Llangollen Railway is a Heritage Railway Line with traction provided by steam, heritage diesel locos and heritage railcars (DMU’s). It starts at Llangollen Station, located beside the Dee River Bridge, in Llangollen town, the journey continues for 7.5 miles upstream, following the River Dee to Carrog. The Dee is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its entire length. In June 2023 Corwen Station opened to the public extending the journey to 10 miles.
Llangollen Railway is the only standard gauge heritage railway in North Wales. The journey is a relaxing 10 miles travelling through some of the most beautiful scenery in Wales. The line, located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), remains close to the waters of the river for most of its length as it gently meanders through the Dee Valley. The views from the carriages are breathtaking and constantly changing from season to season, you will see the first spring lambs and the ever-changing colours of the beautiful vista.
At Llangollen Station it is on the north bank, then crosses to the south bank via the Dee Bridge close to Berwyn station, approximately one mile upstream from Llangollen.
Llangollen Railway was started in 1975 by a group of enthusiasts who saw the potential for a scenic heritage line through the Dee Valley. Their original vision grew into what you can see today, 10 miles of track re-laid westwards along the track-bed of the old Ruabon to Barmouth main line, through to Corwen.
The old main line closed to passenger traffic in 1965 and to goods in 1968. The track, signalling and much of the infrastructure was removed, or demolished quickly after this, although Llangollen, Berwyn and Carrog Station buildings survived, falling into disrepair.
The enthusiasts commemorated the reopening in 1975 with an open day at Llangollen Station where 60 feet of track had been re-laid. Berwyn was reached in 1985, Deeside in 1990, Glyndyfrdwy in Easter 1992, Carrog in 1996 and Corwen East in 2014. The new Corwen Central Station will open in 2022, until then the journey terminates at Carrog.
Demolished infrastructure, such as the signal boxes at Llangollen Goods Junction, Deeside Halt, Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog were rebuilt from the ground up and are fully operational allowing multi train operation on gala days and busy weekends.
From Llangollen the line climbs steeply to reach Berwyn Station, from where the climb continues, through Berwyn Tunnel (1/3 mile). From here the line rises gently for the next 2 miles to Glyndyfrdwy Station and village, on to Carrog on a gently rising grade and finally on to our new station at Corwen.
All the stations along the track are of a typical Victorian design and each station has been recreated in 1950’s Great Western colour scheme.
Ten miles of heritage railway were restored on the remaining part of the original line from Ruabon to Barmouth. In its day it carried people to the seaside on holiday and transported various goods including slate and chemicals. Today it is a premier tourist attraction of North Wales.
The service runs from mid February until mid November then closes until early December when we run our Santa trains until 24th December and then Mince Pie Specials between Christmas and New Year.