Rail enthusiasts release programme
The season gets underway tonight (Monday) with a talk by the group’s Vice-Chairman, Steve Page, who will speak about some of the railways proposed for Montgomeryshire that never got built, or if built, never carried any trains.
“Montgomeryshire was never going to be a good prospect for railway companies as it lacked exploitable natural resources, heavy industry and a viable population density,” explained Steve. “As it was, the local main line Cambrian Railways often struggled and were twice technically bankrupt.
“On top of that there were basket cases like the Kerry branch which terminated a mile from the village and the abortive Potteries, Shrewsbury and North Wales Railway, which under various guises opened and closed three times in its impoverished history.
“When you add to that the various attempts to link Welshpool and Llanfair that were made before the final successful scheme in 1903, you have a fascinating series of might-have-beens, many of which will be the subject of my talk.”
Later in the season there will be talks by one of the local line’s most experienced drivers, Simon Bowden, who will talk about steam railways in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and Charles Spencer, General Manager of the W&L, who will talk about three significant railways in his own life, the Canadian Pacific, the Isle of Man and, of course, the Welshpool and Llanfair.
Meetings will be held on the third Mondays of September, October and November in the Welshpool Town Hall Council Chamber beginning at 7.30 p.m. Non-members are welcome and a donation of £3 is requested to help to cover costs. Light refreshments are available.
Further details of the programme are available on the group’s website http://welshpoolareagroup.org.uk/.
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