Llangollen Railcar Group Homepage

A Registered Charity - No 1119967

The railways were revolutionised by the introduction of the railcar, or diesel multiple unit, in the 1950s. Costs were slashed, passengers won back and many lines which would have closed were saved. Our mission is to preserve and operate some of these trains for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

The class 104 unit leaves Berwyn station with a train for Carrog during the 2010 Gala (Paul Dawson)

	LATEST PAGE CHANGES
	July 5 - Page added on 2010 Gala event
	July 1 - Fleet page on M56223 updated. New info/Photo
	July 5 - Front Page revised with new photos
	July 13 - Page on railbus visitors added

We are responsible for a fleet of seven two-car diesel railcars which see public passenger service on over 90 days per year. We are all volunteers and membership is open to anyone with an interest in this particular aspect of our railways.

We are restoring vintage railcar sets to operating condition and are operating them in the way originally intended so that the public can see and understand what a large contibution these trains have made to the British Railway system. We have been supported in this work by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Our operation is not solely directed at the railway enthusiast. Many ordinary members of the public appreciate these trains with their unique views of the line ahead and the surrounding scenery.

We are mainly based at the Llangollen Railway, just South of Chester, where we currently have four of our Railcar sets in service. In June this year a fifth was located at the Weardale Railway in County Durham where it is used on services which are for the benefit of the local community.

To travel in one of our trains is to be transported back in time................... (Alex Beadon)

Llangollen Railcars Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status. Membership and participation in our activities is open to all.

***

That a "handle and spoon" are the nicknames for the driver's detachable driving controls?
*****
That railcars powered by petrol engines were in service in Britain's railways in 1903 and that one of these very early trains has recently been discovered converted into a holiday home and is being restored to running order.
*****
That the first railcars like ours entered service in Yorkshire in 1954 - and went to the scrapman in 1964.
*****
That the last similar units were withdrawn in 2004, exactly 50 years since the first was introduced.
*****
That the characteristic smell of diesel and internal fumes is usually caused by the heaters which were originally designed to burn paraffin.
*****
That the distinctive rattle from underneath is usually caused by the drive-shaft to the radiator fan.

*****

That a Railcar like one of ours formed the "last train to San Fernando" as in the song?

*****

That our Wickham railcar set took ten years to restore and that the work cost Ł198,000 - the bulk of the money coming from the National Lottery
*****
That now Railcars are so popular that over 300 have been preserved in Britain - out of a total of 4,800 built
*****
That it is now 56 years since the first railcars were introduced into service and 46 since the first were withdrawn. The last survived on the mainline until 6 years ago while the first preserved was 38 years ago
*****
Railcars are also known as Diesel Multiple Units (or DMUs) while the four-wheel versions are called Railbuses
*****
We have 10 Railcars which are over 50 years old - the combined total age of our fleet is 571 years!