Ready, teddy… go!

If you go down to the station today, you are sure of a big surprise... it certainly won’t be grizzly this coming weekend when the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway holds its popular family-themed Teddy Bears Picnic event.

Any child who brings their teddy bear to the railway on July 12 or 13 will travel for free as long as they are accompanied by a fare-paying adult. And there will be extra attractions too including a Teddy Trail, Ted’s Story Time, the chance to meet the railway’s own Teddy Bear family and a Name the Bear competition.

At Llanfair Caereinion, the tearoom and shop will be open, as will the railway’s Connections Visitor Centre and the Cloverlands Model Car Museum, with more than 8,000 model cars on display and growing.

The free travel offer is valid on any train service over the weekend – return trains hauled by the railway’s fleet of steam or heritage diesel locomotives depart from Llanfair Caereinion at 10.30, 12.00, 13.45 and 15.30, and from Welshpool Raven Square at 11.45 and 13.30.

The line is expected to be busy over the weekend and it is recommended that travellers, and their teddies, book in advance, either through the website www.wllr.org.uk or calling the office on 01938 810441.

Full details of timetables and events for the year can also be found on the website while the latest updates are also on the W&LLR’s Facebook and Instagram pages.