Students at Derwen College Walford have enjoyed a private train ride on the Cambrian Heritage Railway.

The ride was in recognition of two years of hard work maintaining railway grounds.

The ride was arranged by the volunteer team they've been helping, finishing with a celebratory barbeque at Weston Wharf.

Since starting his work experience at Oswestry Cambrian, student Harry and his friends in the Leaf It to Us crew have dedicated their time to look after the grounds at Oswestry’s Cambrian Heritage Railway.

The day of the train ride was particularly special for Harry, as it celebrated his completion of a Supported Internship with an opportunity to take on the assistant guard’s duties, a highlight being using the Tannoy to make passenger announcements.

The impact of this placement has been huge for Harry, who is autistic.

Harry had the chance to do the passanger announcements   (Image: Derwen College)

Initially, he found the new environment and routine challenging, struggling with fear and the uneven ground of the railway tracks.

But over the course of two years, Harry underwent a significant transformation.

Ruth Braddick, who supports Harry on his placement, said: "Harry’s development is nothing short of incredible.

"When we started at Cambrian, his confidence was so low that he couldn’t walk over any uneven surface without panicking or needing assistance.

"His fear of danger was so overwhelming that he struggled to move."

She added: "Thanks to two years of hard work by college staff and the volunteers at Cambrian, Harry is almost unrecognisable now.

"He is so much more confident and outgoing, and can walk anywhere confidently."

The Leaf It to Us crew, Derwen College’s student gardening team, have worked on numerous tasks, such as vegetation clearance and litter picking on miles of trackside from Oswestry to Weston Wharf, the concourses and around Oswestry station and trackside.

Phil, the volunteer coordinator at Cambrian Railway, said: "The work undertaken by the students from Derwen College has proved invaluable to Cambrian Heritage Railways.

"Under Ruth’s supervision, they have taken on vegetation clearance on miles of trackside between Oswestry and Weston Wharf, and also at our dormant assets north of Oswestry station, at Blodwell and Porth Y Waen.”

“The students have meticulously weeded the station's concourses and have thoroughly strimmed and mowed the Oswestry platform, which is now looking pristine.

"Among countless other tasks, they have also litter picked around Oswestry station and trackside."

He also added: "All in all, Derwen College Walford students and staff have become an integral part of Cambrian Heritage Railways – their enthusiasm and good nature are appreciated by fellow volunteers and the Railway hierarchy alike."