Llangollen Railway manages to keep vital coaches and equipment in successful auction

Assets of the former operating arm of the railway, Llangollen Railway PLC, went under the hammer this week to pay its creditors after it went into administration owing £350,000.

The trust, which has remained solvent throughout the conference, launched an appeal to raise funds to bid for some of the items that had been owned by the PLC.

Chairman of the Trust, Pete Edwards, said: "The bidding was fast and furious on the day for the coaching assets in particular, and the larger plant items. The prices paid were substantially in excess of our expectations which is good news for the PLC’s administrators and we are glad all the creditors, including those who are unsecured, will benefit accordingly.

"We were delighted to secure our priority one assets; one accessible-adapted coach, a road railer, 12-tonne crane and Lowmac. This would not have been possible without the support and dedication of our members and numerous other donors, and we thank them all.

"We were similarly delighted to learn that friendly bidders have acquired two further coaches and a significant amount of machine tools which will remain on the railway.

Crucial

“It was very important to secure the principal assets which will enable us to continue preparations for reopening without further interruption. The support we have received from so many donors, without which we may well not be able to look forward to running again this year, and the friendly bidders, has been crucial and is very much appreciated.

Mr Edwards said that numerous coach and plant items would be leaving the railway.

"This is great shame from our point of view but at least their future in preservation is secured,” he added.

The trust says that preparations can now begin in earnest to complete the necessary works on Dee Bridge and in the tunnel that are need to be completed before trains can run again.

"We also need to press ahead with the necessary safety and regulatory matters. We are on target to reopen in late July or early August," he said.

Both of the trust's appeals, for the Dee Bridge and the assets, remain open.

Mr Edwards said: "We would welcome further support to help fund the higher prices we had to pay for the priority items and to provide the necessary working capital to get us up and running again. Please donate if you can online at llangollenrailway.enthuse.com and click the Donate button, or via our Facebook page. Alternatively, supporters are invited to send cheques payable to Llangollen Railway Trust Ltd to The Station, Abbey Road, Llangollen LL20 8SN."