I am going to opt for an easy post (or two) this week, posting a few of my old holiday snaps.  Nothing racy or revealing, I’m afraid, just boring old railways.  So here are four snaps of the 2′ 6″ gauge Welshpool & Llanfair Railway, on the Welsh borders, at the dawn of its preservation in 1970.  One of the original 0-6-0 locos, Countess’ is in charge of the train.

Only a short journey in those days, but nearly the full 9 miles of track has been restored and you can ride behind a variety of European locomotives  – 2′ 6″ is an unusual gauge in the UK, and locos were rescued from all over for the line.  This little railway has always appealed.  It wasn’t a slate or mineral railway, like those in west Wales, but survived on agricultural traffic, and ran through much gentler scenery than the bleak slate country.