In the days before the Beeching Axe, the locomotives which ran on the Ruabon to Barmouth line were supplied from Croes Newydd Shed near Wrexham General Station. The mainstay of the line were the GWR Mogul 2-6-0 type. To commemorate this long lost shed, mogul number 5322 was brought is as a guest loco. Also one of the original Croes Newydd locos, GWR Pannier Tank No 1638, has survived and was also brought in as a guest.

As an added bit of interest, a pick-up goods train was operated into Berwyn Station, picking up parcels, milk, plants and other perishables just as it has always been done on the line since its inception. This type of train was stopped by Beeching’s modernisation plan as it was seen not to be cost effective, hence gifting the traffic to the road haulage industry.

Guest Locos 5322 and 1638 side by side in Llangollen Engine Shed not long after arrival.

Photo - George Jones

The Pick-up Goods train arrives at Berwyn in bright sunshine during the gala. Staff and milk churns await its arrival.

Photo George Jones

Photogallery Photos by George Jones

Photogallery Photos by Mike Martin