Present-Day Cambrian Heritage Railway
CHR currently operates heritage train services on restored sections of track around Oswestry and Llynclys, with plans to extend south to Pant and beyond. The railway also hosts special events and operates a museum at Oswestry Station, celebrating the history of the Cambrian Railways.
Preservation and Revival
Efforts to preserve the railway began in the 1970s, and the Cambrian Railways Society was formed to save part of the line and its infrastructure. In 2009, the Cambrian Heritage Railways group was established to coordinate restoration work, focusing on rebuilding sections of the line and restoring Oswestry Station.
History of the Cambrian Heritage Railway
The Cambrian Railways was formed in 1864, amalgamating several smaller railways in Mid-Wales and Shropshire. Its network connected rural communities with larger towns and cities, facilitating the transport of passengers, livestock, coal, and slate. Oswestry served as the headquarters of the Cambrian Railways and played a central role in the system’s operations. After the Grouping of 1923, Cambrian Railways became part of the Great Western Railway (GWR), and later British Railways in 1948. The rise of road transport in the mid-20th century led to declining usage of the Cambrian Railways network. Many lines, including those around Oswestry, were closed following the Beeching Report in the 1960s. Oswestry Station closed to passengers in 1966, and freight services ceased in 1971.