Llangollen Railway was started in 1975 by a group of enthusiasts who saw the potential for a scenic heritage line through the Dee Valley. So far 10 miles of track have been re-laid westwards along the track-bed of the old Ruabon to Barmouth main line, from Llangollen to Corwen.
The old main line closed to passenger traffic in 1965 and to goods in 1968. The track, signaling and much of the infrastructure were removed or demolished quickly after this, although Llangollen, Berwyn and Carrog Stations survived.
The river Dee is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its entire length.
In 2010 my daughters gave me a Christmas present of the chance to drive a steam engine, and I picked the Llangollen Railway.
It was a magical experience and great fun.
The scary part was driving into the tunnel on the line. Pitch black so you could not see where you were going (or about to hit)!
6430 Pannier Tank is a push-pull fitted 0-6-0 pannier tank of GWR origin, built at Swindon in 1937 as part of lot no. 305. The class spent their lives working many of the minor branch lines on the former GWR system, particularly the South Wales valleys, and were fitted for auto train working.
GWS Railmotor No. 93 was a steam rail motor (SRM) consisting of self-propelled carriages operated by the Great Western Railway in England and Wales from 1903 to 1935. They incorporated a steam locomotive within the body of the carriage.
In February 1908 No. 93 was built at Swindon. After running 479,006 miles (770,885 km) it was withdrawn in November 1934.
The railmotor seen below at Glyndyfrdwy near Llangollen was finally restored in 2011, and only photographed here on its second outing.
In 2013 the restoration of an auto trailer No. 92 was completed at Llangollen (as part of the same project). The railmotor 93 and trailer 92 ran together for the first time in preservation later in that year.
