Llangollen Railway's historic crane is saved from being scrapped

Enthusiasts aiming to get Llangollen Railway back on track have had some good news about the historic crane they have been trying to save from being scrapped.

Following the railway’s public limited company 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 was launched to keep it at the railway.

But now, just a couple of days later, help has come from the scrap company which bought the crane.

On the unofficial Llangollen Railway Facebook page this afternoon (Monday) the enthusiasts say: “Some great news about our Cowans Sheldon crane. Allister Boote from Sandbach Commercial Dismantlers Ltd (SCD) has met with several Llangollen Railway representatives on site today.

“He has very kindly agreed to keep the crane in one piece and on the railway for the foreseeable future.

“The railway also have the option to buy it back over an extended period, including offsetting the value raised from supplying day-to-day scrap materials to SCD. A great idea!

“Our urgent priority obviously remains on raising funds for the re-opening of the railway later this year (and both the rolling stock and Full Steam Ahead appeals are still open), but watch this space for details of specific fundraising to support the crane.

“Sincere thanks to Allister. His kind support is very much appreciated.”

And one of the railway enthusiasts later added:“Allister Boote told me that he was very happy to try and help us and that railways are very much in his blood - his father was a fireman based at Alsager shed.”