heritage

Llangollen Railway Trust Heritage Group

( Incorporating "Friends of Carrog" )

The group was formed on 1^st July 1996 by Trust members wishing to raise awareness of the benefits that would accrue from a more ‘heritage’ based approach in all areas of the Railway’s development.

The group sets out to extend to the whole Railway the highest standards of restoration and to promote the British Railways (ex GWR) image that existed before the original railway closed in 1964 as the official model for the Railway. This was the basis of the Carrog Station restoration.

Aims of the Group

To lobby the Trust and the PLC on policy issues and to raise awareness and appreciation of 1) The Railway’s origins, history and architecture. 2) The requirement for a sympathetic restoration policy for the whole railway. 3) The need for clear objectives for our volunteers and benefactors.

To promote the use of ex-GWR prototypes as standards wherever possible in reconstruction or refurbishment works, so as to complement the inherited infrastructure and architecture. In new construction to follow as far as possible the designs, materials and finishes that would have been expected of the original railway company in comparable circumstances.

To be consulted and to assist in the restoration of stations and individual sites on the Railway.

To obtain and make available archive material for reference in new works and refurbishment.

To identify and obtain appropriate fixtures and fittings for the Railway.

To regenerate a period, high quality image and ambiance throughout the Railway.

To release the Railway's full potential in terms of Trust membership, status and marketability in readiness for the new millennium.

Sponsorship schemes towards the cost of replica items for stations or line-side are available. Persons wishing to support the group, donate items or requiring further information are invited to contact the group at the address below.

How to Join

To maintain the membership fee at a low level, regular newsletters are not normally issued. Activities can be followed ‘on the ground’, through articles in the Trust magazine ‘Steam at Llangollen’ and in our annual report. Please forward your full name and address, your remittance of £5 with a note of your aspirations to:

The Heritage Group, Carrog Station, Carrog, Corwen, Denbighshire, LL21 9BD, UK.

Heritage Group News – May 1999

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The Cattle dock at Carrog (photo: D.Mullholland)

A warm, if belated, thank you to everyone who has joined up including all the Friends of Carrog members. Only one original member of Friends of Carrog has objected to becoming incorporated into the Heritage Group.

The £5 membership fee has been partly used to fund this mailing, and significantly, has contributed towards several of the ‘SW’ (sound whistle) boards. It is now time to ask people to renew the annual membership to assist with present and future projects. Please make cheques payable to Llangollen Railway Trust Heritage Group and send to The Heritage Group, Carrog Station, Carrog, Corwen, Denbs. LL21 9BD.

The SW boards have been an ongoing project. Sponsorship has come from Doug Birmingham’s Freight Charters, Graham Hoyland, and Carrog members Mr. & Mrs. Foster, Mr. N. Williams and Mr. J. Timothy after an appeal in a newsletter. However we still need a further seven at approx. £43 each to complete the whole line. If you are to sponsor one or more your name will be recorded on the rear of the sign. A big thank-you goes to Graham Hoyland for painting and installing many of the signs so far.

Other jobs completed

Carrog Station:

The cattle dock

Station approach sign

(jointly with Friends of Carrog, station maintenance group)

Line-sides:

Manufacture and installation of speed restriction signs to the original design.

Clearance of undergrowth and rubbish from around Berwyn Viaduct.

Loco shed and yard improvements:

Toilet/shower block designed to a period outline with correct signing.

Installation of two GWR yard lamps with swan-necks and enamel shades.

Cladding of loco shed apex with the manufacture and installation of clerestory

window sections above door height.

Completion of loco shed front corner with installation of period cast iron window and brickwork.

Recovery of GWR lamp hut from the site of Henwick station (Worcester) for use as loco lamp hut at the loco shed.

Llangollen Station:

Loading gauge

The Loading Gauge-Recently Re-installed (photo: T.McGuinness)

Re-assembly of a GWR loading gauge (recovered from Fanny Compton near Banbury) and erection in the position of original item at the loading dock.

Jobs planned for the future

Llangollen Station yard:

Installation of spearhead fencing and cast post from toilet block towards Green Lane bridge.

Manufacture of GWR cycle-shed using parts donated by ‘Friends of Kidderminster’.

General improvements to loco shed and yard to improve appearance and authenticity.

Installation of recovered GWR water-crane (ex-Whitchurch, Hants).

Llangollen Station:

Replacement of ramp fences with the correct spearhead fencing.

Replacement of station running-in boards with the correct posts, boards and lettering.

The Heritage Group works completed and planned follow on from the Carrog Station restoration and to date have received much favourable comment. They comprise an important first step towards restoring a definitive period atmosphere to the Railway. It is anticipated that this approach will continue to attract financial assistance to the Railway in the form of further Euro/WDA grants.

Donations are welcomed for materials, tools etc. required for ongoing and future projects. Please see the membership item above for contact address etc.

Llangollen Railway Trust Heritage Group.