Railway's 50th anniversary comes to golden conclusion

* Both the 7754 and 3802 will be running all weekend.

Two steam locomotives, three heritage diesels and a Heritage Railcar will take to the tracks as Llangollen and Corwen Railway brings its 50th anniversary celebrations to a spectacular conclusion on Saturday and Sunday 12 and 13.

The 50 Years Finale Celebration Weekend has announced it's ambitious, intensive timetable for the Gala Weekend, which will see gates open from 8.30am each morning, with 14 train journeys every day and, two different timetables.

Taking centre stage across the weekend will be:

Class 26 No. 5310

Class 31 No. 31271, Saturday only

Class 47 No. 47449, Sunday only

GWR Pannier No. 7754

GWR Collett 2-8-0 No. 3802

Class 127/108 Heritage DMU

Alongside the passenger services, visitors can expect freight workings, brake van rides, unusual shunting movements and plenty more railway activity throughout the weekend.

The railway has produced two completely different timetables for Saturday and Sunday, providing different workings, locomotive combinations and plenty of variety for those spending the whole weekend in the Dee Valley.

Iain Ross, from Llangollen and Corwen Railway, said: “If you love trains, this is going to be quite a weekend.

“We have 7754 and 3802 representing steam, 5310, 31271 and 47449 representing our heritage diesel fleet and our Class 127/108 DMU. We're going to put them to work with 14 train journeys each day, as well as freight, brake van rides and plenty more happening around the Railway.

“The important thing is that Saturday and Sunday are completely different. This isn't a case of running the same timetable twice. We want people spending the whole weekend with us and experiencing as much of the Railway as possible.

“But this isn't just an event for the enthusiast. If you've never experienced a railway gala before, buy a Rover, get on a train and see where the day takes you.”

UNLIMITED TRAVEL FOR £30

A special Day Rover Ticket costs £30 for adults and just £8 for children, providing unlimited travel on event services throughout the day.

Passengers can travel behind steam, swap onto one of the heritage diesels, experience the Heritage Railcar and explore the Railway's stations, travelling on as many trains as they can manage.

And for those who want to see the railway operating in a way rarely witnessed on a normal service day, the weekend will offer something particularly special.

Matthew Carty, Head of the Railway's Footplate Team, said: “For our crews, this is exactly the sort of weekend we love. There will be a lot happening, with different locomotives, different workings and a really intensive timetable.

“We are pleased to include our two steam locomotives, GWR Pannier 7754 and GWR Collett 2-8-0 3802. They are very different locomotives and having both out working as part of such a busy gala timetable will be fantastic.

“But this weekend is about much more than simply putting different locomotives on the front of passenger trains. We've designed the timetables to make much greater use of the Railway itself, including sidings and locations that passengers would never normally get the opportunity to experience.

“On Saturday, one of the real highlights will be the use of the Up Siding at Glyndyfrdwy, using a part of the railway that has effectively been hidden from normal passenger operations for more than 20 years. Carrog sidings will also see use, while at Llangollen there will be unusual movements involving the Goods area, MPD Reception and River Siding.

“Sunday is completely different again. There will be more unusual movements around the Railway, including the use of sidings, light-engine movements, locomotive changes, and shunt releases as we move locomotives and coaching sets around the line.

“For enthusiasts, that's a big part of what makes a proper gala. It isn't simply about which locomotive is at the front of your train. It's about watching the Railway operate, seeing locomotives running round and changing sets, exploring rarely used parts of the line and experiencing movements that you simply wouldn't see on an ordinary operating day.

“And because Saturday and Sunday have been planned as two completely different days, there is a real reason to come for the whole weekend.

“A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make an intensive timetable like this possible. Our footplate crews will be starting early, preparing locomotives and then working alongside our guards, signalmen, station teams and operations colleagues throughout two very busy days.

“After 50 years of preservation at Llangollen, there really isn't a more appropriate way of celebrating than filling the line with trains and showing people just how much of a working railway we have.”

The railway has also released a limited number of special Footplate Rides for the finale weekend, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the gala alongside the locomotive crews.

Places are strictly limited, offering railway lovers the chance to experience the sights, sounds and heat of steam from the footplate as they travel through the Dee Valley.

ALES FROM WALES AND LIVE MUSIC

The celebrations will continue into Saturday evening with the special Ales from Wales event.

Celebrated and award-winning vocalist Georgie Hill will perform live on Platform 1 at Llangollen Station, bringing music to the station as part of the finale celebrations.

The Ales from Wales train costs an additional £20, with passengers receiving their first pint included in the price and a special souvenir pint pot to take home.

Three ales from across North Wales will feature during the evening: Hafod from Mold, Magic Dragon from Wrexham and Purple Moose from Porthmadog.

Passengers can enjoy the atmosphere at Llangollen before climbing aboard for a special evening journey, providing a fitting end to an action-packed Saturday on the Railway.

Ales from Wales tickets:

https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/products/real-ale-train

50 YEARS OF RAILWAY HISTORY

The weekend won't only celebrate the trains operating today. Visitors will also be able to discover the extraordinary story behind the railway's development over the last half-century.

At Llangollen Station, the Railway's existing interpretation panels will help visitors discover more about its heritage, development and the people who helped make today's Railway possible.

As part of the 50th anniversary, new interpretation panels are also being introduced at locations further along the line, helping to tell the story of Llangollen and Corwen Railway and its evolution over the past 50 years.

Together, the displays help chart an extraordinary journey from the earliest days of preservation at Llangollen, through decades of rebuilding, restoration and expansion, to the ten-mile Railway through the Dee Valley to Corwen that passengers can enjoy today.

Iain added: “We don't want this weekend simply to be about running as many trains as possible. Our 50th anniversary is also an opportunity to tell the story of how we got here.

“There is already some excellent interpretation at Llangollen, and we're now taking more of that story further along the line with new panels.

“When you step aboard one of our trains and travel towards Corwen, you're travelling over something that generations of volunteers have helped rebuild, maintain and develop over half a century. That's what we're really celebrating.”

3D RAILWAY MEMORABILIA

There will also be something rather different waiting for visitors inside the waiting room at Llangollen Station.

Popular railway volunteer Ross Beamer will present a special exhibition on 3D printing railway memorabilia, demonstrating how modern technology can be used to recreate and celebrate items from railway history.

Visitors will be able to meet Ross, see examples of his work and find out more about the process behind creating railway memorabilia using 3D printing.

Iain said: “Ross's exhibition adds something completely different. Railway preservation is about celebrating and protecting our past, but modern technology and new skills can also play a part in that.

“It's another reason to get off the train and explore what's happening around the Railway during the weekend.”

He added: “Ultimately, this weekend belongs to everyone who has played a part in our Railway over the last 50 years.

“Some people have given decades of their lives to it. Others might only have joined us recently. Every generation has picked up where the previous one left off.

“We want people to come and celebrate what all those volunteers have achieved. There will be steam, diesel, Railcars, freight, brake van rides, footplate experiences, exhibitions, history, live music and an awful lot of trains.

“Fifty years ago, the railway we have today was an ambition. This weekend we get to fill it with trains and celebrate just how far we've come.”

Day Rover Tickets cost £30 for adults and £8 for children, allowing unlimited travel on event services throughout the day.

DAY ROVER TICKETS:

https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events-in-2026/anniversary

ALES FROM WALES TICKETS:

https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/products/real-ale-train

* Angie Turner, Sue Ronneback, Wayne Ronneback and Pat Reynolds are part of the growing Corwen Station team.

* Vocalist Georgie Hill will bring his all-action show to Llangollen Railway Station for their Ales from Wales Train.

* Timetable for Saturday September 12.

* Sunday September 13 timetable.

Owner gives latest up date on Star Inn renovation

* The bar all fitted out but still under wraps.

The businessman turning a derelict Llangollen pub back into a "proper local" has given another update on the progress of his ambitious scheme for the old Star Inn.

The building next to the fire station has been closed for the past few years since the last landlord called time.

By late last year it had become an eyesore with broken windows and unlocked doors which had to be secured against vandals.

But earlier this year it was taken over by David Anderson, who is originally from Cefn Mawr and attended Ysgol Dinas Bran which he left in 2000 to train as an engineer before setting up a successful group of businesses based in Yorkshire.

Part of the group is a property arm and from that stemmed a new company named Star Inn (Llangollen) Ltd, which is now in charge of the pub.   

* Progress update: owner David Anderson. 

David plans to turn it back into a community pub - or hub - with emphasis on making it a place where people feel safe and comfortable.

Work on the transformation has been forging ahead, with teams of workmen giving their attention to every part of the historic building.

In his latest social media update on progress Mr Anderson gives an estimate of when the reborn pub might open for business.

He says: "The soft launch was meant to be in October but it's more likely to be in November now because of all the roof business.

"Big projects like this never run smoothly, so we've had a few delays. A lot of it is out of our control but we're aiming for a November opening. But if we can open early we will and we'll keep you updated with that. Thank you for your support."

He goes on to outline the busy week the team has had, showing pictures of the barstools ready for refurbishment, new lighting and toilets and the bar with its fittings under wraps.

* Barstools ready for refurbishment.