LLANGOLLEN LOOKING UP
Railway prepares for summer.
THE LLANGOLLEN Railway is on track to reopen this summer, after the trust secured key assets.
At an auction of the Llangollen Railway’s plc’s assets on May 12, the Llangollen Railway Trust secured a wheelchair-accessible Mk 1 TSO, a Road Rail Vehicle, a 12-ton crane and a Lowmac wagon, its “priority one” targets. “Friendly bidders” also managed to secure a further two Mk 1s and a “significant amount” of machine tools which will stay on the railway.
Trust chairman Peter Edwards said securing these assets “will enable us to continue preparations for reopening without further interruption. The support we have received from so many donors, without which we may well not be able to look forward to running again this year, and the friendly bidders, has been crucial and is very much appreciated.
“Preparations can now begin to complete the necessary works on Dee Bridge and in the tunnel. We also need to press ahead with the necessary safety and regulatory matters.”
The auction came a fortnight after the trust secured a deal with the plc’s administrators to purchase certain assets belonging to the plc and the right to use the railway. Steam Railway understands this includes the track between Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog.
A trust spokesman said: “Looking ahead to the preparation for re-opening phase, approximately £100,000 is needed to cover necessary overheads, for which we hope to attract at least some grant funding. We are on target to reopen in late July or early August.”
To donate to the trust’s appeals, visit