Llangollen Railway and restoration of historic carriages to feature on finale of Channel 4 series

The concluding episode of a popular Channel 4 series will feature scenes from a major filming event which took place at the Llangollen Railway.

The railway will appear on ‘Great Rail Restorations’ with presenter Peter Snow for the second time this series, with the restoration works of a vintage railway carriage in Llangollen starting the series at the start of June.

Presented by Peter Snow, the final episode of the popular series will air on Channel 4 at 8pm on Wednesday 4th July.

The episode will not only showcase all four of the fascinating carriage restorations as featured in the series, but also the Llangollen Railway and its setting in the beautiful Dee Valley.

The series launched with an episode focusing on the restoration of the vintage railway carriage in Llangollen early last month.

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 initial episode followed 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.

This week’s episode will see all four carriages featured at the series brought together in Llangollen,

Llangollen Railway Business Manager, Liz McGuinness, said the episode is a “magnificent climax to a very successful TV series”.

“We were fortunate enough to be chosen to host the final episode last autumn when the four carriages were brought together at Llangollen and coupled up to produce the fabulous, complete restoration train,” explained Liz.

“The unusual sight of four vintage carriages spanning the railway ages from the 1860s to 1960 was seen briefly in Llangollen station.

“The train featured the four-wheeled coach from the Isle of Wight, the London South West Royal saloon for Queen Victoria from the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway, our own Great Northern Saloon and the Pullman coach Eagle from Tyseley Locomotive Works.

“The assembled train made three trips through the Dee Valley for the filming when the Llangollen Railway’s Standard Tank locomotive No.80072 was driven in part by Peter Snow.”

Liz added: “The autumnal filming produced some magical scenes and seeing all four restored carriages, together with their restoration teams, was amazing. It makes a magnificent climax to a very successful TV series which has highlighted the extra ordinary efforts put into restoring wrecks to their former glories.

“Rail fans and members of Llangollen Railway are very excited about the final episode and look forward to seeing the train in action on the Dee Valley line.

“The final episode is a great promotional feature for North East Wales and can be seen on Channel 4 on Wednesday 3rd July at 8pm.”