Corwen trains due to return in 2014 after 49-year wait

Currently, the line covers seven miles (11.2km) from Llangollen to Carrog

Trains are scheduled to return to a Denbighshire town for the first time in almost 50 years from next March.

Corwen Station shut in 1965 but volunteers at nearby Llangollen Railway began work on a two-mile (3.2km) extension to reopen the link in 2011.

With a half mile of track left to lay, organisers are "hopefully" scheduling the first train for 1 March.

They are hosting a guided walk along the track from Carrog Station on New Year's Day, weather permitting.

Visitors will be able to see that the completed track bed extension is now within sight of the town.

Meanwhile, work is also being completed at the other end of the link in Corwen on a temporary platform.

The £1m project - agreed in August 2010 - has been delayed due to floods and unexpected building work as well as fund raising because Llangollen Railway has to find about £200,000 towards the costs.

Now, volunteers have set a countdown clock on the new Corwen Station website with the first train set to arrive on 1 March.

A passenger service between Llangollen and Corwen last ran in 1965 and the rails were taken up in 1968.

A Llangollen Railway spokesperson said: "If the present rate of progress can continue, subject to the acquisition of funds and material, not to forget the winter's weather, the arrival of a first train at the station site on 1 March 2014 remains a possibility.

"An official date for commencement of train services has yet to be decided and a further announcement should be awaited, although the 2014 Llangollen Railway timetable leaflet includes the times of trains to and from Corwen."

Nearly there... volunteers involved in the railway line extension