Chirk's historic tramway station is to be rebuilt

The Glyn Valley Tramway opened in 1873 and was originally horse worked and served a number of quarries and mines in the Glyn Ceriog area; running to a wharf at Chirk Bank on the Shropshire Union Canal.

In 1888 a new line was built from Pontfaen to Chirk, with the tramway station being located adjacent to the existing Great Western station. The tramway introduced steam locomotives to replace the horses that had previously been used.

Head of Engineering for the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust, Mark Edlington, explained: "The tramway closed to passengers in 1933, and to freight in 1935, it was the victim of the introducing of motor vehicles and the decline of the granite and slate industries which made it unviable. The financial situation would not have been helped by the Great Depression which caused a number of similar lines across the UK to close at the same time."

The Chairman of the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust, Nic Drukker describes the tramway as having an 'almost mythical' status. The memory of the Tramway is kept alive by local folklore and also the interest of both railway enthusiasts and very serious academic researchers.

He explains that two groups have been formed to promote the preservation of the Tramway's artefacts and infrastructure, as well as keeping its spirit alive. The first of these to be formed some decades ago acquired the old engine shed and much of the station area in Glyn Ceiriog. They have restored the engine shed to its former glory, and it now serves as an excellent museum displaying numerous artifacts - including restored wagons - documents, photographs and other memorabilia. They also own and have restored the waiting room at the Pontfadog Tramway station.

The second, more recently formed, group aims to restore and operate, as authentically as possible, the Tramway line from Chirk to Pontfaen.

Mr Drukker said: "This section was built more like a railway through the countryside and is (in relative terms!) a much easier candidate for restoration. However, at Pontfaen, it crossed the main Chirk - Glyn Ceiriog road and thereafter ran alongside the road; although it would be fabulous to see it restored all the way to Glyn, such an ambition must remain a pipe dream for the time being."

The current project, 'All Change at Chirk', also entails the restoration of the reconstruction of the Tramway platform at Chirk Station and the reconstruction of the Tramway station building sited on this platform.

Andy Christie, who works on the project has created a video to help the Trust's fundraising effort.

Mr Drukker added: "It is only right that I should pay tribute to its contribution to keeping the memory of the Tramway alive. There is a great deal of literature on the subject, but I think it is fair to say that most of us involved in the two groups, have the work of John Milner (who has written a number of books about the Tramway and the industry of the Ceiriog Valley) to thank for providing the in-depth detailed knowledge and bolstering our enthusiasm to knuckle down and get on with this fascinating project."

For anyone wishing to join the volunteers at Chirk, please email: contact@glynvalleytramwaytrust.co.uk