Cambrian Heritage Railways

Oswestry railways from Shelf Bank, 1948 Our Aim; The restoration of ’s unique railway heritage into both a working passenger service and a visitor attraction of national significance Oswestry Station c1962

The Working Railway Oswestry was a railway town from the 1860’s until passenger services ended in 1966, though quarry trains ran from Blodwel Quarry in the Tanat Valley until 1988. Oswestry Station was the headquarters of the – a group that ran over 300 miles of track from Wrexham to Whitchurch in the East, to and Pwllheli in the west and to the south.The town had two stations – the Cambrian Railways Station (which still stands on Oswald Rd.) and the GWR Station (now Morrison’s car park).Trains ran from Oswestry to many destinations, and also served many of the local communities including , , Ellesmere, Llynclysand Pant. Oswestry’s complex of the Cambrian Railway Company included a large engineering works making engines, carriages andwagons. That building is still intact, but now houses a variety of non-railway businesses, even a medical centre. The Cambrian was themain employer in Oswestry, providing work for up to 1,000 people, effecting a rapid growth in the population in the latter part of the 19th century. The Railway is the main reason for Oswestry’s size and its preponderance of Victorian architecture.

Expanding the Heritage From 2002 - 05 a section of the old railway was reinstated between and Pant (3 miles to the south of Oswestry). The land was cleared of undergrowth, ballast laid, sleepers installed and rails fitted. As the former Llynclys Station was in private ownership a new station was constructed at Llynclys South, funded by a grant from the European Regional Development Fund. It was built in the 1950’s style of the railway, with the work being carried out by both contractors and volunteers. Locomotives, Diesel Multiple Units, carriages and wagons were ac- quired and restored for a passenger service which started in 2005. In Oswestry town, the Cambrian Railways Museum had opened in 1972 and Oswestry South signal box was restored in 2005. Volunteers in Oswestry next to the new cycle path More Recently On the Llynclys section a Station Halt was completed in 2012 at Pen y Garreg Lane enabling passengers (plus dogs and bikes) to alight and use the connection, on foot, to the (currently dry at this point) and Limeworks Heritage area. At Llynclys South station there is a buffet and shop within a restored carriage. From Easter till September, trains run at weekends. Special events are organised – Fathers’ Day, Bat Train, Halloween and Santa Specials. Diesel driver experience days are held throughout the year. Routine maintenance and restoration of rolling stock is undertaken by expert volunteers.

Oswestry Station up platform restoration began in 2011 and the down platform has been cleared. Both are now clearly visible from the Wilfred Owen Town Green and Shelf Bank. From Easter till September, passengers can now board weekendtrains in the station and enjoy a growing number of special events in the Station area and the Museum.Within the Oswestry workshops, restoration of steam loco Oliver Veltom is underway. Priorities are to restore the line to Gobowen for a passenger service connecting to the mainline line and serving Park Hall, and to extend the operating line by one mile south from Oswestry to reach Weston Wharf. (see map).

Diesel Driver Experience Day Heritage Railways: Contribute at least £250 million to the national economy

Cambrian Heritage Railways: Its Importance to the Oswestry area and North • Help in establishing a major destination tourist attraction for the area • Connecting Oswestry with the main Network Rail line at Gobowen and serving the renowned Orthopedic Hospital • Boosting the numbers of visitors using the shops and other businesses in Oswestry • Creating jobs in Oswestry and the villages served by these linked transport routes Improving access to the Montgomery Canal, Llynclys Common, Llanymynech Heritage Limeworks Area • Increasing visitor numbers to the Iron Age hill fort (Old Oswestry), the Norman Motte and Bailey Castle (Castle Mound) • Linking attractions and encouraging people to visit the area for longer - boosting the accommodation trade.

Cambrian Heritage Railways is contributing to the economic regeneration that Oswestry deserves . Cambrian Heritage Railways is actively seeking funding through grants, donations, increased membership and event revenue to meet the costs of our exciting andambitious plans.

Join .. become a Member from as little as £1 per month We need more Volunteers! You do not need any experience of railways • drive the trains (training provided) • be train guards (training provided) • serve refreshments • help to man our Museum • restore carriages and wagons • restore and maintain locomotives • work on the Railway environment • work on the track • help with fund raising • help with publicity and events • and a score of other jobs DIY, IT, secretarial, admin and mechanical skills especially welcome.

For more information, supporting the CHR Lottery, becoming a member, and volunteering, contact: Tel; 01691 728131 / 07527 107592 e-mail: [email protected] / www.cambrianrailways.com

April 2016