Cambrian Heritage Railways facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cambrian Heritage Railways
Locale	Llynclys & Oswestry, Shropshire, England
Terminus	Llynclys South
Commercial operations
Name	Cambrian Railways
Original gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Preserved operations
Operated by	Cambrian Heritage Railways
Stations	2 (Oswestry section) 2 (Llynclys section)
Length	62 chains / 0.77 miles / 1.24 km
Preserved gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Commercial history
Opened	1860
Closed	1965
Preservation history
2004	Restoration and relaying of track begin
2005	First trains run on newly restored (Llynclys section) of track
2011	First train service along restored (Oswestry section) of track
2012	Penygarreg Lane halt (Llynclys section) opens to the public, officially
2022	Weston station (Oswestry section) opens to the public, officially

The Cambrian Heritage Railways is a special railway group that brings old trains back to life. They are based in Llynclys and Oswestry, in Shropshire, England. This group was formed in 2009 when two other railway groups joined together. Their main goal is to rebuild the railway lines so trains can run again from Gobowen to Llynclys and Blodwel.

They also run the Cambrian Railways Museum at Oswestry station. In the museum, you can see old photos, signs, lamps, and other cool items. These displays tell the story of the original Cambrian Railways.

Discovering the Original Cambrian Railways

The original Cambrian Railways company started in 1864. It was created by joining several smaller railway companies near the border of England and Wales. This railway connected with the LNWR at Gobowen. This connection allowed trains to travel from northwest England and North Wales into Mid Wales and beyond.

It was an important route for moving goods like coal and steel. Trains could go from the industrial areas of South Wales to the Midlands and Northwest England.

Later, in 1923, the Cambrian Railways became part of the Great Western Railway (GWR). The GWR then used the former Cambrian/LNWR station in Oswestry. After railways became national property in 1948, it was part of British Railways. Passenger services stopped in 1968. Some quarry trains ran until 1988, but after that, the tracks were left unused.

A Railway's National Identity

Even though the Cambrian Heritage Railways operates in England, it's very close to the Welsh border. The original Cambrian Railways company mostly operated in Wales. More than 95% of its tracks were in Wales!

Many other heritage railways in Wales were also part of the historical Cambrian Railways. These include the Vale of Rheidol Railway and the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway. The Cambrian Heritage Railways helps preserve important railway history for both England and Wales.

The Story of Restoration

In 1972, a group of railway fans started the Cambrian Railways Society (CRS). They rented part of the old Oswestry goods yard and a signal box. The CRS opened a museum and collected many old steam and diesel engines. In 1997, they were allowed to run short train rides. They also bought land at Weston Wharf with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Later, in 1998, another group called the Cambrian Railways Trust (CRT) was formed. This group wanted to buy the railway line between Gobowen and Blodwel. They planned to let the CRS run trains on it. By 2001, they had plans and funding ready.

However, a new company called Network Rail took over the tracks. They stopped the deal, saying they would only work with local councils. So, the CRS left the CRT and tried to negotiate again, but it didn't work. The CRS then started a new base at Llanddu Junction.

The CRT decided to start their own project. They were offered the land between Llynclys and Pant. With help from the European Union, they bought the land in 2003/4. They started rebuilding the track, and trains began running in July 2005. More grants helped them expand, leading to the building of Llynclys South station.

In 2005, the council bought the old Oswestry railway station. They fixed it up to be a visitor center. They also created the Oswestry Station Building Trust to manage it. In the same year, the CRT got a grant to plan how to restore the railway between Gobowen, Llynclys, and Blodwel.

After studying the plans, the CRT suggested joining with the CRS and the Oswestry Station Building Trust. This merger would combine their resources and efforts. It would also help them get more money to restore the railway faster. Everyone agreed, and in 2009, the new Cambrian Heritage Railways was formed.

How the Railway Operates Today

The Cambrian Heritage Railways currently runs trains on two separate sections of line. One section is in Oswestry, and the other is the Llynclys South to Pant line. The museum collections have been moved to Oswestry station. The old goods shed is now used to restore engines and other railway vehicles.

Since 2006, the Oswestry South Signal Box has also been restored. This was possible thanks to a £22,000 grant.

The first steam passenger trains ran on the CHR on August 24, 2007. This was the first time a steam locomotive had been at Llynclys since 1964!

Exciting Extension Plans

The Cambrian Heritage Railways is working hard to extend and repair the track. They want to connect Llynclys South northwards towards Oswestry. This will allow trains to run into the old Cambrian Railway headquarters at Oswestry.

Recent work has focused on laying new track from Oswestry station towards Weston Wharf. Weston Wharf is a cool place with a craft brewery and other fun things to do. Before laying track, they had to replace a footbridge and lower the track under another bridge.

By December 2018, they had laid ballast (the stones under the tracks) and sleepers (the wooden or concrete blocks that hold the rails). In early 2019, work on Gasworks Bridge was finished, so trains can now pass under it. Track was also laid at Weston Wharf. The extension to Weston was completed and officially opened on April 2, 2022.

Future Plans and Permissions

The CHR received special permission on February 28, 2017, to reopen the route from Gobowen to Blodwel Quarry. This permission, called a Transport & Works Act Order, means they can continue their restoration work. However, they will need to replace level crossings over the A5 and A483 roads with a tunnel and an overbridge.

Stations of the Cambrian Heritage Railways

Cambrian Railway (Oswestry Section)

• Gobowen (Future connection for trains to the main railway network)
• Park Hall Halt
• Oswestry
• Weston Wharf
• Llynclys North (This will be a new station at Llynclys Junction, connecting towards Blodwel)
• Porth-Y-Waen Halt
• Blodwel

Cambrian Railway (Llynclys Section)

• Gobowen (Future connection for trains to the main railway network)
• Park Hall Halt
• Oswestry
• Weston Wharf
• Llynclys South (This is where trains currently stop at the northern end)
• Penygarreg Lane Halt (This is where trains currently stop at the southern end)

Locations and Map

Locomotives at Cambrian Heritage Railways

The railway has many different types of locomotives (train engines). Here's a list of some of them:

• Steam Locomotives
  • Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 0-6-0ST "The Barclay" no. 885 (from 1900). It's stored at Oswestry, waiting to be restored.
  • Peckett 0-4-0ST "Adam" no. 1430 (from 1916). Stored at Oswestry, waiting for restoration.
  • Beyer Peacock 0-4-0ST "Oliver Veltom" no. 2131 (from 1951). You can see it in the Cambrian Railways Museum. It's being worked on at Oswestry.
  • Grant, Ritchie and Company 0-4-0ST "Grant Ritchie" no. 272 (from 1894). This one is working at Oswestry! It arrived in April 2023.
  • Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 0-4-0ST "Fife Flyer No 6" no. 2261 (from 1949). It's at Oswestry, waiting for a big repair.
  • Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST 0-6-0ST "Norma" no. 3770 (from 1952). Also in the museum. Its repair is on hold for now.

• Diesel Locomotives
  • Hudswell 0-4-0DM no. D893 (from 1951). In the museum, being repaired when time allows.
  • BR 0-6-0 Class 08 no. D3019 (from 1953). Being repaired at Llynclys.
  • Vulcan 0-4-0 "Telemon" no. 295 (from 1955). This one is working at Llynclys, pulling passenger trains and moving things around.
  • Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0DM "Scottie" (from 1957). It's working at Oswestry, pulling passenger trains and shunting.
  • Planet 0-4-0 Diesel hydraulic "Alpha" (from 1962). It's used to move things around the yard at Oswestry.
  • Ruston and Hornsby 0-4-0DE "Alun Evans" no. 11517 (from 1963). This one is working at Oswestry, pulling passenger trains and shunting.
  • English Electric 0-6-0DH "Jana" no. D1201 (from 1969). Stored at Llynclys.
  • English Electric 0-6-0DH no. D1230 (from 1969). This one is working at Llynclys, moving things and helping with track work.
  • F. C. Hibberd & Co Ltd 0-4-0 "Cyril" no. 3541 (from 1952). This one is working! It returned to Oswestry in March 2018.

• Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs)
  • BR Class 101 units (from 1957-1959). Some are being repaired, and others are in regular use at Llynclys.
  • BR Class 144 units. One is working at Oswestry, and another is stored at Weston.

• Electro-Diesel Locomotives
  • BR Class 73 "City of Winchester" no. E6036. This one is working at Oswestry.

• Miscellaneous
  • GP-TRAMM (General Purpose Track Repair and Maintenance Machine) no. 98205 (from 1985). Stored at Blodwel.

Passenger Carriages

The railway also has many passenger carriages. These are used for rides, stored, or waiting to be restored. Many of them are British Rail Mark 1 carriages. They used to be used on other heritage railways before coming here.

• BR Mk 1 RMB 1850. It's not running as a train car, but it's used as a shop and café at Llynclys.
• BR Mk 1 FO 3095. It's being repaired and painted.
• BR Mk 1 TSO W3950. This one is used for rides at Oswestry.
• BR Mk 1 SO 4362. Stored, waiting for restoration.
• BR Mk 1 TSO E4610. Being repaired.
• BR Mk 1 TSO E4965. This one is used for rides at Oswestry.
• BR Mk 3 SLE 10722. This used to be a sleeping car! It's stored at Oswestry.
• BR Mk 1 CK 15632. Being repaired and painted.
• BR Mk 1 CK E16025. Being repaired.
• BR Mk 1 BSK 35316. It's restored but not currently used.
• BR Mk 1 BSK E35334. Being repaired.
• BR Mk 1 BSK 35342. Stored, waiting for restoration.
• BR Mk 3 40751 LNER Buffet Coach. Used as a shop and café at Weston.
• BR Mk 1 43046. Stored at Llynclys.
• BR Mk 1 43145. This one is used for rides at Oswestry.

There is also an old GWR Dean coach on display in Oswestry. It's a four-wheeled coach with three compartments.

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See also

• Railways of Shropshire