Dee-lightful Journeys

 

3802 arrives at a sunny Corwen.

From my first encounter in my youth when we were met with the sight of a gleaming LMS Jinty, the Llangollen Railway has been a favourite standard gauge heritage railway of mine. Characterful stations in glorious scenery and some decent gradients to hear the loco work, what’s not to like?

Since then, my ride on the GWR Steam Railmotor was at Llangollen and my only experiences to date of GWR Autocar Push Pull working was there. A highlight was when a group of Talyllyn volunteers had a week on the Llangollen Canal. During the mid week turnaround at Llangollen we took a ride on the train and each ended up enjoying a footplate ride on diminutive pannier tank 6430.

There have been rides behind the Dukedog, City of Truro and even Morayshire. Then there was the trip over for the Croes Newydd gala with the Mogul and 1638. Scampering along behind 1638 in a compartment coach is the closest I’ll ever get to the old Cardigan or Blaenau branches, magical. Less said about getting my first speeding ticket driving back home though….

Our last visit though was a disappointment. Llangollen station locked up until ten minutes before train departure, the ticket seller discussing with our daughter about the magic of steam travel, oblivious to the fact that the hired in steam loco had failed and there was the McRat burbling away at the head of the train. Our attempts to get a brew from the cafe to be met with a “what do you mean you want a coffee to take with you” look. The railway was on its knees and suffered financial implosion a few weeks later.

Spending last weekend near Corwen for a family gathering enabled us to make another visit and see how the resurrected Llangollen Railway is getting on. We parked up at Corwen, handiest for where we were staying and its ample sized car park is a refreshing change to finding a space in Llangollen. This was my first visit since the railway opened to Corwen, whilst I wasn’t enamoured with the new station, I appreciate the constraints that brought about its design.

Shortly after our arrival, a gleaming 3802 arrived with the first train of the day from Llangollen. We found some seats and were soon on our way. The extension is just as pretty as the line the other side of Carrog, alongside the River Dee where there were plenty of fly fishermen up to their waists.

Through Carrog and on to Glyndyfrdwy, the children with us enjoyed watching the sheep, pheasants and even a few squirrels running away from the train. After Berwyn the River Dee was full of brightly coloured kayaks and canoes before we slowed for the approach to Llangollen.

We kept our seats for the return, taking it in turns to stretch our legs because it was clear the return journey was to be very full. We had five carriages and could have done with a sixth, a coach full of afternoon teas is good for the railway’s revenue but did restrict available space somewhat.

Stretching my legs at Llangollen, sadly you couldn’t get across the footbridge to take the obligatory photo from the ‘sunny side’, instead having to satisfy myself with standing by the signal box as the loco ran round with the unmistakable clunking as the levers were thrown and the signals moved. The shop and cafe were busy and there was a vibrancy around the station that was missing before. It is great to see the Llangollen thriving once more.

We were soon underway again, with 3802 making light work of the load as we headed up through Berwyn and back to Corwen in fine style. The forty five minute journey being just right for a trip out.

Departing Glyndyfrdwy beside the River Dee

On the Sunday morning we went for a ride on the horse drawn narrow boat on the canal, probably the most serene and relaxed mode of transport you can find. 

On our way past the station across the river to a pub lunch we watched the canoeists tackling the rapids on the river to the sound track of the McRat sitting on the headshunt running round.

Rounding off our visit with an ice cream, it was time to head off. But we will be back.