The first railway in Montgomeryshire was approved by Parliament in 1853. This was for a 21km (13 mile) line connecting Llanidloes and Newtown, which opened in 1859.
The next few years saw a rapid growth in the number of working railway services in the county. The line from Oswestry in Shropshire to Welshpool opened in 1860, and a rail link from Welshpool to Shrewsbury came shortly after.
In 1862 the line from Welshpool to Newtown opened, followed by connections to Machynlleth in 1863. The route was extended to reach Aberystwyth by 1864.

The opening of these early railways were very big occasions for the towns concerned, and great celebrations were held with banquets, bell-ringing and brass bands. It was seen as a huge boost to the future prosperity of the community, which it almost always was for some time at least.
Though railways made it easier to send goods out, they also brought goods in from the large manufacturing centres. Local tradespeople like shoemakers slowly lost business as cheaper mass-produced goods were more easily obtained.
There is more about the local railway on the next page...

The stationmaster and his staff...