Llangollen and Corwen Railway is inviting local people to enjoy a unique day of free train travel on Saturday, June 6, through the stunning Dee Valley while discovering the rewarding world of heritage railway volunteering.
‘Volunteer at our Stations – An Open Day on the Move’ aims to give visitors the opportunity to travel the length of the railway, meet station teams, and experience life at the line’s picturesque stations.
Starting at Llangollen Station at 10am, participants will wave off the first train to Corwen before meeting Llangollen Station Master Mandy Towers and learning more about the history and future of the railway.
Guests will then travel free of charge on the 11.05am service through the spectacular Dee Valley to Corwen, where they will be welcomed by Corwen Stationmaster Wayne Ronneback and his volunteer team for tea, and an informal chat about station volunteering.
The return journey departs Corwen at 12.20pm, stopping at the award-winning Berwyn Station, where Station Master Peter will give a guided talk about the UK’s most beautiful railway station. The event will conclude with a scenic walk back to Llangollen via the Chain Bridge and the Llangollen Canal.
Robin Crowley, Volunteer Coordinator for the railway, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to experience the railway in a completely different way. Not only can people enjoy free travel through one of the most beautiful parts of North Wales, but they can also meet the volunteers who make our stations so welcoming and special.
"We are especially keen to hear from people who enjoy meeting others and would like to become part of the public face of the railway. Our stations are often the very first experience visitors have when they arrive, and our volunteers play a huge role in creating that warm welcome.
“With some amazing events coming up at the railway over the coming months, there has never been a more exciting time to get involved with the railway everyone is talking about.”
Corwen Stationmaster Wayne Ronneback added: “Volunteering at our stations is incredibly rewarding. You meet people from all walks of life, from local families to visitors travelling from across the world, and every day is different. Our stations are at the heart of the railway and there is a real sense of pride and friendship amongst the volunteers. We are particularly looking for people who would enjoy being the public face of the railway and helping visitors have a fantastic experience from the moment they arrive.
“There are also lots of jobs that need doing at our stations even when trains are not operating. The team at Glyndyfrdwy Station meet every Monday to carry out jobs around this beautiful rural station, while our volunteer teams at Corwen and Llangollen meet on Thursdays for gardening, maintenance and all sorts of other tasks that help keep the railway looking its very best. Whether you can spare a few hours a week or more, we would love to welcome new people to the team.”
The volunteer programme has been supported through funding from the WCVA Volunteering Wales Grant alongside support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund administered by Denbighshire County Council.
Further Information – Event Timetable
10.00am – Meet at Llangollen Station and wave off the first train of the day to Corwen.
10.05am – Welcome from Llangollen Station Master Mandy Towers.
10.20am – Short talk on the history of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway.
11.05am – Depart Llangollen for Corwen by train.
11.46am – Arrive at Corwen Station for tea, refreshments and volunteering information with Wayne Ronneback and the Corwen team.
12.20pm – Depart Corwen for Berwyn.
12.55pm – Arrive at Berwyn Station for a guided station talk with Station Master Peter.
1.15pm – Walk from Berwyn across the Chain Bridge and along the Llangollen Canal.
Approx. 2.00pm – Arrive back in Llangollen and conclude the event.
Places are strictly limited to 30 people, and interest is expected to be high. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register early and arrive at Llangollen Station shortly before 10am on Saturday, June 6. Comfortable footwear is recommended for the canal-side walk back to Llangollen.
* There are volunteering jobs available right up the line including Berwyn Railway Station, the most beautiful in the UK.
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