* The band Rhythm Train will be playing on the platform.
Llangollen and Corwen Railway is set to turn the clock back some 40 years with ‘Diesel Power and the Ultimate 80’s Weekend’ on May 30 and 31.
This new event will see classic trains, live music, food, drink and cars from the decade that brought us everything from Live Aid to Home Computing.
The event is being organised by railway volunteers Pete Edwards and George Walker, who are both involved with the railway’s Diesel Group.
Pete said: “We’ve been talking about having an 80’s Weekend for years and are very excited to be actually doing it at long last. Although our diesel fleet actually dates from the late 1950’s and 60’s, these classic machines were all still in everyday use during the 1980’s and it’s what I remember travelling on to gigs and events as a teenager.
"We have locos like our Class 47, which worked Crewe-Llandudno trains regularly through the 80’s. Big, powerful and sporting the famous double arrow logo and corporate blue livery, seeing 47449 at work is like a time machine back to my youth.”
* ... as will No. 31271
Starring alongside 47449 are four of the railway’s other diesel locomotives: Class 26 No. 26010, which worked in Scotland; Class 31 No. 31271, which was based in London; and two legendary Class 08 English Electric shunters, No. 08195 and 08202. Nicknamed “Gronks” because of their distinctive engine noise, these locos could be seen all over the UK in the 80’s.
Some are still in mainline use today and the L&CR has two which are used for shunting and engineering trains.
George said: “Although I was born in the 1990’s, I’ve been fascinated with the 80’s since I was a kid - the trains, cars, buses and music. We’re really looking forward to seeing the 08s pushed forward into the limelight and working a public train – they really don’t do this very often and it’s a great opportunity to turn the clock back 40 years, put on some 80’s clothes and revel in the nostalgia.”
Local band Rhythm Train, based in Wrexham and popular across North Wales, will be performing live at Llangollen Station on the evening of Saturday 30th. Visitors are encouraged to get into the spirit of the weekend by coming along in their best 80’s fancy dress.
Rhythm Train are a high-energy five-piece party band known for belting out a packed set of 80’s classics guaranteed to fill the dancefloor. From iconic anthems by Queen and Whitney Houston to favourites from Madonna, Bon Jovi and more, their performance will bring the unmistakable sound of the decade to life.
With a reputation for lively shows and crowd-pleasing sets, they promise a proper party atmosphere to round off the day’s events. Tickets for the live music event are just £5 but free for anyone with a Gala Ticket.
Pete added: “Our aim is not just to run trains, it’s to take the Dee Valley back to the 80’s. There will be cars, signs, adverts and lots of other things to look out for over the weekend.
"The 80’s changed the railways too as British Rail geared up for privatisation. Sectorised business units like Network South East, InterCity and Railfreight became household names through high-profile advertising campaigns, aimed at getting people away from their cars and increasingly busy roads. We really hope everyone will join in and raid the backs of their wardrobes, local charity shops and fancy-dress boxes and don their finest 80’s outfits.”
George Walker can be seen driving Class 31 No. 31271, which carries the distinctive 1980’s Railfreight Construction livery, characterised by bright construction sector patterns and shiny stainless steel double arrow logos.
* Tickets and more information can be bought by visiting: https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events-in-2026/80s-diesel-weekend
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