Railway needs more steam buffs

Railway needs more steam buffs

Involvement with the railway is a hobby and social activity

Every boy's dream of being a train driver could come true for volunteers joining Llangollen Railway Trust.

More helpers are needed to join the 200-strong team to enable an extension of the existing eight-mile line between Llangollen and Carrog.

And on 5 April, the trust held a Supporters Day to give potential volunteers the chance to see what is involved in running a Heritage Railway.

It also gave the railway's 1,300 members a chance to see what their support has achieved.

We hope this event will attract more volunteers to take part in all aspects of the railway's operations from selling the tickets to driving the trains

Gordon Heddon, railway chairman

The event included opening the railway's locomotive depot and workshops to see the work involved in maintaining the fleet of heritage steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock.

Gordon Heddon, chairman of the Llangollen Railway Trust estimated the railway contributed more than £1m a year to the local economy.

Corwen extension

"We hope this event will attract more volunteers to take part in all aspects of the railway's operations from selling the tickets to driving the trains," he said.

"Involvement with the railway for the majority of members is both a hobby and a social activity and it is our hope more can be persuaded to join."

The local economy benefits by £1m a year

Part of the Ruabon to Barmouth line, the railway was closed to passenger traffic in 1965, and to goods three years later.

But a group of enthusiastic volunteers started the rebirth of the line in September 1975 with 60 feet of track.

The line remains largely volunteer-operated and an extension of another two-and-a-half miles to Corwen is planned with the long-term aim being a link back to the mainline network at Ruabon.