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| Locale | Llynclys, Shropshire, England |
| Terminus | Llynclys South |
| Commercial operations | |
| Name | Cambrian Railways |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Operated by | Cambrian Railways Trust |
| Stations | 2 |
| Length | 62 chains / 0.77 miles / 1.24 km |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1860 |
| Closed | 1965 |
| Preservation history | |
| 2004 | Relaying of track began |
| 2005 | First trains run on new track |
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Legend
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The Cambrian Railways Trust is based in Suite 1 of the Old Station Building in Oswestry, Shropshire, England.
Oswestry was the headquarters of the former Cambrian Railways, previous to the 1922 regrouping of UK railways to form part of The Great Western Railway (GWR), one of the "Big Four" railway companies.
The Cambrian Railways Trust (CRT) is working towards a full merging with the Cambrian Railways Society (CRS) as Cambrian Heritage Railways to reinstate the infrastructure required to develop and operate the heritage railway from Gobowen to Llynclys Junction (for Pant) and to Blodwel, [1]
The railway land and trackbed were purchased from Network Rail by Shropshire County Council; and the new unitary authority, Shropshire Council, has agreed to lease the land to Cambrian Heritage Railways following the signing of the agreement to merger in November 2009.
Prior to this, the Trust has operated regular weekend diesel-multiple unit (DMU) operations since 2006 over a repurchased/re-leased and then restored section of 62 chains (about three quarters of a mile) from Llynclys South station to Penygarreg Lane. Regular steam operations took place during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
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Late in March 2009, a coaling staithe was constructed to create a more organized depot; and in April, the newly-leased trackbed to the north was also undergoing some refurbishment. Work also continued on gathering rail materials from nearby Oswestry for work to start on track laying as soon as possible.
Throughout the year, clearance work on the trackbed has continued. The line between Llynclys Junction and the A483 level crossing at Weston on Oswestry bypass is now largely clear; and was visited and recommendations made by HM Railways Inspectorate in September 2009.
Meanwhile, working-party activities have concentrated on the eastern edge of Dolgoch housing estate (between Porth-y-waen & Llynclys) and the A483 road bridge at Llynclys. Efforts are soon expected to be directed from the Dolgoch housing estate, west towards Blodwell, which will link up with that already cleared at Porth-y-waen.
On 13 November 2009, there was a concentrated volunteers’ working-party specifically devoted to clearance work on the trackbed and railways land close to Oswestry (Cambrian) Station Buildings.[2]
Through a ballot at an Extraordinary General Meeting held at Oswestry (Cambrian) Station Buildings on 20 November 2009, members of the Cambrian Railways Trust (CRT) agreed that:
The locomotive fleet currently based on the line is listed below.
In addition, GWR 7800 Class 7821 Ditcheat Manor was to join the fleet when a reasonable length of track was available for passenger operations. However, owner Ken Ryder sold 7821 to the West Somerset Railway, and it is now based there with no plans for a return to Llynclys. Ken Ryder is currently selling D2094, 5952 (Cogan Hall) and Isabel along with a tamper and assorted other stock currently on the Cambrian Trust site. GWR 4-6-0 4900 "Hall" Class no. 5952 "Cogan Hall" is now stored awaiting removal to the Llangollen Railway, which plans to use her for the 6880 Betton Grange project before ultimately undertaking restoration.
Passenger carriages are based on site for storage or future restoration to be carried out. Most of the British Rail Mark 1 variety had already seen service in preservation prior to being brought on site, as these vehicles were originally based at the Great Central Railway in Loughborough.