CambrianHeritageRailways

Oswestry railways from Shelf Bank, 1948

Oswestry Station c1962

The Working Railway

Expanding the Heritage

Diesel Driver Experience Day

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Our Aim;The restoration of Oswestry’s unique railwayheritage into both a working passenger serviceand a visitor attraction of national significance

Oswestry was a railway town from the 1860’s until passenger services ended in 1966, though quarry trains ran from Blodwel Quarry in theTanat Valley until 1988. Oswestry Station was the headquarters of the Cambrian Railways – a group that ran over 300 miles of track fromWrexham to Whitchurch in the East, to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli in the west and Brecon to the south.The town had two stations – theCambrian Railways Station (which still stands on Oswald Rd.) and the GWR Station (now Morrison’s car park).Trains ran from Oswestryto many destinations, and also served many of the local communities including Llanfyllin, Llangynog, 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 19thcentury. The Railway is the main reason for Oswestry’s size and its preponderance of Victorian architecture.

From 2002 - 05 a section of the old railway was reinstated between Llynclys andPant (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 inprivate ownership a new station was constructed at Llynclys South, funded by agrant from the European Regional Development Fund. It was built in the 1950’sstyle of the railway, with the work being carried out by both contractors andvolunteers. 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 andOswestry South signal box was restored in 2005.

volunteers.

Volunteers in Oswestry next to the new cycle path

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 Montgomery Canal (currently dry at this point) and Llanymynech 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 driverexperience days are held throughout the year. Routine maintenance and restoration of rolling stock is undertaken by expert

Oswestry Station up platform restoration began in 2011 and the down platform has beencleared. 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).

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Cambrian Heritage Railways is contributing to theeconomic regeneration that Oswestry deserves

DIY, IT, secretarial, admin and mechanical skills especially welcome.

You do not need any experience of railways

Cambrian Heritage Railways: Its Importance to the Oswestry area and North Shropshire

Cambrian Heritage Railways is actively seeking funding through grants,donations, increased membership and event revenue to meet the costs of

our exciting andambitious plans.

We need more Volunteers!

• 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.

Join .. become a Member from as little as £1 per month

• 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

For more information, supporting the CHR Lottery, becoming a member, and volunteering, contact: Tel; 01691 728131 / 07527 107592

e-mail: info@cambrianrailways.com / www.cambrianrailways.com

April 2016

Heritage Railways: Contribute at least £250 million to the national economy