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LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY
ARCHIVE AND HISTORY WEBSITE
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Llangollen Railway operates a range  Diesels including  Main Line and Shunting Locomotives

Details are on the following pages

LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY DIESEL GROUP

Preserving Heritage Diesel Traction in the Dee Valley

 

Chief Engineer: Martin Frodsham • Group Secretary: Martin Corbett

Treasurer: Martin Perry • Press Officer: Frank Spence

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

ISSUED: 1st OCTOBER 2007

 

DIESEL GALA WEEKEND HELD ON

Friday 5th, Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th October 2007

 

Railway history didn’t end with the demise of steam on British Railways in August 1968 and today the early diesel locomotive designs are greatly appreciated by many enthusiasts as part of the evolution of a transport system that had its origins in Wales in 1804.    This weekend provides an opportunity to experience some of the classes of locomotive that were familiar after the end of main line steam when the Llangollen Railway holds its Autumn Diesel Gala from Friday 5th to Sunday 6th October.

 

VISITING LOCOMOTIVE D5401  FEATURE ED ON SATURDAY NIGHT TRIP WITH AUTO COACH

 

In addition to the Llangollen Railway’s Diesel Group fleet of locomotive and the Diesel Railcars of the DMU Group, a visiting locomotive built by the late-lamented Birmingham Carriage & Wagon Works will also be in operation.  This is D5401, a Class 27 locomotive that spent much of its working life in Scotland before being preserved.   One feature of the Gala is normally a Brake Van Special on the Saturday night and on this occasion D5401 will be used but with an Auto Coach to provide a different experience.

 

A BRUSH WITH THE PAST AND GOLDEN JUBILEE LOCOMOTIVE

 

The Llangollen Diesel Group’s Brush Type 4 locomotive, D1566 ‘Orion’, is one of a type that saw considerable use on main lines in Wales, especially that along the North Wales Coast, whilst D8142 represents the English Electric Type 1 built at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton-Le-Willows and first introduced fifty years ago.   The latter although preserved has spent time helping to build the new high-speed Channel Tunnel Rail Link through Kent.

 

LOOKING OVER THE  DRIVER’S SHOULDER

 

Many will remember the traditional Diesel Railcars where you could sit behind the Driver and watch the line ahead through the partition window between his cab and the passenger saloon.  You can still experience this at Llangollen where the fleet of Railcars include the unique awarding-winning Wickham Unit.

 

ENHANCED TIMETABLE IN OPERATION

 

An enhanced Timetable ensures plenty of action with regular departures between Llangollen and Carrog.    

For telephone enquiries please contact the Railway on 01978 860979. (For timetable see link above)

 

The coming of autumn sees the colours of the landscape changing and the Valley of the River Dee presents a different appearance from that of summer.   For the diesel enthusiast there is the opportunity to experience an unusual visitor in use, as well as the Railway’s home fleet of locomotives including the two Class 37s, whilst the casual visitor can enjoy the experience of travelling back-in-time through the magnificent scenery of the Dee Valley.

 

RELEASE ENDS

 

Compiled by Frank Spence, Press Officer,

Llangollen Railway Diesel Group.

 

Enquiries to: 01702 586454

Due to members of the Diesel Group having less time available due to family and work commitments, the locomotive fleet is being reduced to a level such that restoration and maintenance requirements match the volunteer time available. All locomotives will be available for sale but not all will be sold.

 

For more information please contact the Railway Office on 01978 860979

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