SERVICES on the Llangollen Railway are now run by the Llangollen Railway Trust following the collapse of the Llangollen Railway plc. Operations started with a DMU shuttle service to Berwyn on July 9, with Class 108 Nos. 51933 and 54504 (RM September p67).
As previously reported, many of the railway’s coaches and engineer’s vehicles were owned by the plc, with a significant number offered for sale by the receiver in an online auction in May. The Trust’s fund-raising campaign enabled successful bids to be made for key engineering vehicles and three Mk.1 coaches. These, combined with privately owned vehicles, including the five BR Mk.1 suburban compartment carriages, allowed loco-hauled services to resume in August.
This followed completion of trackwork on the Dee Bridge, through Berwyn Tunnel and the points at the western end of Glyndyfrdwy passing loop.
The Llangollen Railcar Group has provided incredible support to the railway, running a DMU for the majority of operating days. By the last day of service for the season, November 7, DMUs had operated on 85 days, carried more than 23,000 passengers, and run 3500 miles.