Carrog Railway Station will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its reopening on Saturday, 2 May 2026, with a special community event marking three decades at the heart of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway.
The station was formally opened by the late Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster and the late Bill Shakespeare, former President of the Railway on 2 May 1996.
The celebration will take place at 11am at Carrog Railway Station, when pupils from Ysgol Carrog will perform in a ceremony bringing together local residents, railway volunteers, and visitors to honour the station’s past and present. Children from Ysgol Carrog also attended the original reopening ceremony in 1996, making this year’s event a particularly meaningful full-circle moment for the community.
Communities from Carrog, Llidiart y Parc and surrounding areas are warmly invited to attend and be part of the occasion. As part of the celebrations, there will also be a special screen presentation showcasing photographs of Carrog Station across the decades, reflecting its rich history and the many memories associated with it.
To mark the occasion, the railway is offering free travel for residents of Carrog and the surrounding area. Local residents can enjoy a complimentary return journey to Corwen, departing Carrog at 11.38am and returning at 12.20pm. To claim your free ticket, please email [email protected]
Originally part of the historic Ruabon to Barmouth line, Carrog Railway Station served the Dee Valley community for many years before its closure in December 1964, following flood damage. It had been due to close the following month, but its earlier closure marked the end of an era for local rail travel.
Carrog Station was brought back to life in 1996 as part of the preserved Llangollen Railway and has since played a central role in the success of the heritage line. While it originally reopened as the railway’s terminus, its role has evolved with the extension of the line and today it operates as an important intermediate station and passing point. The station also benefits from a popular campsite located right next door, further strengthening its appeal as a destination for visitors to the Dee Valley.
Bob Creasey, Chairman of the Llangollen Railway Trust, said, “Carrog Station is incredibly important to the railway, both operationally and as part of the community we serve. While many people know it for transforming into a magical Lapland setting during our Santa Specials and Sion Corn trains, it is also a vital station for the communities of Carrog and Llidiart y Parc.
“This anniversary is a chance to celebrate not just 30 years since reopening, but the role the station continues to play in connecting people, preserving our heritage, and bringing visitors into the Dee Valley. We would encourage people from Carrog, Llidiart y Parc and beyond to come along and join us on the day.”
Ian Lebbon, Chair of the Denbighshire Destination Tourism Partnership, a Director of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway and a Carrog resident, said, “As someone who lives in Carrog, I see first-hand just how important the station and railway are to the community. It is not only a vital part of our heritage, but also a key driver of tourism in the Dee Valley.
“The Llangollen Railway brings visitors from across the UK and beyond, supporting local businesses and helping to showcase everything that makes this area special. Celebrating 30 years since the station’s reopening is a proud moment for Carrog and a chance to look ahead to a strong future for both the railway and our local economy.”
During its earlier years, the station also supported tourism, including hosting a camping coach between 1956 and 1962, and handled a wide range of goods and passenger traffic, reflecting its importance to the rural economy.
The anniversary event is expected to attract railway enthusiasts, local families, and visitors from across the region, highlighting the continued importance of the railway to tourism and community life in the Dee Valley.
