Branch Line Gala — Llangollen Railway

The Llangollen Railway is a ten-mile heritage railway through the Dee Valley in Denbighshire, running from Llangollen Station to Corwen along part of the former Ruabon to Barmouth line. Its Branch Line Gala is a full weekend celebration of heritage railway operation, sold as an event of its own, apart from the regular train service.

The railway describes a gala as the line in full operational mode: frequent services, a packed programme of engine and stock movements, motive power changing through the day and busy stations. In its most recent edition it ran four steam locomotives alongside heritage diesel traction on an intensive timetable, with a strong Great Western theme, and it designed the timetable for unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel so visitors could get off at Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy or Carrog to photograph passing trains, walk or visit a tearoom or pub.

That edition also offered brake van rides on a train of freight brake vans, engine shed tours at Llangollen, live music on Llangollen Station on the Saturday evening, a station bar, and footplate passes that let participants ride in the cab of selected locomotives. The railway says the gala is delivered virtually entirely by volunteers, from drivers and firemen to station staff, cleaners and catering teams.

The railway announces the locomotive line-up for each gala separately, so the engines named for one edition say nothing about the next.

An intensive gala timetable over three days, with travel along the Llangollen to Corwen line at your own pace. In the most recent edition the railway offered hop-on, hop-off travel, brake van rides, engine shed tours and live music on Llangollen Station. Footplate passes, where offered, last around 60 minutes and need a minimum standard of fitness; participants complete a medical declaration form before taking part.

Llangollen Railway Station, Abbey Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire LL20 8SN. For the most recent edition, gala tickets and footplate passes were sold through the railway's online ticket shop; a footplate ticket included a day ranger ticket for other trains that day. If the Llangollen Railway Trust cancels services and cannot offer an alternative date, the railway says a full refund is issued within 28 working days. Enquiries: info@llangollen-railway.co.uk or 01978 860979.