ORGANISERS of Oswestry's Cambrian Heritage Railways (CHR) say they are ‘delighted' with the public response to what promises to be a memorable Grand Opening weekend next month.

A recent boost in ticket sales for Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3 means the railway is on target to successfully open its doors to passenger services between Oswestry and Weston Wharf for the first time in more than 50 years.

CHR Chairman Rob Williams admits the increased ticket sales for the trips has been a welcome boost for the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to get the trains back on track.

He said: "We’re delighted with ticket sales to date and public response to our outstanding achievements to bring back to life a bygone era of the railways – something that hasn’t existed for more than 50 years.

“We have planned as many trains as possible over the weekend to meet the requirements of those rail enthusiasts and members of the public who want to be part of this unique experience."

CHR volunteers have been hard at work to extend the railway from Oswestry to Weston Wharf since plans were first announced in 2016.

The installation of two miles of new track and a station platform have been part of a major restoration project designed to ensure CHR becomes the latest tourist attraction in the county.

The original railway fell victim to the 'Beeching cuts' which happened in the 1960s while other parts of the line became freight-only until the 1980s.

Local heritage enthusiasts came 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, the redevelopment of the railway is now part of an ambitious plan to further extend the line towards Gobowen and Llynclys.

If anyone is still looking to purchase tickets for the Grand Opening weekend they can still book at www.cambrianrailways.com

Pre-booking is recommended.

Cambrian Railways once owned 230 miles of track over a large area of Mid Wales, with its headquarters at Oswestry railway station. T

he station opened on May 1, 1860, and the last passenger train ran on November 7, 1966.