21-05-2025
Evel Knievel army join Llangollen Railway for NSPCC
On Thursday (May 22) Llangollen Railway will be welcoming an 'Army of Evels' to the Dee Valley as they tour Wales to commemorate the 50th anniversary of stunt bike legend Evel Knievel's jump at Wembley Stadium, and raise funds for the NSPCC.
The group has already raised an incredible £30,000 for the children's charity this year.
The 'Evel Express' will leave Corwen at 11.05am on Thursday and see about 60 of the Ride Cymru Knievels travel aboard the Class 109 Wickham railcar.
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They will all be wearing Evel's distinctive jumpsuits, capes and boots, and will be accompanied by some of Evel's family, including Kelly Knievel, Evel's eldest son. The Knievel posse will return from Llangollen at 3.15pm
Terry Pickthall, Llangollen Railway press officer, said: "We are really looking forward to the Ride Cymru Knievel's visit and supporting them raising funds for the NSPCC.
"As a child of the 70's I was the proud owner of one of the legendary Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle toys, which was one of the bestsellers of the decade.
"I think this toy did nearly as much damage to my parent's house as the real Evel did at Wembley!
"We promise that the Evel Express won't be attempting to recreate any of Evel's legendary stunts and will cross the River Dee in the usual manner, using the beautiful Dee Bridge at a sedate 10mph."
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The Llangollen Railway is celebrating its own 50th anniversary this year. Whilst Evel Knievel was attempting to jump over 13 single decker buses at Wembley Stadium on his Harley Davidson, volunteers of the Flint & Deeside Railway Preservation Society were just taking possession of a derelict Llangollen Station and taking their first steps to reopen 10 miles of the Ruabon to Barmouth line between Llangollen and Corwen.
Fifty years on their legacy is a wonderful heritage railway at the heart of the Dee Valley AONB.
The railway started this special anniversary year in fine style with a very successful steam gala in April and more events are planned through the year, including a 50th birthday party weekend on September 12-14.
