8 Miles of Fireworks…

Electrify are proud to announce that as part of the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railways’ 3 day annual Gala, for the first time ever, Saturday evening will see 8 miles of fireworks fired from the stations along the length of the track as the steam engine-lead train powers through the beautiful Powys countryside followed by a huge pyro-musical display at the Llanfair yard.

The Welshpool and Llanfair 2ft 6 inch gauge light steam railway was built in 1903 to link farming communities with the market town of Welshpool and provide them with an outlet for their produce. It closed in 1956 however was progressively rebuilt and re-opened by a group of enthusiasts from 1963 onward.  In conjunction with Electrify Pyrotechnics, the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway will celebrate its’ annual gala with a unique firework show running along its’ 8 miles of track culminating in an amazing firework display to music at its terminus.

The railway event is open to the general public and visitors can ride in one of the charming balconied carriages pulled by one of the railways steam engines from Welshpool Raven Square station along the 45 minute journey crossing a viaducts, river bridges, steep inclines and rolling countryside to the Llanfair station, passing along its way through the Powys Estate. In addition to the fireworks, the light railway will celebrate their biggest event of the year, now over 3 days, with every operating engine in use.  Traction engines, steam cars and lorries, a model railway exhibition, demonstrations and trade stands, and a shuttle bus to the associated Llanfair Garden railway show up the hill at Llanfair High School.  The Llanfair yard will also host a real ale bar, carved pork-roll trailer, steam traction engines, fairground organ and much, much more and so there really is something for all the family to see and do.

WLLR General Manager, Charles Spencer said “Our annual Steam Gala has always been special, and this year all our volunteers are extremely excited at the prospect of partnering with Electrify Pyrotechnics to deliver a truly unique spectacle of steam and fireworks along the length of our line to celebrate the year in which we have been running longer as a heritage railway than the original railway operated as a commercial service.”

Electrify Director, Scott Pounder “In all the years delivering firework displays this has to be one of the most unique we’ve ever done. Logistically it’s incredibly difficult and requires a large number of firework firing staff and multiple firing systems, including the type that are used to fire the Mayor’s New Years’ Eve display in London.  Despite the challenges, the end result will be an incredible spectacle of two amazing things – steam trains and fireworks!”

The railway company’s website www.wllr.org.uk contains more information about the event and more details on the pyro-musical display can be found on Electrify Pyrotechnics website.

So why not let off some steam, and come and join us for a wonderful day out?