Julian Worker's Blog, page 5

Welshpool and Llanfair Railway

My new book about the Great Little Trains of Wales is available here.

The round trip on the trains of the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway lasts for two hours and is sixteen miles in length, from Llanfair Caereinion to Raven Square, Welshpool and back, including crossing over the River Banwy and the famous climb up Golfa Bank.

At the Llanfair Caereinion station, there’s a shop and a tearoom that serves hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes, and freshly prepared sandwiches. The tearoom is in the same building as the shop and booking office.

The signal box is a lovely mixture of light and dark brown colours. An enormous pile of coal lay on the opposite side of the tracks. Someone had fitted a sturdy red post box into a large brick chimney. The train is comprised of green carriages from Hungary and brown coaches from Austria. Their interiors are of highly polished wood with painted iron supports. 

A last-minute delay occurred because a technical problem forced the withdrawal of the steam locomotive from service. A diesel locomotive called Diema replaced the steam train within two minutes.  

Great Little Trains of Wales – Blog 1

I was eight years old when my interest in steam trains began. My parents and I lived close to someone who worked at Doncaster train station. The Flying Scotsman was the most famous train of the time, and for some reason it was at Doncaster for a few days. I was asked whether I’d like to see the train and go on the footplate. Of course I did. What I remember most was the enormous size of the train and that the driver’s cab seemed as big as my bedroom. Everything about the train, the colours, the gleaming metal, the gorgeous carriages, the mountain of coal, made a lasting impression – I wanted to go to places, and I wanted to go on a train like this one.

My father wanted to travel, and the plan was for my parents to see the world when he retired. Cancer cut short his life and their plan died with him. Once I had the finances, I felt duty bound to travel to the places he wanted to go, and if possible, go by steam train.

In early 2018, I travelled on the Great Central Railway near my mum’s home in Leicestershire and the smoke of the steam trains, the ambience of the stations, and the joy of watching the countryside go by at a leisurely pace made me realise it was time I went on a holiday that was dedicated to travelling on steam trains. The Covid Crisis intervened, and those plans were put on hold. Five years later, I did some research and discovered the steam trains of Wales. 

The Great Little Trains of Wales (Welsh: Trenau Bach Arbennig Cymru) is the name of a joint marketing scheme formed in 1970 to promote some of the narrow-gauge railways of Wales and to encourage visitors. As well as marketing the railways, the scheme allows visitors to purchase a discount card, allowing reduced rates on all the lines. 

I contacted Shropshire Tours in Shrewsbury, and they provided me with a tremendous itinerary. All the journeys, apart from four, described in this book were undertaken in the first week of July 2024. The exceptions are the aforementioned Great Central Railway, the Corris Railway (please see the chapter for an explanation), the West Highland Line and the Brecon Mountain Railway. I went on the latter two in April 2025 and May 2025 respectively.

My new book is available here

Offer – Travels through History : Armenia and Georgia

Explore the Hidden Gems of the Caucasus: Armenia and Georgia at a discount between 26th June and 3rd July.

Nestled between Turkey to the west and Russia to the east, Armenia and Georgia are two captivating countries in the Caucasus region, each offering a unique blend of history, culture, and stunning landscapes.

Armenia, the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD, is a land of ancient churches, rugged beauty, and cultural pride. Discover its unique 39-character alphabet at the fascinating Alphabet Park, located near the historic Amberd Fortress, where each letter stands immortalized in stone. Despite its resilience, Armenia has faced ongoing territorial challenges with its neighbor, Azerbaijan, adding layers to its complex history.

Georgia, on the other hand, enchants visitors with its diverse offerings. Wander through the vibrant and charming capital, Tbilisi, with its winding streets, eclectic architecture, and welcoming atmosphere. Head to the Black Sea coast to experience the modern energy of Batumi, a seaside town blending contemporary design with resort-style leisure.

Between these highlights lies a landscape brimming with treasures:

The majestic Caucasus Mountains, with peaks soaring above 5,000 meters, perfect for adventurers and nature lovers.Ancient fortresses, castles, and cave cities that whisper tales of centuries past.Tranquil vineyards, where Georgia’s winemaking tradition stretches back thousands of years.Surreal remnants of the Soviet era, including abandoned spas and towns frozen in time.For fans of popular tourist attractions, the illuminated wonders of the Prometheus Cave offer a glimpse into Georgia’s geological splendour.

Together, Armenia and Georgia promise a journey through history, culture, and landscapes where the ancient and modern coexist. Whether you’re exploring timeless monasteries, savoring local wines, or scaling mountain peaks, the Caucasus will leave you spellbound.

Offer : Travels through History : The Peloponnese

Discover the Wonders of the Peloponnese: A Journey Through Myth and History at a discount between 19th June and 26th June.

The Peloponnese, a captivating peninsula in southern Greece, is connected to mainland Greece by the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow land bridge that separates the Gulf of Corinth from the Saronic Gulf.

Rich in history and mythology, this region is home to iconic sites such as:

Mycenae, the seat of Agamemnon’s legendary kingdom,The theater of Epidaurus, renowned for its acoustics,Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games,The Byzantine splendor of Mystras,The historic city of Sparta, steeped in tales of heroism and ancient warfare.

The Peloponnese offers a breathtaking mix of landscapes, from rugged mountains and lush valleys to idyllic coastlines and charming offshore islands. Visitors can explore mountain villages, seaside resorts, and hidden historical treasures off the beaten path.

Off the peninsula’s eastern coast lie the Saronic Gulf islands of Spetses, Hydra, Poros, and Aegina, each easily accessible by ferry. To the south, the Ionian island of Kythira invites exploration with its unique blend of history and natural beauty.

Whether you’re drawn by the myths of Hercules and Zeus, the allure of ancient ruins, or the stunning scenery, the Peloponnese is a destination that promises unforgettable experiences at every turn.

9 Canadian Cities – At a discount

9 Canadian Cities: Victoria to Montreal via Whitehorse and Yellowknife is a travelogue about nine cities in Canada, the world’s second-largest country justly famous for its great outdoors.

This does not mean visitors should ignore the cities. Vancouver and Toronto are the best-known cities and are covered in great detail elsewhere.

I’ve concentrated on nine cities in western and central Canada, each of which is worth a few days of your time. The journey I describe took the best part of 5 weeks and Montreal was the furthest point east that I visited. The pleasures of Quebec City and The Maritimes await. It’s worth mentioning that it’s three thousand miles by road from Victoria to Montreal in a more or less straight line. That’s a long way, a similar distance to the mileage from London to the shores of the Caspian Sea.

All the cities are close to magnificently varied and beautiful countryside, so if your urban surroundings become too much, it’s easy to get out into the natural sprawl of the country.

This book is a travelogue and not a travel guide. I went to all the places I describe and tried to see as much as I could, but you can’t see everything and perhaps you shouldn’t always try as it’s good to leave a few places to see on your next visit.

I’ve added the size of each province and territory as well as the population to show how vast the country is and how low the population density is.

The book is available for a discount in the UK only. The discount lasts until Wednesday, 25th June at 8:00 AM GMT.

Offer – Travels through History : Portugal

Discover the Beauty and Diversity of Portugal at a discount in the UK between 17th June and 24th June.

From the vibrant city of Porto in the north to the serene charm of Tavira in the Algarve, this comprehensive guide takes you on an unforgettable journey through Portugal, including the enchanting islands of Madeira and Porto Santo.

In Lisbon, a city of contrasts, explore walkable neighborhoods full of culture, history, and charm. Navigate its efficient underground system and discover train connections that whisk you to stunning destinations:

Sintra, where fairytale palaces crown lush, rolling hills,Évora, steeped in history with the Temple of Diana, an ancient aqueduct, and the haunting Chapel of Bones.

Travel north to iconic sites such as:

Fátima, the world-renowned pilgrimage center,Óbidos, a walled medieval gem,The awe-inspiring monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, each a marvel of Gothic architecture.

Venture further to discover Coimbra’s university heritage, the colorful canals of Aveiro, the historical depth of Braga, and the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães.

Finally, head south to the sun-drenched Algarve, where golden beaches meet history in Faro and the charming Roman influences of Tavira.

Whether you’re drawn to Portugal’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, or vibrant culture, this guide is your perfect companion to explore a country where every region tells a story.

Travel Refunds

I’m writing this to make you aware of the different policies travel companies have regarding refunds.

The first example is Turkish Airlines. If you do book a flight with them, make sure the ticket is refundable before booking. It’s entirely possible only the airport taxes element of the flight cost is refundable. This is in contrast to other airlines such as Lufthansa, who in my experience, refund the entire cost of the ticket straightaway without quibbling.

Trainline will refund tickets. I found it easier to contact them regarding refunds at their email customer.relations@info.thetrainline.com rather than via their app.

Finally, for any travel related concerns or issues in the UK relating to refunds, I have found Transport Focus

https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/

to be tremendously useful and helpful. Unfortunately, my understanding is that they can’t help with any problems you might have with online companies.

Day 26 – Ely

I’m staying in my home city of Leicester and today I caught the train to Ely in Cambridgeshire, a journey of just over 90 minutes.

The cathedral, the ‘Ship of the Fens’, as it’s called is located on a slight hill and so stands out for miles across The Fens.

Ely was an island until 400 years ago, when work started to drain the freshwater marshes surrounding the city to create the fertile farmland seen today. Ely is the second smallest city in England after Wells in Somerset.

During my visit I saw the house of Oliver Cromwell who lived in Ely from 1636 to 1646 and the Ely Museum. There’s a lovely church called St Mary’s next to the Oliver Cromwell House and a Russian cannon on the green outside the cathedral. The shops in the narrower streets of the older parts of the town are interesting and include an excellent bookshop called Topping & Company on the High Street. Ely has a year round literary festival with many famous authors being interviewed in various locations around the city.

Day 25 – Portmeirion, North Wales

Portmeirion is a village for tourists to visit and stay in, found in Gwynedd, North Wales. No one other than the staff lives in the buildings in Portmeirion on a permanent basis. Most buildings are used as tourist accommodation, meaning that once the gates are closed then those who are deemed ‘residents’ can look around at leisure and admire the amazing colours and architecture, produced by the imagination of Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1973. Portmeirion lies on the estuary of the River Dwyryd in the community of Penrhyndeudraeth, 2 miles from Porthmadog and 1 mile from Minffordd railway station. Minffordd may appear to be a small station, but there are two levels so make sure you wait for your train on the correct platform as the lines go to different destinations.

Day 24 – Machynlleth – MOMA

Machynlleth has a small but impressive Museum of Modern Art with no less than five separate exhibitions including paintings, drawings on slate, photographs, and slate sculptures.

The museum is alongside The Tabernacle, a former Wesleyan chapel which opened as a centre for the performing arts in 1986.

The most impressive exhibit was about the quarrying and mining of slate in North Wales, in particular that which took place at nearby Corris and Aberllefenni. All production and exporting of slate from these sites would have passed through Machynlleth, initially to the Derwenlas and Aberdyfi and then later to the Cambrian Railway. This was ironic for me as I originally decided to come to Machynlleth to visit the Corris railway, but I was cancelled due to a shortage of volunteers on the railway. I visited anyway and watching the video was the next best thing. But I was most impressed by the works of Ceredigion-based sculptor Jon Evans, a slate carver who works with the high-grade slate still found at Aberllefenni. The pieces were beautiful and intricate. The accompanying photo is one of those carvings.

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