Monument Type(s):

• MINERAL RAILWAY (Founded, Mid 19th century - 1861 AD to 1861 AD)
• RAILWAY (Mid 19th century to 20th century (post-war) - 1861 AD to 1960 AD)

Summary

Dismantled Railway. Originally opened in 1866 from Shrewsbury to Llanymynech with a branch to Criggin, it ran out of money and was suspended in 1880. It was rescued in 1908 when it was reconstructed as a light railway, being completed in 1911. It ceased to operate in 1933, was resurrected for military use in World War II, finally ceasing operations in 1962.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events: None recorded

Description

This railway line began life in 1861 as a mineral line, the West Shropshire Mineral Railway (WLMR), intended to link the quarries around Llanymynech with the Shrewsbury and Welshpool railway line. The line's main promoter and contractor was Richard France, and he amalgamated the WLMR with his Shrewsbury and Potteries Junction Railway to become the Potteries, Shrewsbury & North Wales Railway (PSNWR), also known as the "Potts". The railway opened in 1866, and although built to a high standard, it did not run close to any major settlement. The consequent lack of passenger traffic, together with a number of legal battles, crippled the company and the line closed in 1880 [<2>]. The line was reopened in 1887, and in 1909 was acquired by Holman Stephens, who formed the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway (SMLR). Despite innovations such as the introduction of railcars, petrol-engined Ford buses on a rail chassis known as "Rattlers", the line continued to lose money, and the last passenger train ran on November 6th 1933 [<2>]. In June 1941 the line was taken over by the War Department and run under the control of the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Light Railway Detachment, No 1 Railway Group, Royal Engineers. 200 heavily reinforced ammunition stores were built by the McAlpines construction company along the line, each linked by short spur sidings to the main line ... Barracks for troops were also built, together with four new halts and a marshalling yard at Ford. In 1960 the War Department began running down and closing the ammunition depots; although offered to British Rail, the line was considered to be uneconomic and was closed [<2>] <1>

he Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Light Railway ran from Shrewsbury to Llanymynech Junction with a branch to Criggion. The Criggion to Melverley section was closed to passenger traffic in October 1932, and the remainder of the line in November 1933. <4><5>

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.