As a kid, we used to go to Llangollen for the santa specials every year without fail. We always used to book a compartment which seated 6 (there was 6 of us) then they altered it to squeeze 8 in,so all of a sudden you'd be mingled in with half another family which put us off in the end.
I used to go there for the diesel galas, but over the years the diesel fleet dwindled right down to the point where I don't think they even did diesel galas? The line only really appeals these days to those who fancy a trip on an old steam hauled train rather than enthusiasts, they don't really offer much else. Over the last 20years they seem to have narrowed their market right down to fit the one image and one era in my opinion.
So I could either drive all the way into Llangollen from Merseyside, struggle to park, for a rare day where they have a diesel locomotive scheduled to run which may not run as is often the case. OR, I could drive for a similar amount of time in the opposite direction to the East Lancashire Railway, for a diesel weekend where I am guaranteed a good variety of traction. For me its a no brainer!
Llangollen is a railway I really used to love, and it's been a shame to watch its demise. Unfortunately it just doesn't offer what I look for anymore
Certainly interesting. While I don't have the pedigree of going to Llan as a kid it was the exploits of the diesel group around the time of 37901 that got me into the railway.
I attended pretty much every year at least once a year from that point on until the diesel group fractured and split. I have then attended a few times since but much less than I had. It had been my intention to bring my son in 2019 but illness put that off and last year but there was a bug going around which meant we couldn't go.
The reduction in the diesel fleet isn't so much of a problem as they have taken to bringing in some cracking engines on loan which is certainly the way to go as an A1A member I try to support their fleet by going wherever they are within means too. I cant remember the ins and outs but the fall out and reorganization of the line about the time the diesel group was ousted or pushed away left a bitter taste.
Parking for me isn't an issue as I either park at Carrog or Cycle from Ruabon station.
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