Railway to mark Armistice

The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway’s main operating season ended on Sunday, but on Sunday two special trains will run to commemorate the Armistice that ended the 1914-18 Great War.

To mark the 100th anniversary, the railway will run separate trains from Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion to meet at Castle Caereinion for a brief ceremony.

In order to accommodate other events organised on Armistice Day by the respective branches of the Royal British Legion, trains will depart each terminus at 1.15pm on Sunday.

They will be piped into Castle Caereinion station, where the Last Post and Reveille will be sounded along with a performance of the renowned poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’.  Each train will arrive back at its departing station at 2.25pm.

Subject to availability, one of the locomotives rostered on these services will be No. 823 ‘Countess’, built in 1902 for the opening of the line, and which operated during both wars.

The fare is a flat £5 per person for the return trip to Castle.  However, anyone wearing their own earned medals will travel free, as will anyone whose family name appears on the War Memorials at Llanfair Caereinion, Castle Caereinion or Welshpool.

The tearoom at Llanfair Caereinion and the station at Welshpool Raven Square will be open for hot and cold drinks and confections from 12noon-3pm.

“The railway was opened in 1903 and supported the local community through both World Wars”, said W&LLR general manager Charles Spencer.  “As the son of parents who both served in the Canadian forces during the Second World War, I am very proud to be honouring those from this area who served.”

Welshpool & Llanfair trains are accessible for wheelchair users at both terminal stations. However, passengers with mobility issues should not alight at Castle Caereinion but observe the ceremony from their carriages. There will be heated carriages on both trains.

Please note that it will not be possible to make a journey from Welshpool to Llanfair Caereinion and back. The railway also requests that uniforms are worn only by those entitled to do so, out of respect for serving personnel. The railway is grateful for the support of Welshpool Town Council in mounting this commemoration.

Following the commemoration, the W&LLR will then be closed until the popular Santa Specials on 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd December.

More details of these can be found on the website at www.wllr.org.uk, while intending travellers requiring more informaiton on the Armistice trains can also call the railway on 01938 810441.