Shropshire Routes to Roots

Potteries Railway Re-opened

Revived under the more appropriate name of the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Light Railway, the Old Potteries line has now entered upon a new career which promises to be long and prosperous.

The railway was formally opened by the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Major Wingfield on Thursday week, in delightful spring weather, which was in itself an excellent augury of success, and amidst rejoicing which practically extended from end to end of the country served by the railway. Some 200 guests assembled at the terminus in Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, at the invitation of the Managing Director (Mr H.F.Stephens), the Deputy Mayor of Shrewsbury (Mr Benjamin Blower) and the other Directors, to take part in a trip over the line. Included in the company were the Chairman of the County Council (Mr J. Bowen-Jones), Mr T.Ward Green, Mr A.E.Payne, Lord Forester, representatives of Shrewsbury Town Council, Oswestry Rural District Council, Atcham Rural District Council, etc and there was a large gathering of onlookers. From the lofy height of the leading carriage of the smart looking train, the Mayor, holding aloft the massive loving cup of the borough, gave the railway his benediction. He said: "We are assembled here to open the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Light Railway, a railway which I trust and think will be of great benefit to this borough and to the country districts which it serves between Shrewsbury and Llanymynech. (Cheers) It will benefit the district by bringing in the produce of the farmers it will benefit the borough by that produce being brought into Shrewsbury and sold in the borough. (Hear, hear and applause). Therefore it is a kind of mutual benefit railway which I have the honour of opening today (Cheers). I hear the engine blowing off steam, so for fear it should burst I curtail my remarks and drink out of the loving cup 'Success to the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Light Railway.'" (Cheers).

A few minutes later, amidst much cheering and the discharge of fog signals, the train steamed out of the station, running with a smoothness which would compare not unfavourably with some of the greater railways of the country. People were posted all along the line as far as Shrewsbury West, waving flags and cheering. Running at comfortable speed, Red Hill was quickly reached, and here the passengers disembarked to be photographed by Councillor R.L.Bartlett. Hereabouts the railway enters very pleasant country, and the scenery is charmingly varied right through to Llanymynech.

At Kinnerley the passengers were welcomed by Richard Reeves, the 82 year old driver of the old company, dressed in the uniform which he wore when he bought in the last train some 30 years ago.

There was a greeting of signals and cheers as the train ran in Llanymynech. The time of notice was too short to arrange a formal reception, but Mr Kemble, the Chairman of the Llanymynech Parish Council, was waiting on the platform with other residents and he presented the following greeting: "Llanymynech Parish Council. To Major Wingfield, mayor of Shrewsbury and H.F.Stephens, Esq. M.L.C.E, managing director Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Railway. Gentleman - shortness of notice of the official opening of the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Railway prevented arrangements being made by our Council to give you the official reception the occasion merits. I, therefore, as Chairman, extend to you on their behalf a most hearty welcome to our romantic village, and give expression to the general satisfaction the opening of the line affords. We congratulate those concerned on the speedy and thorough manner in which the work has been carried through. We appreciate the employment of so much local labour, and sincererly hope that the undertaking will be financial success and an increasing benefit to the entire district.-Your obedient servant, John Kemble."

A stop of half-an-hour was made at Llanymynech, and the company in the interval partook of an abundant supply of sandwiches, and the loving cup went round. The Deputy-Mayor (than whom no one has done more to secure the re-opening of the line) first raised the cup, and, amid cheers, drank success to the new line, and said with what pleasure they saw it open again and beginning its career under auspices so favourable.

On the return journey a stop of some minutes was made at Kinnerley, to enable the travellers to inspect the new locomotive sheds and the junction for the Criggion branch. Here there is a good deal of work to be done, but it is expected that the branch will be ready for use about the middle of next year.

Shrewsbury was safely reached at about 3.30.

[Shrewsbury Chronicle, Friday 21st April, 1911]