The Llangollen and Corwen Railway has hailed this year’s Classic Transport Weekend as an outstanding success after an unforgettable two-day celebration of Britain’s transport heritage brought together exhibitors, volunteers and visitors from across the United Kingdom.
With close to 400 classic vehicles, intensive heritage train services, vintage shuttle buses, the debut of the exclusive Class 507 Driving Simulator, and a spectacular Saturday evening performance by the internationally acclaimed Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir, Glyndyfrdwy Station once again became the centre of one of the largest celebrations of historic transport in Wales.
Visitors enjoyed an extraordinary display of classic cars, vintage buses, motorcycles, tractors, commercial vehicles, military vehicles and fire engines, while travelling throughout the Dee Valley behind GWR Pannier Tank No. 7754, the railway’s Class 47 diesel locomotive and its beautifully restored four-car heritage DMU.
Saturday evening’s Party in the Park proved one of the highlights of the weekend, with the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir performing to a packed audience in marquees beside the railway in what many described as one of the most atmospheric concert venues in North Wales.
The event concluded on Sunday afternoon with a special appearance by world-renowned Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins, composer of Adiemus, the Armed Man and the iconic Delta Air Lines television theme, who formally closed the weekend before travelling on the final steam service – a fitting finale to a celebration of transport heritage.
Classic Transport Weekend organiser Tim Hines said, “What we’ve witnessed over the last two days has been absolutely fantastic. Everywhere you looked there were smiling faces, magnificent vehicles, beautifully presented trains and a wonderful atmosphere that perfectly captured what Classic Transport Weekend is all about. This event continues to grow because of the incredible support we receive from so many people. We’d like to thank every single exhibitor who travelled from across the United Kingdom to share their wonderful vehicles with us. Many have travelled hundreds of miles and their enthusiasm and commitment are what makes this event so special.
“We’re equally grateful to everyone who bought a ticket, travelled on our trains, supported our catering outlets and joined us for Party in the Park. We hope everyone has gone home with memories that will last a lifetime.”
Co-organiser George Walker added, “It’s been a privilege to help organise another wonderful Classic Transport Weekend. To see such an extraordinary variety of transport brought together in Glyndyfrdwy, from historic buses and classic cars to military vehicles, motorcycles, tractors and steam locomotives, has been incredibly rewarding. There really is nowhere else where you’ll see such a unique combination of road and rail heritage in one place. We’d also like to thank our neighbouring landowners once again for allowing us to use their fields, and all supporters who helped make the weekend possible.
“Most importantly, we’d like to thank our amazing volunteers. People see the finished event, but they don’t always see the months of planning, preparation and hard work that happen behind the scenes. From the operating department and station teams to our catering volunteers, stewards, signalmen, train crews, cleaners, maintenance teams and everyone working quietly in the background, this weekend simply wouldn’t happen without them. They are the heart of the railway, and every single one should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”
The railway also thanked the Class 507 Preservation Society for bringing its exclusive driving simulator to Llangollen for the first time, the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir for an unforgettable Saturday evening concert, Pip Gale of Blas Wine School, the suppliers of Welsh ales from Hafod Brewery and Purple Moose Brewery, the team behind The Hungry Shunter, the owners of the hundreds of classic vehicles on display, the Davies Family – the hub landowners, supporters and the many local businesses who helped make the weekend such a success.
Attention now turns to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, with the railway once again playing a central role through its popular World Voices on the Railway initiative.
From Wednesday 8 July to Sunday 12 July, choirs, dancers and musicians from around the world will travel on selected heritage train services through the Dee Valley, with daily performances at Corwen Station before boarding trains to Llangollen. Visitors are also being encouraged to keep an eye out for a number of surprise celebrity guests expected to travel on the railway during the week, making every journey part of the Eisteddfod experience.
Looking further ahead, the railway’s next major public event will be its ever-popular Sixties Weekend, taking place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August. Visitors can look forward to a nostalgic celebration of the swinging sixties, featuring live music, heritage trains, vintage vehicles, period dress and a fantastic weekend of family entertainment across the railway.
