The Llangollen and Corwen Railway is set to add a distinctive Yorkshire-built railcar to its fleet with the acquisition of the last remaining three-car Class 110 Diesel Multiple Unit.

The vehicle has been secured by the railway’s Railcar Department through sister charity Llangollen Railcars, strengthening operations after the withdrawal of its much-loved Class 104.

Constructed in 1961 by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, the Class 110 was purpose-built for the demanding gradients of West Yorkshire’s Calder Valley lines.

Fitted with Rolls-Royce engines and boasting an impressive power-to-weight ratio, the unit is well suited to tackling the railway’s own challenging Berwyn Bank incline.

The set, comprising power cars 51813 and 51842 and centre trailer 59701, completed 29 years of service with British Rail before entering preservation. It has since operated on the East Lancashire Railway and Wensleydale Railway, and is expected to return to traffic in summer 2026 following overhaul work.

“We’re very pleased to have the 110 coming back as a resident member of our fleet. One of our dedicated team of volunteers is particularly looking forward to being reunited with it, having spent many of the early years of his career working on maintaining it for British Rail before moving on through more technical roles. Our other members are also familiar with the class after two of the cars visited our line in 2018 for our Railcar Gala. It’s not very often you can say you’re being moved by Rolls-Royce power, and the 110 has four Rolls-Royce diesel engines delivering some 720hp. Progress towards Corwen and accelerating up to our line speed of 25mph will be swift!” 

John Joyce, Head of the Railcar Department.

“It really is great that John and his team have secured the 110. I can remember riding on these distinctive railcars as a kid around the North-West. You could always tell when a Calder Valley was coming from their distinctive and large trapezoidal front windows. If you could get a seat at the front, they always offered a great view of the line ahead and the driver at work. I also used to love sitting at the back and watching the railway and countryside pass by. Most of our midweek services are handled by railcars and they are getting more and more popular. Having a three-car set like this will bring us more capacity. This is also an excellent opportunity to remind everyone that tickets are already on sale for our Heritage Railcar Gala on 17th and 18th October 2026, where at least one of the 110’s vehicles should be playing a starring role alongside our varied and interesting home fleet of historic railcars.”

Tez Pickthall, Press Officer for the Railway.