A disused and derelict North Shropshire railway line abandoned for over 50 years has been restored by enthusiasts and will officially reopen as a heritage railway on Friday 1st April.

Cambrian Heritage Railways (CHR) will welcome local dignitaries, invited guests. CHR members and volunteers to climb aboard and enjoy a nostalgic train journey from Oswestry to Weston Wharf.

Helen Morgan, Member of Parliament for North Shropshire, together with Shropshire Council Chairman Vince Hunt, will open the railway and unveil the new platform at Weston Wharf.

Volunteers have worked tirelessly since 2016 to extend the heritage railway from Oswestry.  Reinstating two miles of new track and a station platform at Weston Wharf has enable CHR to become the latest tourist attraction in the county.

The original line fell victim to the ‘Beeching cuts in the 1960s while other parts of the line remained freight-only until the 1980s.  Local heritage enthusiasts joined together in 1972 to keep alive memories of Oswestry as a major railway hub.

Having successfully obtained European grants and financial backing from local authorities to restore the railway, the ambitious plan for the future is to extend the line in both directions towards Gobowen and Llynclys.

Speaking prior to the reopening ceremony, CHR Chairman Rob Williams said: “It’s a fantastic achievement by all concerned to reopen a passenger railway that hasn’t existed for over 50 years.

“We are grateful to Helen Morgan and Vince Hunt for officially opening the railway and I would like to pay tribute to all those individuals and organisations who have been instrumental in making this project possible.  Our ambition going forward is to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to enjoy a special day out on our heritage railway.”

CHR has announced trains will run every weekend, specific mid-week days and evenings, as well as Bank Holidays from Easter weekend until September. Pre booking via our website: www. CambrianRailways.com is recommended.  It is also planned that ‘special excursion’ trains will operate throughout the year linking the railway with local attractions at Weston, including the Stonehouse Brewery and Weston Pools Village.