During the winter months, volunteers at the Cambrian Heritage Railways (CHR) at Oswestry in Shropshire have been working hard to ensure the award-winning railway is ready for a second season as one of Shropshire’s top tourist attractions.

At Oswestry railway station, new sections of track have been laid, to bring back memories of a time before the line closed to passengers in 1966. To make it easier for heritage trains to operate timetable services there are now three railway lines running past the station building.

Behind the scenes, the Cambrian Heritage Railways website has been updated, and now includes two new offerings from the railway in the form of Driver Experience Days and group bookings.

• Driver Experience Days are ideal for anyone who would like the chance to drive a locomotive and try their hand at the controls.
• Group bookings are ideal anyone wishing to organise a family celebration, or a business looking for something different and would like to charter a train for the day.

This year, Cambrian Heritage Railways will run every weekend from April until September, on specific mid-week and evening journeys, as well as Bank Holidays. Further information about the railway can be found at www.CambrianRailways.com.

Speaking about the developments, Cambrian Heritage Railways General Manager Andy Green said, ”We had an excellent first year of operation and this coming season we want to further enhance the railway experience from Oswestry to Weston Wharf. “

“A huge amount of trackwork and vegetation clearance has taken place by our fantastic volunteers during the closed season. We have also taken the opportunity to improve our website to enable customers to see what we are all about and book with confidence.

“We are also reaching out to groups and businesses to give them a unique opportunity to book an entire train for the day. Our Driver Experience days will also prove a popular and affordable gift this season.”