Unique event honours the life of Victorian railway pioneer

* Father lee Taylor leads the graveside service marking the 150th anniversary of the death of Charles Beyer who is buried in the churchyard at Llantysilio.  

The centuries-old link between one of the most picturesque parts of Llangollen and the engineering hothouse of Victorian Manchester was celebrated with a special event today (Tuesday).

On the 150th anniversary of his death groups associated with both worlds gathered to celebrate the rich life of the man who tied together these diverse areas of North Wales and North West England and to mark his momentous achievements.

Llangollen residents, railway enthusiasts and historians honoured pioneering railway engineer Charles Beyer by taking part in a unique programme combining heritage, history and a traditional steam train journey through the Dee Valley.

The event also formed part of wider recognition linked to LGBT+ History Month 2026, highlighting lesser-known aspects of his life alongside his major contribution to the early railways.

* Charles Beyer's portrait by Carl Friedrich Schmid (1870)

The commemoration began with the first part of a church service at St Collen’s Church in Llangollen at 10am which was paused to allow attendees to travel by steam train from Llangollen station to Berwyn whose station is close to where Beyer lived at Llantysilio Hall and is buried at the nearby church.

For the occasion, a special Charles Beyer headboard was commissioned for the steam locomotive, created in partnership with the East Lancashire Railway.

On arrival at Berwyn, a commemorative plaque was unveiled, commissioned by the Institution of Civil Engineers, recognising Charles Beyer’s significant contribution to the profession. 

Participants then processed across the Chain Bridge to Llantysilio Church, where the service resumed. Both services will be led by Father Lee Taylor, Vicar-in-Charge, and concluded with a graveside tribute.

The event continued with a reception at Llantysilio Hall, including tours and short speeches, before the return journey to Llangollen.

As part of the wider programme of commemorations, a further event will take place on Sunday June 14 at Brookfield Church in the Gorton district of Manchester where Beyer and his business partner Richard Peacock built their massive engineering factory - Beyer, Peacock and Company - which once supplied the world with steam locomotives.

Born in 1813 in Saxony, Beyer moved to England as a young man and established his career in Manchester, becoming a leading figure in locomotive design during the industrial revolution. He later settled near Llangollen and rebuilt Llantysilio Hall, where he died on June 2 1876. 

Beyer also had a lasting connection to Manchester’s social and sporting history. As a major benefactor, he helped fund the construction of St Mark’s Church, one of three he supported in the area. This church later became the birthplace of Manchester City FC, originally founded there in 1880 as St Mark’s, Gorton.

The event forms part of a wider programme of commemorations taking place across the UK, with further events planned at heritage railways and museums connected to Beyer’s life and work.

* The steam engine bearing the specially-commissioned Charles Beyer nameplate.

* Steve Jones of the Institution of Civil Engineers unveils the Beyer commemorative plaque at Berwyn Station. Below is the plaque itself.

* A spray of flowers placed on the grave after the service.

* Llantysilio Hall where Charles Beyer once lived. 

* Llangollen and Corwen Railway trust manager Dave Hennigan reads the lesson during the first part of the service at St Collen's Church.