Restoration of historic Llangollen Railway carriage to feature on Channel 4 series tonight

The Llangollen Railway and the journey to restore a historic carriage will be screened as part of new Channel 4 series this evening.

The railway will feature on the first episode of ‘Great Rail Restorations’, which will air on the channel at 8pm this evening.

As part of the series presenter, Peter Snow, visits the Llangollen Railway to compare the restoration of a vintage railway carriage at the Railway’s Pentrefelin Carriage and Wagon works.

The teak-bodied carriage, built in 1912 by the Great Northern Railway, was used on East Coast Mainline express services for over 40 years before being relegated to departmental duties by British Rail.

Out of use since 1977, the programme follows the restoration project through all the stages of a major refurbishment by members of the Llangollen Railway’s workforce led by LR chairman Peter Lund.

Throughout the episode, a number of challenges are taken on in a bid to turn a near wreck into a coach, which now features an open saloon and three second-class compartments in the livery of the former London North Eastern Railway.

Peter Lund, chairman said: The announcement by Channel 4 of the broadcast of Great Railway Restorations is the culmination of the efforts devoted to this project by the employees and volunteers of the Carriage & Wagon Dept of the Llangollen Railway.

“The six months allotted to the completion of this project meant that there were many late nights involved to get the job finished.

“It is such a shame that current safety regulations deprive the public an opportunity to ride in this historic carriage.

Liz McGuinness, business manager at Llangollen Railway, said: “The programme will make fascinating viewing for rail fans as the spotlight is placed on the Llangollen Railway and Part 1 will be screened on Wednesday 6th June at 20.00.”