Railway is back on track in Oswestry after half a century
A disused Shropshire railway line, abandoned and unloved for 50 years, has been restored by enthusiasts and will reopen to passengers once again from April.
Volunteers from Cambrian Heritage Railways have been hard at work to extend the railway from Oswestry to Weston Wharf, since plans were first announced in 2016. The introduction of two miles of new track and a station platform have been part of a major restoration project, designed to ensure the railway becomes the latest tourist attraction in the county.
It will run its first scheduled passenger train on April 2.
The original railway fell victim to the 'Beeching cuts' of the 1960s, while other parts of the line were freight-only until the 1980s. Local heritage enthusiasts came together in 1972 to keep alive memories of Oswestry as a major railway hub.
Having successfully obtained European grants and financial backing from local authorities, the redevelopment of the railway now forms part of an ambitious plan to further extend the line towards Gobowen and Llynclys.
Cambrian Heritage Railways chairman Rob Williams said: “It’s a fantastic achievement by all concerned to reopen a passenger railway that hasn’t existed for over 50 years.
“So many individuals and organisations have made this project possible. Our ambition is to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to enjoy a day out on our heritage railway.
"The added bonus of course, is that the Stonehouse brewery is located at the end of the line. Train ride and a pint, what more could you possibly ask for?”
The CHR has announced trains will run every weekend, specific mid-week and evening journeys as well as Bank Holidays, from April until September.
Mr Williams said that pre-booking trains via the railway's website, cambrianrailways.com was essential.
"It is also planned that ‘special excursion’ trains will operate throughout the year linking the railway with attractions at Weston," he said.
Cambrian Railways once owned 230 miles of track over a large area of mid Wales, with its headquarters at Oswestry railway station. The station opened on May 1, 1860, and the last passenger train ran on November 7, 1966.
The volunteer-run organisation currently has bases at Oswestry, Weston Wharf and Llynclys.
