The Llangollen Railway Trust in Wales is encouraging its supporters to become members and volunteers.

The Llangollen and Corwen Railway is one of Wales’ leading heritage railways, and is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year.

It runs along a ten-mile route through the Dee Valley between the North Wales towns of Llangollen and Corwen.

The role of the Trust is to oversee the preservation and development of the Railway.

It has nearly a thousand members and about four hundred active volunteers.

Members’ subscription fees help to pay for restoring and maintaining locomotives, carriages, historic buildings, infrastructure and railway artefacts.

Members receive a magazine each quarter, can vote at Annual General Meetings and have access to an exclusive Online Membership Zone, which has regular reports, behind-the-scenes news, updates on restorations, advance information about projects and events, exclusive content and member-only offers and discounts.

The Railway is reminding enthusiasts that it still has plenty more events during this year.

This Sunday (9 August), it will be running the first Glyndŵr Steam Roast, in which a steam train will take passengers through the Dee Valley to a traditional Sunday lunch at the community-run Owain Glyndŵr Hotel in Corwen.

The Steam Roast event will take place run every Sunday until 8 November.

On the weekend of Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, the Llangollen and Corwen Railway will hold its 50 Years Finale Celebration Weekend.

The event will include an intensive timetable of steam locos, diesel locos and heritage diesel multiple units. Visitors can buy special rover tickets which will cover unlimited travel during the whole weekend.

On 17 and 18 October, the Railway will host a Heritage Railcar Gala, which will celebrate Britain’s-first-generation diesel multiple units.

On Saturday 7 November, Ride the Rocket will include an evening steam journey and a fireworks display.

Santa Specials begin on Saturday 28 November and run through to Christmas Eve. These will be followed by the Railway’s Welsh-language Siôn Corn Arbennig experiences.

Then, from 27 to 31 December, with an additional service on New Year’s Day 2027, the Railway will run its Mince Pie Specials.

“There has never been a better time to become a member. Annual membership starts from just £30, and members receive a 25 per cent discount on heritage travel throughout the year, including the Branch Line Gala and our other services and events.

“You only need to visit the railway a few times during the year to make back the cost of membership. Hundreds of our active volunteers already enjoy the discount while giving their time to support the railway they love.

“Membership is about much more than saving money. It is about becoming part of the railway family and helping to preserve something very special. We are also asking every existing member to encourage a friend, relative or fellow railway enthusiast to join us. Every additional member makes us stronger.”

Peter Holton, Llangollen Railway Trust Membership Team