The Llangollen Railway Trust Ltd directors have released an update on their position following the news earlier this month whereby the Llangollen Railway PLC invited the bank to appoint receivers.
The directors have said that they “greatly appreciated” the support when the news was announced.
Support for the Llangollen Railway has been received from Simon Baynes MP and Mark Isherwood AM, from Denbighshire County Council and Llangollen Town Council.
In the statement, they said that the PLC will soon go into administration or liquidation shortly, but the directors have reminded everyone that the Trust is still solvent and debt-free, and options will be considered over the next few days and weeks.
“It is the aim of the directors to refocus the Trust as an outward looking organisation centred on delivery of a high quality visitor experience, and strengthen partnerships with external agencies to help develop our business plan and articulate what is unique about our railway, its situation and how it complements Llangollen, Corwen and the Dee Valley,” commented chairman, Pete Edwards. “
“This will require a significant culture change at board level as well as elsewhere, as we look at how we tie in with the cultural life of of the Dee Valley and how we can enhance the events and locations for which Llangollen and t he surrounding area are already well known.”
Firstly, the Trust says they must preserve the line before bidding for assets of the PLC as much as resources allow.
The Directors have said that they are currently making a list of assets which they consider essential to continue running the railway.
The trust currently owns 3 steam locomotives as well as rolling stock. This will join with the Railcar and Diesel Groups to be able to operate after legal and licensing matters have been sorted.
Moving to the PLC, assets owned by the PLC are now available to the highest bidder, and the trust needs to raise as much money as possible to purchase these items. You can help in three ways:
- Donations
- You can donate online via the Llangollen Railway donation page on Enthuse.
- Donations can also donate via Facebook or by sending cheques to the Llangollen Railway Trust Ltd.
Other ways to help the trust is by bidding for the assets, which gives an opportunity to own heritage coaches and other items, and the directors say that they hope that the items would remain at the Llangollen Railway.
There is also the opportunity to purchase one or more of the steam locomotives owned by the Trust. The Trust says that they “do not have the income or resources to own and maintain them”.
The sale of the three locomotives, which includes Hudswell Clarke 1731 ‘Jennifer', Pannier Tank No. 7754 and Austin No. 1, would allow the Trust to be able to be more competitive in the sale of other assets but it is hoped that these would remain at the Llangollen Railway.
It is hoped the Llangollen Railway will be able to run trains again later this year, and this is anticipated to include the opening of Corwen station.
“It is the aim of the directors to refocus the Trust as an outward-looking organisation centred on delivery of a high quality visitor experience, and strengthen partnerships with external agencies to help develop our business plan and articulate what is unique about our railway, its situation and how it complements Llangollen, Corwen and the Dee Valley,” commented chairman, Pete Edwards. “This will require a significant culture change at board level as well as elsewhere, as we look at how we tie in with the cultural life of of the Dee Valley and how we can enhance the events and locations for which Llangollen and the surrounding area are already well known.”
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My heart still goes out, to the Llangollen (& Corwen) Railway… and I still Wish them Good Luck during 2021.