Berwyn Shuttle project begins as historic railbus arrives at Llangollen

 

* The railway's Steve Barker, Oliver Lang and Roger Hodgkinson welcome the railbus to Llangollen.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has today (Friday) welcomed the arrival of historic Railbus No. 79962, marking the beginning of an exciting restoration and operational project that could deliver a more environmentally sustainable shuttle service between Llangollen and Berwyn. 

The Railbus has arrived on loan from the Vintage Carriages Trust, one of the UK’s leading accredited railway museums. Built in 1958 and one of only four surviving examples of its type in the world, Railbus 79962 represents a rare and innovative chapter in railway history.

 

Designed as a lightweight and economical solution for lightly used branch lines, the Railbus seats approximately 56 passengers and was built for flexible, efficient operation. Its low weight and ability to operate frequent short services make it particularly well suited to modern sustainable transport challenges.

 

The project, which formally begins now, has the potential to support the development of a regular Llangollen to Berwyn shuttle service. There is strong and growing interest from the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in establishing a shuttle to help reduce traffic congestion and parking pressures at Horseshoe Falls during busy periods.

 

By offering an attractive alternative to car travel, the shuttle would help protect the sensitive Dee Valley landscape while improving access for residents and visitors.

 

Tim Pulford, Engineering Manager at Llangollen and Corwen Railway, said: “The arrival of Railbus 79962 is a significant and exciting moment for us. A great deal of preparatory work has already been completed, including asbestos removal, floor repairs, heater overhaul and soundproofing. From an engineering perspective, this is a well understood vehicle with clear solutions to the remaining challenges. Our volunteers have inspected it thoroughly and we are confident it can be restored to a high standard and returned to operational use.”

 

As part of the partnership, the Vintage Carriages Trust will fund the overhaul of the Railbus and provide technical advice, operational guidance and, if required, driver training. Planning for the project is already well advanced.

 

In addition to its environmental benefits, the restoration programme will create new volunteering, training and skills development opportunities in light traction operation, mechanical systems and heritage restoration, supporting the railway’s long-term sustainability.

 

The Railbus project reflects Llangollen Railway’s commitment to partnership led, practical solutions that protect the environment while widening access to the Dee Valley.

MS opposes moves to legalise assisted dying

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales (pictured) says he is totally against any moves to make assisted dying legal. 

In the Senedd Mr Rowlands spoke against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill which was approved by 28 votes to 23.

 

He said: “I'm unwavering in my decision, founded in my Christian faith, that it is not right for this Bill to proceed, because no matter their health, no matter their stage of life, every person is precious, every life is of equal worth, and our laws and healthcare system should always reflect that.

 

“Beyond my personal beliefs, I have serious concerns about patient safety, legal clarity, inequality and constitutional accountability. The fact is that granting consent now would embed into Welsh health services a practice that remains deeply contested. The Bill is still in Committee Stage with, as we've heard from others, over 1,000 amendments yet to be resolved.

 

“Let's be clear, while this Bill is titled with the words 'assisted dying', the Bill seeks to amend section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961 to remove criminal liability for those who assist another person to end their own life. This LCM is asking us to embed assisted suicide within devolved health services in Wales.

 

“While crucial details remain unresolved. At a time when we rightly invest in suicide prevention and tell vulnerable people their lives matter, we must confront the contradiction of facilitating suicide as a medical service in certain circumstances. Doctors, as we know, are guided by the principle to first do no harm. This Bill would place our clinicians in Wales in conflicting roles, preventing suicide in some patients while validating it in others.

 

“If we are serious about dignity at the end of life, our priority should be universal access to high-quality palliative care, not the introduction of assisted suicide into mainstream practice.

 

Mr Rowlands reiterated his worries later on ITV’s political programme, Sharp End, where he expressed his concerns over the Bill and its principles.

 

He said: “I am deeply against the principle of assisted dying which is actually assisted suicide and it places health professionals in an extremely difficult position.

 

“We should be supporting people to live.”

 

£100,000 investment secures the future of Berwyn Tunnel

* Dave Shae and the team behind the Berwyn Tunnel job.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has successfully completed a major programme of essential track renewal works inside the historic Berwyn Tunnel, marking a further £100,000 investment in the long-term safety and resilience of the line.

 

Delivered on time and on budget, the complex engineering project has seen hundreds of hours of skilled professional and volunteer time committed to renewing track in one of the most historic and technically challenging locations on the railway.

 

Berwyn Tunnel, a 689-yard curving structure built between 1864 and 1865 as part of the former Ruabon to Barmouth route, lay unused for decades before being brought back into service in the 1990s. Its age, length and confined environment mean that renewal works must be carefully planned, tightly controlled, and delivered to the highest safety standards.

 

The programme focused on replacing worn rails, sleepers and associated components to ensure the infrastructure remains safe, reliable and fit for continued operation. Sections of existing track were removed and extracted from the tunnel using specialist rail vehicles.

* The 1989 team some of whom helped complete the 2026 job.

 

The track bed was excavated to the required level before concrete sleepers and modern flat bottom rail were installed. 

Mechanical plant was used wherever possible to reduce manual handling and improve safety. Fresh ballast was laid and the whole section tamped to align the track and ensure the ballast is packed underneath the sleepers. 

All work was undertaken under a controlled engineering possession, overseen by the Permanent Way Supervisor and supported by employed staff, permanent way volunteers, the Civil’s Team and specialist contractors. The completed track has been fully inspected and signed off before being returned to service.

 

Llangollen and Corwen’s Engineering Manager Tim Pulford said the investment demonstrates the railway’s clear priorities. 

“This project represents close to £100,000 invested directly into the safety and resilience of our railway. It is not glamorous work, and passengers will not necessarily see it, but it is absolutely fundamental to our future.

 

“I’m extremely proud of the way the team approached this demanding project. Working inside a tunnel environment requires discipline, teamwork and constant attention to risk control. The professionalism shown throughout has been outstanding, and we are particularly grateful to the many volunteers, including our Civil’s Team, whose support has been invaluable.”

 

Permanent Way Supervisor and Person in Charge of the Works Dave Shaw added, “Replacing track in a tunnel like Berwyn is complex work, but it is critical to the safe operation of the railway. Every stage was carefully planned and delivered in line with our risk assessments and method statements. To complete it on time and on budget is a real credit to everyone involved.”

 

The renewal significantly reduces the risk of unplanned disruption and ensures trains can continue to run safely through one of the line’s most important structures. With the works complete, full line services are now able to operate once again.

 

The railway is also preparing for its 2026 season. The popular Berwyn Shuttle operated on 14, 15, 18 and 21 February, with the new season beginning on Saturday 28 February, including the first Steam hauled full line Llangollen to Corwen return services following completion of the works. Other highlights include the Branch Line Gala from 10 to 12 April.

 

The Berwyn Tunnel relaying project underlines the railway’s continued commitment to investing in core infrastructure. While passengers may not immediately see the improvements hidden within the tunnel, they can travel knowing that substantial resources continue to be directed towards maintaining and strengthening the foundations of a safe and sustainable heritage railway.

Citizens Advice outreach sessions in the area

 

Chance to go behind the scenes at the railway

* The railway is powered by hundreds of volunteers.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway is throwing open its doors and inviting the community to discover the secrets behind one of Wales’ most popular heritage attractions. 

On Saturday March 14, from 10am, the railway will host a Volunteer Open Day at Llangollen Railway Station, offering a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes and see what it really takes to run a fully operational heritage railway between Llangollen and Corwen.

 

From safety critical operational roles and signal box duties to front of house customer service, retail, engineering and even the pathway towards becoming a steam locomotive driver, the Open Day will showcase the huge range of opportunities available. Visitors will see how departments work independently and collaboratively to deliver safe, professional, and memorable operating days.

 

The railway is already proud to have the largest volunteer base of any similar organisation in Denbighshire, with a dedicated team running into the hundreds. Interest in the railway continues to surge, with volunteer-led videos viewed more than 20 million times on social media in the past five months alone. Yet organisers say there is always room for more people to get involved - because at Llangollen and Corwen Railway, no two days are ever the same.

 

The event forms part of the railway’s continued growth, supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Denbighshire County Council, which has helped strengthen the volunteer programme and widen access to new opportunities.

 

The railway’s full 2026 season begins on Saturday March 28, with a packed programme of events ahead, including St David’s Day celebrations and a build up to the much-anticipated Branch Line Gala from April 10 to 12.

 

* Full details and tickets for the Branch Line Gala can be found here: https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/branch-line-gala

 

Robin Crowley, Volunteer Coordinator at Llangollen Railway, said: “Through the Shared Prosperity Fund and Denbighshire County Council, the Llangollen and Corwen Railway is truly thriving. We already have the largest volunteer base of any comparable organisation in Denbighshire, but our ambitions continue to grow as we head into our 51st year of operation.

 

“Interest in the railway is going through the roof following our recent rise in profile, and it is our volunteers who make that possible. No two days are ever the same here. One day you could be working on the footplate, the next in the signal box, in the workshop, or welcoming passengers from around the world.

"This Open Day is a chance to find out more about what we do, how we operate, and the incredible contribution our volunteers make. If you are considering becoming a volunteer or even just curious, we would love you to come along.”

 

Open Day sessions will run throughout the day, with opportunities to speak directly to current volunteers and departmental representatives.

 

* To find out more and confirm attendance, email: volunteering@llangollen-railway.co.uk.

 

 

Llangollen's Chainbridge Hotel back on the market for £1.8m

Llangollen's historic Chainbridge Hotel has returned to the market.

The hotel, on the banks of the River Dee, features 33 en-suite bedrooms, a bar (50 covers), a restaurant (60/80) and a function room (100/150), is now "unexpectedly re-available" with a price tag of £1,800,000.

* For the full story in the Oswestry Advertizer, go to: Llangollen's Chainbridge Hotel back on the market for £1.8m | Border Counties Advertizer 

Food Share’s Winter Wellbeing sessions are moving

Llangollen Food Share’s Winter Wellbeing sessions are moving.

Today's (Wednesday) Winter Wellbeing event is moving from the Youth Club on Willow Street to the Memorial Hall on Market Street, LL20 8PS due to building work being carried out. It will stay at the Memorial Hall until the beginning of April. It is open between 11am and 2pm.

New Opportunities for Those Needing Help

The well-attended sessions started in January and have been a huge success. The new venue means that a much wider range of activities can be offered. Lots of organisations are there to help with everyday life and the cost-of-living (see below). Group activities and one-to-one support is available from the ‘Community Wellness’ organisation from 11am -1pm.

Light lunches and hot drinks are available free of charge, although donations are welcome.  

Help with Mobile Phones, Tablets and Computers

The centre manager, Steph Mitchell, said: “Many people feel ‘left-behind’ by new technology. But it can offer great opportunities to those who know how and where to look. We are offering support for those who are not technically minded and struggle to engage with the digital world. We have someone who can give you help with using computers, tablets and mobiles, helping you to become confident in using the internet safely. Our dedicated problem-solver will be there to help you to learn new skills."

Funding from the Welsh Government has helped the Food Share to buy some laptops for you to use for the sessions, either on your own or with help from the team.

Food Parcels for those in need

The regular Wednesday food parcel distribution for those in need is at 1pm – 2pm.

A very warm welcome awaits all. 

Help and support with:

·        Mental and Emotional Wellbeing

·        Training, Qualifications and Skills

·        Employment Support

·        Energy support, including gas electricity and water

·        Addiction and substance misuse

·        Homelessness, tenancy support

·        Financial

·        Internet and Computer support

Organisations taking part:

·        Community Wellness

·        Cyfle Cymru – into work support and training

·        Wallich – Homelesness support and DAWS (Drug, Alcohol, Wellbeing Service)

·        Warm Wales – Fuel support

·        Hafren Dyfrdwy – water bill support

·        Fuel Bank Foundation – emergency fuel support

·        MIND – Mental health support

·        My Home Denbighshire – tenancy support

·        Working Denbighshire – into work support

·        NHS Harm Reduction Team

·        DASU- Domestic Abuse support

Also refugee support, neurodiversity, dementia,Repair Café, Mens Mental Health.
Some organisations will not be at every session.

* For more information contact: 07538 894449, email: info@llangollenfoodshare.org.uk
www.llangollenfoodshare.org.uk  Facebook.com/llangollenfoodshare