Where raging waters did not deter passengers

FEBRUARY’S named storms may have caused trains on the main line to be cancelled, but the Llangollen Railway’s train services resumed for half-term week on Monday, February 17.

The line’s Class 104 DMU operated the three-trains-a-day service down the line to Carrog, offering some dramatic views of the River Dee in full flood after the weekend rains.

Fortunately, although the river was running high and fast, it was not impacting on the railway. It did however, provide some dramatic scenes, particularly at Berwyn, where the normally rocky gorge was smothered in a torrent of water. The main concern might have been the length west of Glyndyfrdwy, where the line is closest to the river bank but the water level remained below the track elevation.

Soaking up the scenery

The results of this winter’s lineside vegetation clearance west of Deeside Halt provided improved views of the landscape across to Llantysilio Mountain in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Family groups were out to enjoy the journey and take advantage of the half-term fares special offer, when the first child travelled free with a full fare paying adult and second at half price. Around 1200 single journeys were made across the five days of DMU operation, with 100 on one train on the Tuesday.

The off-peak timetable ‘A’ DMU season continues through March with trains operating Tuesday to Friday and steam at the weekend.

DMU delight

A spokesman for Llangollen Railcars Ltd said:“once again the DMU service showed how BR might have operated the line had it not been closed in 1965.

“It is a generation thing but, whereas grandparents once said they went to school by steam, now they say they went by DMU.”

The off-peak timetable A DMU season continues through March with trains operating Tuesday to Friday and steam at the weekend.