* The Mince Pie Special leaves Llangollen station.
Llangollen Railway reports a very successful season of festive trains which were
well supported by visitors from many parts of the UK and abroad.
The Santa Special trains were a sell-out in the pre-Christmas period and
strong support was given to the post-Christmas series of Mince Pie Specials
which brought the crowds to town.
The railway
operated 50 steam specials when family groups travelled to "Lapland" at Carrog to
meet Santa on the train.
In a sell-out operation, 8,700 seats were sold to the
regular base of family groups and additional strong support came from many
first-time visitors.
Parties came from a wide segment of the railway's
catchment area, including the North-West and Midlands of England, as well as
North Wales and even further afield.
From Boxing Day seven days of Mince
Pie Specials operated 21 steam trains and, again, proved popular for families
and organised groups taking advantage of the attraction which provides an
all-year travel opportunity in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Aside from enjoying being served a mince pie and festive drink at their seats, some 60 parties opted
to be served high tea during the trip through the Dee Valley.
Others took
advantage of the spell of mild weather to go for walks from the railway
stations to enjoy the Welsh countryside in winter. In addition, three special
trains were booked for parties to enjoy a festive meal, a Real Ale train and an
excursion for members of the North Wales narrow gauge railways.
General Manager Liz McGuinness said: "We are delighted with the success of this year's
festive season of trains which were as popular as ever.
"The success is down to
the involvement of our volunteers in manning the trains and stations and the
operating staff in organising the events.
"We have had
many messages of appreciation from those who travelled and enjoyed their visit,
many for the first time having a seasonal holiday in the region."
She added: "On Llangollen was the only standard gauge railway operating in North
Wales as the mainline trains took an extended holiday. This was thanks to those
volunteers who turned out to staff the trains and offer extended festive cheer
to our visitors.
"The number of
visitors attracted to Llangollen Railway over the festive period serves to
demonstrate the economic benefit the railway produces for the region in what
would otherwise be a closed season for attractions."
She went on: "The railway will now undergo a period of lineside maintenance
during January. Train services resume on February 17 in time for schools’
half-term.
"We have a full programme of
events planned for 2020, starting with Mother's Day on March 22 and the
ever-popular Days Out with Thomas April 17-19.
"When all the building work is
completed at Corwen, our new station will open later in the year. A full ten-mile train journey will then operate from a date
to be announced which will involve some changes to the published timetable.
"This will be very appropriate
in the year which will mark the 45th anniversary of the start of the project,
in 1975, to rebuild what was then a derelict track bed and abandoned stations.
"The epic restoration of the Llangollen Railway has only been possible thanks to
the many volunteers who have contributed to the rebuilding and the large body
of supporters, from all parts, who have contributed financially to the project.
Without them it would not have happened.
"The Llangollen Railway Trust
looks forward to on-going support in 2020 to ensure the heritage railway
continues to operate through the Dee Valley and maintains its position as the
No.1 attraction in North-East Wales."
