Shropshire's Great Days Out - Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
Ben Bentley continues his month-long campaign to highlight the area's top visitor attractions. Click here for an overview of the great days out campaign and check back each day for the latest idea.
Ben Bentley continues his month-long campaign to highlight the area's top visitor attractions.
Click here for an overview of the great days out campaign and check back each day for the latest idea.
Where is it? Welshpool Raven Square Station, SY21 7LT; Llanfair Caereinion Station, SY21 0SF.
What is it? An Edwardian narrow gauge country steam railway running between Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion eight miles distance.
Opened in 1903, it was closed by British Rail in 1956 and fully restored by enthusiasts since 1963. Today the line is one of the most popular attractions in Mid Wales.
How much is it? Adult Day Rover (travel as many times as you wish on the day) £12.50, seniors £11.50, children (3-15) £3. Group tickets available.
What is there to do? Shropshire might not have an Alton Towers, but the line here offers a ride that is rather more exciting than your average steam train journey, due to its twisting, climbing course. It's a real railway rollercoaster and a big challenge for both locomotive and crew.
The scenery is glorious, beginning with the stiff two-mile climb out of Welshpool on one of the steepest gradients to be found on any heritage railway, and one that throws in some sharp curves halfway up.
The route then sweeps through rolling fields, before forging a narrow course on a ledge cut into the hill alongside the Banwy river towards Llanfair.
There is plenty of wildlife to spot, from the ubiquitous sheep and cattle, to buzzards, herons and if you are really lucky herds of deer that roam from the estate around Powis Castle.
The Continental carriages have open balconies on which visitors can stand to enjoy a close-up view of the loco hard at work, or simply watch the track stretching away beneath their feet.
At Llanfair Caereinion the Edwardian-style tea room is very popular – try the cakes and let us know . . . And new at Llanfair is a railway-themed children's play area where the little ones can burn off some steam while their parents relax with a cuppa.
Interesting fact: The line still has its original two steam locos, now 110 years old, but has also gathered new stock from across the world – steam locos that worked in Romania, Antigua, Sierra Leone, Austria, the German military in World War 2, and Glasgow gasworks. There is a diesel from Taiwan while the coaches have seen service in Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.
Opening times: Trains from 10am, daily in August, see website below for full timetable.
Verdict: A grand day out for visitors of all ages. Choo-choo!
Further information: Call 01938 810441, visit www.wllr.org.uk, follow on Twitter @LlanfairLine
