Railway honours those who have served on Remembrance Sunday

Llangollen Railway is supporting both Llangollen and Corwen town’s Remembrance services this Sunday (November 10). 

It will not be running its usual 10am service as a mark of respect to those who have served their country and to allow our staff and volunteers to attend one of the services.

The 12:30 14:45 from Llangollen and 13:35 and 15:450 from Corwen will both run.

Veterans and serving military personnel can all travel free on the 12:30 Remembrance Train from Llangollen and 13:35 from Corwen.

 

Railway press officer Terry Pickthall said: “Everyone at the railway felt it was important that we show our respect, support and love for those who have served our country to uphold our hard-won freedom and democracy. 

"We have a number ex-service people amongst our staff and volunteers who have served with the British Army, Royal Navy and Air Force. 

"This includes our Trust Manager Tom Taylor, who served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and worked with Army helicopters all over the world, before retraining to work in the heritage and tourism management sector and ultimately taking on the massive job of leading the recovery of our railway."

Terry added “We look forward to welcoming current and former serving military people and their families to the railway after the memorial services and hope everyone enjoys a trip with us along the Dee Valley in all its autumnal splendour.

"Visitors are encouraged to get off the train at Berwyn and have a look at the tiles under the bridge that takes the footpath under the railway to the Chain Bridge. Here you can still just about see graffiti left by first World War servicemen before they headed to France and Belgium, some never to return." 

Tom Taylor said: “At Llangollen Railway, we have always recognized and valued the contributions of those who have served our country, both past and present. It has always been a privilege for us to participate in the Remembrance Service in Llangollen each year and more recently in Corwen. 

"This year we are honoured to operate our special Poppy Train, allowing us to pay tribute to the bravery of our service personnel, their families and friends. Through our special train, we also aim to raise valuable funds for the Royal British Legion, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”

 

Nicholas Collins, a volunteer with the Glyndyfrdwy Station Team, who also recently got married on the Railway, said: “I joined the Army, starting off in the TA before transferring to the Regulars. I served on tours of Bosnia, Kosovo, Croatia and the Falklands. 

"I was part of taskforce Cambri on the Kosovo/Macedonia border, serving alongside the Royal Tank Regiment and helping stop fighting between rebel forces. Our Railway has played an important part in various wars and remembering all the soldiers that travelled by train to war and never returned is important. The sacrifices they made by giving their lives is why we enjoy the freedom and peace we live in today."

 

* Advance booking is not required, the railway's café will be offering hot drinks and light refreshments and visitors will be encouraged to donate what they can to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.