Railway sees a successful return of steam train

* Loco 3802 at Carrog at the end of its first trip. 

Pictures by George Jones

* Martin Fuller was the driver and Step Ellwood the fireman.

The first steam train of the 2021 season ran on Saturday when the Great Western Railway locomotive No.3802 took the 10.30 departure from Llangollen through to Carrog, the first such steam hauled train since October 1 2020 on the Dee Valley line

Despite the wet weather, good numbers boarded the train for run behind 3802 and a general air of enthusiasm was abroad at the return of steam to the railway from assembled volunteers and visiting members of the public keen to join the extended a ride. 

With the heritage Wickham railcar supplementing the steam train, a 75-minute interval service was on offer for the weekend. 

The locomotive's certification was completed to the satisfaction of the ORR thanks to a lot of hard work by members of the Motive Power Department who had prepared No.3802 for its return to steam. 

For the footplate crews it was a day of re-assessment of their competence to drive and fire the engine after a ten month lay-off in operations. 

* Even a few sheep showed up to watch the first steam service go by but they soon moved out the way to allow the train to pass.

* The train slows down when some sheep appear on the line. Pictures courtesy of Peter Dickinson.