The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway officially launched the newest addition to its fleet of trains, having travelled there all the way from Taiwan.

A powerful diesel DL-34 locomotive on loan from the Alishan Forest Railway in Taiwan became the newest arrival to the fleet of trains running on the historic Powys railway.

The train was welcomed with an official ceremony on Saturday, May 4, with a delegation who had travelled from the Taiwanese railway in attendance alongside the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway team.

After the official ceremony, the DL-34 hauled its first passenger train since arriving in the UK.

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As a symbol of friendship and co-operation between the two railways, the ceremony saw the joint symbolic fitting of a headboard to the locomotive by Lin Hwa-ching, Director-general of Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, and Steve Clews, Chairman of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway.

County Times: The Taiwanese delegation from the Alishan Forest Railway alongside their W&LLR colleagues and

Mr Clews said the loan was the result of four years of the excellent relationship built with their Taiwanese counterparts.

He said: “This loan is the culmination of four years of discussions and hard work and is a great opportunity for our two railways to continue building their relationship.

“The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway and Alishan Forestry Railway have been affiliated since 2017 and we hope that this loan will help further our educational and cultural co-operation going forwards. The AFR is famous for being the highest narrow-gauge line in Asia, with steep gradients and its distinctive Shay locomotives.”

County Times: DL-34 hauls its first passenger train since arriving in the UK.

A handover ceremony was also held in 2023 as the DL-34 departed Taiwan and began its 6,000-mile journey to Wales. Since arriving in 2023, the Powys railway team and specialist contractors have been working to modify the locomotive’s brake system and couplings for use on the Welsh line.

The DL-34, on a three year loan to the Welsh railway, was built in 1972 by Mitsubishi of Japan and was designed to tackle the famous steep gradients and tight curves of the Alishan Forest line.

Lin Hwa-ching added: “Under the excellent care of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, we believe that DL-34 will traverse the beautiful hills and plains of Wales gracefully.”