The branch line was officially 'opened' on 28/10/1863 comprising approximately 4 miles from Penpontbren Junction to Llangurig station where there is no visible evidence that platforms were provided.
A single M&WR goods train was then hired by the L&NR to run along its entire length.
This legally entitled the L&NR to invoice the M&MR for its share of the cost of building the joint junction station at Llanidloes, which it promptly did.

By 1875 the M&WR was in receivership because it had been unable to raise the capital required to complete the mountain section of the railway west of Llangurig or arrange running powers from the NW England to enable traffic to reach Milford Haven.
Work was started beyond Llangurig through Mid Wales as far as the Blaen Myherin Tunnel, the approach cuttings for which are visible on Google Earth.
However no work took place in the Afon Merin valley or westwards towards Devil's Bridge and Strata Florida.
The 1.5 mile Llangurig branch from Penpontbren Junction was lifted in 1882.

In 1925 the Great Western Railway looked into reinstating the line to Llangurig.
But it was never reopened.
Nevertheless, the signal box at Penpontbren Junction was manned until the old MWR mainline closed on 31 December 1962, under British Railways.
The branch line was officially 'opened' on 28/10/1863 comprising approximately 4 miles from Penpontbren Junction to Llangurig station where there is no visible evidence that platforms were provided. A single M&WR goods train was then hired by the L&NR to run along its entire length. This legally entitled the L&NR to invoice the M&MR for its share of the cost of building the joint junction station at Llanidloes, which it promptly did.
By 1875 the M&WR was in receivership because it had been unable to raise the capital required to complete the mountain section of the railway west of Llangurig or arrange running powers from the NW England to enable traffic to reach Milford Haven. Work was started beyond Llangurig through Mid Wales as far as the Blaen Myherin Tunnel, the approach cuttings for which are visible on Google Earth. However no work took place in the Afon Merin valley or westwards towards Devil's Bridge and Strata Florida. The 1.5 mile Llangurig branch from Penpontbren Junction was lifted in 1882.
In 1925 the Great Western Railway looked into reinstating the line to Llangurig. But it was never reopened. Nevertheless, the signal box at Penpontbren Junction was manned until the old MWR mainline closed on 31 December 1962, under British Railways.
Llangurig railway station