The Llangollen and Corwen Railway will mark Remembrance Sunday on 8 November 2026 with a special Poppy Drop led by two Royal Navy veterans, the temporary renaming of steam locomotive No. 3802 and free afternoon travel for Armed Forces personnel, veterans and cadets.
The Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced a programme of commemorations for Remembrance Sunday, including two symbolic journeys through the Dee Valley, station tributes, wreath-laying ceremonies and a railway-wide act of remembrance.
Royal Navy veteran Garry Smith MBE and former Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) member Ruth Smith will lead a special Poppy Drop, carrying poppies on separate train journeys between Llangollen and Corwen.
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For the occasion, Great Western Railway heavy freight steam locomotive No. 3802 will be temporarily renamed ‘The Remembrance’ for the day.
The railway will also offer free travel on its afternoon services to serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and members of recognised cadet organisations.
Remembrance Sunday services at Llangollen and Corwen
The railway’s usual 10am departure from Llangollen will be cancelled to allow staff and volunteers to attend Remembrance Sunday services and parades in their own communities.
At 11am, all activity at Llangollen Station will stop for the national Two-Minute Silence, observed by staff, volunteers and visitors.
Garry Smith MBE and Ruth Smith will represent the railway at the Remembrance Service at Llangollen War Memorial on Centenary Square, laying a wreath on its behalf.
At Corwen, Wayne Ronneback and the Corwen Station Team will represent the railway at the town’s Remembrance Service.
Veterans to lead special Poppy Drop through the Dee Valley
Following the morning commemorations, Garry Smith MBE will travel on the footplate of the 12.20pm service from Llangollen to Corwen, releasing poppies on the approaches to stations along the route.
At Corwen, Ruth Smith will take over the tribute, travelling on the footplate of the 1.45pm return service to Llangollen and continuing the Poppy Drop.
The railway says the tribute will be planned and carried out in accordance with its operational and safety requirements.
Garry Smith MBE, a Royal Navy veteran, said:
“Remembrance Sunday is a deeply important occasion for all of us who have served in the Armed Forces. It is a time to remember our friends, our comrades and the generations of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“To have the honour of laying a wreath at Llangollen and then travelling along our beautiful railway, releasing poppies in remembrance, will be incredibly moving.
“Every poppy represents a life, a sacrifice and a family whose world was changed forever. As we travel through the Dee Valley, we will be remembering those who never came home.
“I am immensely proud to be part of this tribute and to represent the Llangollen and Corwen Railway.”
Ruth Smith, a former member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service, said:
“Remembrance is about more than a ceremony. It is about ensuring that the sacrifices made by previous generations are never forgotten.
“There is something especially poignant about Garry taking the poppies from Llangollen to Corwen and me bringing the tribute back along the line.
“Two journeys, travelling through the communities that our Railway serves, united by one message of remembrance.
“As a former Wren, it is a real privilege to take part in this special occasion. I hope everyone who sees the trains passing will take a moment to reflect on those who served, those who suffered and those who gave their lives for our freedom.”
GWR locomotive No. 3802 to carry ‘The Remembrance’ name
The railway’s Great Western Railway heavy freight steam locomotive No. 3802 will be temporarily renamed ‘The Remembrance’ for Remembrance Sunday.
The name will be carried for the day as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of generations of Armed Forces personnel.
Remembrance displays at Glyndyfrdwy and along the railway
Volunteers at Glyndyfrdwy Railway Station have prepared a Remembrance display featuring two silhouettes representing members of the Armed Forces, accompanied by flags.
Flags and poppies will also be displayed at every station along the Llangollen and Corwen Railway.
The railway hopes these displays will encourage passengers, visitors and local residents to reflect on the sacrifices made by servicemen and women.
Free train travel for Armed Forces personnel, veterans and cadets
The railway will offer free travel on all its Remembrance Sunday afternoon services to serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and members of recognised cadet organisations.
The offer includes personnel serving in the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, former service personnel, and members of the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and RAF Air Cadets, including the Air Training Corps.
Those wishing to travel free of charge must present appropriate proof of service or cadet membership at one of the railway’s ticket offices.
Accepted identification includes a military identification card, Veterans Railcard, Veterans ID Card or recognised cadet identification.
The complimentary travel offer is intended as a gesture of thanks to serving personnel, veterans and young people involved in cadet organisations.
Remembrance Sunday train timetable – 8 November 2026
The railway has confirmed the following afternoon services:
Llangollen to Corwen:
- 12.20pm
- 3.15pm
Corwen to Llangollen:
- 1.45pm
- 4.20pm
There will be no 10am departure from Llangollen, allowing railway staff and volunteers to attend local Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
The commemorations will bring together railway staff, volunteers, veterans, cadets and the communities of Llangollen and Corwen.
Through the wreath-laying ceremonies, Two-Minute Silence, special station displays, the temporary renaming of locomotive No. 3802 and the Poppy Drop journeys led by Garry and Ruth Smith, the railway aims to provide opportunities for remembrance along the heritage line.
The Llangollen and Corwen Railway hopes passengers, visitors and local residents will join in remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
