For 125th Anniversary in 2027
Return 'The Countess' to Steam!
Our 1902-built original locomotive No.2 The Countess (GWR/BR 823) needs a heavy overhaul in order to be returned to steam for her 125th anniversary celebration in 2027, when we want to have both her and sister locomotive The Earl in steam together.
Our engineers have already dismantled her in order to see what needs to be done. The cost of the overhaul has been estimated at £150,000.
Our paid staff and volunteers have already started some of the work in house, and the rest will be contracted out to trusted partners.
Little or no grant support is available for a locomotive overhaul at this time. We must rely on the generosity of the many lovers of our original Beyer Peacock locomotives in order to have them in steam together again!
Current Appeal
How to Give
The easiest way to give is via our Donation Site. Choose the amount of your donation, and if you are eligible for Gift Aid, please tick the box on the donations page so that we can reclaim tax and boost your gift by 25%.
Larger Donations – You may post a cheque to us at: The Station/Yr Orsaf, Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 0SF. Marking the envelope ‘Countess Appeal’.
Cheques should be made payable to: The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway Preservation Co. Ltd.
Please print and return the Gift Aid Declaration if you are eligible.
Donation Levels
Our Thanks to You
We will acknowledge all donors in the Llanfair Railway Journal unless they ask to remain anonymous:
- Donations of £50 or more will receive a printed certificate.
- Donations of £200 or more will be acknowledged on a plaque on The Countess’ footplate after the restoration is complete.
- Donations of £823 or more will qualify the donor for a footplate ride on The Countess once back in steam.
History of our Original Locomotives
'The Earl' & 'The Countess'
Named after the 4th Earl and Countess of Powis. The Earl, one of the promoters of the original W&LLR, offered the land between Raven Square and Sylfaen, on the edge of his Powis Castle estate, thus bequeathing us the very steep, and very picturesque, line we operate today. His descendant the 7th Earl is now our President and committed supporter.
To operate such a line required locomotives that were very powerful for their gauge, and the design of The Earl and The Countess are a huge testament to the craftsmen and designers of Beyer Peacock in Manchester, their original builders, and the Great Western Railway, which rebuilt them in Oswestry works in 1930.
The other most important figure in their history was Oliver Veltom, who was British Railways’ District Traffic Superintendent for the Cambrian network when the line closed in 1956. He ensured that the two locomotives were not scrapped, but slumbered in a corner of Oswestry Works until rescued by the infant Preservation Company in 1962-3.
The Earl and The Countess have served the Company ever since, running longer in preservation than in all their previous lives under three operating companies put together.
Support our Charitable Objectives
Make a General Donation
As an Educational Charity we are committed to preserving and demonstrating railway heritage for future generations.
Unrestricted Donations give us the freedom to allocate funds to a variety of projects across the Railway.
Remembering us in your Will
Legacies
Make a lasting impact. Whatever gift you can leave, we promise we will use it well to ensure that this unique example of a narrow gauge country railway continues to delight and educate future generations.
Our Legacies Leaflet contains useful information on how best you can support charities in your will.
Make Your Mark
Membership & Volunteering
Join us and help support our work by becoming a member, or volunteer in a wide variety of roles. Membership includes:
- Free standard class travel on most operating days (excludes some special events).
- Discount on select items in our Shop.
- Keep up to date with our Quarterly Print Journal.
- Help govern the railway. Vote to appoint Trustees and Annual General Meeting.
- A variety of Membership options from 12-months, 36-months, and life membership.
Make your Ticket go Further
Gift Aid Your Fare
Where possible, we encourage Visitors to Gift Aid their Fare.
Gift Aiding allows us to claim back some of the tax you pay to the government as a donation to the charity.
Gift Aid Fares also include an additional 10% voluntary donation.
