Gala 2009

The 2009 event saw the first appearance at the Llangollen Railway of a class 122 Gloucester-built single-car unit and the re-painting of our Class 104 into BR blue with small yellow warning panels. Fifteen trains ran each way each day and each day finished with a run of a five-car train, comprising of three sets in different versions of the blue livery.
Click on the small images below to see each one in a larger size. Many thanks to our contributors for this selection of photographs.

The freshly repainted class 104 unit is seen leading the class 108 with the class 122 at the rear approaching Glyndyfrdwy. (Mark Riley http://mark-riley.fotopic.net)

One of the highlights of the event was the appearance of a class 104 unit in early BR blue colours. This livery did not last long on the mainline for the yellow ends were made larger very quickly. (Mike Martin)

Our immaculately-restored Wickham two-car unit was once again a big attraction. It is seen here leaving Glyndyfrdwy for Deeside. (Mike Martin)

Visiting unit W55001 from the East Lancashire Railway ran both on its own and in multiple with other units. It is seen here storming up Berwyn Bank with the Wickham unit in tow. (Mike Martin)

The class 127 Rolls-Royce powered suburban car ran with the class 105 Cravens for the last time before the 105 is withdrawn for a major overhaul. The 127 is seen here between rain showers at Carrog station. (Mike Martin)

The Derby Lightweight class 108 unit is seen here on the approach from Deeside with a Carrog-bound service. (David Dawson http://daviddawson.fotopic.net/)

An excellent study of the visiting class 122 unit (David Dawson http://daviddawson.fotopic.net/)

The class 104 heads the class 108 on a curve beside the River Dee near Garth-y-Dwr (David Dawson http://daviddawson.fotopic.net/)

Headed by the Cravens class 105, on its last gala outing before a rebuild, the class 127 is seen crossing the River Dee at Pentrefelin (David Dawson http://daviddawson.fotopic.net/)

A comparison in front ends. The steam autocoach is seen at Carrog in the company of the class 127 Derby suburban unit. (Paul Redfern)

Leading the five-car all-blue formation is Class 122 W55001. A special photo stop enabled this shot to be taken safely from the lineside. (Kevin Dowd)

More front-end comparisons. This time it is the class 104 (front) and the class 108 (rear). Though built only three years apart the differences in design are pronounced. (Rod Morgan)

This fantastic picture shows single-car 55001 heading through the scenery near Fisherman's Crossing (Mark Riley http://mark-riley.fotopic.net/)

A five-car all-blue set heads for Glyndyfrdwy from Carrog (Mark Riley http://mark-riley.fotopic.net/)

Also operating was this steam auto-train which has coaches each side of the engine and which can be driven from the front of each coach. (Mark Riley http://mark-riley.fotopic.net/)

The freshly-repainted early BR Blue class 104 unit was also captured by Mark Riley on the Glyndyfrdwy-Carrog section (Mark Riley http://mark-riley.fotopic.net/)

Passing Pentrefelin Yard on its first journey to Carrog in its new colours is the class 104 (Neil Williams)