Welshpool Powys Wales United Kingdom - In partnership with the UK based Friends of Sierra Leone National Railway Museum, the locomotive tourist attraction's event will feature displays and activities sharing the fascinating story of the small West African nation and how the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway (W&L) came to be part of its history.
The connection between the W&L and Sierra Leone goes back to 1975 when a train was brought to Wales from the African nation.
On Saturday, 28 Apr 2018, visitors will have the opportunity to travel on a locomotive from Sierra Leone and visit an elegant first-class carriage at Welshpool Station.
Also on display will be locomotive number 85 which has been out of service since 2010 and is in need of significant restoration.
Sierra Leone gained independence on 27 Apr 1961 after more than 100 years of British rule.
To help the country prepare for independence, the British Government carried out repairs to the railway which ran 227 miles into the mountainous country.
New carriages were delivered to Sierra Leone from Britain in 1961, however In 1968 a decision was made to close the Sierra Leone Railway (SLR).
In 1975, the W&L wanted to increase its passenger fleet and visited the capital of Freetown to buy four Independence Coaches, rail, signalling equipment, and SLR locomotive number 85.
Until 2004 it was thought that the Llanfair vehicles were the only Independence Coaches to survive.
However, following the end of the 10 year civil war in 2004, the British Army rediscovered locomotives which are now on display at the National Railway Museum in Freetown.
W&L general manager Charles Spencer said, "Come and ride in a unique railway carriage and learn more about this special connection. Regular fares and discounts apply, and the day will provide much of interest to visitors."
Anwen Parry.
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