Llanfair Line opens this weekend

Steam whistles are sounding in the Banwy Valley again, with the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway opening its full 2019 operating season today (Saturday).

The trains are running again, just in time to welcome a visitor especially popular with children.

Over the Easter weekend, (April 20-22), the Easter Bunny will be around the line and children travelling on the train will be encouraged to spot the Easter Eggs placed en route, and on arrival at Llanfair collect their own free chocolate egg from the bunny.

The Easter Bunny’s visit will be the first of a number of special events the railway will run over the 2019 season including Vintage Weekends, Fish & Chips and Welsh Tea trains, along with new events too. These include a ‘Rock n’ Rails’ music festival at Llanfair on June 8, and ‘Theatre from the Train’ on July 7 when travellers will be treated to a wide variety of entertainment and tableaux along the entire route of the line.

Over the winter the railway’s mostly volunteer workforce has been busy on essential but mostly unseen maintenance work, to ensure the line is ready for the new season.

Major work undertaken out in the cold winter weather has included the dismantling and refurbishment of a bridge near Llanfair and essential groundwork for the extension to the railway’s stock sheds at Welshpool Raven Square.

Meanwhile in the Llanfair workshops teams have been busy on the extensive winter maintenance required on operating steam locomotives ‘Countess’ and ‘Joan’, while continuing the restoration of No.699.01 ‘Sir Drefaldwyn’ which it is hoped will return to service late in 2019.

More information on all Llanfair Line services, including the timetable and details of special events, can be obtained from the website at www.wllr.org.uk.

Travel tickets can also be booked through the website.