From a trek to the southern African veldt in October, this month’s odyssey by Welshpool’s rail enthusiast group will be to the prairies and mountains of northern America tonight (Monday).
This time the group will discover how the Canadian nation was literally stitched together by the building of its great transcontinental railway.
Charles Spencer, General Manager of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway will be the guest speaker at a meeting of the Welshpool Area Group, which supports the local tourist line. As a former Canadian banker, Charles is well-placed to speak about the history and role of the great Canadian Pacific Railway.
From its beginnings in the late 19th century right up to today, it has played a crucial role in linking the early Anglo-French provinces of the eastern seaboard with its vast prairie hinterland, and the Rockies and the shores of the Pacific.
However, the Canadian Pacific will only be one of the railways about which Charles will speak. Experience with railways on the Isle of Man, and latterly as both a volunteer and now Manager of the Llanfair line, will enable him to draw on his knowledge and reminiscences of all three for a varied and stimulating programme.
The meeting will be held in the Council Chamber of Welshpool Town Hall beginning at 7.30pm. Members and non-members are welcome to attend and a small charge of £3 will be made to cover costs. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available and there will be a chance to book for the group’s popular Christmas Bash in December. This year the venue will be the Green Dragon at Buttington, but limited places are being snapped up fast.