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* Black Five No.45337 departing Llangollen station. |
The
Ivatt Class 2 mixed traffic engine, No.46521, was once allocated to Machynlleth
shed and was hauling trains on the Cambrian Coast line and round to Dolgellau
in the 1960s.
During
that period it also pulled the Royal Train on a visit to the Cambrian
Coast.
At
the gala event, on Friday and Saturday, it will be joined by three members of
the Llangollen home-based fleet, with the British Rail Standard Tank engine
No.80072 and the Black Five No.45337 making a welcome return to service and the
Great Western Heavy Freight engine No.3802.
They
will be joined by one of the British Rail Class 26 heritage diesel locomotives
No.D5310 as the railway sets out to imitate railway operations down the line to
Barmouth on the Western Region before Dr Beeching took his axe to the network
in 1964.
The
special timetable, entitled "Along Western Lines" for the gala, will see
trains departing Llangollen at frequent intervals throughout each day, from
0900 onwards, for the run along the Dee Valley to Carrog and through to Plas
Bonwm on the extension of the line.
A
demonstration freight train is included in the sequence of departures and on
Saturday an evening service will operate.
During
the gala there will be a photographic and railwayana display in the tearoom at
Berwyn station covering the course of the railway between Ruabon and Barmouth.
This
will include maps, original engineering drawings and historical paperwork, as
well as a photographic record of the stations along the line.
For
thirsty rail fans there will be a real ale bar in the Henry Robertson suite at
Llangollen station, as well as real ale served on trains.
George
Jones for Llangollen Railway said: "We have another spectacular occasion
when visitors will see how the railway might have operated at full capacity in
the years prior to the infamous Dr Beeching's Report 'The Reshaping of British
Railways.”
On
an historic note, he added: "This year is when we mark the 50th
anniversary, in December, of the last through train running between Ruabon and
Barmouth due to flooding which washed away the track near Llandderfel.
“Only
the sections between Ruabon and Llangollen and Barmouth and Bala retained
shuttle train services prior to formal closure of the line in January 1965.
"No
one thought then that the railway at Llangollen would make a comeback, but it
has, and it will shortly achieve its aim of reconnecting to Corwen once
the extension work is completed and the line has passed its official
inspection."
Details
of the timetable and fares are to be found on the Railway's website at:
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