Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway |
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The railway was opened in 1903 to link the rural communities to the market town of Welshpool. The gauge of 2 ft 6 inches allowed for tight curves and steep gradients following the contours of the countryside. Operated at first by the Cambrian Railways, the Welshpool and Llanfair was taken over in turn by the Great Western and British Railways; being run with less and less hope of profit. After 1931 the line was only used for freight traffic until it finally closed in 1956. In 1963 a group of enthusiasts rallied round and reopened the line, searching world wide for suitable rolling stock.
Today the journey begins on the edge of Welshpool. The excitement begins as the train battles up the notoriously steep Golfa Bank accompanied by the sound of the locomotive echoing off the hills. From the open balconies of the Austrian and Hungarian coaches you will see the beautiful mid-Wales countryside roll slowly by as you travel deep into the delightful Banwy Valley. The historic steam locomotives hauling the trains include the original locomotives supplied to the railway or ones from abroad.
Towards the end of its journey the train follows the River Banwy into the western terminus at Llanfair Caereinion. Here the traveller can visit the shop, have a snack in the popular tearoom or talk to the friendly staff. The railway now has a replicas of all three of the original timber bodied balcony end coaches (the originals were lost when they were broken up after the cessation of passenger services in 1931) which were built for it by the Ffestiniog Railway at its Boston Lodge Works.
General Information:
Gift shop
Refreshments
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Opening Times
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(2011 times)
Weekend service from 16th April to 30th OctoberDaily 16 to 25 April, 28 May to 5 June, 23 July to 4 September and 22 to 30 October In addition to the above, trains run every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in June, July and up to 15 September. Please telephone or visit the website for timetable details. |
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Admission Charges
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(2011 prices)
Adult return fare £11.90; Senior citizen and National Trust Member £10.90.Child under 3yrs Free; Child 3-15yrs with full fare adult £1.00; all other children £5.95. Single and part journey fares are available. |
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Directions
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Car parking is available at both ends of the railway - Welshpool Raven Square and Llanfair Caereinion. Both of the main stations are located adjacent to the A458 main road. Welshpool Raven Square station is at the west end of the town (follow the brown signs or A458 Machynlleth / Dolgellau). Llanfair Caereinion station is at the east end of the town. Coming in from the east (Welshpool end) on the A458 the station is first on the left straight after the 30mph speed restriction starts. From the west continue on the A458 and follow the brown signs. |
| Show map of Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway... |
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Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway Postcode for SatNav: SY21 0SF |
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Nearby Attractions
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Glansevern Hall
(6 Miles)*
Over 25 acres of glorious gardens surrounding a Greek revival house of great elegance on the banks of the River Severn. |
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Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture
(6 Miles)*
Andrew Logan's work is of popular poetry and metropolitan glamour. It is an art which resounds with the exuberant excess of a Busby Berkeley musical. |
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Powysland Museum
(7 Miles)*
The groundfloor displays illustrate the history and development of life in Montgomeryshire from the earliest prehistoric settlers to the 20th century population. |
| more attractions in Llanfair Caereinion and things to do in Llanfair Caereinion ... |
| more things to do in Powys and days out in Powys... |
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Nearby Hotels
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Nearby Self Catering
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