Spark-tacular steam gala as fireworks light up Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
Eight miles of fireworks takes some planning but a light railway celebrated its steam gala in style with a spectacular display that lit up the night sky.
In what was described as a "true first", the sky between Llanfair Caereinion and Welshpool was an explosion of colour on Saturday evening.
The event, which saw fireworks set off along the eight mile route of Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, was held to as part of the three-day steam gala.
The fireworks display was put together by Electrify Pyrotechnics, and the company's director Scott Pounder said they had never been presented with a task like it.
He said: "It is fairly unique. I don't think anyone has ever put anything like this together before."
His team spent Saturday putting the fireworks in place ready for the event which saw displays at the stations on the route as well as launches along the eight miles of track.
He said: "Logistically it has been quite hard but it really is a one of a kind."
In preparation for the festival Llanfair Caereinion saw the return of a Hunslet 2-6- 2T No.85, built in 1954 for the Sierra Leone Government Railways and repatriated by the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway in 1975.
Among the attractions at the Llanfair end of the route were stands and displays including model railways with live steam.
Works locomotives were also demonstrated for visitors, while vintage steam traction engines and rollers also featured.
The fireworks show was specifically arranged to celebrate 54 years of preservation of the railway – a period longer than the 53 years of commercial service with Cambrian Railways, Great Western Railway and British Railways.
