Railway ‘chuffed’ with £3 promotion

 

Staged as part of Welshpool’s ‘Be a Local Tourist’ week, the offered local people return trips on the eight-mile long narrow gauge line for just £3, compared to the normal adult return fare of £11.90.

 

Railway staff came up with the idea after many local people admitted that despite the railway being a very familiar part of the local environment they had not travelled on it for many years, some never at all.

 

With more than 500 residents taking up the offer, the team running the railway were delighted with the busy trains and also with the many positive comments they received from the locals.

 

Pride of place went to one lady who told railway staff she was travelling on the railway for the first time since 1923. “She seemed to have a good time,” said John Jacobs, a local and regular volunteer.

 

W&LLR General Manager, Terry Turner, said that residents appeared to have been impressed by the railway’s initiative.

 

“We consider ourselves an important part of the local community but we also consider the local community very important to us,” he commented. “To see so many local residents taking the time to come and see what is happening on the railway, was very pleasing.”

 

The railway is currently running every day except Monday and Friday, with daily services beginning on July 23. Full details of train times can be found at www.wllr.org.uk or by calling 01938 810441.