The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway will return to operating trains over its full length on selected days in September, after a successful post-lockdown reopening in August.

The tourist attraction resumed services on August 1, five months later than its originally scheduled start of the 2020 season in April, and running over half of the eight-mile line between Llanfair Caereinion and Castle Caereinion.

These services will continue on five days a week through September, and the line will add special trains all the way to its Welshpool Raven Square terminus on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting on September 9 – and plans are being made for the popular annual Santa specials.

“We are delighted that so many visitors enjoyed our trips to Castle Caereinion and back during August, with most of our trains selling out,” said general manager Charles Spencer.

“Our September service continues to offer the family-friendly one-hour return journey to Castle, while we hope enthusiasts will be pleased that we have answered their requests for the full two-hour journey to Welshpool again.”

How much will it cost?

The special trips to Welshpool will be subject to a minimum fare to ensure costs of the longer journey are covered, but a discounted family rate will be available and the child fare is unchanged. Some spaces on trains to Castle Caereinion continue to be earmarked for advance W&LLR member bookings but initially there will be no free member travel available on the trains to Welshpool.

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What Covid measures are in place?

Advance booking is strongly recommended on all services – because capacity is limited to provide social distancing.

All departures are from Llanfair Caereinion for return journeys only and there will be no vehicle access to Raven Square station.

The Covid-19 measures that have worked well over the past month of operating will continue to be applied. A strict one-way system remains in operation at Llanfair station. The railway’s shop will be open and hot and cold refreshments are available to enjoy in the marquee, take on the train or take away.

Everyone attending the railway, visitors and staff, are required to wear face coverings, and all trains will be cleaned between trips. A host of further cleaning measures have been carried out and there will be hand sanitisers widely available.

“All of us at the railway have been both delighted at the number of visitors that have come to ride our trains in August, and gratified at their appreciation of the Covid-19 measures we have taken to keep them safe without spoiling their day out, just one recent comment highlighting the friendly and professional staff,” Charles added. “We hope our enhanced services in September will please both families and enthusiasts.”

Plans are in the works for continued train services in October and railway volunteers are also planning how to host Santa safely for his ever popular December visits.