SOME very strange goings-on will be happening around the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway line this Sunday, July 7, with more than 100 local actors and performers confirmed for the first dramatic experience of its kind to take place in Britain.

At least a dozen events will be happening along the eight-mile length of the Llanfair Line, entertaining passengers who have pre-booked tickets on one of the five special steam trains operating during the day.

Passing trains will be menaced by Martians that have invaded the Earth as community theatre group Rebel Alliance re-imagine H.G. Wells’ classic alien invasion apocalypse story ‘The War of the Worlds’ in four scenes starting with a giant crashed spaceship.

Gunfire will be heard at level crossings where re-enactment societies will put their historic weaponry to use, while superheroes, undead zombies and friendly characters from ‘The Wind in the Willows’ will also appear along the route, together with choirs and musicians playing at stations.

Junior actors with Montgomeryshire Youth Theatre will perform alongside experienced older hands as a host of local performance groups and societies come together, including the Castle Belles Choir, Llanymynech Amateur Dramatic Society, 41st Foot Re-enactment Society, Guilsfield Dramatics, Signal Corps Re-enactment Group, The Cosplay Group, Saxaphone Sundae, Sara Tree, Dennis Duggan Classic Cars and Llanymynech Golf Club ladies.

Inspiration for the event came from Germany, where performances took place in fields bordering a main-line railway. It was thought that theatrical skills could be better displayed around the narrow gauge Welshpool & Llanfair line, where the steam trains travel at a maximum of 15mph.

“We gathered local groups and performers together in Welshpool Town Hall last year and the ideas flew around – now it’s all coming together and it’s going to be a unique day,” said Carol Davies, one of the event organisers.

Visitors are strongly advised to pre-book their tickets from the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. More details can be obtained by calling 01938 810441 or from the website at h