Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Railway's Santa Specials steam to success

... now it's all aboard for the Mince Pie Specials





* Volunteer train crew members Charlie Brook and
Matt Davies try the Mince Pie Special headboard
for size on engine No.3802 at Llangollen.

 
With its Santa Special trains due to finish tomorrow (Wednesday), Llangollen Railway reports an excellent pre-Christmas season.

It has enjoyed full loadings on the Santa trains which have transported scores of families to visit "Lapland" at Carrog. 

Of the 36 Santa Specials which have operated since December 6, many were fully booked weeks ago.

Family groups have come to Llangollen to see Santa on the steam train from within the railway’s 50-mile catchment area, drawing people in from a wide area of England as well as North Wales.

The railway says it is now looking forward to offering visitors further festive activities from Boxing Day through to New Year's Day. 
 
For those who missed out on a trip to meet Santa, the popular series of Mince Pie Special trains starts on Boxing Day, with three steam trains a day operating from Llangollen through to the new station at Dwyrain Corwen East on the recently extended line beyond Carrog.

Steam trains depart Llangollen at 1050, 1300 and 1510, and take visitors into what can be a winter wonderland on the journey through to Corwen when mince pies and mulled wine are served to passengers as festive cheer.

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway, said: “A ride on the train followed by a brisk walk in the country from one of the railway’s stations is an ideal way to work off any excess eating or maybe blow away the post Christmas blues.
 
"There are several short walks from all stations along the line which provide easy opportunities to get out and enjoy the area of outstanding natural beauty which is the Dee Valley.
 
“Once again Llangollen Railway will be providing the only steam-hauled standard gauge train service in North Wales, and beyond, on December 26 when the National Network remains closed. 
 
"It is thanks to all our volunteers that these trains run and we can provide festive entertainment for those who wish to sample a ride on a preserved railway beginning from within the World Heritage site at Llangollen.”

* Meanwhile, Llangollen Railway is looking to recruit Locomotive Fitters in 2015.

They say that, ideally, applicants should be ‘time served’ fitters with experience of (or an interest in) locomotive repair/restoration.


Hours of work will normally be 08.00 – 16.30 Monday – Friday (40 hours week) and applicants need to be flexible as some weekend work may be required to meet the needs of the business.

If you think you fit the bill, send your CV’s to:

Mrs Gail Griffiths
Engineering Administrator
Llangollen Railway Plc
The Station
Abbey Road
Llangollen
LL20 8SN

Or, alternatively, email: engineering@llangollen-railway.co.uk 

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