Stanier ‘8F’ for Llangollen gala’s ‘last train’ re‑creation
Railtour revival won’t just be about the engine and rolling stock, says organiser.
THE LAST BR passenger train through Llangollen is to be re-created at a gala marking 50 years since the end of steam in the area.
Stanier ‘8F’ No. 48624 from the Great Central Railway will be used during the March 3‑5 Llangollen Railway event to re‑create the Railway Correspondence & Travel Society’s ‘Wrexham, Mold & Connah’s Quay Railway Railtour’. Hauled by ‘8F’ No. 48697, on April 29 1967, that train ventured from Ruabon as far as Llangollen Goods Junction, on the section that remained open to goods traffic until April 1968; it was not allowed to stop at Llangollen station, because BR feared encouraging the International Eisteddfod organisers in their campaign for excursions. The LR’s rake of five maroon Mk 1s will be used, possibly with blue and grey SK No. 16071 to represent the two corporate‑liveried vehicles in the original seven‑coach rake. However, the SK’s use is dependent upon it passing a fitness‑to‑ run and internal exam. Discussions are taking place regarding possible renumbering of the ‘8F’, and a replica headboard is being produced after a search for the original was unsuccessful. With the support of RCTS members, souvenir Edmondson tickets and copies of the tour programme will be distributed, and a photographic display created at Llangollen station. Organiser Peter Dickinson said: “The plan is to make this gala one of the most historically accurate and authentic steam events yet staged at Llangollen. The key lies in not just getting the right locomotive with the right stock in the right environment, but also focusing on the associated railway paraphernalia that would have been around too.” Titled ‘Along Birkenhead Lines’, the gala will also mark the 50th anniversary of the last Paddington to Birkenhead (Woodside) through trains on March 4 1967, and the final steam‑ hauled ‘Cambrian Coast Express’ the same day. The other two guests are to be ‘Modified Hall’ No. 6960 Raveningham Hall from the West Somerset Railway, and Ivatt ‘Flying Pig’ 2‑6‑0 No. 43106. The latter was the last BR steam locomotive to travel over the Chester‑Shrewsbury line on August 1 1968, during its journey from Lostock Hall shed to preservation at the Severn Valley Railway. ‘Black Five’ No. 45337 is to represent the staple motive power between Chester and Shrewsbury at the end of steam. Also rostered will be ‘4MT’ 2‑6‑4T No. 80072, ‘Large Prairie’ No. 5199 and ‘Manor’ No. 7822 Foxcote Manor.