Back to the 1960s for Llangollen’s gala
FURTHER details of the Llangollen Railway’s April 12-14 1960s branch line gala have been revealed.
Up to four locomotives will be in steam, with recently overhauled WR 0-6-0PT No. 7754 formally rededicated at the start of the event as it officially re-enters traffic following a few brief appearances on Santa specials in December.
Also set to return to service is GWR 2-8-0 No. 3802, which has been undergoing a thorough bottom end overhaul during the last two years. During February, several volunteer working parties have seen the heavy freight locomotive start to be reassembled, with the BR unlined black livery being reapplied, giving the 2884 class locomotive a fresh shine in readiness for its comeback.
Following its failure during the opening weekend of the Heritage Railway Association Infrastructure Award 2024 winning Corwen station last June, a new axle crown brass bearing has been produced in-house by volunteer machinists for Kitson 0-6-0ST No. 5459 Austin No. 1 to rectify the hotbox issue that took it out of service. The new component was installed in the axlebox at the end of February.
Harking back to scenes common across the early days of preservation and late industrial era ‘track bashing’ charters that many yards and collieries hosted as they neared closure,
No. 5459 will be working a passenger carrying brake van service, allowing for a unique view of the railway – including the 690-yard Berwyn Tunnel which has recently been the focus of a substantial track relaying scheme.
The fourth locomotive appearing at the gala will be Hudswell Clarke Austerity 0-6-0ST No. 1752, currently running as scrapped BR J94 No. 68067.
On loan to the LR since 2021, when steam services resumed following the collapse of the line’s previous plc, after this event it will depart to commence a new hire agreement at another railway, which had yet to be announced as this issue of Heritage Railway went to press.
The Austerity will be working in top-and-tail formation with resident Class 26 No. 5310, operating a shuttle service between Corwen and Glyndyfrdwy stations.
The timetable will further be supplemented by a DMU comprising either the Class 127/108 hybrid unit or the full Class 108 unit, which over the winter months has received fully refurbished seating. With both No. 5310 and multiple unit carrying BR green liveries, the 1960s atmosphere will be further enhanced as a result.
Catering outlets will be open at Llangollen and Glyndyfrdwy stations, with sales vehicles at Carrog offering merchandise and models to support restoration projects of locomotives such as BR Standard 4MT No. 80072 and GWR small prairie No. 5532.
The timetable for the gala and advance tickets will be available to purchase nearer to the time; see www.llangollen-railway.co.uk for more information.