First test train sent to new Corwen station on Llangollen Railway

The first steam-hauled test train was sent to test the water tower and run-round line that will be used for all Llangollen and Corwen Railway services from Saturday, June 3.

The train used a 1943-built Austerity tank locomotive No 68067 and was driven by Harry Barber, who was been a volunteer at the railway for over 30 years, and fireman Phil Morrey.

• More information and advanced tickets for the opening weekend can be found by visiting https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/

Dedicated volunteers are putting the final touches to the superb new station before it is officially handed over to the Operations Department for a grand opening weekend, starting on June 1 for LR Members.

The new Corwen station (image: Terry Pickthall) (Image: Terry Pickthall)

June 2 will then see a special ceremony where Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Chairman of both Network Rail and the Heritage Railway Association) will formally open the £1.25m station, which has taken six years to build.

Members of the public will then be able to ride trains into the new station over the weekend of Saturday, June 3 and 4.

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This will see a busy hourly train service using steam, diesel and railcars and a large model railway layout of Corwen as it was in the 1950’s on display in Corwen’s Canolfan Ni (Village Hall).

A vintage fire engine will also be on display at Llangollen station.

Phil Coles, chairman of the Llangollen Railway Trust, said: “Seeing our station open on June 2 will be a very special day. It is the realisation of the vision of our founders 50 years ago to reopen the railway between Llangollen and Corwen.

“It’s been quite a journey, but we have finally made it. We’ve seen such incredible commitment from dedicated volunteers and supporters; from those who have laid the bricks and tracks to those who helped secure government Levelling-Up funding for our station canopy, including our local MP Simon Baynes.

“I am proud to have been part of the team that has put a station back on the map in Corwen after Dr Beeching closed the original nearly 60 years ago”.