Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway have brought a new train from across the globe to use on the line for the next three years.
After a 9,971km journey, a powerful diesel locomotive has arrived at the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway on a three-year loan from the Alishan Forest Railway of Taiwan.
Representatives of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway took part in an official handover ceremony at the Taiwanese line back in November 2022, after which DL-34 began its long journey to the UK.
Their new Taiwanese train will be serving the route on a three year long loan.
Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway Chairman Steve Clews said the loan was the result of four years of the excellent relationship built with their Taiwanese counterparts.
“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,” said Mr Clews.
“The W&LLR 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.”
- Man was carrying psychedelic drug similar to magic mushrooms
- Powys teen Kaylea Titford died due to gross neglect, trial told
- Powys garden centre named as one of the best in UK
Now safely on Welsh rails, the engine will undergo a period of commissioning and modifications to its coupling and braking systems to make it compatible with the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railways’s existing rolling stock. The train is expected to enter passenger traffic during the first part of the 2023 operating season.
DL-34 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.
Since the agreement for the loan of the engine, Taiwanese engineers have been working hard to prepare DL-34 for its journey abroad including sharing of essential knowledge to allow training of Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway staff in its operation and maintenance.
According to Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway the new arrival will help bolster the Welsh railway’s home fleet of diesels which are in need of overhaul.
The arrival of a third diesel capable of hauling passenger services and other duties will allow 1949 built Baguley-Drewry No.7 ‘Chattenden’ and former Taiwan Sugar Corporation Diema No.175 to be released in turn from traffic for major works.
Want to stay up to date with all the top stories of the week from Powys? Click here to sign up for our weekly catch-up email newsletter and click on the + for the ‘Weekly Catch-Up’.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here