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Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway again – The Railway Magazine, July 1903. ……

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I was reading (in August 2024) the July 1903 Railway Magazine and came across an article about the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. [1: p64-68] The article marked the opening of the line at the beginning of April 1903.

After the first railway entered Welshpool on 10th June 1862 – the Oswestry (by 1903, the Cambrian) Railway – a series of three different schemes were proposed to connect Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion. The first scheme was put forward in 1864, the second in 1875, the third in 1887. None of these schemes came to fruition. However, “in 1896 a ray of light (the Light Railways Act) illumined the gloomy darkness of uncertainty and failure. Before the measure had received the Royal assent, Dr. C. E. Humphreys (Llanfair) had launched a scheme for connecting Llanfair with the Cambrian Railways, by means of a line through the Meifod Valley and Four Crosses. This was not allowed to pass unchallenged. Immediately Welshpool … entered the lists with a Bill for a 2ft. 6in. gauge light railway, to run from Welshpool to Llanfair. If Llanfair was to have a railway (which was of all things most desirable) that railway, said they, must run from Welshpool. … A spirited war of routes resulted, terminated by the Light Railways Commissioners giving the award to Welshpool for a 2ft. 6in. gauge railway from Welshpool to Llanfair.” [1: p64]

The successful company “was liberally supported by Welshpool, the Montgomery County Council, Forden District Council, and Llanfyllin Rural District Council.” [1: p64]. The Treasury granted a gift of £17,500 – one-third of the estimated cost. The new railway was planned as a single line, 2ft, 6in. gauge running from the road outside Welshpool Railway Station, along “the Lledan Gorge, over the Pass at Glyn Golfa to Castle Caereinion, through the Banwy Valley to Llanfair. An agreement was entered into with the Cambrian Railways to work and maintain the line; the construction of the line [was] … under the supervision of the Cambrian Railway’s Engineer, Mr. A.J. Collin: Mr. Strachan (Cardiff) being the contractor. On 30th May 1901, … Viscount Clive the son of the Earl and Countess Powys … cut the first sod for the new line. In February [1903] the line was completed; and passed by Major Druitt, of the Board of Trade.” [1: p64-65]

On 4th April 1903, the first passenger train navigated the new line. The Railway Magazine described the route: “The new railway [cut] through the town of Welshpool, over the brook and canal, and burrow[ed] its way up the Golfa Pass.” [1: p66]

The length of the line through the town of Welshpool has already been covered. For the relevant articles, please check these two links …

Those articles cover the length of the line abandoned when Welshpool undertook highway improvements, the run from Welshpool Railway Station as far as Raven Square, now a roundabout.

The roundabout at Raven Square appears top-right. The abandoned length of line heads off to the Northeast. The preservation line has a new station to the Southwest of the roundabout, approximately on the site of the passing loop shown here. 1:2500 Ordnance Survey SJ2007-SJ2107 – AA Revised: 1966, Published: 1967. [4]
A sketch map of the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway. [1: p64]

The preservation line occupies the trackbed of the line from Raven Square to Llanfair. It runs immediately alongside the A458 on the North side of Nant-y-caws Brook.

A first length of the line to the West of Raven Square. This extract, and the following map extracts, is from the OS Landranger map series as held by Streetmap.co.uk. [5]
The same length of the line as it appears on railmaponline.com’s satellite imagery. [6]
This extract from the OS War Office, England and Wales One-Inch Popular, GSGS 3907 – 1933-43, Sheet 60 – Shrewsbury & Welshpool was printed in 1943 on a base map dated around 1916. It shows the location of the halt at Raven Square (immediately above the ‘309’) and shows the line continuing Northeast towards the centre of Welshpool. [18]
Looking Southwest along the A458. The road and railway are separated by no more than a hedge or fence. [Google Streetview, May 2024]
Ungated crossing adjacent to the A458 at the junction with the lane which appears bottom-left in the map extract and satellite image above. [Google Streetview, May 2024]

The Railway Magazine continues: In the Golfa Pass, “by means of a series of curves of small radii and steep inclines, the great natural beauty of the surrounding country has been retained. Rising 300ft, in the first two miles it reache[d] Golfa … with its lung-filling expanse of common – its garden of fern, gorse, and broom –  where at 1,000ft above the sea level is presented a glorious panorama of typical Welsh pastoral scenery – the ideal of the pedestrian, artist, and rambler.” [1: p66]

The line then moves away from the A458 to enable it to best find its way up the valley at a reasonable grade. In doing so it follows the contours and passes through a series of tight curves. [5]
The same length of the line on satellite imagery. [6]
In Sylfaen Dingle, to the West of Barn Farm, it returns to run very close to the A458. [5]
Once again, this satellite image covers the same length of the line as the map extract above. [6]
The level crossing at Cwm Ln from the Northeast. [Google Streetview, May 2024]

The Railway Magazine continues to describe the route ahead, the line “threads the beautiful Pass of Sylvaen; there, far to westward, is spread the famous vale of Caerinion, where, silhouetted against the misty horizon, Cader Idris and The Arrans lend an air of magnificent solemnity to an impressive scene.” [1: p66]

The railway remains close to the road as far as Sylfaen Halt after which it turns away to the South. [5]
A similar length of the line on railmaponline.com’s satellite imagery. [6]
Farm/forest access road crossing just to the East of Sylfaen Halt. [Google Streetview, May 2024]
Sylfaen Halt seen from the A458. The photo is taken from the East. [Google Streetview, May 2024]
Gradients are shallower here, witnessed by the broadening of the contours. the line crosses Coppice Lane and passes to the North of the Sewage Works. [5]
A very similar length of the line as it appears on railmaponline com’s satellite imagery. [6]

Castle Caereinion is South of the line down Coppice Lane from the level crossing which can be seen in the bottom-left of the image above.

Coppice Lane level crossing seen from the South. [Google Streetview, May 2024]

Again, the article in The Railway Magazine continues: the village of Castle Caereinion is about 0.5 mile from the station bearing its name. The line passed the site of the Castle of Caereinion and ran on through Cyfronydd and along the banks of the Afon Banwy, also known as the Afon Einion. It crossed the Bryn-Elen Viaduct, “a very substantial piece of engineering. The rails [were] then carried across the dingle which [ran]up to Cwmbaw by a stone bridge of six arches, at a considerable height above the bottom of the ravine. Half a mile further on is the Banwy Viaduct.” [1: 67]

After another tight curve the line enters Castle Caereinion Station. It is here that some of the services from Llanfair on the preservation line terminate. The loco runs round its train and then shepherds its carriages back to Llanfair Caereinion. Immediately at the edge of the station site the line crosses the B4385 and turns sharply to the Northwest. [5]
Once again, a similar area to that covered by the OS map extract above. Along this length of the line trains for Llanfair first encounter Castle Caereinion Station, then cross the B4385 and, as they turn northward they again cross the B4385. [6]
Castle Caereinion Railway Station as seen from the first level-crossing with the B4385, looking East. [Google Streetview, May 2024]
The first rail-crossing on the B4385 seen from the South. Castle Caereinion Station is of the picture to the right. [Google Streetview, May 2024]
The vIew West along the line from the same level-crossing with the B4385. [Google Streetview, May 2024]
The second, more westerly, level-crossing over the B4385. [Google Streetview, May 2024]
The view back towards Welshpool. [Google Streetview, May 2024]
The line ahead towards Llanfair. [Google Streetview, May 2024]
The line runs Northwest towards Cyfronwydd Bridge and Cyfronydd Station from the crossing on the B4385. [5]
Railmaponline.com covers the same length of the railway. [6]

The line continues down through Cyfronydd Railway Station, over Bryn-Elen Viaduct to the banks of the Afon Banwy.

Just beyond Cyfronydd Station, the track crossed a minor road and ran out over Bryn-Elen Viaduct and then reaches the South bank of the Afon Banwy (Afon Einion). [5]
The same length of the line, through Cyfronydd Station and out onto Bryn-Elen Viaduct. [6]
Looking East through Cyfronydd Railway Station. [Google Streetview, April 2024]
The level-crossing on with the minor road at the West end of the Cyfronydd Station site, seen from the Northeast. [Google Streetview, April 2024]
The line West towards Llanfair Caereinion. [Google Streetview, April 2024]
The building of Bryn-Elen Viaduct. [7]
The Earl crossing Bryn-Elen Viaduct in the year 2000, © Keith Halton. This image was shared on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway Facebook Page on 9th May 2020. [9]
One of a series of postcards produced in a set by Dalkeith, “On the Bryn-Elen Viaduct in GWR days.” [8]

After running for a while on the South bank of the Afon Banwy (Afon Einion) the line crosses the river on a three-span girder bridge, Banwy Viaduct. It turns West once again and enters Heniarth Railway Station. Opened as Heniarth Gate on 6th April 1903 the station was renamed ‘Heniarth’ on 1st February 1913. [16]

The railway crosses the Afon Banwy (Afon Einion)  on the Banwy Viaduct, just short of Heniarth Station. [5]
Close to the same length of line as shown by railmaponline.com. [6]
The approach from the East to the Banwy Viaduct, © John Firth and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence, (CC BY-SA 2.0). [13]
A mixed train crosses the Banwy Viaduct. [1: p66]
Another from the series of postcards produced in a set by Dalkeith, “Crossing the Afon Banwy, 1903.” [8]
‘The Earl’ heads a special enthusiasts’ train across the River Banwy bridge on the way back to Llanfair Caereinion in June 1968.
On 13th December 1964, the western masonry pier supporting the steel girder bridge was seriously damaged by flood waters and the bridge dislodged. During the spring and early summer of 1965 the 16th Railway Regiment of the Royal Engineers replaced the damaged masonry pier with a fabricated steel one and repositioned the span. Train services between Llanfair Caereinion to Castle Caereinion resumed on 14th August 1965. The steel pier is clearly evident in the photo. It has since been replaced by a masonry one, but more substantial than the one damaged in 1964, © Martin Tester and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence, (CC BY-SA 2.0). [11]
On the line between Heniarth Station and the Banwy Bridge. A view from the first coach behind ‘The Earl’, facing Southeast, © Martin Tester and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence, (CC BY-SA 2.0). [10]
Heniarth Gate Railway Station seen from the Banwy Viaduct, Llanfair Caereinion is away to the left, © John Firth and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence (CC BY-SA 2.0). [15]

Heniarth “is the centre for Meifod District. A short distance further on is the picturesque Melin [Dol-rhyd-y-defaid] where the rails are carried between the mill race and the River Banwy, by means of a substantial stone embankment.” [1: p67]

The railway is now on the North bank of the river. After leaving Heniarth Station it is met once again by the A458. Both railway and road pass a mill which, along with the mill race, separates the two. [5]
Almost the same length of line as shown on the map extract above. [6]
The line continues to follow the river bank into Llanfair Caereinion and it’s terminus adjacent to the river. [5]
The last of this series of extracts from the railmaponline.com satellite imagery bring us to the location of the terminus at Llanfair Caereinion. [6]
‘The Earl’ heads its train on the run-in to Llanfair Caereinion in April 1968. It is just passing the outer home signal about 100 metres from the station, © Martin Tester and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence, (CC BY-SA 2.0). [12]
‘The Earl’ at the water tank near Llanfair Caereinion Station – 1969. At the time this was the only watering facility on the railway. ‘Earl’ is seen heading a special train run by the Liverpool University Public Transport Society, © Alan Murray-Rust and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence, (CC BY-SA 2.0). [14]
This extract from the OS map SJ10 (33/10)-A
(Revised: 1900 to 1949), originally published: 1952, shows the railway approaching Llanfair Caereinion. Earlier mapping from 1901 does not show the line. The faded appearance of this extract matches the full map sheet provided by the NLS. [20]
The station at Llanfair Caereinion, a postcard view looking Northeast from the platform, © Public Domain. [19]
Llanfair Caereinion Railway Station in 1963. The original passenger service was withdrawn in 1931 in favour of a bus service. Lorries also began to poach traffic from the railway but the coal-powered trains came into their own again during the petrol scarcity of the Second World War, when Britain had to increase domestic food production. Local farms needed more feed for livestock but there was nowhere to store it at the terminus here. The solution was to place the bodies of two Victorian carriages (standard gauge) on the disused passenger platform. One is visible in this photograph, © Peter Clark. The photo comes from the history points.org website (https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=llanfair-caereinion-railway-station) and is included here by kind permission of the site owner.. [21]
The station buildings at Llanfair Caereinion looking Southwest towards the buffers from the rear veranda of one of the carriages on 1st June 2011, © John Firth and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence, (CC BY-SA 2.0). [22]

The Railway Magazine commented on the importance of this new railway: “This railway opens up and connects to an established system of railways, an area of over 100 square miles of Welsh scenery of great natural beauty-possessing abundance of excellent fishing and many other attractions. … Llanfair, a typical little Welsh town, is now within easy access, and the greatest obstacle to its success as a health resort has been removed. In the year 1824 (Montgomeryshire Collections) the medicinal properties of the springs of Llanfair, were discovered by one ‘Madock’, sulphur being present in one; another, close by, had chalybeat properties; while a third was saline. Pumps and other appliances were erected for the convenience of those who would make use of the springs, and the value of the waters becoming more widely known, the place was largely visited by invalids. The waters are still in good repute, and now that the difficulties consequent upon bad roads are removed, it is believed that they will become as popular as the waters of Llandrindod and Llanwrtyd in South Wales.” [1: p67]

The track is of a small gauge – 2ft 6in. The Railway Magazine described the rails as being “of the Vignoles section, flat bottomed, 421bs. per yard. The small radii of the curves, with their steep gradients, have necessitated a general use of check rails, sole-plates, and cross-stays to ensure a safe and substantial track.” [1: p67]

Although the railway gauge is only 2ft 6in “care in designing the rolling stock has prevented this line being catalogued under the title of ‘Toy Railways’, as will be apparent from the photographs. The responsibility of designing and providing the whole of the rolling stock devolved upon Mr. Herbert Jones, the Locomotive Superintendent of the Cambrian Railways, and is of a substantial and commodious character. The coaches, very roomy and comfortable vehicles – bogie type being built after the style of the one-storey electric car, are provided with first, third, and smoking compartments, divided by sliding doors; adjustable platforms, also, at the ends provide a convenient means of communication.” [1: p68]

The railway was initially worked by the Cambrian Railways, for 60 per cent. of the earnings. [1: p68]

Original Locomotives

The railway originally operated with two locomotives, No. 1, ‘The Earl’ and No. 2, ‘The Countess’.

‘The Earl’ at Raven Square Station taking on water in 2015, © Rwendland and licenced for use under a Creative Commons Licence, (CC BY-SA 4.0). [18]
The manufacturer’s photograph of The Countess. [1: p68]

As The Railway Magazine says: the engines were “two in number, named respectively ‘The Earl’ and ‘The Countess’, [they were] six-wheeled coupled, side tanks, with outside cylinders, built by Messrs. Beyer, Peacock and Co. Weight in working order, 194 tons; cylinders, 11in. diameter by 16in. stroke; diameter of cast-steel wheels, 2ft. 9in.; wheel base, 10ft.; steel boiler, 7ft long, 3ft. 5.5in. diameter; 119 copper tubes, 1.75in. diameter.” [1: p68]

With Walschaerts valve gear and a maximum boiler pressure of 150 lbf/in2 (1.03 MPa), they yielded a tractive effort of 8,175 lbf (36.36 kN). [17]

The Earl and The Countess ran the line from 1903 until closure of the railway in 1956. The engines were overhauled at Oswestry Works and were sent there on closure of the railway. [17]

By 1959, negotiations had begun with British Railways and the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway Preservation Company had leased the line from British Railways by the end of 1962. On 28 July 1961, The Earl returned after storage and overhaul at Oswestry Works, with Countess following not long after. They have continued to work on the line ever since. [17]

During their lifetime the locos have had many modifications, particularly after the takeover by the Great Western. During this period they were fitted with a larger cab, handles on the smokebox door, rather than the original wheel, a larger dome, a much larger and more sophisticated safety valve and two different funnels. They were painted in Great Western green. … When taken over by British Railways, their shunting bells and chopper couplings were removed, and were repainted black. … From 1997 to 2001, the locomotives were fully overhauled at Llanfair, which included the fitting of new boilers and cylinders. They are currently the same design as the BR era, but have worn different liveries in preservation. [17]

Original Rolling Stock

The Railway Magazine said: “The stock is painted in the Cambrian colours coaches, bronze, green and white; engines, black, picked out with red and yellow.” [1: p68]

3rd class bogie coach. [1: p67]

Carriage details were: “Length over headstocks, 35ft.; centres of bogies, 24ft.; width outside, 6ft. 6in.; wheel base of bogies, 4ft.; size of journals, 6in. by 3in. diameter; centres of journals, 4ft. The body [was] built of oak and mahogany, the steel underframes [were] fitted with the automatic vacuum brake, and a hand brake [was] placed on each carriage. Weight of carriage, 94 tons.” [1: p68]

Cattle Wagon. [1: p67]

“The whole of the stock was fitted with central ‘buffer couplings’ and safety chains.” [1: p68]

Goods Brake Van [1: p67]

Sadly, the coaches purchased for the opening of the line did not survive into preservation. When passenger services were suspended in 1931 the coaches were sent to Swindon for ‘storage’ but never re-entered traffic and were broken up in 1936. That would have been the end of the story but for a desire by the preserved Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway to reverse history and through the generosity of donors a complete new rake was built by the Ffestiniog Railway at their Boston Lodge works. [23]

References

  1. Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway; in The Railway Magazine, London, July 1903, p64-68.
  2. https://rogerfarnworth.com/2022/07/24/the-welshpool-llanfair-light-railway/
  3. https://rogerfarnworth.com/2022/09/23/the-welshpool-llanfair-light-railway-an-addendum/
  4. https://maps.nls.uk/view/188900409, accessed on 18th August 2024.
  5. https://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?x=314500&y=307500&z=120&sv=Welshpool&st=3&tl=Map+of+Welshpool+and+Llanfair+Railway,+Powys&searchp=ids&mapp=map, accessed on 18th August 2024.
  6. https://railmaponline.com/UKIEMap.php, accessed on 19th August 2024.
  7. https://wllr.org.uk/our-railway/our-history, accessed on 21st August 2024.
  8. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204467180155?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=tL4T-ZhGQ3-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=afQhrar7TGK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY, accessed on 21st August 2024.
  9. https://www.facebook.com/109476715927837/posts/pfbid0ENUcCSDiS5cYXkJut2j291owAcq3GZAJK7xmfZ25MjnkZJLhzaNgKexKV7fzbg8Jl/?app=fbl, 21st August 2024.
  10. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7681103, accessed on 25th August 2024.
  11. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7681029, accessed on 25th August 2024.
  12. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6788156, accessed on 25th August 2024.
  13. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1559805, accessed on 25th August 2024.
  14. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6957406, accessed on 25th August 2024.
  15. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5542428, accessed on 25th August 2024.
  16. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heniarth_railway_station, accessed on 26th August 2024.
  17. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welshpool_and_Llanfair_Light_Railway_No.1_The_Earl_and_No.2_Countess, accessed on 28th August 2024.
  18. https://maps.nls.uk/view/239291707, accessed on 29th August 2024.
  19. https://www.redbubble.com/i/poster/Welshpool-and-Llanfair-Light-Railway-by-Yampimon/9375190.LVTDI, accessed on 29th August 2024.
  20. https://maps.nls.uk/view/196757669, accessed on 29th August 2024.
  21. https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=llanfair-caereinion-railway-station, accessed on 29th August 2024.
  22. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2437193, accessed on 129th August 2024.
  23. https://www.accucraft.uk.com/products/welshpool-llanfair-pickering-coaches, accessed on 17th September 2024.