A big thank you to all those who supported 6940’s triumphant return to traffic on the 14th of June. The loco performed very well and worked all 3 trips. An air leak developed during the day, which did not hamper things to seriously. A corroded pipe under the rad room was the cause (mild steel pipes in a wet area!) and this has now been replaced. Thanks to Matt Davies and crew giving the bodywork a good clean and polish the previous day, she also looked the part too as Mark Riley’s superb photo of her departing Berwyn shows. Note the newly reopened Chain Bridge in the background, which offers an excellent vantage point not accessible for many years.
July is a good month for sampling the fleet with both Classic Transport (4th & 5th of July) and 1960’s Weekend (25th & 26th July) to look forward to. Both events should hopefully see both 6940 and D5310 in use, one loco each day. Whilst we know folk would like the chance to sample both on the same day we felt it prudent not to overstretch ourselves. Putting one loco out each day is a much more achievable proposition for us and offers some contingency, which we felt was especially important with 6940 only recently back in traffic after so long out of use.
Classic Transport will see 6940 run on Saturday 4th and D5310 on Sunday 5th. The diesel diagram is a 3 trip shuttle between Llangollen (10:15, 12:45 & 14:30) and Glyndyfrdwy (11:05, 13:20 & 15:35) – covering the steepest gradients on the line so there should be plenty of noise. Full timetable here http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/…/Classic-Transport-Pub…. The event will also feature GWR 2-6-2T 6199, GWR Pannier 6430 on the beautiful auto-train and a railcar with a classic vehicle rally at Glyndyfrdwy and free vintage bus rides up and down the valley. See you there!
1960’s Weekend will see the usual popular mix of steam, diesel, a railcar, bus rides, live music and Dr Beechings now legendary real ale, lager and cider bar at Llangollen station. The timetable will be confirmed very soon. The 22:30 campers train will be a railcar this year after being 26-hauled for the last 3 years.
Here’s to a successful summer of diesel haulage in the Dee Valley!