Rail driving simulator to feature in classic transport weekend

* Dylan enjoys driving the Class 507 driving simulator which will make its debut appearance at the Classic Transport Weekend this Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors to this year's Classic Transport Weekend at the Llangollen and Corwen Railway will have the rare opportunity to take the controls of a Class 507 train when an exclusive driving simulator makes an appearance at one of the UK's premier heritage transport events. 

Taking place on July 4 and 5, the Classic Transport Weekend has grown into one of the largest and most diverse celebrations of historic transport in Britain, attracting visitors from across the UK. 

Located in the historic waiting room at Llangollen Station, the simulator has been painstakingly created using genuine components rescued from withdrawn Merseyrail trains and offers a unique hands-on experience that railway enthusiasts are unlikely to find anywhere else in Wales.

 

The attraction is being brought to the Dee Valley by the Class 507 Preservation Society, a pioneering group formed in 2023 with the ambitious aim of preserving one of Merseyrail's iconic Class 507 electric multiple units for future generations.

 

Following a successful fundraising appeal, the society purchased unit 507001 from Angel Trains in January 2025 for the symbolic sum of just £1. Since then, the train has become one of the most talked-about preservation projects in the UK railway heritage sector.

 

The unit was a major attraction at Alstom's prestigious "The Greatest Gathering" event in 2025 and has since achieved another remarkable milestone by operating at speeds of up to 40mph on the Derby test track, making it the fastest preserved third-rail powered electric train in Britain.

 

Now, for the first time at the Llangollen and Corwen Railway, visitors will be able to experience what it is like to drive a Class 507 for themselves.

 

Using authentic controls and equipment salvaged from withdrawn units, the simulator places participants in the driver's seat for a virtual ten-minute journey through South Liverpool. Volunteers from the society will be on hand throughout the weekend to guide visitors through the experience and explain the group's ambitious plans to convert their preserved former Royal Train vehicle to battery power.

 

Tim Hines, one of the organisers of the Classic Transport Weekend, said: "We're absolutely delighted to be bringing the Class 507 simulator to this year's event. We are always looking for new and unique attractions, but this really is something special. This isn't simply a computer game. It's a simulator built using genuine railway equipment by a preservation group that is making headlines across the railway heritage world. For many people, this will be the closest they ever get to driving a modern electric train.

 

"The Class 507 project is one of the most exciting railway preservation stories in Britain right now and we're incredibly grateful to the Society for choosing our Classic Transport Weekend as one of the places where people can experience their work first-hand.

 

"Our Classic Transport Weekend has become one of the UK's leading heritage transport events, attracting visitors from across Britain. With close to 400 vehicles, intensive train services, vintage buses, the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir, behind-the-scenes experiences and now the exclusive Class 507 simulator, visitors simply won't find another event quite like it anywhere else in the country."

 

Paul Knapton, Secretary-General of the Class 507 Preservation Society, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing our Class 507 driving simulator to the Llangollen and Corwen Railway for the first time.

 

"Our society was formed to preserve an important part of Britain's railway heritage and to tell the story of a class of train that carried millions of passengers across Merseyside for more than four decades. The simulator allows people to experience that story in a truly hands-on way.

 

"Built using genuine components recovered from withdrawn units, it provides a remarkably authentic driving experience. Whether you're a lifelong railway enthusiast or simply curious about what happens behind the controls, we're confident visitors will enjoy the opportunity to drive a virtual Class 507 through South Liverpool.

 

"We'll also be sharing the incredible story of 507001, from being acquired for just £1 to becoming one of the most ambitious electric railway preservation projects in the country. Visitors will be able to learn more about our pioneering plans to fit batteries to the unit allowing the sights and sounds of classic electric traction to be recreated away from the 3^rd rail for generations to come.”

 

The Class 507 simulator joins an already packed programme for the Llangollen and Corwen Railway's Classic Transport Weekend, which takes place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July.

 

The event will feature close to 400 classic vehicles, including cars, buses, motorcycles, tractors, military vehicles and commercial vehicles, alongside intensive steam, diesel and heritage railcar services operating throughout the Dee Valley.

 

On Saturday evening, visitors can also enjoy Party in the Park at Glyndyfrdwy Station, featuring a special performance by the internationally acclaimed Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir in a beautiful field next to the station from 6pm.

 

* For more information and tickets, visit: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/classic-transport-weekend/

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is: 

OPPOSITE 14 PENGWERN, 21/07/2026 - 23/07/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY 

Full extent ROAD FROM PENGWERN TO TYN CELYN, 24/07/2026 - 26/07/2026, Rheolaeth traffig i hwyluso mynediad i safle Camp VC, / Traffic management to facilitate access to Camp VC site, VC LONDON LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Approx. 256m SE from OS Tyn Dwr Farm to opposite the entrance of Yew Tree, TYN DWR ROAD, 15/07/2026 - 16/07/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Heol y Farchnad / Market Street, 10/10/2026 - 11/10/2026, Gwyl Fwyd Llangollen / Llangollen Food Festival CHAPTER 8 SOLUTIONS LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

From St. John's Church to Castle Street ABBEY ROAD, 10/07/2026, Parêd Rhyngwladol y Cenhedloedd Llangollen / Llangollen International Parade of Nations, LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD, Clirffordd / Clearway, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542, Full extent TOWER ROAD until 12/07/2026, System Unffordd ar gyfer Eisteddfod Gerddorol Ryngwladol Llangollen / One-way System to support Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, EVENT SUPPORT TEAM, Un Ffordd/ One Way

A542 HORSESHOE PASS, until 01/07/2026, Trwsio Ffens / Fence Repairs DCC - WORKS UNIT 

A542 JUNCTION OF TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539 TO APPROX 85M FURTHER EAST, A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A539 OUTSIDE LYNDALE TO GLAN DYFFYN FRON BACHE, 23/09/2026 - 24/09/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

82m south of entrance to slurry pit JUNCTION OF A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A542 Wharf Hill / Castle Street/ Mill Street, until 12/07/2026, Goleuadau traffig i reoli traffig yr Eisteddfod / Traffic signals to manage Eisteddfod traffic, EVENT SUPPORT TEAM

Going's tough for Westheads as they head across China

* Louis admits on the video diary that he's been finding tough to get used to his new gravel bike. 

One of the three Llangollen area lads cycling to Thailand is still having problems with his new bike and his arm following his recent collision with a car.

Dyfan Hughes, 18, from Llangollen, Louis Dennis, 19, from Garth, and James Thomas,19, from Wrexham are making their 1,000 journey in aid of the British Heart Foundation in memory of Tony Edge, the father of their friend Harrison who died following a heart attack in 2024.

It was Louis who had the smash, which destroyed his trusty bike and left him with a fractured wrist.

This meant he and his two mates had to take an unplanned break while he recovered from his injury and got himself a new bike.

But shortly after the trio got back in the saddle to continue their journey Louis admitted in one of their daily video diaries that although his wrist appeared to have mended, he was now having trouble with his left arm which was giving him pain each time he rode over a bump in the road.

He was also finding it hard to get used to the controls of his new gravel bike - acquired with money raised at home thanks to the urging of Llangollen Barber Shop's Emma Davies - and another problem he mentions is that his helmet was cracked in the collision, leaving him in need of a replacement.

A further snag the lads report is having to hitch-hike for a 50km stretch of road after being advised by the police it wasn't safe to ride. While two of them were given a lift in a police car the other one was dropped off in the wrong place by the driver who gave him a lift.

One thing that's going right for them is that donations still coming in online for the British Heart Foundation for which they have so far raised over £50,000.

* llanblogger is recording their adventures along the way. To follow the journey on their social media and make a donation if you wish, go to: https://linktr.ee/westheads 

Pop-up campsite to open specially for Eisteddfod visitors

* Under canvass at Camp Bongo based at One Giant Leap.

A pop-up campsite in Llangollen is opening specially next week to offer accommodation for people attending the town's International Eisteddfod.

Camp Bongo is an adults-only site based at One Giant Leap in the hills close to town which usually opens only at weekends.

But to cater for people wanting to camp while they visit the Eisteddfod, the owners say they will be open from next Tuesday-Monday July 7-13.

One of the owners, Rebecca, said: "We open weekends only, except we will be opening midweek for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and offering camping for people attending. 

"This is great as our location in Llangollen is only a short 15 to 20 minutes walk into the town.

"We usually have live music and activities on every weekend, however we wouldn't have live music and activities on midweek. It would simply be a place for people to camp but we would open our bar."

She added: "At weekends we have live music on each evening. Activities on throughout the day include yoga, axe throwing, archery, cocktail making, wine tasting, food vendors and a cocktail bar. 

"We accept campervans, motorhomes, tents. Tent boxes, trailer tents. It's an adults-only playground where the aim is for you to leave feeling better than you arrived. Also we are proudly dog friendly."

* Camp Bongo at One Giant Leap is also open on the weekends of August 21-23 and August 28-31.

Businessman wants action to tackle anti-social behaviour

* Young people jumping from the bridge into the river particularly concerns Mr Hennigan. 

A prominent Llangollen businessman has written to the heads of the police, local councils and the MP to demand urgent action to tackle what calls "increasing levels" of anti-social behaviour in the town.

David Hennigan, who is trust manager of Llangollen & Corwen Railway and a director of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, says he is particularly concerned about the practice of young people jumping from the Castle Street bridge into the river, which he believes is not only highly dangerous but is also threatening the reputation of the town.

He has now laid out his concerns in a hard-hitting letter to the Chief Constable and Police & Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins, the chief executive of Denbighshire County Council and the clerk of Llangollen Town Council.

And he calls for a multi-agency approach to address the issues he raises.

Mr Hennigan writes: 

"Urgent action required to tackle anti-social behaviour and protect public safety in Llangollen

"I am writing to you in my capacity as Trust Manager of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway and as a Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Between us, these two organisations welcome many tens of thousands of visitors to Llangollen every year and are deeply committed to promoting the town as a safe, welcoming and vibrant destination.

"It is therefore with considerable concern that I write regarding the increasing levels of anti-social behaviour in the town, particularly around Llangollen Bridge and the River Dee. This is becoming an issue that is regularly raised by residents, local businesses, volunteers and visitors alike, and I believe it now requires a much stronger response.

"Of particular concern is the growing number of young people jumping from Llangollen's historic bridge into the River Dee. Whilst I appreciate that this has, for many years, been regarded by some as a local tradition, the scale and frequency of the activity has increased significantly. Large groups of young people are gathering throughout the day and evening, repeatedly climbing over the bridge parapets and jumping into the river with little regard for the obvious danger to themselves or others.

"This behaviour presents a clear danger to life. The bridge is an ancient structure, the River Dee can be unpredictable, and conditions beneath the bridge are far from risk-free. It feels increasingly inevitable that, unless meaningful action is taken, someone will suffer a serious injury or, worse still, lose their life.

"The consequences extend well beyond those taking part. Traffic regularly slows or comes to a standstill as motorists stop to watch or are forced to wait while groups gather on the bridge. This creates unnecessary congestion and increases the risk of accidents for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike.

The behaviour is also having a detrimental impact on the appearance and reputation of Llangollen.

"Those congregating around the bridge are leaving behind litter, drinks bottles and other rubbish on the bridge itself and along the riverbank. Sadly, this often results in the blame being unfairly directed towards concertgoers attending events at the International Musical Eisteddfod Pavilion. That is deeply unfair to the many thousands of visitors who come to Llangollen to enjoy world-class cultural events, support local businesses and contribute positively to our local economy. 

"The actions of a relatively small number of individuals are damaging the reputation of the town and the organisations that work tirelessly to promote it.

Perhaps my greatest concern is the perception that this behaviour is taking place with apparent impunity. There is a widespread view within the community that North Wales Police is aware of what is happening, yet little or no intervention takes place. My understanding is that assurances were given that there would be increased police patrols around the bridge during the busy summer period.

"However, from what residents, businesses and local organisations are witnessing on the ground, those additional patrols do not appear to have materialised, or at the very least are not providing the visible reassurance that the community was expecting. I would therefore welcome clarification on what additional policing resources have been deployed, as the current position is doing little to reassure local people that this issue is being effectively addressed.

"I fully appreciate the pressures on policing resources and the competing demands placed upon officers. However, preventing a foreseeable tragedy and tackling persistent anti-social behaviour must surely remain a policing priority. Visible policing and appropriate enforcement would send a clear message that this behaviour is neither acceptable nor without consequence.

"I would also like to recognise the efforts of County Councillor Karen Edwards, who has been particularly vocal in raising these concerns on behalf of local residents. Her persistence in highlighting these issues is appreciated. However, this is not a challenge that any one elected member, organisation or agency can resolve alone. 

"It requires a coordinated, multi-agency response involving North Wales Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Denbighshire County Council, Llangollen Town Council and other relevant partners, working together with a shared commitment to improving public safety and protecting the town's reputation.

"I have copied this correspondence to Helen White, Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council, County Councillor Karen Edwards and Becky Gittins MP because I believe this issue requires leadership and cooperation across all agencies and elected representatives. I would welcome the opportunity for all partners to come together to agree a practical action plan before a serious incident occurs.

"I would therefore be grateful if you could outline what additional steps North Wales Police intends to take during the busy summer period to address these issues, whether additional visible patrols can be deployed around the bridge, and what role the Police and Crime Commissioner's Office can play in supporting a coordinated response.

"Llangollen is one of North Wales' premier visitor destinations. It is home to internationally recognised events, a successful heritage railway, thriving tourism businesses and a proud local community. We should not have to wait for a fatality before decisive action is taken.

"The time for simply observing this behaviour has passed. What is needed now is visible policing, proactive enforcement and effective partnership working to restore public confidence, protect young people from harm and ensure that residents and visitors alike can continue to enjoy Llangollen safely.

"I look forward to your response and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further."

Riverside Park public toilets discussed on BBC Radio Wales today

* The public toilets in Riverside Park discussed on BBC Radio Wales today.

llanblogger's Phil Robinson was this lunchtime interviewed on BBC Radio Wales about problems with the public toilets in Riverside Park.

The loos, next to the refreshment area, have not been working properly for some time and Denbighshire County Council, which is responsible for them, has decided on a full refurbishment programme which is due to be completed later this summer.

In the meantime Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards insisted that a temporary portable toilet should be set up in the park, and this happened recently.

This toilet was vandalised over the weekend but the county council has said it is due to be back in operation this afternoon.

* The temporary toilet in the park vandalised at the weekend but soon back in action. 

The whole public toilet issue was tackled today in the lunchtime phone-in run by Jason Mohammad on Radio Wales.

Among those interviewed was Phil Robinson of llanblogger.

He gave a full run-down on the problems at Riverside Park and when asked by the presenter if there would be a charge for the refurbished facilities, he replied that whatever charge was eventually made he hoped it wouldn't be as much as the controversial new £1 fee for using the Denbighshire-run public loos in Market Street.

When he suggested this was possibly one of the highest charges in Wales if not the whole of the UK, Jason Mohammad seemed shocked and said he would probably have to agree.

Questioned about reports, mainly on social media, that parents were letting their children "wee" in the park at Riverside because the toilets were unavailable, Phil said he didn't doubt this had happened but suggested it may not have been a regular occurrence as far as he knew.   

Mazda EV is gorgeous but arrives in a crowded market

Mazda 6e launch drive by Steve Rogers

My first drive in a Mazda was the launch of the 626 hatchback in May 1983, a particularly exciting event because it was in Houston, Texas, and my first visit to the USA.

Back then the 626 was one of Japan’s top selling cars and quite advanced introducing switchable driving modes, a normal feature these days. The top of the range 2-litre petrol sold for £6,999.

Mazda was not a big player here bound by a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ not to exceed one per cent of UK sales, perhaps we should have imposed a similar restriction on the Chinese a few years ago?

Two decades later the 626 morphed into the Mazda6 and the start of a new chapter of stylish models with sharp handling and the slickest gearboxes on the planet all aimed at putting the fun back into driving.

Here we meet the 6e, Mazda’s first serious electric car, its first, the MX-30, was great to drive but had a poor range and has been dropped. The surprise is that 6e is more Chinese than Japanese. It is not even built at Mazda’s Hiroshima base.

At the moment Mazda has not got the wherewithal to build a competitive electric car so it has turned to the state owned Chinese automotive giant Changan, its partner for 30 years, which has the wherewithal. The 6e is based on that company’s SL03 but it looks every bit a Mazda and is drop dead gorgeous. That’s not just me saying it, the 6e has been voted World Design Car of the Year.

The front, in particular, is an evolution of its elegant predecessor with a spectacular illuminated grille fronting a sloping bonnet, wrap around wafer thin headlights, rising to a coupe roofline. The tailgate and rear wing design loses a little bit of Mazda but we can live with that. Throw in frameless doors, panoramic glass roof and an electric rear spoiler and this becomes an interesting car.

Mazda launched the European model at the end of 2025, a complicated affair with a choice of two motors that defied logic because of the odd power differential but no such problems now. The 6e has a single 78kW electric motor that gives a range of 348 miles. It can take a 200kW DC charge giving it a 10-80 percent ‘fill’ in 24 minutes.

Hardly big figures given that some rivals can manage 400 miles with a faster charge time but not so bad given its competitive price. Okay, we are not talking budget Chinese but a starting price of £38,995 provides some precious sugar coating given that this sits firmly in the premium sector and a big attraction for fleet and company car drivers.

Take a seat and you are transported from Japan to China. There is nothing remotely traditional Mazda here, rather it mimics what we have come to expect from Chinese models: Big screen and a dashboard bereft of switches. You cannot deny it looks luxuriously impressive, colourful with a mixture of quality trims and textures.

Did I like it? Yes, to a certain extent, but from the passenger seat. Once driving I was not comfortable having to think about fiddling with the screen.

Apart from the steering wheel stalk for indicating every function is performed through the 14.6in touchscreen. There is a strip of icons at the base to help make life easier and a couple of customisable steering wheel buttons, one had been tuned to the wipers, I forget what the other was for. Voice control would undoubtedly help but was not activated on our car.

In time (a long time) you would get used to this modern smart phone style way of running a car. I always think a teenager would have it sussed in minutes, this is certainly a car for a well tuned young brain.

That said, I quickly worked out how to adjust the door mirrors before setting off using a screen icon and left and right arrows on the steering wheel. Something that puzzled myself and co driver Fred was where to find the hazard warning switch. We searched, and searched, and in the end had to be directed to a black switch secreted in the black roof lining, alongside the SOS button, so a couple of switches after all.

On a mixture of roads and surfaces on a long drive through Snowdonia the rear wheel drive 6e proved competent and comfortable albeit a tad floaty when bends came thick and fast. Consumption was efficient enough recording 3.6 miles/kWh - anything under four is good.

At all but five metres in length this is a roomy car with acres of space in the back, a decent sized boot and a flat loading area with the seats dropped. There is also a 72 litre storage box under the bonnet.

Setting aside my aversion to cars without switches there is nothing much not to like about Mazda’s 6e. The stunning design has a real feel good factor, it performs well with a decent enough range, and is packed with kit and driver safety aids. The next, and most difficult, task is to prove itself to the public in a very crowded market.

Fast facts

Mazda 6e Takumi Plus

£39,995

78kWh LFP battery

Range: 348 miles

253bhp. 290Nm torque

0-62mph 7.3secs; 109mph

Zero emissions. 1st VED £10

Insurance group 44

Boot: 337-1074 litres

Warranty: 6 years