The Llangollen and Corwen Railway is offering local residents a day of free travel and behind-the-scenes access as part of a volunteer recruitment event on Saturday, June 6.

Titled ‘Volunteer at our Stations: An Open Day on the Move’, the event will give visitors the chance to travel the full length of the heritage line through the Dee Valley while meeting station teams and learning more about volunteering opportunities across the railway.

Proceedings begin at 10 am at Llangollen Station, where attendees will wave off the first service of the day to Corwen before hearing a welcome from Llangollen Station Master Mandy Towers at 10:05 am. A short presentation on the railway’s history and plans for the future will follow at 10:20 am.

Guests will then board the 11:05 am departure from Llangollen for the journey through the Dee Valley to Corwen Station, arriving at 11:46 am. Corwen Stationmaster Wayne Ronneback and the volunteer team will host tea, refreshments and an informal discussion about station-based volunteering roles.

The return working departs Corwen at 12:20 pm for Berwyn Station, arriving at 12:55 pm. Visitors will then receive a guided talk from Station Master Peter at the award-winning station, widely regarded as one of the UK’s most picturesque heritage railway locations.

The event then concludes with a walk from Berwyn across the Chain Bridge and alongside the Llangollen Canal, returning to Llangollen at approximately 2 pm.

The volunteer programme has received support through the WCVA Volunteering Wales Grant and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, administered by Denbighshire County Council.

 “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to experience the railway in a completely different way. Not only can people enjoy free travel through one of the most beautiful parts of North Wales, but they can also meet the volunteers who make our stations so welcoming and special. We are especially keen to hear from people who enjoy meeting others and would like to become part of the public face of the railway. Our stations are often the very first experience visitors have when they arrive, and our volunteers play a huge role in creating that warm welcome.

“With some amazing events coming up at the railway over the coming months, there has never been a more exciting time to get involved with the railway everyone is talking about.”

Robin Crowley, Volunteer Coordinator.