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.

Recently the Llangollen Railway operated services on a Saturday using two sets of our railcars. The 104 is seen on the left being passed by the Wickham at Deeside Halt (Picture Elizabeth Harland)

	LATEST PAGE CHANGES
	September 16 - Feature on railcar interiors updated
	October 8th - Front Page pictures revised
	News panel at top of front page now updated weekly
	October 23 - Gallery 1 overhauled with new pictures

We maintain a fleet of six 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. During 2008 a fifth will be operating for the benfit of the public at the Midland Railway Centre-Butterley, which is near Derby.

A major selling point for railcar passengers is the view of the line ahead from the saloon. This shot was taken from the seat behind the driver of the class 104 as it draws up to Deeside signal box. (Picture Elizabeth Harland)

Our sixth two-car set is a long-term major restoration project. The Group also plans to promote the building of a permanent undercover home for our collection within the next few years. If you would like to be part of this exciting project then please contact us.

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

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That a "handle and spoon" are the nicknames for the driver's detachable driving controls?
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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.
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That the first railcars like ours entered service in Yorkshire in 1954 - and went to the scrapman in 1964.
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That the last similar units were withdrawn in 2004, exactly 50 years since the first was introduced.
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That the characteristic smell of diesel and internal fumes is usually caused by the heaters which were originally designed to burn paraffin.
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That the distinctive rattle from underneath is usually caused by the drive-shaft to the radiator fan.

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

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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
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That now Railcars are so popular that over 300 have been preserved in Britain - out of a total of 4,800 built
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That it is now almost 55 years since the first railcars were introduced into service and 44 since the first were withdrawn. The last survived on the mainline until 5 years ago while the first preserved was 36 years ago
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Railcars are also known as Diesel Multiple Units (or DMUs) while the four-wheel versions are called Railbuses
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