Llanfair Caereinion light railway could soon see a new locomotive on the tracks thanks to a unique partnership from the other side of the world.

Negotiations are underway for the Welshpool to Llanfair Light Railway to receive a loan of a new locomotive from its sister railway the Alishan Forest Railway in Taiwan.

The engine in question is DL-34, a 25-ton 520hp diesel built especially for the line by Mitsubishi in 1972.

Welshpool to Llanfair Light Railway chairman Steve Clews said: “We are most grateful to the Alishan Forest Railway and Taiwan’s Forestry Bureau for their most generous offer.”

“DL-34 will be a welcome and valuable addition to our roster, and we hope that once the pandemic has receded sufficiently, Taiwanese visitors will be able to come and see the loco in action here for themselves.”

While negotiations have gone smoothly, the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have played havoc with global shipping, especially an object of this size.

However, the railway remains hopeful that the locomotive can be delivered by the end of the autumn.