ginning, the line might be made as far as
Llanfair, and then the promoters might "wait and see." But Powis Castle
was not so easily to be persuaded. The Earl considered a railway from
Welshpool below Llanfair Road to Sylvaen Hall "very objectionable" and
much preferred the alternative route of branching off the Llanfyllin line
at Llansantffaid, via Pont Robert. This Mr. Aitken "could not
successfully try to contest" and therefore "gave up the idea of trying
for powers to construct the proposed railway," but he still thought a
line "from Bala to Welshpool would pay and that it would be a great
benefit to the country through which it passes." How far these
prognostications may have been justified experience has never given us
opportunity to ascertain. A railway through the mighty ramparts of the
Berwyns is as remote an accomplishment to-day as it ever was; though,
after many years, Llanfair itself was to obtain its narrow guage line, an
inch less than Mr. Davies's original design, which, under the name of the
Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, with the Earl's successor as its
most enthusiastic promoter and chairman, was opened for traffic on April
4th, 1903, to be worked by the Cambrian as an important feeder to its
main system.

[Picture: Two famous figures. The late CHIEF INSPECTOR GEORGE THOMAS, of
Oswestry, popularly known in his day as one of "The Three Georges," the
other two, of course, being Mr. George Lewis, General Manager, and Mr.
George Owen, Engineer. The late GUARD CUDWORTH, of Oswestry, for many a
long year the highly esteemed custodian of the principal passenger trains
on the Cambrian, beloved of all the travelling public]

A shorter branch, some five miles in length, from Abermule winding up the
course of the Mule to the village of Kerry, was in course of construction
while these other schemes were maturing or languishing. On Monday, March
2nd, 1863, the first engine puffed its way up the long incline (some of
it as steep as 1 in 43) to Kerry, drawing one carriage, and on its
arrival, after several stoppages on the way to "make steam," was met by a
company of local ladies and gentlemen. It had been intended to indulge
in some speechmaking, as befitted so auspicious an occasion, but the
assembled guests were so absorbed in shaking hands with one another and
looking at the engine, panting after its exertions, that the oratory was
forgotten, and folks were content to offer their per