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The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway

The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway (W&LLR) (Welsh: Rheilffordd y Trallwng a Llanfair Caereinion) is a 762 mm narrow gauge heritage railway in Powys, Wales. The line is around 13.7 km long and runs westwards from the town of Welshpool (Welsh: Y Trallwng) via Castle Caereinion to the village of Llanfair Caereinion. The line was authorized under the Light Railways Act 1896, which allowed for simplified construction and operation. The W&LLR officially opened in 1903. The railway was conceived to connect rural areas to Welshpool, facilitating the transport of goods, livestock, and passengers. The narrow-gauge design was chosen for its cost-effectiveness on the steep and winding terrain.  It was originally operated by the Cambrian Railways, connecting with it at the former Oswestry and Newtown Railway station in the town of Welshpool. The line is built through difficult country, having a great number of curves in order to reach the summit of 180 meters.  The locomotives had to be built specifically to manage the steepness. The original terminus at Welshpool was located alongside the main line station and trains wound their way through the town, using the locomotive bell as a warning. The W&LLR later became part of the Great Western Railway (GWR) after the 1923 Grouping. Initially, the line carried farm produce, coal, livestock, and passengers. However, it faced competition from improving road transport.The steep gradients and limited funding posed operational challenges, with the line struggling financially and by the 1930s, passenger numbers fell sharply. In 1931 the line lost its passenger service, which was replaced by a bus service, and it became a freight-only line. The railway saw a temporary increase in freight traffic during World War II, but could not sustain profitability afterward. The W&LLR ceased operations in 1956, following years of financial losses. Local enthusiasts formed the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway Preservation Society in 1960. Through their efforts, the line was gradually restored for tourist use. The first section reopened in 1963, and by 1981, the entire route was operational again.

January 4th 2025

 

 
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