The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway at Golfa

Introduction

The photograph on this page of The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway at Golfa by Maxwell S W Birchenough as part of the Geograph project.

The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.

There are currently over 7.5m images from over 14,400 individuals and you can help contribute to the project by visiting https://www.geograph.org.uk

The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway at Golfa

Image: © Maxwell S W Birchenough Taken: 1 Aug 2006

This little line was opened in 1903, and is a classic light railway as defined by the 1896 Light Railways Act. It was constructed as cheaply as possible, with minimal earthworks - the train is approaching on a 1 in 29 gradient - and is perhaps the best surviving illustration of the way rural transport was conceived before the motor age. A halt was provided at the level crossing just behind the camera, though hardly any houses are nearer than a good walk away!

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