Railway soap opera at Welshpool

Rail fans in the Welshpool area are in for a treat next Monday when Meifod-based writer and researcher Mike Lister gives a talk.

He will be at The Corn Exchange at 7-30pm to speak on the complex system of internal railways which once supported the colossal output of soap and detergents at the giant Lever Bros, Port Sunlight plant on Merseyside.

The Port Sunlight railways reached an amazing length of 54 track miles. Some of the system consisted of a 2-foot gauge railway which lasted until the 1950s. This line had been used in the construction of Port Sunlight employee village, which is itself now rumoured to have been earmarked as a potential UNESCO world heritage site.

The audience will get a sneak preview of some of the new material that has come to light since the first edition of Mike’s book was published by Oakwood in 1980. An enlarged and revised edition is due off the presses later this year.

The talk will embrace the construction of the railway within the soap factory from 1888 and its subsequent expansion to other factories at Bromborough Port and Bromborough Dock.

The evening is being organised by the local area group of the narrow gauge Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway and non-members are also welcome.

For more information contact Vice Chairman Steve Page on 01686 650102.