Llangollen station’s location alongside the rocky bed of the River Dee makes it one of the most attractively situated examples on preserved lines in the UK. Carrog station is also a delight. Rebuilt by Llangollen Railway volunteers to a 1950s theme, it has a tranquil setting, nestling in the valley, surrounded by wooded slopes and with a 17C. stone bridge over the river and a convenient pub for lunch, which, as a result of our visit on 28th April 2022, I’m now pleased to be able to add to my list of recommended eating places. A coach load of American holiday makers from Pennsylvania was also enjoying the journey by diesel multiple unit up the valley from Llangollen. Their Liverpudlian tour guide spent much of the available time explaining how to pronounce some of the Welsh place names that had sprung into view along the way. Good luck with that one, I thought. I’d have stuck to rocks and history. The Llangollen Railway has visibly suffered serious setbacks over the last few years. It would not surprise me, however, if a few years further down the line normal service has been restored once again. The railway preservation movement can count many more victories than defeats over recent decades.
