Restoration project for tramway

A tiny tramway that once hauled slates down to the Shropshire border from a Welsh valley and took essential provisions, mail and even tourists back up the valley is being revived.

The Glyn Valley Tramway Trust is taking on a lease for the Victorian engine shed in Glyn Ceiriog, once the hub of the busy little tramway that served the valley.

It ran from 1873 until the last train in July 1935.

For its first 15 years, horses were used to draw the wagons but it converted to steam power in 1888 to cope with the valley's expanding industrialisation based on slate and granite.

At an open day last weekend about 50 people turned up to see inside the engine shed and talk to trust members about future plans.

The trust, which has already restored the waiting room at Pontfadog, down the valley, now hopes to restore the building and develop it as a working museum.

Trust spokesman, Mr David Cooper, said: "The wonderful roof structure of the engine shed appears to be as sound today as when it was first built.

"The original rails inside the engine shed on which those little Glyn Valley Tramway engines had once stood are still visible and will be an early target for restoration."

"We also have places for young volunteers who would like to learn about the Ceiriog Valley's special tramway and take an active part in its restoration with adult volunteers," he added.

By Sue Austin