LLANGOLLEN STEAM RAILWAY
Nostalgic Train Rides along the Scenic River Dee
The
Llangollen Railway first began service in 1865, carrying passengers along
the River Dee from the Welsh border town of Llangollen to Carrog.
Now a heritage steam railway offering train rides through the scenic
river valley through the lush wooded hills, The line only runs for 7 1/2 miles,
but travels through some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain. Several
other heritage trains run in North Wales,
most begun as narrow gauge freight lines to carry slate from
the
mines,
(see Porthmadog
Steam Trains),
but the Llangollen line was purpose built for passenger service,
is the longest preserved
standard
gauge rail line in Wales. The line is run by volunteers and operates
on most weekends throughout the year and during the week between
June and October. In the winter, during December the focus is on a
Santa Train for kids, with the jolly old elf handing gifts to eager
young riders
while adults are served sherry and mince pies at their seats and Thomas
the Tank makes appearances for kids a couple of times a year in February
and August. Other special event trains include Murder Mystery journeys,
Ale Trains and fireworks Rocket Train in early November. 
The
Llangollen Railway station is located below the historic stone bridge
across the Dee River into the center of the popular tourist destination
town. The railway operates a few different locomotives and varies the
rail stock. The original commercial railroad ended service in 1965,
but the tracks were relaid over a partial section beginning ten years
later
as a heritage enthusiasts line with a the extensions added over the
next twenty years. Demolished signal boxes at Llangollen Goods Junction,
Deeside
Halt, Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog had to be rebuilt from level ground, and
today are fully operational which allows multiple trains to operate
on busy weekends and special event gala days. For a weekend in September
all five working engines are trotted out for a Steam Gala along with
a visiting guest engine.
Taken
from the Llangollen station the route lies mostly uphill where smoke
dramatically billows from the engines as the line climbs steeply
to reach Berwyn Station and through the third of a mile long Berwyn Tunnel
to Deeside Halt, from where the line rises up a more shallow grade to
Glyndyfrdwy Village and on to Carrog. A further extension beyond Carrog
to the original terminus of Corwen, including the construction of a new
station there is planned but will take a few years to complete. A Drivers
Experience course is offered to learn to operate the controls of a steam
engine, reservations required.
There
is lots to do in Llangollen beyond the rail ride. Just up the hill
from the station is the Llangollen Canal, where touring narrow boats
can dock for a stopover in Llangollen after passing over the Pontcysyllte
Aquaduct (see Canal
Narrow Boats Nantwich), and horse drawn canal boats
are available for local nostalgic tourist rides. On the north hill overlooking
the town and rapids of the Dee River valley are the ruins of the ancient
castle of Dinas Bran. Two miles to west along the A542 is the Valle Crucis
Abbey, founded by Cistercian Monks in 1201 and about four miles to the
east is the preserved medieval Chirk Castle (see Chirk Castle- Wrexham). About a mile along the north
side of the Dee is the Llangollen Motor Museum (see Llangollen
Vintage Cars and Motorcycles) in
a former auto garage formed from a private collection.
Llangollen is best reached by car. By rail, the nearest station is at Ruabon
five
miles away, with
local
bus service to Llangollen. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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Llangollen
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SEE ALSO:
BODELWYDDAN - HAUNTED CASTLE HOTEL
PORTMEIRION "Prisoner" VILLAGE AND GARDEN
CASTLE HOTEL CONWY - SHAKESPEARE PAINTING
GWILI HERITAGE RAILWAY - CARMARTHEN
