Steam trains, silver band and Welsh language tribute to mark national day
THE LLANGOLLEN and Corwen Railway will mark St David’s Day on Sunday, March 1, with a full programme of celebrations combining steam travel, live music and a warm Welsh welcome.
At the heart of the festivities will be three steam-hauled return services from Llangollen to Corwen, offering passengers the chance to travel through the scenic Dee Valley behind a historic locomotive.
The train will carry a special commemorative headboard, “The Saint David”, created especially for the occasion. The event also marks the first weekend of 2026 that services will operate along the full length of the line following extensive track renewal works in the railway’s 689-yard-long Berwyn Tunnel.
Music and Welsh pride
Visitors arriving at Llangollen will be greeted by performances from the Llangollen Silver Band, who will perform on Platform 1 at Llangollen Railway Station at 12 noon.
The band will then travel on the 12.20pm service to Corwen, continuing their performance on the platform there at 1.00pm, helping to create a festive atmosphere across the afternoon.
In keeping with the national celebration, station announcements will be made in Welsh, underlining the railway’s commitment to promoting the language and culture of Wales.
The Station Café will also be offering a special Welsh-themed menu, while passengers will receive daffodils — a traditional symbol of St David’s Day.
New Welsh language volunteer group
As part of the day’s events, the railway will launch a new volunteers’ group dedicated to promoting the use of the Welsh language across the line, ensuring it is heard in announcements, on platforms and throughout daily railway life.
Joel Whittaker, a railway volunteer, paramedic and member of the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir, said: “St David’s Day means a great deal to us, and it’s wonderful to see the railway embracing Welsh language and culture in such a visible way.
“The Dee Valley has a rich heritage, and celebrating that through music, language and community really brings the railway to life. I’m especially pleased to see the new Welsh language volunteers’ group being launched, which will help keep the language visible and spoken across the railway for years to come.”
The St David’s Day Special forms part of a busy start to the railway’s 2026 season, with a packed programme of themed events planned throughout the year.
Further details, timetables and ticket information are available at www.llangollen-railway.co.uk.
