New manager plans for return of Llanfair steam

The new general manager at Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway is hoping that the popular tourist attraction can help to boost the town’s summer.

James Brett has succeeded the retiring Charles Spencer and comes in at a time when the railway lost a significant part of its 2020 season to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it was able to operate some trains safely through the summer.

“We are currently working towards reopening as soon as we are able and our plans naturally depend on the Coronavirus situation,” said the W&LLR’s marketing manager, Oliver Edwards.

“Our volunteers and staff are giving a lot of thought to how we operate responsibly – our experience in 2020 gave us fantastic learning and great visitor feedback which reflected the preparatory efforts of our team.”

The railway will shortly be launching a new website featuring a wide range of experiences planned on the line for 2021.

Highlights of the season are expected to include the return of the 1902-built original locomotive ‘The Earl’ following a major overhaul at the Vale of Rheidol Railway, first-class rides featuring the line’s Sierra Leone Railways Independence Carriage, vintage train days and a host of further events. 

The line said that rains will only begin running when safe to do so and services will be announced on www.wllr.org.uk, and the railway’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WelshpoolSteamRailway.

James arrives at the Llanfair Line from the National Tramway Museum at Crich in Derbyshire, where he was Facilities & Infrastructure Manager.

He was unanimously selected from more than 100 applicants for the W&LLR post with the railway’s interview panel impressed by his management of an overwhelmingly volunteer workforce at Crich, during which he successfully delivered several major projects and his extensive experience gained across the heritage and tourism sector.

“I am looking forward to getting to grips with the challenges of the General Manager role, meeting the team, and leading the organisation forward to future opportunities,” James said.

“I was impressed with the team’s careful Covid-safe operations in 2020 - we’ll just have to do

the same in 2021 to make sure everyone is safe, comfortable and can enjoy their time at the

railway.”

James started at Llanfair on February 1, beginning a handover period with Charles who will step down on March 31. And after six years in post, Charles insists he won’t be disappearing as he is a qualified fireman on the challenging line and intends to make regular return visits to “shovel some coal on steam engines”.

PICTURE (Andrew Charman/W&LLR): James Brett, to the fore, will be taking over the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway general manager’s role from the retiring Charles Spencer.