Wrexham company delivers heritage railway water tank to Llangollen Railway

A traditional style of water tank, as used in the steam era, has been delivered by Barnett Engineering of Rhosllanerchrugog to the Llangollen Railway’s Corwen station project.

The cylindrical water tank sitting on top of a column is designed to hold 2,000 gallons of water for rapid delivery to replenish the tanks of a steam locomotive.

Standing seven metres high, the completed facility weighs in at five tonnes and incorporates a modern gate value delivery system. It will draw water from a borehole sited next to the railway at Corwen.

The structure itself has been built to modern standards using fabrication and welding methods to meet current regulatory requirements.

Managing Director, Steve Barnett, explained: “When we were asked to construct this steam-age item of equipment we thought it a little unusual, but the job was accepted as a challenge.

“However, it proved well within our capacity to design and manufacture and the completed job is now ready for delivery to Corwen where it will be installed at the new station site.”

Installation of the water tank was made possible thanks to the help donations from supporters, who helped raised £17,000

A Llangollen Railway spokesman said: “In a slick two-hour operation, the complete assembly of water tank and its supporting column was off-loaded, pulled erect and lifted on to the base of a previously prepared foundation plinth.

“With the access stairs and swivel water delivery arm attached, this new item of infrastructure forms an impressive feature at the Corwen station site. A trial filling of water must await the construction of a sump and drain away, once the borehole water supply is connected.

“Installation of this new item of heritage railway equipment has only been possible through the generous support of members and supporters who have raised £17,000 in donations as a major contribution to the project to provide a water supply for locomotives at the new terminus.

“Work to complete the station and its facilities continues with the next stage concentrating on building the platform 1 wall during the summer.

“An opening of the Corwen station in 2019 remains dependent on the acquisition of resources in terms of materials, manpower and finance and continued support is necessary if we are to achieve that aim.”