Volunteers from Chirk based charity The Glyn Valley Tramway Trust recently raised a whopping £705.04 packing customers’ bags at Asda in Wrexham. The funds will be used to help the trust restore a section of railway track between two quarries at Glyn Ceirog to Chirk.
The tramway was used regularly from 1873 to 1935 to carry slate from the quarries and saw up to 250-wagons travel its length during its heyday. But the advent of road freight signalled the end of the line for the railway, and it soon fell into neglect. The Glyn Valley Tramway Trust was set up, and is now a registered charity, with the aim of bringing the tramway back to its former glory. It’s completely staffed by a team of steam-loving volunteers, who rely on donations to carry out their work.
Plans for the project include a full reinstatement of the track – which runs through the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Llangollen Canal – maintenance facilities, and a visitor centre in Chirk. Planning permission for the work has been granted by Wrexham Borough Council, and the Trust is hoping to get the trains running again soon.
The Trust members are looking for ways to raise funds besides bag packing, and welcome ideas and to help their efforts. They believe their work will be a great boost for tourism in the local area, and encourage individuals, couples, families and businesses to look at the membership packages on offer to help support them.
