Enthusiasts bid to save historic crane from being scrapped

* The crane which railway enthusiasts are aiming to save from 

being scrapped. 

Enthusiasts at Llangollen Railway have made a last-ditch appeal to save a historic crane being sold off along with other assets from the liquidated public limited company.

Following the PLC going into receivership with debts of around £350,000 in March various assets of the heritage attraction were put up for online auction to pay off creditors.

A massive fundraising appeal enabled the completely separate Railway Trust, which is perfectly solvent, to buy up sufficient assets, including rolling stock, to be able to press ahead with its plans to re-open the railway later this summer.

But there wasn’t enough money raised to buy everything, including a 50-ton Cowans Sheldon crane.

According to a post on the unofficial Llangollen Railway Facebook page on Saturday, this is a historic vehicle and the only one of its kind still in operation.

Despite it already having been sold for scrap, an appeal has been launched to keep it at the railway.

The post says: “As has been mentioned elsewhere, our 50 ton Cowans Sheldon crane has been purchased by a scrap merchant, who we understand wishes to break it up on site.

“This is an historic vehicle and we understand the only one of its kind left operational, having being built for the MoD as a steam crane, acquired by BR and converted to diesel operation as a breakdown crane.

“We understand the total purchase price (including VAT and buyers premium) was around £35k.

“We have had the begging bowl out for some time now and many folk have already donated money to our successful appeals. However, if anyone wants to help try and make a last ditch attempt to save this historic vehicle please contact the LR Trust as soon as possible (trustllanrail@gmail.com).

“Transporting the crane is likely to be prohibitively expensive and require partial dismantling, which is what is likely to have put other preservation purchasers off, so the most cost-effective and ideal solution (for us at least!) would be for the vehicle to stay on the railway.”

Following the auction, the Trust said in a statement last Friday morning: "The auction of Llangollen Railway PLC’s assets saw some “fast and furious” bidding for the coaching assets in particular, and the larger plant items. 

"We were delighted to secure our priority one assets, namely one accessible-adapted coach, road railer, 12t crane and Lowmac.  

"We were similarly delighted to learn that friendly bidders have acquired two further coaches and a significant amount of machine tools which will remain on the Railway."

Pete Edwards, Trust chairman, added: “Preparations can now begin in earnest to complete the necessary works on Dee Bridge and in the tunnel. We also need to press ahead with the necessary safety and regulatory matters.

"We are on target to reopen in late July or early August."