Autumn Steam Gala Programme 2016

LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY

AUTUMN STEAM GALA

SOUVENIR GUIDE

Preview Copy

September 2016

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The Llangollen Railway

Spanning a ten mile route through magnificent Welsh scenery, the railway has six different stations ready to

explore. Stations are well equipped with facilities and there are plenty of things to see and do, from the

world’s oldest chain link bridge to a wealth of heritage attractions along the Dee Valley.

Tel: 01978 860 979

www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

info@llangollen-railway.co.uk

1st

Edition © Llangollen Railway, August 2016,

The Station, Abbey Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8SN

Programme designed and produced by Peter Dickinson with test based on previous gala editions.

Autumn Steam Gala Programme 2016

Autumn Steam Gala

2nd

, 3rd

& 4th

September 2016

Event Guide

CONTENTS

Stepping Back in time 2

Locomotives 3

Photography & Locations 5

Along the Line 6

Cameos & Evening Trains 7

Fun Quiz & Activities 8

Timetables 10

TICKETS

Tickets may be purchased directly from all the

station Booking Offices on the day or in advance on

our website. At times when our intermediate

stations are closed, tickets should be obtained from

the ticket inspection on board the train. Discount

tickets are available for children, senior citizens,

families and groups.

SOUVENIRS AND SALES

The railway’s main souvenir, models and book shop

is at Llangollen Station, stocking a wide range of our

own range of souvenirs, railway books, models and

DVDs at competitive prices.

Two carriage shops selling railwayana, books and

collectables are located at Carrog, with funds raised

supporting the restoration and operation of some

of the railway’s historic steam locomotives. The

stations along the line also have dedicated sales

areas open over the weekend.

REFRESHMENTS

The Station Café and Bar at Llangollen will be open

over the weekend offering a variety of fresh coffee,

teas, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages as well as

freshly prepared sandwiches, cakes, cream teas &

afternoon teas.

At Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog stations there

are small and friendly Tea Rooms offering Tea,

Coffee, freshly made sandwiches, pasties and

homemade cakes. A Buffet is available on-board

one of our trains (see timetable for details)

SAFETY DURING YOUR VISIT

Steam locomotives are used throughout the year

and the smoke from them adds to the heritage

ambience of our historic railway. Please take care

when close to the locomotives, especially when

trains are leaving the stations.

Please take the following simple precautions during

your visit:

• Don’t lean out of train windows or open doors

whilst the train is in motion.

• Don’t cross railway lines unless authorised.

• Don’t drop litter from the train.

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT GROUPS

The Railway is operated mainly by volunteers. The

Llangollen Railway Trust welcomes both active and

‘armchair’ members to support the line. Benefits of

membership include travel concessions and a

regular news magazine ‘Steam at Llangollen’.

Shares in the Llangollen Railway PLC can also be

bought.

The majority of the railway’s historic locomotives

and railcar fleet have their own dedicated

supporting groups, including: Foxcote Manor

Society; The 5199 Project; Llangollen Railway GWR

Locomotive Group, 80072 Steam Locomotive

Company; Llangollen Railcar Group and Llangollen

Diesel Group.

SOME USEFUL POSTCODES

Market Street Car Park, Llangollen (Pay & Display):

LL20 8PS

Mill Street Car Park, Llangollen (Pay & Display):

LL20 8RQ

Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen (Pay &

Display): LL20 8SW

Carrog Station (Free but limited parking): LL21 9BD

Green Lane Car Park, Corwen (Pay & Display):

LL21 0DN

Autumn Steam Gala Programme 2016

A journey on board the Llangollen Railway is

a trip back into a golden age of railway

travel. The line has a rich history dating

back to 1865 when it was constructed as

part of cross-country route linking Ruabon

with the Welsh coastal resort of Barmouth.

The coming of the railway revolutionised the

rural communities across North Wales;

bringing in tourists and holiday-makers,

whilst transporting goods, livestock and raw

materials out to the rest of the country.

The Great Western Railway described a

journey as ‘a paradise for artists and

fishermen and a country rich in mountain

streams, wild woods and wide far views,

unbeaten in any part of Wales’.

However as transport links improved, both

people and industry were no longer reliant

on the railway and sadly the line closed

completely in the 1960s.

In the 1970s a group of enthusiasts set out to

restore the 10 mile stretch of line between

the towns of Llangollen and Corwen. In

March 2014 steam hauled trains reached

Corwen from Llangollen once again and

work is now underway to complete the new

Corwen Central station.

So let the train take the strain and embark

on a journey back in time along the scenic

Dee Valley.

Steaming

back in time

Autumn Steam Gala Programme 2016

The Llangollen Railway’s 2016 Autumn Steam Gala

aims to transport you back to the 1950s, with all

the sights and sounds of the nationalised railways in

North-East Wales. Alongside our resident fleet of

historic steam locomotives, we are delighted to

have a very special guests which will be in use over

the three day event.

L&YR Class 27 0-6-0 No.12322

(Courtesy of Andy Booth, ELR and the RSR)

Former Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway No.1300

was built at Horwich Works in 1896 to a design that

became the L&YR’s standard goods locomotive.

Ultimately 484 members of the class were built

between 1889 and 1918 and it was a tribute to the

soundness, usefulness and simple practicality of the

design that around 50 members of the class were

still operating in the summer of 1960 under British

Railways.

No. 1300 is the only surviving member of the class,

having been withdrawn from active service in 1960.

The locomotive is currently in its London Midland

and Scottish Railway guise as No. 12322, as it

appeared between the 1920s and late 1940s.

When the railways were nationalised in 1948, many

locomotives did not receive their new British

Railways livery for many months and in some cases

even years. Indeed a former GWR Pannier tank

locomotive (No.7428) could be regularly seen

around Bala and Blaenau Ffestiniog seen in GWR

livery.

The ‘A Class’ locomotives were designated as Power

Class 3F whilst under LMS and BR ownership.

Although it is unclear whether No.1300 ever

operated in North-East Wales, similar 3F 0-6-0

tender locomotives of Midland, LNWR and LMS

origins were regular sights in and around Corwen

during steam days, working services over the now

closed line from Ruthin and Denbigh.

Resplendent in LMS black livery, No.12322 is making a special

guest appearance for this gala and is pictured at her usual

base on the East Lancashire Railway (Matthew Collier)

BR 4-6-0 No.7822 Foxcote Manor

No.7822 is a Manor class locomotive, designed by

Charles Collett of the GWR and built by British

Railways at Swindon Works in 1950.

No.7822 was initially shedded at Oswestry, a large

railway hub of the time, and the former HQ of the

Cambrian Railways. From there the Manors hauled

passenger and freight trains to places such as

Whitchurch, through Ellesmere, Shrewsbury,

Aberystwyth and Barmouth on local and express

work. No.7822 was also shedded at Chester briefly

and at Shrewsbury for her final years in mainline

service.

‘Foxcote Manor’ saw a variety of services in her 15

year mainline life, from double headed Manors on

the Cambrian lines or the Cambrian Coast

Express as well as frequently working 2 or 3 coaches

with a goods or milk wagons attached to the rear

around Salop in the latter days of steam. The loco

also hauled the Royal Train in 1963.

Following withdrawal in 1965, the loco languished

in a South Wales scrapyard until being purchased

for preservation by the Foxcote Manor Society in

1972. No.7822 has just undergone a major overhaul

and is hoped to be in traffic during the gala.

Locomotives

Visiting Steam Locomotive

Our Resident Fleet

Autumn Steam Gala Programme 2016

GWR ‘5101’ class 2-6-2T No.5199

No. 5199 was one of a class of 209 ‘Large Prairie’

locomotives built primarily for suburban and local

passenger services all over the Great Western

Railway system. Prairie refers to the locomotive’s

wheel arrangement, with two leading wheels, six

coupled driving wheels and two trailing wheels. No.

5199 was built at Swindon in 1934 and spent most

of her GWR and BR working life based at several

sheds, primarily around the Birmingham area.

Following withdrawal from Gloucester Horton Road

shed in March 1963 and languishing in a South

Wales scrapyard for nearly two decades, No.5199

was purchased for preservation in 1985 and moved

to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

Extensive restoration back to operational condition

was undertaken at Llangollen and Long Marston by

the locomotive’s owners, the 5199 Project Group.

GWR ‘64xx’ class 0-6-0PT No.6430

‘Pannier Tank’ No.6430 was built by the Great

Western Railway at Swindon Works in 1937. It was

one of a class of 40 locomotives built for use on

auto train and light passenger workings. The class

was ‘auto-fitted’, meaning that they were equipped

with the remote control equipment needed for

working auto trains. The small wheels of the 64XXs

made them particularly suited for working in hillier

locations.

By 1948, No.6430 was allocated to Pontypool Road

depot in South Wales, before moving to Ebbw

Junction and then Severn Tunnel Junction sheds. By

the early 1960s, No.6430 was busy working branch

line services in South-West England, becoming a

regular on the old Tavistock South branch line and

would often run with two autocoaches.

No.6430 also worked for a spell alongside classmate

No.6400 on the Yeovil Town to Yeovil Junction

shuttles; one of the last steam push-pull services in

the country.

BR ‘Standard’ 4MT class 2-6-4T No.80072

No.80072 was built by British Railways at Brighton

in 1953. It was one of a class of 155 tank

locomotives built to a ‘Standard’ design for use on

commuter and secondary services. The Standard 4

tanks were originally allocated to all regions of

British Railways, except the Western. However, in

later years the class became synonymous with the

Cambrian routes and were regular performers over

the Ruabon to Barmouth line.

No. 80072 featured in the opening scenes of the

short documentary film ‘Snow’ in 1963, which

showed the efforts of British Railways staff in

coping with the winter of 1962-63. Appropriately

enough, the locomotive was filmed arriving at Drws-

y-nant station on the Ruabon to Barmouth line,

between Bala and Dolgellau.

BR Standard No. 80072 departs from the line’s headquarters of Llangollen with a Corwen bound train

Autumn Steam Gala Programme 2016

The Llangollen Railway welcomes visitors to come

and take advantage of some of the unique

photographic opportunities our railway provides.

The railway buildings and infrastructure provide

historical Great Western Railway & BR (Western

Region) settings between the 1930’s and 1960’s.

Visitors are permitted to film and/or photograph at

the Llangollen Railway for personal use only. Filming

and photography for commercial gain is strictly

prohibited unless pre-approved by the Railway.

We ask that all of our visitors please respect the

railway and its environment; please do not trespass

on the railway line or any of the private property

adjoining the railway. At stations, tripod legs should

be kept away from platform edges.

The line between Llangollen and Corwen generally

runs East to West, with the ambient light keeping to

the South site of the line. The following list details

just some of the great photo locations available

from publically accessible areas along the 10 mile

line.

Llangollen Station and area, LL20 8SN (OS

Grid Ref: SJ 21430 42195)

The main hub of our activities, where visitors can

relax between trips in the Station Café & Bar. The

station itself has been lovingly rebuilt to capture the

1950s era and its location beside the historic Dee

Bridge in Llangollen offers excellent access for cafes,

pubs, restaurants, ATMs and shops. The station

itself offers some excellent opportunities for

photography, with its platform canopy, covered

footbridge and long curved (12 coach length)

platforms flanked by overbridges. Locomotives can

be seen taking water from the GWR water column

on platform 2. The station was originally opened by

the Llangollen & Corwen Railway in 1865 as an

intermediate station and closed to passenger traffic

in 1965.

Llangollen Goods Junction (OS Grid Ref: SJ

21007 42530)

Departures from Llangollen can be observed from

the roadside along the A542 (Abbey Road) on the

approach to Llangollen Goods Junction. The

viewpoint is located opposite the International

Eisteddfod car parking and overlooks the main

running line, River Siding and the inclined access

line to Llangollen shed yard.

Berwyn Station & Viaduct, LL20 8AN (OS Grid

Ref: SJ 19840 43167)

Probably one of our most popular photographic

locations, Berwyn station itself offers some good

opportunities for photographs, particularly of trains

approaching up the 1-in-80 Berwyn bank from the

east. A public footpath heads down to the historic

Chain Bridge over the River Dee via an underpass at

the Llangollen end of the single platform. A viewing

area on the adjacent A5 road overlooks the station

beside the lamp hut. Some interesting side-on shots

of trains in the station can be gained from the

B5103 roadway which passes under the platform

and then over the Kings Bridge.

Berwyn Overbridge (OS Grid Ref: SJ 19666

43186)

Situated to the west of Berwyn station, this double-

track width road bridge offers some first class

opportunities to record trains approaching and

departing the station. A minor lane runs parallel

with the line as far as Berwyn Tunnel (approx. ½

mile).

Berwyn Tunnel Lineside Viewing Area (OS

Grid Ref: SJ 18953 43133)

A dedicated lineside viewing area on the approach

to Berwyn tunnel was opened in 2015 and is a

popular location to photograph trains climbing up

the 1-in-80 gradient. Access is possible only on foot

Photography

& Locations

Autumn Steam Gala Programme 2016

from Berwyn station, following the minor lane from

Berwyn Overbridge parallel with the railway.

Deeside Loop & Halt (OS Grid Ref: SJ 17449

42436)

The passing loop at Deeside is commonly used

during gala events to enable two trains to pass on

the otherwise single track section between

Llangollen Goods Junction and Glyndyfrdwy. The

halt is an excellent example of an idyllic wayside

country halt, boasting a single track platform,

wooden waiting shelter and signal box. The halt is

not commonly in use so please check the

appropriate timetable if considering using the train.

Access to the station is via a grassed (and

sometimes very muddy) footpath from the nearby

A5 road.

Garthydwr Area (OS Grid Ref: SJ 15743

42513)

The minor lane towards Garthydwr joins the A5 on

the eastern approach to Glyndyfrdwy village, next

to the Original Butterfly Man. Limited parking is

available in the laybys on the A5. The lane and

adjacent public footpaths offer a great vantage

point of trains approaching and leaving

Glyndyfrdwy.

Glyndyfrdwy Station & Area (OS Grid Ref: SJ

15070 42896)

The main passing point on the Llangollen Railway,

the idyllic halfway station of Glyndyfrdwy reopened

in 1992 as the then terminus of the restored railway

from Llangollen, becoming an intermediate station

in 1996. A genuine GWR signal box (from Leaton on

the Shrewsbury to Chester line) controls the station

area and level crossing, whilst the Grade II listed

former ‘Barmouth South’ box is open to the public

and offers an elevated vantage point over the

station throat. Playing fields and to the east of the

station are publically accessible adjacent to the

lineside.

Concrete Road (OS Grid Ref: SJ 14153 42836)

An occupation crossing approximately 1/2m mile

west of Glyndyfrdwy station offers an interesting

vantage point from which to photograph trains

passing the station’s distant signal. The concrete

surfaced access track joins the A5 a few hundred

yards west of the Berwyn Arms pub.

Carrog Station & Area (OS Grid Ref: SJ 11776

43518)

Carrog station has been restored to its BR Western

Region 1950s condition and boasts a restored cattle

dock, original 1865-built station building and replica

GWR platform-mounted signal box. Wood post

signalling typical of the 1950s has been installed

within the station area. A minor lane crosses the

line immediately to the west by means of a stone

overbridge, providing a superb vantage point over

the station. Further west of the station, a public

footpath crosses the line near the Up Distant signal

and is accessible across a field from beside Carrog’s

17th

Century stone river bridge.

Bonwm Halt (OS Grid Ref: SJ 09838 43414)

The former station site at Bonwm Halt offers a

location from the pavement of the adjacent A5

road. Remnants of the original wooden platform

remains are still in situ; however they lie within the

railway’s boundary and are therefore out of

bounds. Please take care when photographing

around Bonwm; the A5 is a fast, busy and twisty

road and although the pavement is on the railway

side, it is not particularly wide. There is no car

parking available at this location; access being on

foot from Corwen town.

Corwen East (OS Grid Ref: SJ 08312 43519)

The railway officially reopened to the temporary

station at Corwen East on 1st March 2015, serving

the picturesque market town of Corwen. The area

around our present Western terminus offers plenty

of photographic opportunities for visitors. A nature

reserve bounds the station to the north along the

banks of the River Dee, whilst to the south is a large

communal field. The line’s approach to Corwen is

marked by Overbridge 28A, with some interesting

views of trains arriving and departing being possible

from the pavement of the A5.

Autumn Steam Gala Programme 2016

Attention All Passengers

Full details on the gala timetable, activities along the line and other

special attractions will be announced on Monday 22nd

August 2016.

Please check back on the Llangollen Railway website:

www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Discounted advance fares on Return and Rover tickets are now available

for the Autumn Steam Gala, either from the railway’s website or from

01978 860 979.

Dates for Your Diary

• Autumn Steam Gala: 2-4 September

• Real Ale Train: 15 October, 10 December

• Day Out with ThomasTM

: 22-23 October

• Halloween Train: 30 October

• Ride the Rocket (Firework Train): 5 November

• Santa Specials: 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 22-24 December

• Mince Pie Specials: 26-31 December