Happy 50th Llanfair Ginny!

On Saturday, April 6, 1963 a small group of railway enthusiasts realised a dream when the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway reopened for business – seven years after the eight-mile long narrow gauge line had been declared uneconomical by British Railways and closed.

Over this weekend some of those original members will be present when the Welshpool & Llanfair – now one of the leading tourist attractions in Powys – celebrates 50 years of running as a heritage railway.

The opening event of the anniversary year will see a recreation of that first day of operation half a century ago (pictured). Between the normal service trains on both Saturday and Sunday special Nostalgia Trains will be running from Llanfair Caereinion to Castle Caereinion, now the midpoint of the line but in 1963 the limit of working-services from Llanfair to Welshpool were not restored until 1981.

The Nostalgia Trains will follow the opening day timetable as closely as possible. Inside the carriages will be displayed storyboards detailing how the railway has evolved over the past 50 years, from humble beginnings with services run on a shoestring to today’s professional operation that thousands of visitors enjoy each year.

Shortly after the departure of the 1pm train from Llanfair Caereinion on Saturday, W&LLR Chairman Alan Higgins will address visitors while standing on a wagon originally from the Chattenden & Upnor Railway in Kent – the very same wagon that Alan’s predecessor, the railway’s first Chairman, Sir Thomas Salt, stood on to make the opening day speech in 1963.

Many members, both old and new, are expected at the event to swap memories about one of their favourite subjects – the W&LLR. Specially brewed Anniversary Ale will be available all weekend at a Real Ale Bar, while hot food will be on sale all day and into the evening.

The Nostalgia Train will make three return trips from Llanfair Caereinion to Castle Caereinon each day. The fare includes a commemorative leaflet plus a special edition souvenir ticket. Tickets for these trains are limited and advanced booking is advised either through the railway’s website on www.wllr.org.uk or by calling 01938 810441.

The railway will be staging further anniversary events during the year, including a 1960s weekend on 18th/19th May, for which further details will be issued nearer the time.

PICTURE (W&LLR Archive): The opening day train at Castle Caereinion on April 6, 1963.