.”

The sentimental journey certainly brought back happy memories for the residents who enjoyed their trip down the tracks.

Resident Gwen Davies said: "The journey was absolutely lovely, you get wonderful views of the countryside from the train.

"I would go on trains years ago, but nothing like this, it is a nice way to spend the day and brings back some very good memories."

Irene Bishop said: "I loved the train trip, it felt like I was out looking for my friends.

"I love trains, though I never want them to go too fast, so this journey was lovely.

"It is nice for us all to be together and enjoying the day."

Pianist and singer Chris Sims was delighted to play a part in the first Memory Train.

He performed as the residents and staff got on to the train at Llangollen, and performed again after they returned to the town after their trip out.

Chris, who appeared in the first series of the Channel 4 music competition show The Piano in 2023, said: "I used to play at Pendine Park's homes, so I know the organisation very well, I used to do a lot of care homes, all over Wales.”

Dee Valley Tours guide Louise Scotcher said she was thrilled to be the guide on the first Memory Train on the Llangollen Railway.

Louise, who qualified to be a guide with the North Wales Tourist Guide Association three years ago, said: "Because it was a Memory Train, I spoke about the train being from the 1950s and spoke to the residents about what they could remember about trains from that era.

"I have been a guide on this railway with other groups about six or seven times before, and also work on other railways, so I have become something of a train enthusiast, I really enjoy it.”

* The next Memory Trains will be running on Friday, October 30, from 10am-12.30pm, Friday March 26 10am - 12.30pm and Thursday April 1 10-12pm. If people want to travel with their loved ones on the memory train, then please contact the Railway on 01978 860979, or email info@llangollen-railway.co.uk

Castle lit up tonight to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week

Castell Dinas Bran has been specially lit up this evening (Thursday) to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week from October 9-15.

The illumination of the ancient landmark, which can be seen for miles around, is arranged by Katy Davies and Sian Davies using local company ORB Sound and Lighting. 

It has been lit between 7 and 8pm and is part of the Global Wave of Light.

The special week has also seen a Tree of Remembrance set up in St Collen's parish church as a special place to remember little ones who are much loved but never forgotten.  

Although the view of the castle was rather marred by the rain and mist, some great pictures have been supplied to llanblogger by Orb Sound and Lighting.  

Social media star spends time visiting 'amazing' Llangollen

                 * Sam Bagshaw meets Denise at the Tourist Information Centre.

A young social media content creator who makes videos about his life with a stammer has been visiting Llangollen. 

Sam Bagshaw, 27, from Yorkshire, started posting videos on TikTok during Covid lockdown and now has over 600,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram.

Rather than letting his stammer hold him back, he’s been putting himself out there, documenting his experiences and hopefully helping others who face similar challenges.

Liv Lumsden of the Riversdale House air B&B in Llangollen is one of his many followers and recently invited Sam to spend some time in the town.

She said: "I first came across Sam’s videos around two years ago and was really touched by his determination. Having followed his journey, I offered him a complimentary three-night stay at Riversdale House so he could experience somewhere new.

"Sam had never been to Wales before, and Llangollen seemed the perfect place for his first visit.

"Over the last few days, he has been exploring the town, meeting local people and making some lovely memories along the way.

"He’s enjoyed an aqueduct tour with Bearded Men Adventures and visited the Llangollen Railway, where Dave Hennigan, the Trust Manager, kindly took him behind the scenes. He’s also spent time with Denise at the Tourist Information Centre, who works tirelessly to welcome visitors and promote everything Llangollen has to offer."

Liv added: "What makes Sam’s visit particularly special is that every new person he meets and every conversation he has is another step in building his confidence.

"The people of Llangollen have been incredibly welcoming, and it’s been lovely to see local people giving their time and encouragement to someone who is working so hard to overcome his own personal challenges.

"I think Sam is a real inspiration. He’s not allowing his stammer to define what he can do, and by sharing his experiences so openly, he’s helping others understand something that is often misunderstood."

Sam said: "I didn’t know what to expect when I first arrived here from Sheffield and what I would be getting up to. 

"Llangollen has been amazing, I’ve loved every minute and been out and about experiencing what Llangollen has to offer, there is so much to do I’m really happy with what I’ve done and the people I’ve met and how friendly people are and welcoming.

"I will be definitely coming back again in the future and do more experiences that I’ve not done yet I would recommend people to visit Llangollen. Thank you so much everyone."

* Sam was invited to stay at Riversdale House.

* Meeting Trust Manager Dave Hennigan at the railway.

* 'Llangollen has been amazing'

Town's former mayor sings with his choir on BBC Breakfast

* Aled Morris, second from right on back row, sings with the Hawkstone Choir at BBC Breakfast this morning.

Llangollen's former mayor and his choir featured on BBC Breakfast this morning (Thursday)

The Hawkstone Farmers Choir, founded by Jeremy Clarkson, won Britain's Got Talent earlier this year.

And their TV appearance today marked the release of their first single, entitled Absolution, which recognises the "daily grind" farmers go through. An album will follow shortly.

Singing with the choir at the Salford BBC studios was Aled Morris, himself a working farmer and a Llangollen town councillor who was last year's mayor.

In announcing the Breakfast debut of Absolution on his social media this morning he said: "If you're anything like me ... it will be in your ear all day."