The lack of a local railway service created a demand for a passenger boat service along the canal to connect with the railway network. These were called 'fly-boats', which were long narrowboats with covered seating for passengers. They were usually towed by two horses (often galloping !) and travelled much faster than any other boats on the canal.
They had 'right of way' over other boats, which had to release their towlines to let the fly-boat pass. They could also go to the front if there was a queue of boats at lock gates.

The fly-boat service from Newtown dropped passengers at Rednal in Shropshire, where they could board trains heading north to Chester or south to Shrewsbury.
Special 'terminal' buildings were constructed alongside the canal for the use of people transferring from the canal boats to the railway. The restored building at Rednal is shown in the photograph above.
The fly-boat service on this and on other canals provided a cheaper alternative to travelling by stage-coach, which could be very uncomfortable on bad roads.

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