Llangollen Railway
The Llangollen Railway is a 10-mile standard-gauge heritage railway running west from Llangollen through the Vale of Llangollen and the Dee Valley to Carrog and Corwen, on the trackbed of the former GWR line from Ruabon to Barmouth (the Cambrian Coast).
The original line was opened in stages between 1862 and 1865 and closed by British Rail in 1965. The Llangollen Railway Society was formed in 1972 and ran the first preserved trains from Llangollen in 1981. Progressive extensions reopened the line westward through Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy, and Carrog (reached in 1996), with the further extension to Corwen completed in 2014.
The line has had a turbulent recent history, with the original operating company entering administration in 2021; operations were rescued by a successor organisation and services have since resumed. The line is widely regarded as one of the most scenic preserved railways in Britain, running close to the River Dee and through wooded gorge country.
History
The Llangollen Railway Society was formed in 1972 with the aim of preserving the closed line through the Vale of Llangollen. After initial fundraising the Society purchased the closed Llangollen station and yard, with the first preserved trains running in 1981. Progressive extensions reached Berwyn (1985), Glyndyfrdwy (1992), Carrog (1996), and Corwen (2014, with the new Corwen station opened in 2024).
The original operating company (Llangollen Railway Plc) entered administration in 2021 amid financial difficulties; the railway was acquired by the Llangollen Railway Trust and reopened in stages through 2022 and 2023.
Original line history
The line was opened by the GWR in stages between 1862 (Ruabon to Llangollen) and 1865 (through to Bala and onward to the Cambrian coast). It formed the GWR's through route from the West Midlands to North Wales coast resort destinations, and was a substantially through-trafficked line. Passenger services to Barmouth ended in 1964 and the line closed in 1965.
Stations and infrastructure
Llangollen is the headquarters, with the original GWR station, locomotive shed, and works. Berwyn has a particularly beautiful Tudor-revival station building. Carrog retains GWR character. Corwen is the western terminus, with a new station rebuilt for the 2014 extension.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Steam galas, beer festivals, dining trains, Santa Specials and Day Out with Thomas events feature in the regular programme.
Visitor information
Llangollen is signposted from the A5; the heritage railway station is in the town centre. The line operates weekends most of the year, with daily services in summer.