Railway ready to swing to the beat of the Sixties

* The duo Rose & Jacob will sing a variety of hits from the sixties, including a mix of pop and folk.

Llangollen & Corwen Railway is staging one of its biggest and most ambitious events of the year this weekend.

Taking place today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday), the Sixties Weekend will transform the entire 10-mile railway into a living recreation of Britain's railways during one of the country's most fascinating decades.

From heritage steam trains, heritage railcars and diesel engines to live music, vintage buses, historical re-enactments and family attractions, every station along the line will offer something different.

Visitors can travel as much as they like with unlimited heritage train travel, hopping on and off to experience the unique atmosphere created across Llangollen, Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy, Carrog and Corwen.

The event recreates the era of the Beeching cuts, when rural railways across Britain faced closure. Throughout the weekend, visitors will encounter anti-Beeching protests, railway porters loading luggage, parcels and milk churns, Beeching's survey teams counting passengers, and authentic British Transport Commission Police officers patrolling stations and trains.

One of the weekend's headline attractions is the visit of the Welsh Bobbies, whose recreated 1960s British Transport Commission Police Station at Corwen allows visitors to have their fingerprints taken, stand against the police height chart and discover an impressive collection of original police artefacts. A "Welsh politician" will also deliver a speech highlighting the impact railway closures would have had on rural communities.

* Llangollen band Dammit, starring legendary drummer Harry Barber, will e perform the hits of the era.

Visitors can also explore the Trains to the Cambrian Coast Exhibition at Llangollen, showcasing original artefacts from the Ruabon to Barmouth line, 1960s memorabilia and an original copy of the Beeching Report, while Berwyn Station hosts a fascinating exhibition explaining why so many branch lines disappeared during the decade.

There is plenty happening beyond the railway too, with heritage Crosville bus tours departing from Corwen aboard a beautifully restored 1950s Bristol L5G. The circular journey explores the historic landscape of Edeirnion, travelling through the Dee Valley countryside before returning to Corwen, offering passengers a chance to experience the area from a very different perspective.

The Crosville bus has a particularly special connection to the railway's history. Following severe flood damage to the line in December 1964, trains between Llangollen and Bala were replaced by a Crosville-operated rail replacement bus service until the railway's final closure on 18 January 1965. 

After the line closed, Crosville introduced the D94 service linking Chester and Wrexham with Barmouth, the forerunner of today's TrawsCymru T3 route. The story of Crosville's role in keeping communities connected after the railway's closure forms part of the Beeching Report Exhibition at Berwyn Station, adding another fascinating chapter to the weekend's celebration of railway history.

Visitors can also enjoy the Porter's Trolley Museum at Glyndyfrdwy, vintage vehicle displays, and the opportunity to experience Driver-for-a-Fiver, taking the controls of one of the railway's heritage diesel shunting locomotives. On Saturday, guided tours of the railway's Motive Power Depot will give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how the locomotives are maintained and restored.

Live music forms a major part of the celebrations, with performances throughout the weekend at Llangollen Station. Visitors can enjoy Beatles classics from Chris Burton, award-winning duo Rose & Jacob, the powerful vocals of Esme Sallnow, and on Sunday afternoon Jabberwocky, bringing the weekend to a close with an energetic mix of soul, blues and classic sixties hits.

When the daytime activities draw to a close on Saturday, the celebrations continue with the Saturday Night Dance at Llangollen Station. Gates open at 5.45pm, with entertainment from 6pm until 10.30pm, featuring Dave "Boss" Griffin and live band Dammit, featuring railway volunteer, the legendary Harry Barber on drums. 

Guests can enjoy drinks in Beeching's Bar, serving local real ales, lager, wine, bottled beers and soft drinks, together with hot food at the station. Special late-evening heritage train services will then return passengers to Corwen, Carrog, Glyndyfrdwy and Berwyn, making it easy to enjoy the whole evening without needing to drive.

Joe Walker, one of the organisers of the weekend said: "We've worked incredibly hard to make this much more than a railway gala. We wanted to create a truly immersive experience where visitors don't just see the 1960s, they feel part of them. Every station tells a different story, whether it's the live music, the historical re-enactments, the heritage buses, the exhibitions or the atmosphere on board our trains. It's one of the most ambitious events we've ever staged, and we can't wait to share it with everyone."

Mandy Towers, Llangollen Station Master and fellow organiser, added: "This is a weekend where people can really explore the whole railway. Every station has something unique to offer, from interactive displays and family attractions to live entertainment and fascinating pieces of railway history. Whether you remember the 1960s or you're discovering them for the first time, there's something here for everyone, and we're looking forward to welcoming visitors for what promises to be a fantastic weekend."

Day Rover and Two-Day Rover tickets include unlimited travel throughout the weekend, allowing visitors to experience every attraction while enjoying one of Britain's most scenic heritage railways.

* For tickets and timetables - go to https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/1960s-weekend/