Machynlleth lies in a mountainous part of west Wales on the first river crossing inland from the mouth of the River Dyfi. The location of the town made early transport very difficult.
Travel in rural areas depended on the horse in the Victorian age. Wealthy people could use their own carriages, and others could pay to travel on the stage coaches. Few working people could afford this and so they could only travel as far as they could walk.
Horse-drawn tramways were in use locally for many years to transport coal and lime, and to carry slate from the quarries to the river port at Derwenlas.
The railway came to Machynlleth in 1863, and, as in other areas, soon took most of the local trade in carrying people and goods from the coaches and carriers.

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