Fresh steam at the Llangollen...

The local railway really has had a tough time of it again this year, yet keeps on fighting and I'm sure the energy and effort put in by all the volunteers will pay off in years to follow...

The latest story in the steam locomotive saga is the failure of the 56xx earlier in the summer with a boiler problem. The loco had arrived because the work on the 38xx heavy freight engine was taking longer than anticipated... as a result, through much of the summer the line has been wonderfully diesel worked (which I have thoroughly enjoyed). That said, steam sells, and so the Great Central have been kind enough to supply an Austerity for a few months, hopefully until the 38xx is back for the Santa season.

I trundled down to the station at the weekend to capture the 4pm crossing as they were operating a two train timetable. The DMU arrived first from Carrog, and whilst waiting I wandered up the embankment thinking it might make a good photo...

...forgetting that the Austerity (masquerading as a J94) was facing Llangollen! It looked very much at home, and I hope that the visting public enjoyed the sights and sounds of steam in the valley. The railway could very much do with your support, if you've fond memories, or have never visited, perhaps now, despite financial pressures in the wider world, is the time to visit and see how far the line has come since the dark days of bankruptcy. In the meantime though, I hope you enjoy these few photos - until next time, more soon...