Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway

This is about what is the case. See the profile in Glyn Williams' 2010 book. In particular, the section through "The Kink" just by Cyfronydd is much steeper in reality. Another place whuch can be noticed straight away is the pull out of Castle Caereinion where the steepest sections are considerably steeper than your profile suggests but are seperated by an easier bit not hinted at in the "Railway Magazine" profile.

There should be no surprise in this. Evidently Strachan, the contractor, was someone who was not averse to getting away with things if he could.

 

Thanks, I'll try to get hold of a copy of the 2010 book.

 

Just curious, reading Wikipedia and other articles here and there, the impression seems to be that the railway and the local authorities have discussed or are having discussions about extending the line to link back up with the mainline station, via a different route from the original.

Could anyone here clarify at all if this is genuine or not? Or indeed if it could ever actually happen?

Personally I'm not too sure myself, the railway seems quite fine in how its set up now, and probably has other major projects they'd prefer give priority before any thought of extensions.

As I say just curious though, wondering if this claim of extending further into town is real or not.

 

Extension to TfW station simply not feasible, road has just been remodelled by Seven Stars, Brook Sr, Salop Rd, getting anywhere to cross there is not possible and as for the A483 by the main line no chance. Either wishful thinking or confused with the symbolic restoration of the former ng siding by the 483 and the old goods yard behind the erstwhile signal box.

 

Ah okay, thanks for the info there, as I said I was only curious as a few articles seemed to suggest the possibility. Though truth be told I could never quite understand the reasoning behind it, as it's not exactly that much distance the railway lost from not being able to run through town. Plus what with all those roads to cross and traverse, such a section of track like that nowadays would be a health and safety nightmare...

 

Google satellite view suggests that it would be possible to make a new alignment through what looks like parkland south of all the development and north of the castle. With the sorts of gradient that already exist, bridges over the A458 and/or the A483 with shortish ramps each side would also be possible. I say nothing about what it would cost or whether it would be jusified, only that it does look possible.

 

With enough money to sling at just about anything within the realms of possibility, there's actually very little which can't be achieved. In the case of any W&L extension to the mainline station, given restoration of anything close to the original alignment is a non-starter, I'd suggest the foremost question has to be why would you want to?

Given Welshpool's geographic location, unless likely traffic from the mainline is several orders of magnitude greater than seems vaguely feasible, I honestly can't for the life of me see any clear advantage to the railway.

 

I see that Chevallier has been out and about again.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tanllan/49003359036/in/dateposted/

 

Interesting line inspection video after the storm ... looks like it nearly became a boat trip.

 

... and it got worse this weekend ...

https://www.facebook.com/191745904188810/posts/3170799806283390/

 

Seem wrong to 'like' a post about potential damage to a railway, so. . . .
. . . Just wanted to say, glad the railway has escaped any damage to the line. Obviously the measures previously put in place were well planned and worth whatever cost and effort they required.

 

I've been experimenting with colourising one or two of my old B&W pictures and this one of the level crossing in Church Street, Welshpool might be of interest:

Untitled by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

 

Thanks very much for posting this.
It reminds me that, as pesky 11 year old I persuaded my parents to buy me a carton of milk from that dispensing machine on the right.
A feature that I had completely forgotten about!

 

There is a new photo album book due out soon, price includes a donation to the "Tracks to Recovery" Appeal, supporting the railway through the Coronavirus Lockdown Period.

https://mainline-maritime.myshopify...through-the-years?_pos=1&_sid=277bbf38b&_ss=r

 

I've not visited the W&L in more than 10 years, but have just been looking at a film of the ZB on youtube. Countess also starred, along with the rather magnificent Pickering stock.
Can anyone tell me, what is the origin of the bogies under said Pickerings? Are they to the original design, or are they more modern, recycled items? Not being critical either way. Just not quite the design I'd have expected-then again, were the originals built in 1902? Not really my era, so maybe just all around more modern than I'm familiar with

 

Both the coaches and bogies were built brand new largely to the original design at Boston Lodge.

Tim

 

Thank you

 

Given that it's now left the railway is there a full detailed account of what happened with the Resita? It appeared to have been a serious trial with another one with it to cannibalise from and Nigel Day doing some redraughting.

There might be valuable lessons to learn.I have always been surprised by how few locomotives the Welshpool and Landfair has managed with. Given how tough the route is this can only be good maintenance and as good or better mechanical understanding - exceptionally good boiler water is the only obvious thing that might be luck rather than judgement.

What made it clear the Roumanian 0-8-0 was beyond persisting with?

 

When I visited about a year ago I noticed that 823's reversing lever was on the left-hand side. I asked the fireman if that was right, knowing how right-handed Swindon was. he said that it was a right-hand drive engine, but the reverser was on the left. Can this be true? Did I mishear / misunderstand something fundamental? Can someone on here put me right?
Pat

 

You're not mistaken Pat. Remember that the locos were originally built by Beyer Peacock and only Swindonised in 1929/30. It is likely, therefore, that they were built as left hand drive and later converted to right hand drive but, for reasons of cost, the reverser was left where it was.
Ray.