Narrow Gauge Railways #: The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway

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Unusually among Welsh narrow-gauge railways, the 2ft 6in gauge Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway was built to benefit agriculture, not minerals. After several failed attempts to connect the market town at Welshpool with the rural community around Llanfair Caereinion, the 1896 Light Railways Act paved the way for the railway which opened in 1902. Operated by the Cambrian Railways and then by the Great Western Railway it became the only narrow-gauge steam railway catering for goods traffic under the auspices of British Railways. Sadly, it was closed in 1956 but enthusiasts ensured its revival, which started in 1963. Overcoming many obstacles, the railway is now run by a charitable trust and is a leading volunteer-operated tourist attraction in Montgomeryshire. AUTHOR: Peter Johnson is an historian specialising in North Wales' s railways, particularly its many narrow gauge lines. Writing nearly 40 books since 1984, he brings together threads from many original sources to produce informed and readable accounts of their histories and development. A retired local government officer, he was editor of the Ffestiniog Railway Society' s quarterly magazine from 1974 until 2003 and a director of the society for 11 years. In 2003 he was appointed the Festiniog Railway Company' s official photographer. From 1991-2019 he contributed a narrow-gauge railway news column to one of the national railway magazines. This is his sixth title for Pen & Sword Transport, following books on the Festiniog (two), Welsh Highland, Corris Railway and Vale of Rheidol Railways. 200 colour and b/w illustrations, maps and track diagrams