The Llangollen and Corwen Railway is preparing for its biggest ever Classic Transport Weekend on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July, with close to 400 classic vehicles set to descend on Glyndyfrdwy Station for what promises to be one of the largest heritage transport gatherings in North Wales.
Visitors can expect an extraordinary display of cars, motorcycles, buses, tractors, lorries, military vehicles and commercial vehicles spanning more than a century of transport history. With exhibits representing over ten decades of motoring and transport heritage, there will be something to captivate visitors of all ages.
The weekend’s celebrations will continue into Saturday evening with a special ‘Party in the Park’ concert in a beautiful field next to Glyndyfrdwy Station. Starting at 6pm, the event will feature a performance by the world-famous Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir, one of Wales’ most celebrated musical ambassadors. The concert is free for all Classic Transport Weekend ticket holders, with standalone tickets available for just £5. There will be a vintage shuttle bus every half hour from Corwen to Glyndyfrdwy, including a Party in the Park Special bus, leaving Corwen at 6.15pm. Concert goers can then pick up a classic railcar from Glyndyfrdwy to Corwen at 10.10pm.
The best way to reach both the rally and concert is by heritage rail. The railway will operate an intensive timetable of steam, diesel and heritage railcar services throughout the weekend, with Glyndyfrdwy Station at the heart of the action.
Visitors can enjoy refreshments at Glyndyfrdwy Station Tearoom, relax with a drink in Porter’s Bar overlooking the platform, or make use of the nearby Nant y Pandy picnic field and playground. A free vintage bus service will also operate approximately every 30 minutes between Corwen and Glyndyfrdwy from 10am until 5pm on both days.
The event has been organised by Llangollen Railway volunteers Tim Hines and George Walker, both of whom share a passion for preserving historic vehicles.
Tim Hines said, “George and I both own and restore vintage buses, so Classic Transport Weekend is something we’re incredibly passionate about. Every year the event gets bigger and better, but this year is on a completely different scale. We are expecting close to 400 vehicles across the weekend and will once again be using neighbouring fields to accommodate the exhibits and visitor parking. We are enormously grateful to our local farming neighbours for their continued support, particularly with the tractor displays which have become a real highlight of the event.
“It’s a huge amount of work behind the scenes, but seeing families enjoying themselves, enthusiasts swapping stories and visitors arriving from across the country makes it all worthwhile. Adding the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir to our Party in the Park programme on Saturday evening makes this year’s event even more special. Whether your passion is steam or diesel locomotives, classic buses, military vehicles, vintage tractors, motorcycles or historic cars, there really is something for everyone. We genuinely believe this will be the biggest and best Classic Transport Weekend ever staged in Wales.”
Glyndyfrdwy Stationmasters Paul and Wendy Bailey, whose volunteer team has lovingly restored and maintained the station for more than 30 years, are looking forward to welcoming visitors.
Paul Bailey said, “Our volunteer team takes enormous pride in Glyndyfrdwy Station and Classic Transport Weekend is one of our favourite events of the year. For one weekend, our usually peaceful country station becomes a bustling hub of activity filled with wonderful vehicles, happy visitors and lots of excitement.
“Our tearoom, Porter’s Bar, museum and platform terrace will all be open throughout the weekend. It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience Glyndyfrdwy at its busiest and enjoy the unique sight of classic cars, buses and motorcycles using the level crossing while all sorts of heritage trains arrive and depart.
“The Nant y Pandy picnic field and playground next to the station is a wonderful place for families, while those interested in local history can discover the story of the Deeside Tramway and the slate industry that once helped shape this part of the Dee Valley. There are also some fantastic walking routes into the Berwyn Mountains for anyone wanting to explore further.”
Visitors looking for even more railway experiences can head to Llangollen, where guided tours of the railway’s Motive Power Depot will be available. Guests can also take the controls of Yorkshire Engine Company shunting locomotive Pilkington under the supervision of a qualified driver for just £15.
Classic Transport Weekend tickets include unlimited travel on the railway’s services throughout the event, while entry to the vehicle rally is priced at £5 for adults, with free admission for children. Parking at Glyndyfrdwy is free, although spaces are limited and visitors are encouraged to travel by train where possible.
