View source for Talyllyn Railway

{{Short description|Narrow gauge railway in north Wales}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox heritage railway
|name = Talyllyn Railway<br /><small>''Rheilffordd Talyllyn''</small>
|image = [[File:Talyllyn Railway - geograph.org.uk - 866546.jpg|Talyllyn Railway - geograph.org.uk - 866546|centre|300px]]
|caption = Locomotive No. 1 [[Talyllyn (locomotive)|''Talyllyn'']] arrives at Nant Gwernol terminus.
|locale = [[Wales]]
|terminus = {{stnlnk|Tywyn Wharf}}
|coordinates = {{coord|52.5837|-4.0887|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|map = Talyllyn Location map.svg
|map_caption = Map showing location of Talyllyn Railway
|map_alt = The Talyllyn Railway starts from Tywyn, on the coast of Cardigan Bay which forms a large part of the western coast of Wales. The nearest large towns are Barmouth/Abermaw to the north and Aberystwyth to the south. The railway runs inland in an approximately north-easterly direction.
|linename = Talyllyn Railway
|originalgauge = {{Track gauge|2ft3in|lk=on}} 
|preservedgauge = {{Track gauge|2ft3in|lk=on}} 
|era =
|owned =
|operator = Talyllyn Railway Company, supported by Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society
|stations = 7 and 5 halts
|length = {{convert|7.25|mi|km}}
|com-years1 = 1865
|com-events1 = Royal Assent achieved
|com-years2 = 1866
|com-events2 = Opened for passenger services
|com-years3 = 1911
|com-events3 = Sold to Henry Haydn Jones
|com-years4 = 1946
|com-events4 = Quarry closed
|years = 1951
|events = Taken over by the Preservation Society
|years1 = 1976
|events1 = Opening of extension to Nant Gwernol
|years2 = 2005
|events2 = New station building and museum opened at Tywyn
|years3 = 2021
|events3 = Railway celebrated 70 years of preservation
|years4 = 2021
|events4 = Railway designated part of a World Heritage Site
|routemap={{Talyllyn Railway RDT|inline=1}}
|routemap_state = collapsed
|embedded={{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
 |child    = yes
 |Part_of  = [[Slate industry in Wales|The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales]]
 |ID       = 1633-006
 |Year     = 2021
 |Criteria = Cultural: ii, iv
 }}}}

The '''Talyllyn Railway''' ({{langx|cy|Rheilffordd Talyllyn}}) is a [[narrow-gauge railway]] in [[Wales]] running for {{convert|7+1/4|mi|km|0}}<ref>Boyd 1965, page 85</ref> from [[Tywyn]]{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name=spelling|The spelling of local place names has changed during the history of the railway; for example Tywyn was generally spelled as "Towyn" until 1975.<ref>Bate 2001, page 186</ref> Modern place name spellings are used throughout this article.}} on the [[Mid-Wales]] coast to [[Nant Gwernol railway station|Nant Gwernol]] near the village of [[Abergynolwyn]]. The line was opened in 1865<ref name="Drummond 2015, page 17">Drummond 2015, page 17</ref> to carry [[slate]] from the quarries at [[Bryn Eglwys]] to Tywyn, and was the first narrow gauge railway in Britain authorised by [[Act of parliament#United Kingdom|Act of Parliament]] to carry passengers using steam haulage.<ref>Mitchell and Eyres, 2005 page 7</ref><ref>Boyd 1988, page 44</ref> Despite severe underinvestment,<ref>Rolt 1965, page 50</ref> the line remained open, and in 1951 it became the first railway in the world to be preserved as a [[heritage railway]] by volunteers.<ref>Thomas 2002, page 32</ref><ref>Ransom 1996, page 139</ref>

Since preservation, the railway has operated as a [[tourist attraction]], expanding its rolling stock through acquisition and an engineering programme to build new locomotives and carriages. In 1976, an extension was opened along the former mineral line from Abergynolwyn to the new station at Nant Gwernol. In 2005 a major rebuilding and extension of [[Tywyn Wharf railway station|Tywyn Wharf station]] took place, including a much-expanded facility for the [[Narrow Gauge Railway Museum]], and in 2021 the railway was designated a [[World Heritage Site]] as part of the [[Slate industry in Wales|slate landscape of north-west Wales]].

The fictional [[Skarloey Railway]], which formed part of ''[[The Railway Series]]'' of children's books by the Rev. [[Wilbert Awdry]], was based on the Talyllyn Railway. The preservation of the line inspired the [[Ealing Comedy]] film ''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]''.

==Name==
The origin of the railway's name is uncertain: it may refer to the parish of [[Tal-y-llyn, Gwynedd|Tal-y-llyn]], which contains its eastern terminus,<ref>Johnson 1999, page 27</ref> or it may come from [[Tal-y-llyn Lake|Tal-y-llyn]],{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name=hyphen|According to the [[Ordnance Survey]], the name of the lake is hyphenated. In the early days of the preservation society, it was decided that the name of the railway would be unhyphenated.<ref>{{cite journal|date=November 1953|title=No Names, No Hyphens, No Packdrill|url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8a233plldxb1wyv/AAAwDLrrFN_1JyQsaVkJWTXoa?dl=0&preview=TRPS+News+No2.pdf|journal=Talyllyn News|volume=2|page=1|publisher=Talyllyn Railway|access-date=16 April 2020|archive-date=17 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217134955/https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8a233plldxb1wyv/AAAwDLrrFN_1JyQsaVkJWTXoa?dl=0&preview=TRPS+News+No2.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> This convention has been applied to the railway ever since, and is used throughout this article.}} a large glacial [[ribbon lake]] at the foot of [[Cadair Idris]] {{convert|3|mi|km}} further east.<ref>Boyd 1965, page 61–62</ref>

==Gauge==
The {{Track gauge|2ft3in|lk=on}} [[Track gauge|gauge]] of the [[Track (rail transport)|track]] is unusual, and was shared by only three other public railways in the United Kingdom: the [[Corris Railway]] and the [[Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway]] both a few miles from the Talyllyn, and the [[Campbeltown and Machrihanish Light Railway]] in [[Scotland]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Little Trains to Faraway Places |first=Karl R. |last=Zimmermann |page=45 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BQ_a4tjt0-cC&pg=PA45 |publisher=Indiana University Press |date=22 June 2010 |isbn=978-0253001498 |access-date=14 May 2021 |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514132516/https://books.google.com/books?id=BQ_a4tjt0-cC&pg=PA45 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
===Commercial history===
====<span class="anchor" id="Origins and construction"></span><span class="anchor" id="up to 1866"></span>Origins and construction: up to 1866====
[[Slate industry in Wales|Slate quarrying]] began in the hills above Tywyn in the 1830s, but although many small quarries and test levels were established, only one major quarry was developed in the region, the [[Bryn Eglwys quarry]], {{convert|7|mi|km}} north east of the town. Underground working began in the early 1840s,<ref name=AJR195>Richards 1999, page 195</ref> and by 1847 the quarry was being worked by local landowner John Pughe. The finished slates were sent by [[packhorse]] to the wharf at [[Pennal]], transferred to boats for a river trip to [[Aberdyfi]] (also spelled as ''Aberdovey''), and then finally loaded into seagoing vessels, a complex and expensive transportation arrangement which limited the quarry's output.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 62–63</ref> In 1861 the outbreak of the [[American Civil War]] cut off supplies of [[cotton]] to the [[Cotton mill|mills]] of the north west of England and as a result a number of prosperous mill owners looked for new business opportunities to diversify their interests. One such owner was [[William McConnel]] of [[Lancashire]] who, in 1859, had purchased [[Hengwrt|Hengwrt Hall]] near [[Dolgellau]], north of Tywyn. In January 1864, McConnel formed the Aberdovey Slate Company, which leased the land including Bryn Eglwys from the landowner, Lewis Morris of [[Machynlleth]].<ref>Boyd 1988, page 9</ref>

[[File:Bryn Eglwys quarry - 2008-03-18.jpg|thumb|left|The remains of Bryn Eglwys quarry in 2008|alt=Large spoil heaps of slate appear on the hillside in a heavily wooded area. In the foreground is a small stone house, without a roof.]]

McConnel set about improving Bryn Eglwys to increase its output. He focused on providing rail transport for the isolated quarry, and in April 1864 he reached agreement with local landowners to purchase the land necessary to build a railway towards Tywyn and onwards to the port of Aberdyfi. Construction was well underway by July 1864.<ref>Drummond 2015, pages 9–11</ref> The standard gauge [[Aberystwith and Welsh Coast Railway]] was expanding rapidly from its base at Machynlleth, however, and in 1863 had reached Tywyn, so McConnel decided to build his line from the quarry to Tywyn, as the nearest point where slate could be transferred to the standard gauge railway. This was despite the line's initial isolation from the rest of the system because of difficulties in bridging the estuary of the [[Afon Dyfi]] to the south.<ref>Boyd 1965, page 64</ref> An [[act of Parliament (UK)|act of Parliament]], the '''{{visible anchor|Talyllyn Railway Act 1865}}''' ([[28 & 29 Vict.]] c. cccxv) allowing the company to operate passenger trains as a public railway was given [[royal assent]] on 5 July 1865,<ref>Boyd 1988, page 45</ref><ref>Potter, page 11</ref> and the company appointed [[The Spooners of Porthmadog|James Swinton Spooner]] as engineer for the construction. He laid out plans for a relatively straight line climbing steadily from Tywyn to the quarry and work quickly got underway. By September 1866 construction had advanced to the point where the [[Board of Trade]] inspector [[Henry Whatley Tyler|Captain Henry Tyler]] could make an initial inspection and report.<ref>Boyd 1965, page 65</ref>

Tyler's report led to an unusual alteration, as it was discovered that the internal width of the [[Overpass#Railway|overbridges]] was only {{convert|9|ft|1|in|cm|abbr=on}}, but the railway's [[List of Talyllyn Railway rolling stock#Carriages|passenger carriages]] were {{convert|5|ft|3.5|in|cm|abbr=on}} wide, leaving only {{convert|1|ft|10+3/4|in|cm|abbr=on}}  clearance on either side, which was {{convert|7+3/4|in|cm|1|abbr=on}} less than the minimum required [[Engineering tolerance|clearance]] of {{convert|2|ft|6|in|cm|abbr=on}}. To alleviate this problem, McConnel proposed that the doors on one side of each carriage be permanently barred and the track slewed off-centre beneath the bridges to allow adequate clearance at least on the side with doors, which would allow passengers to get out of the carriages if the train stopped underneath a bridge. Tyler agreed to this arrangement, and to this day all carriages on the Talyllyn have doors on one side only, an unusual feature for a public railway which is shared (albeit for different reasons) with the neighbouring Corris Railway.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 68–69</ref> Tyler also required that improvements be made to the railway's first two steam locomotives, as locomotive No.&nbsp;1 suffered from excessive "vertical motion" and No.&nbsp;2 was said to suffer from "horizontal oscillation". No.&nbsp;1 was returned to its manufacturer where a set of [[trailing wheel]]s was added to reduce the rear overhang, and the [[Suspension (vehicle)#Springs and dampers|springs]] on No.&nbsp;2 were adjusted and the [[crank pin]]s shortened to reduce its oscillation.<ref name=Boyd6570>Boyd 1965, page 70</ref>

Tyler did not approve the opening until his listed improvements were completed, although slate trains and unofficial passenger trains were running in 1865.<ref name="Drummond 2015, page 17"/> During November of that 1866, Tyler returned to Tywyn and re-inspected the railway following which, subject to some further minor improvements, he approved its formal opening for passenger service. The first public passenger timetable was issued in December 1866,<ref>Rolt 1998, page 13</ref> and the first purpose-built, steam-worked, narrow gauge public railway in Britain opened for service.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 68–70</ref>

====<span class="anchor" id="Prosperity under McConnel"></span><span class="anchor" id="1866–1880s"></span>Prosperity under McConnel: 1866–1880s====
[[File:TalyllynOnDolgochViaduct.jpg|thumb|right|''Talyllyn'' posed on Dolgoch Viaduct around 1867, the earliest known photograph of the Talyllyn|alt=A stone viaduct with three arches spans a steep sided ravine. A steam train stands on the viaduct, with an engine, a van and three coaches.]]

The railway opened with two locomotives, one carriage and several goods vehicles in use and was operated under a "[[Signalling block systems|one engine in steam]]" policy to ensure that two trains could not collide.<ref name=Boyd6571>Boyd 1965, page 71</ref> Initially the working locomotive was housed in a wooden shed at Ty Dwr on the mineral line above [[Abergynolwyn railway station|Abergynolwyn station]], while the main engineering works at {{stnlnk|Pendre}} were constructed.<ref>Boyd 1988, page 149</ref> The Pendre works opened on 17 February 1867 and from then on trains began working from Pendre instead of Abergynolwyn.<ref name=Boyd6570/>

At the time of the line's opening, stations were provided at Pendre and Abergynolwyn. In 1867, the halt at {{stnlnk|Rhydyronen}} opened,<ref name=Drummond97>Drummond 2015, page 97</ref> followed by {{stnlnk|Dolgoch}} later that year<ref>Drummond 2015, page 118</ref> and {{stnlnk|Brynglas}} in 1872.<ref name=Drummond97/> Some time shortly after the opening of the railway a branch to Abergynolwyn village was provided. A steep [[cable railway|incline]] dropped from the mineral line east of Abergynolwyn station to the village below, where a series of tram lines radiated. Coal, building materials and general goods were delivered down the incline and the contents of the village [[cesspit]]s were hauled back up for disposal along the lineside.<ref name=Boyd6571/>

The railway used [[steam locomotive]]s from the start, unlike its neighbour the horse-drawn Corris Railway. The original two locomotives, although of entirely different design, were both purchased from [[Fletcher, Jennings & Co.]] of [[Whitehaven]] in [[Cumbria]],<ref>Rolt 1965, pages 82–83</ref> and both are still in service, 150&nbsp;years on, although so many of their parts have been replaced down the years that much of their present-day component metal is not original. The Talyllyn's rare gauge is thought to have been adopted to match that of the Corris Railway,<ref>Rolt 1998, pages 5–6</ref> and the line's two original steam locomotives were among the earliest locomotives built for such a narrow gauge. No.&nbsp;1 ''[[Talyllyn (locomotive)|Talyllyn]]'' is an {{whyte|0-4-2|ST}} and No.&nbsp;2 ''[[Dolgoch (locomotive)|Dolgoch]]'' is an {{whyte|0-4-0|WT}}. The line carried slate from the quarry to the wharf at Tywyn and general goods along its length. Public passenger trains initially ran between Abergynolwyn, Dolgoch and Pendre stations only; quarrymen were carried on unofficial trains that continued on from Abergynolwyn to the foot of the Alltwyllt incline in Nant Gwernol gorge.<ref name=Boyd6571/>

The line operated successfully during its early years, serving the quarry and the local district. By 1880, Bryn Eglwys employed 300&nbsp;workers and was producing {{convert|8000|long ton}} of finished slate per year, all shipped via the railway.<ref name=AJR195/> Passenger traffic was substantial, rising from 11,500&nbsp;passengers carried in 1867 to over 23,000 (roughly equivalent to 40,000&nbsp;passenger journeys) in 1877.<ref>Boyd 1965, page 118</ref>

====<span class="anchor" id="Declining fortunes"></span><span class="anchor" id="1880s–1910"></span>Declining fortunes: 1880s–1910====
[[File:TalyllynAtNantGwernol1890.jpg|thumb|right|''Talyllyn'' at the foot of the Alltwyllt incline, the present site of Nant Gwernol station, 1890|alt=A train consisting of a locomotive and single carriage stands in the centre track of three tracks, which is on a ledge on a steep hillside. There is no platform. Two adults and two girls in Victorian dress stand on the track beside the carriage, with a man leaning against the locomotive and another man on the footplate.]]

In 1879, McConnel bought out the other shareholders of the Aberdovey Slate Company, and became the sole owner of the railway, the quarry and much of Abergynolwyn village.<ref name=obit>{{cite web |url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3319580/3319585/42/ |title=Death of Mr. William McConnell |work=The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard |date=1902-10-17 |access-date=2020-02-10 |publisher=John Askew Roberts, Edward Woodall & Richard Henry Venables |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809002934/https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3319580/3319585/42/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

From the 1880s onwards the "[[Corris Railway Grand Tour|Grand Tour]]" was a popular option with tourists. This used [[charabanc]]s to link the Talyllyn and Corris railways via Tal-y-llyn Lake and Cadair Idris, returning on [[Cambrian Railways]] trains.<ref>Rolt 1998, pages 24–25</ref> The last two decades of the 19th century saw a decline in the demand for slate and many smaller quarries fell on hard times, including Bryn Eglwys, where by 1890 production had halved to {{convert|4000|long ton}} a year.<ref name=AJR195/> In 1896, production at the [[Penrhyn Quarry]] in north Wales, one of the largest producers of slate, was stopped due to labour disputes, resulting in a temporary increase in demand at other quarries. McConnel expanded production at Bryn Eglwys to take advantage of the sudden demand, but only with the aim of maximising profits during the remainder of his lease, which was to expire in 1910. He built new trial levels without proper provision for the removal of [[overburden]] and pushed the limits of safe working in the existing chambers. As McConnel's lease drew to its close, there was no prospect of a further lessee coming forward and work began on dismantling the quarry's equipment.<ref name=Boyd6572/>

====<span class="anchor" id="Haydn Jones era"></span><span class="anchor" id="1911–1950"></span>Haydn Jones era: 1911–1950====
The Bryn Eglwys quarry was the primary employer in the Abergynolwyn district, so its closure caused significant distress. In 1910, local landowner [[Henry Haydn Jones]] was elected the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Merionethshire|Merioneth]]. He understood the importance of Bryn Eglwys, and at the end of the year he purchased the quarry company for just over £5000.<ref name="Quine Haydn Jones">{{cite news |last=Quine |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Quine |title=The Talyllyn Railway in the late Haydn Jones era |publisher=Heritage Railway |volume=200 |date=March 2015}}</ref> The quarry re-opened in January 1911,<ref name=Boyd6572>Boyd 1965, pages 72–73</ref> though Haydn Jones did not have [[capital (economics)|capital]] to invest in the quarry. The first workings reopened were on the [[Broad Vein]], which yielded relatively hard slate that was less popular and therefore difficult to sell. The lack of an available market for this output forced the quarry to switch to extracting softer slate from the [[Narrow Vein]] but, because Haydn Jones could not afford to open new workings into the Narrow Vein, he resorted to the dangerous practice of narrowing the columns that supported the roofs of the underground chambers. This practice had begun under McConnel's ownership and Haydn Jones continued it throughout his ownership of the quarry.<ref name=Boyd6572/> A brief construction boom after the [[First World War]] saw production return to around {{convert|4000|long ton}} per year.<ref name=AJR195/>

The 1920s also saw an upsurge in holiday traffic, as Britain recovered from the war and tourism gained in popularity. The Talyllyn saw summer passenger numbers grow significantly and regularly had to supplement its formal passenger stock with slate wagons fitted with planks as seats.<ref>Ransom 1996, page 130</ref> An unusual tourist service offered by the railway was to hire a slate wagon, which would be left at Abergynolwyn. At the end of the day the tourists would return to Tywyn in the wagon, powered by [[Gravity railway|gravity]]. This service was discontinued in the early 1930s.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 116–117</ref> The additional income from the tourist trade defrayed some of the costs of operating the railway, but never enough for it to make a profit during Haydn Jones' ownership.<ref>Rolt 1998, page 21</ref>

The lease on Bryn Eglwys expired in 1942, but was extended on an annual basis. The October 1942 Bradshaw's Guide shows two return passenger trains operating only on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, taking 45 minutes in each direction. No passenger service was provided on other days. Overnight on 26 December 1946, several weakened support columns in the quarry gave way, resulting in a significant collapse; the quarry was deemed unsafe and closed immediately. Haydn Jones had promised to continue operating the railway as long as he was alive and so, despite the closure of the quarry, the railway continued to run trains on a shoestring budget. In 1947 the British railway system was nationalised and the Talyllyn was one of the few operating railways not included. The reasons for this are unclear, but it is significant that all official mention of the railway had ceased several decades before and it is likely that the line was simply forgotten by officialdom.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 73–74</ref> Between 1947 and 1949 the railway ran a passenger service two days a week. In 1949 Haydn Jones, who owned the [[Aberllefenni Slate Quarry]] purchased 10 tons of rail from the recently lifted Corris Railway.<ref name=Quine>{{cite news |title=Not to be: The sad end of the Corris Railway |publisher=Heritage Railway |volume=220 |last=Quine |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Quine}}</ref> On 2 July 1950 Haydn Jones died and closure of the railway seemed inevitable, but the line continued to operate for the remainder of the summer season, ending on 6 October.<ref>Boyd 1965, page 74</ref>
{{clear}}

===Preservation===
====<span class="anchor" id="Rescue"></span><span class="anchor" id="1951–1960"></span>Rescue: 1951–1960====
[[File:Tal-Y-Llyn Dolgoch Abergwynolwn 1951.jpg|thumb|right|Locomotive No. 2 ''Dolgoch'' at Abergynolwyn in 1951, early in the preservation era|alt=A small steam locomotive stands beside a banked area. On the left hand coal bunker is painted TAL-Y-LLYN RAILWAY. The track is covered with grass, and the rails are barely visible. In the foreground are some disused rails.]]
The author and biographer [[L. T. C. Rolt|Tom Rolt]] visited the line in 1949, along with the locomotive engineer [[David Curwen]].<ref>Potter, page 59</ref> In the summer of 1950, Rolt wrote a letter to the ''[[Birmingham Post]]'' newspaper suggesting that a rescue of the Talyllyn be undertaken. He received sufficient positive response for a meeting of interested enthusiasts to be held on 11 October 1950 at the Imperial Hotel in Birmingham. Around 70&nbsp;people, including [[Patrick Whitehouse]], attended the meeting, with Rolt proposing the formation of a committee to look into the acquisition of the railway. With the support of the meeting, the committee – with Rolt as chairman and Whitehouse as Secretary – met for the first time on 23 October and immediately entered into negotiation with Haydn Jones' executors.<ref>Rolt 1965, pages 52–53</ref>

The transfer of ownership to the committee was legally complex, but both parties agreed that all shares in the railway company would be transferred from Haydn Jones' estate to a new company called Talyllyn Holdings Ltd., whose board consisted of two directors from the executors and two from the committee. The transfer took place on 8 February 1951, at which point the newly formed Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society effectively took control of the railway. The Society immediately began to publicise its efforts, hoping to raise funds and find further volunteers to help reopen the railway, and by May nearly 650&nbsp;members had joined the society.<ref>Rolt 1965, pages 54–55</ref> The railway re-opened under the control of the Society for the first time on the [[Whit Monday]] bank holiday, 14 May 1951,<ref name=Potter78>Potter, page 78</ref> with trains running between Wharf and Rhydyronen stations. Regular trains began to run on 4 June and continued through the summer,<ref>Rolt 1965, page 56</ref> with David Curwen acting as the first Chief Mechanical Engineer.<ref name=Potter78/> One of the volunteers who worked on the railway that month was [[Vic Mitchell]].<ref name=RM0618p33-37>{{cite magazine |title=617 publications so far... |first=Howard |last=Johnston |magazine=The Railway Magazine |date=June 2018 |publisher=Mortons Media Ltd |location=Horncastle |pages=33–37 |issn=0033-8923 }}</ref>

[[File:Towyn - Abergynolwyn train at Dolgoch, 1952 (geograph 5209260).jpg|thumb|left|Locomotive No. 4 ''Edward Thomas'' with a train at Dolgoch in 1952]]

In the early years of preservation, the line struggled to operate using the original rolling stock. When the line was taken over in 1950 ''[[Dolgoch (locomotive)|Dolgoch]]'' was the only operating locomotive and it was apparent that it was in need of a major overhaul. To enable operations to continue, two further steam locomotives, Nos.&nbsp;3 and 4, were purchased from the recently closed Corris Railway in 1951 and named ''[[Sir Haydn (locomotive)|Sir Haydn]]'' and ''[[Edward Thomas (locomotive)|Edward Thomas]]'' respectively. Because both railways were built to the unusual gauge of {{Track gauge|2ft3in}}  it was relatively easy to adapt the Corris locomotives to work on the Talyllyn. No.&nbsp;3 became the first new locomotive to travel on the railway for over 80&nbsp;years in 1951, but it frequently [[Derailment|derailed]], and on inspection it turned out that the Talyllyn track was laid approximately half an inch (13&nbsp;mm) wider than the official gauge, a deliberate policy by the old company to accommodate the long [[wheelbase]] of [[Talyllyn (locomotive)|''Talyllyn'']]. Both ''Talyllyn'' and ''Dolgoch'' had unusually wide wheel treads that allowed them to stay on the wide-of-gauge track. This problem was eventually cured by relaying the railway to its correct gauge and altering ''Talyllyn''{{'}}s trailing wheels to allow them to swivel horizontally, shortening the locomotive's fixed wheelbase.<ref>Boyd 1988, page 260</ref> No.&nbsp;4 was unserviceable when it arrived, but John Alcock,<ref>Rolt 1998, picture facing page 109</ref> the chairman of the [[Hunslet Engine Company]], was a member of the Preservation Society and had No.&nbsp;4 overhauled free of charge at his works.<ref>Johnson 1997, page 57</ref> No.&nbsp;4 then began service on the railway in 1952 and worked the majority of the trains that season.<ref>Rolt 1998, page 132</ref>

Another early addition to the locomotive fleet was No.&nbsp;6 ''[[Douglas (locomotive)|Douglas]]'', donated to the society by the Birmingham engineering firm Abelsons Ltd. This locomotive was built for the [[British military narrow gauge railways|depot railway]] serving [[RAF Calshot]] where it worked until 1945, and, after rebuilding from its original {{Track gauge|2ft|lk=on}}  gauge, it entered service in 1954.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 99–100</ref> Through the 1950s the volunteers and staff members of the TRPS rebuilt the line and rescued it from its state of decay, during a period characterised by a "[[Boy's Own Paper|''Boy's Own'' comic]] spirit of adventure, involving enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility".<ref>Goddin 2002, page 46</ref>

On 22 May 1957 the [[BBC]] produced a live [[Outside broadcasting|outside broadcast]] from the railway, during which [[Wynford Vaughan Thomas]] and [[Huw Weldon]] commentated on a trip from Dolgoch to Abergynolwyn. The publicity from this broadcast drew substantial numbers of visitors to the railway that summer, with more than 57,500&nbsp;passengers carried, and this increase in revenue in turn enabled the railway to continue to improve its infrastructure and provide tourists with a better experience.<ref>Rolt 1965, pages 61–62</ref> The following year locomotive No.&nbsp;1 ''Talyllyn'' returned to steam after an extensive overhaul.<ref>Mitchell and Eyres, 2005 page 25</ref>

[[File:Guinness loco at NGRM - 2008-03-18.jpg|thumb|right|The Guinness brewery locomotive, the first exhibit donated to the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum|alt=A small green tank steam locomotive of unusual design, number 13, stands in the museum. The power to the wheels comes from a crank-shaft at the upper rear of the locomotive, which is transmitted to the rear wheel via a vertical connecting rod on the right hand side. The rear wheels are connected to the front wheels by a conventional horizontal connecting rod. A plaque on the front of the locomotive reads WILLIAM SPENCE S. GEOCHECANS PATENT, with a final line obscured by a hand rail rising from the front [[buffer beam]].]]
An important development during this period was the establishment of the [[Narrow Gauge Railway Museum]] at Tywyn Wharf station. The first exhibit for what was to become the museum was a locomotive donated in 1952 by [[Diageo|Guinness]] from their recently closed [[St. James's Gate Brewery]] [[Dublin tramways#Guinness Brewery tramways|railway]]. In 1954 the Preservation Society agreed to start work on a formal museum, and exhibits from around the United Kingdom were acquired to form the nucleus of the collection. In 1955 work started on converting the old [[gunpowder magazine|gunpowder store]] at Wharf station into a temporary museum building, and in 1956 the first exhibit arrived at Tywyn.<ref>Rolt 1965, pages 112–114</ref>

====<span class="anchor" id="Securing the infrastructure"></span><span class="anchor" id="1960–1969"></span>Securing the infrastructure: 1960–1969====
[[File:Tywyn Wharf layout 1964.svg|thumb|left|Tywyn Wharf station in 1964, after layout improvements|alt=The British Railways main line runs in south-easterly direction from Barmouth to Aberdyfi. Wharf station, comprising the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum and an office building, is on the north-east side, south of a road that crosses the main line. The Talyllyn Railway enters Wharf from Pendre to the east, passing underneath a road bridge, past a goods shed and fanning out into four sidings, the centre two of which form a run-round loop. The most southerly of the sidings curves round to join a line that runs parallel to the main line.]]

The 1960s proved to be a decade of consolidation for the Talyllyn. Pendre works underwent several much-needed expansions, adding additional covered storage for carriages and more workshop room. Modern machine tools, along with proper lighting and a new power supply were added. Substantial improvements to Tywyn Wharf station were also made, along with continued relaying and upgrading of the track to Abergynolwyn.<ref>Bate 2001, chapter 5</ref> Passenger numbers continued to climb after the 1957 BBC broadcast; in 1960, 67,000&nbsp;passenger journeys were made, increasing to 78,500 in 1964.<ref>Rolt 1965, page 99</ref> In response to this growing popularity the railway undertook a programme of new rolling stock construction.<ref>Potter, page 208</ref>

By the early 1960s Tywyn Wharf station was in need of major improvements. Before preservation, the station had contained only a fan of sidings, which meant that there was no way for the locomotive of an arriving train to run round the carriages. As a result, trains were pushed from behind as far as Pendre, where the locomotive could be moved past the carriages to the front of the train. A [[passing loop|loop]] was installed at Wharf in 1952, being used from the start of the 1952 season, to avoid having to propel trains to Pendre,<ref name=Boyd6577>Boyd 1965, page 77</ref> but in the winter of 1964/65 a major upgrade of the station was carried out. This improved the track layout and extended the original office building to provide covered accommodation for passengers and a shop.<ref>Mitchell and Eyres, 2005 page 19</ref>

As passenger numbers continued to grow during the late 1960s it became clear that further motive power was needed, especially as the rebuilt No.&nbsp;1 was not performing well. The Talyllyn's unusual track gauge and restricted loading gauge meant that it was unlikely that a locomotive could be found that could work on the line unaltered,<ref>Mitchell and Eyres, 2005 page 87</ref> so in 1969 a {{Track gauge|3ft|lk=on}}  gauge steam locomotive was purchased from the [[Bord na Mona]] (Irish Peat Board) with a view to rebuilding it for use on the Talyllyn. This locomotive was unofficially known as ''Irish Pete'', a nod to its original use.<ref>Bate 2001, page 155</ref>
{{clear}}

====<span class="anchor" id="Extension to Nant Gwernol"></span><span class="anchor" id="1969–1980"></span>Extension to Nant Gwernol: 1969–1980====
[[File:Nant Gwernol station, Talyllyn Railway - geograph.org.uk - 2511203.jpg|thumb|left|[[Nant Gwernol railway station|Nant Gwernol]] station]]
The preservation society had long held ambitions to extend the railway along the former mineral extension from Abergynolwyn to the foot of the Alltwyllt incline, and as early as 1959 work had begun to trace the owners of the land that the extension traversed. Planning began in the mid-1960s, but construction did not start until 1968 when the winding house for the Abergynolwyn village incline was demolished.<ref name=Thomas34>Thomas 2002, page 34</ref> To bring the line up to passenger standards some of the curves needed to be eased, and this required blasting work, as the line runs on a narrow ledge on the hillside at this point.<ref>Bate 2001, page 181</ref> The extension and new station at Nant Gwernol were opened on 22 May 1976 by Wynford Vaughan Thomas who drove in the ceremonial "[[golden spike]]" to complete the extension.<ref>Bate 2001, pages 184–185</ref> Despite this official opening ceremony, minor work still remained to bring the extension to the standard required to run regular passenger trains, but regular train services began on 29 May 1976.<ref>Bate 2001, page 189</ref>

[[File:Nant Gwernol footbridge - 2008-03-18.jpg|thumb|right|The footbridge across the Nant Gwernol]]
Although the extension of the railway was completed in 1976, work in the vicinity continued with the creation of footpaths connecting to the new station. A new footbridge was built crossing the Nant Gwernol gorge and connecting the station with the existing path on the east side of the river. The bridge and paths were opened on 3 May 1980 by [[Gordon Parry, Baron Parry|Lord Parry]], the chairman of the [[Visit Wales|Wales Tourist Board]].<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railway Times |page=11 |volume=18 |title=Narrow Gauge News-Centre |date=June 1980}}</ref> By the mid-1970s, it had become clear that passenger numbers were no longer increasing. After 1973, the peak year for passengers on the Talyllyn with 186,000&nbsp;passenger journeys made,<ref>Bate 2001, page 169</ref> numbers were to decline consistently until the 1990s.<ref name=Thomas35/> Preliminary work on the conversion of ''Irish Pete'' for use on the Talyllyn, which had begun in the early 1970s, was put on hold in 1975 and the chassis and boiler were put into storage at Pendre.<ref>Bate 2001, page 234</ref>

====<span class="anchor" id="Consolidation"></span><span class="anchor" id="1980–2001"></span>Consolidation: 1980–2001====
[[File:Tom Rolt at Tywyn Wharf - 2005-07-16.jpg|thumb|left|Locomotive No. 7 ''Tom Rolt'' at Tywyn Wharf station]]
With passenger numbers falling and the line extended to Nant Gwernol, the railway entered a period of consolidation. By 1987, the [[boiler]] on locomotive No. 6 ''Douglas'' was life expired and in need of replacement. Consideration was given to reviving the project to build a new locomotive from the components of ''Irish Pete'' instead of purchasing a new boiler for ''Douglas'' and in early 1988 work recommenced on the rebuilding of the ex-Bord na Mona locomotive. A new design for an 0-4-2 side tank locomotive was prepared by the railway's Chief Engineer John Bate, which reused the chassis and boiler from the locomotive with a new superstructure and the addition of trailing wheels, and the new locomotive, officially named ''[[Tom Rolt (locomotive)|Tom Rolt]]'' after the Preservation Society's first chairman, was put into service on 6 May 1991.<ref>Bate 2001, pages 234–237</ref> During this period further expansions of both Tywyn Wharf and Pendre stations were undertaken and Abergynolwyn station, which had been rebuilt as part of the Nant Gwernol extension in the 1970s, was expanded further to provide an additional attraction at the eastern end of the line.<ref name=Thomas35>Thomas 2002, page 35</ref>

One major anomaly remained in the railway's operations: the [[Regulation of Railways Act 1889]] had required, amongst other measures, that all British passenger trains be fitted with [[Brake (railway)#Continuous brakes|continuous brakes]]. McConnel had secured an exemption for the Talyllyn Railway, on the basis that the low speed of operation meant they were unnecessary and that the cost of compliance would bankrupt the enterprise, but by the end of the 1990s the [[HM Railway Inspectorate|Railway Inspectorate]] was insisting that the Talyllyn be brought into compliance with the act, a little over 100&nbsp;years after it had passed. By 2001, the railway had fitted its entire passenger fleet with the necessary equipment, operated by [[Air brake (rail)|air brake pumps]] mounted on the locomotives.<ref name=Thomas35/>

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====<span class="anchor" id="New museum"></span><span class="anchor" id="2001–present"></span>New museum: 2001–present====
The Preservation Society celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2001, and as part of the year of celebrations a major new project was launched to once more extend and improve facilities at Tywyn Wharf station. For many years the station had been home to semi-permanent buildings housing the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, but the new plans for the station included the construction of a new two-storey building to house the museum and the extension of the existing station building to house a new cafe and booking office. Work began on the first phase of the project in January 2002.<ref name=Thomas35/> In 2003 the railway received a £682,500 [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)#Good causes|Heritage Lottery]] grant towards the £1,170,000 cost of redeveloping Wharf station,<ref name=BBC2003>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2847945.stm |title=Facelift for 'Thomas' station |work=BBC News |date=14 March 2003 |access-date=16 March 2008 |archive-date=14 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014220006/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2847945.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and the new station and museum were officially opened by [[Charles III|Prince Charles]] (later King Charles III) and [[Queen Camilla|Camilla]], then Duchess of Cornwall, on 13 July 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/4679471.stm|title=Royal couple on track at station|work=BBC News|date=13 July 2005|access-date=14 May 2009|archive-date=8 March 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060308074419/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/4679471.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The railway has seen a steady increase in passengers carried since the turn of the [[3rd millennium|millennium]], with nearly 51,000 passenger bookings and 95,500 passenger journeys recorded in 2006,<ref name=Report2006>{{cite web |title=The annual TRPS Council Meeting report, 2006 |url=http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/internal/arrc-07e |date=26 July 2007 |access-date=3 August 2009 |publisher=Talyllyn Railway Company |author=Robinson, John S |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925183614/http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/internal/arrc-07e |archive-date=25 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> although this figure is still only around half the peak figure carried in 1973. In 2011, the railway celebrated 60 years of preservation, and received an [[Engineering Heritage Award]] from the [[Institution of Mechanical Engineers]] in recognition of its importance in Welsh industrial heritage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imeche.org/news/archives/11-10-30/Top_engineering_honour_for_railway_that_helped_inspire_Thomas_the_Tank_Engine.aspx |title=Top engineering honour for railway that helped inspire Thomas the Tank Engine |publisher=Institution of Mechanical Engineers |date=30 October 2011 |access-date=3 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401155246/http://www.imeche.org/news/archives/11-10-30/Top_engineering_honour_for_railway_that_helped_inspire_Thomas_the_Tank_Engine.aspx |archive-date=1 April 2012 }}</ref>

The railway struggled financially for several years after the banking collapse of 2007, but slowly began to recover. In 2008 a large amount of equipment was purchased from the {{Track gauge|2ft6in}} gauge military railway at RNAD Trecwn, including a large quantity of track components and three diesel locomotives. In 2011 the railway celebrated the 60th anniversary of its rescue by the volunteers of 1951.<ref>Drummond 2015, pages 58–59</ref>

In April 2012 locomotive No.2 ''Dolgoch'' appeared at the Steel Steam and Stars Gala at the [[Llangollen Railway]], running on a temporary section of narrow gauge track.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/news/no-2-dolgoch-steam-steel-and-stars-3|title=No 2 Dolgoch at Steam Steel and Stars 3|date=26 April 2012|access-date=26 June 2015|publisher=Talyllyn Railway|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627110804/http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/news/no-2-dolgoch-steam-steel-and-stars-3|archive-date=27 June 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This was the first time that ''Dolgoch'' had operated away from its home railway in 146 years. In June 2013 the railway was awarded the [[Queen's Award for Voluntary Service]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/news/queen-honours-talyllyn-railway|title=Queen honours Talyllyn Railway|publisher=Heritage Railway Magazine|date=2 June 2013|access-date=21 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140121130007/http://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/news/queen-honours-talyllyn-railway|archive-date=21 January 2014}}</ref> 2015 was the 150th anniversary of the official opening of the railway, and this was celebrated with a series of events throughout the year.<ref>Drummond 2015, page 60</ref> In 2021, the Slate Landscape of North-west Wales, which includes the Talyllyn Railway and Bryn Eglwys Quarry, was designated a World Heritage Site.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57986167|title=Wales' slate landscape wins World Heritage status|publisher=BBC News|date=28 July 2021|access-date=28 July 2021|archive-date=10 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810014439/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57986167|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.llechi.cymru/slateareas/bryneglwys|title=Bryneglwys Slate Quarry, Abergynolwyn Village and the Talyllyn Railway|publisher=Llechi Cymru|access-date=28 July 2021|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728152907/https://www.llechi.cymru/slateareas/bryneglwys|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
| [[File:TalyllynRailwayV3T1a.ogv|thumb|160px|center|thumbtime=318|A day out – part 1 <br />(recorded 2009)]] || [[File:TalyllynRailwayV3T2.ogv|thumb|160px|thumbtime=99.9|center|A day out – part 2 <br />(recorded 2009)]]
|}

==Today==
The Talyllyn Railway remains a successful and popular tourist attraction. The original 1860s locomotives and passenger stock still run regularly alongside the roster of more modern rolling stock. The railway is promoted as one of ''[[The Great Little Trains of Wales]]'', a joint marketing scheme launched in 1970 that encompasses ten narrow gauge railways in the country, mostly found in north and mid Wales.<ref>Bate 2001, page 157</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk |title=The Great Little Trains of Wales website |access-date=6 April 2008 |author=Yarborough, Bruce |publisher=Great Little Trains of Wales |archive-date=14 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514210306/http://www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Special events===
The railway operates a programme of special events throughout the year. These have included in the past the Anything-Goes Gala, Have-A-Go Gala, Tom Rolt Steam and Vintage Rally and Victorian Week. Occasional events are based on locomotives masquerading as their fictional counterparts from the [[#In popular culture|Skarloey Railway]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/events/peter-sams-65th-birthday|title=Peter Sam's 65th birthday|access-date=17 August 2020|publisher=Talyllyn Railway|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819231101/https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/events/peter-sams-65th-birthday|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since 1984 there has been an annual running event called [[Race the Train]], which follows the railway track {{convert|7|mi|km}} from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and back again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racethetrain.com/|title=Race the Train website|access-date=6 April 2008|publisher=Tywyn Rotary Club|archive-date=4 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404144404/http://www.racethetrain.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> The challenge is for runners to complete the {{convert|14|mile|km|adj=on}} cross country route faster than the train, which takes around 1&nbsp;hour 47&nbsp;minutes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racethetrain.com/course-rotary-challenge|title=Course - Rotary Challenge|publisher=Tywyn Rotary Club|access-date=7 February 2022|archive-date=7 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207071637/https://www.racethetrain.com/course-rotary-challenge|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Young Members Group===
The Young Members Group (YMG) are members and volunteers of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society who are between the ages of 14 and 25. On occasions during the peak season, the Railway has held Young Members Days in which the youngest qualified people available that day run the railway.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/young-members |title=Young Members |access-date=3 August 2009 |publisher=Talyllyn Railway Company |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823000524/http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/young-members |archive-date=23 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Route==
{{See also|List of stations and halts on the Talyllyn Railway}}
{{Talyllyn map}}
{{clear}}

===Original passenger line===
[[File:Tywyn Wharf layout - 2008-03-18.jpg|thumb|left|Tywyn Wharf station, 2008]]

The main terminus of the line is at {{stnlnk|Tywyn Wharf}} (originally known as King's Station, after a local landowner), where the railway's administrative headquarters and the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum are located. When the line carried traffic from the quarry, slates were transferred to the [[Cambrian Railways]] on the [[transhipment]] sidings. Leaving Wharf station, which stands at an elevation of {{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}} above sea level, the line passes immediately under the [[A493 road|A493]] [[Machynlleth]] to [[Dolgellau]] road and enters a long [[Cutting (transportation)|cutting]] that climbs towards {{stnlnk|Pendre}}, at a maximum [[Grade (slope)#Railways|gradient]] of 1 in 60. On the left (north) side of the cutting there was once a long siding used for gravity [[Shunt (railway operations)|shunting]] of wagons into the sidings at Wharf station. The railway runs through the cutting for about {{convert|0.5|mi|m}}, before passing under another road bridge and passing the [[Motive power depot|locomotive and carriage sheds]] and works at Pendre.<ref name=Boyd6577/>

From Pendre, the railway passes over a gated [[level crossing]] and runs beside an industrial estate before climbing up to Ty Mawr bridge and on to Hendy, the first of five [[Minor halts on the Talyllyn Railway|minor halts]], which serves the adjacent farm. The railway runs in an approximately north-easterly direction along the [[River Fathew|Fathew]] valley, mainly through fields of local farms on the valley floor, although this is where some of the steepest gradients on the line are to be found.<ref name=Potter226>Potter, page 226</ref> The [[ruling gradient]] of the line is 1 in 60.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/history-building-railway|title=Talyllyn Railway history|access-date=3 August 2009|publisher=Talyllyn Railway Company|archive-date=14 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514113551/http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/history-building-railway|url-status=live}}</ref>

More local halts follow at Fach Goch, and Cynfal, the latter having a small platform.<ref name=Potter226/> The section from Cynfal to {{stnlnk|Rhydyronen}} was relaid in 1951 using rail purchased from the Corris Railway after the latter line's closure in 1948. Rhydyronen, a [[request stop]], was the first intermediate station built on the line, opening in 1867. A siding at the station was shortened in 1957 and removed completely circa 1975. A short steep climb under a road bridge follows the station, followed by a slight downhill gradient. Unlike the Ffestiniog Railway, the Talyllyn was not designed to be worked as a gravity line, however this is the only downhill section between Pendre and Nant Gwernol.<ref>Potter, page 228</ref> Another minor halt follows at Tynllwynhen, before the passing loop and request stop at {{stnlnk|Brynglas}}.<ref>Potter, page 229</ref>

Above Brynglas, the line crosses the Cwm Pandy stream and enters a shallow cutting, climbing as it goes. The cutting ends at a road overbridge after which the line runs through open countryside as it starts to ascend the valley side on a ledge. After approximately {{convert|0.75|mi|m}} it enters woodlands west of {{stnlnk|Dolgoch}}, climbing steadily, then curves to the south east and crosses the Dolgoch gorge on the Dolgoch viaduct, which carries the line {{convert|51|ft|m|abbr=on}} above the Dolgoch ravine.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 82–83</ref> Dolgoch station is immediately east of the viaduct, situated on a left-hand curve at {{convert|187|ft|m|abbr=on}} above sea level, and is the main intermediate station on the line, being popular with tourists visiting the nearby [[Dolgoch Falls|falls]]. The railway continues in a north easterly direction, curving through the woods and climbing the valley side. It shortly passes Quarry Siding, where a halt and passing loop are located; this is the site of a small old [[shale]] quarry, the rock from which was used for [[Track ballast|ballasting]] on the railway. A large permanent way and storage shed opened on the site in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/news/2013-may-guest-house-opening-quarry-siding|title=The 'Guest House' opening at Quarry Siding|publisher=Talyllyn Railway|date=13 May 2013|access-date=2 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819032219/http://talyllyn.co.uk/news/2013-may-guest-house-opening-quarry-siding|archive-date=19 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The line continues its ascent towards [[Abergynolwyn railway station|Abergynolwyn station]], situated on a ledge cut into the hillside.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 83–84</ref>

===Abergynolwyn to Nant Gwernol===
[[File:Abergynolwyn Village Incline Map.svg|thumb|left|Map of the [[Abergynolwyn]] Village Branch]]
The original terminus of the statutory railway was Abergynolwyn, beyond which the railway continued as a {{convert|0.75|mi|km|adj=on}} long mineral extension, now converted for passenger use. The extension was originally sharply curved, as the line turns south east into the steeply sided Nant Gwernol gorge but these curves were eased when conversion for passenger use took place in 1976. The whole section is within woods, now owned by the [[Natural Resources Wales]]. Shortly after crossing over the forestry road the line reaches Tŷ Dŵr, where the original locomotive shed stood from 1865 until it was demolished after Pendre works opened in 1867. A slate water tower at this point was in use into the 1950s,<ref>Mitchell and Eyres 2005, page 70</ref> and was rebuilt in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/news/talyllyn-railway-wins-national-rail-heritage-award|title=Talyllyn Railway wins National Rail Heritage Award|publisher=Talyllyn Railway|date=22 December 2022|access-date=12 April 2023|archive-date=15 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415054436/https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/news/talyllyn-railway-wins-national-rail-heritage-award/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:VillageIncline (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|The village incline from the north west, around 1880]]
After passing the site of Ty Dwr the railway bends around 'Amen' corner and soon after the Village Incline is reached. From here the line runs into the gorge, high above the river on a narrow ledge, ending at the foot of the first incline leading to the Bryn Eglwys quarry. The original line fanned out into a set of three sidings, used to marshal trains of loaded slate wagons coming down from the quarry and empty wagons waiting to ascend.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 84–86</ref> [[Nant Gwernol railway station|Nant Gwernol station]], the eastern terminus of the line, was built on the site of the sidings.<ref>Holmes 2009, page 126</ref><ref name=Boyd159>Boyd 1988, page 159</ref>

The village of [[Abergynolwyn]] was built to house the quarrymen of Bryn Eglwys and their families, and to serve the village an [[Cable railway|incline]] with winding house was laid three quarters of the way along the mineral extension. The winding house for the incline stood on the narrow ledge, with the mineral line passing through it. The two-track incline dropped {{convert|150|ft|m|abbr=on}} over a distance of {{convert|363|ft|m|abbr=on}}. At its foot, the line crossed the Nant Gwernol on a girder bridge. Immediately after the bridge, short lines branched off to the east from a wagon [[Turntable (railroad)|turntable]] to the coal yard and smithy of Pandy Farm and west to a [[slate (writing)|writing slate]] factory (later a carpenter's yard). The main branch then split to form a storage loop, with a further wagon turntable and a longer branch serving the houses and school to the north east. The main branch continued north, crossing the main road then passing between the two main terraces in the village before ending in a turntable and a final short line connecting to the Capel Jerusalem chapel.<ref>Boyd 1988, page 153–162</ref> The village incline was lifted during the early years of preservation, to provide much needed rail to replace the existing track.<ref>Potter, page 126</ref> The winding house was demolished in 1968 to allow realignment of the railway to form the extension to Nant Gwernol.<ref name=Thomas34/>

===Galltymoelfre Tramway===
[[File:Alltwyllt incline - 2008-03-18.jpg|thumb|left|The head of the Alltwyllt incline at the end of the Nant Gwernol extension in 2008]]
Until the closure of the quarries in 1946, the line east from Abergynolwyn was worked as a mineral tramway – only slate and goods trains serving Bryn Eglwys ran on this section. The quarry lay about {{convert|1|mile|km|spell=in}} south-east of Nant Gwernol station and {{convert|300|ft|m|abbr=on}} above it, with a further mineral tramway connecting the quarry with the railway.<ref name=Boyd88165/> What is now Nant Gwernol station was the terminus of the Talyllyn Railway proper. Here the line fanned out into a set of sidings where inbound trains were left and outbound slate trains assembled. The sidings were located on a narrow ledge in the side of the Nant Gwernol gorge.<ref name=Boyd159/>

[[File:Cantrybedd incline - 2008-03-18.jpg|thumb|upright|The Cantrybedd Incline at the end of the Galltymoelfre Tramway]]
Rising south-east from the end of the sidings was the {{convert|633|ft|m|abbr=on}} long, double track gravity operated, '''Alltwyllt incline''',<ref>Boyd 1988, page 162</ref> from the top of which the Galltymoelfre Tramway ran south-east towards the quarry for about {{convert|0.5|mi|m}}. The tramway was laid in light [[Rail profile#History|bridge rail]] and worked for its entire existence using horses. The tramway ended at the foot of the '''Cantrybedd incline''', a {{convert|440|ft|m|abbr=on}} long double track, gravity operated incline. This final incline rose to the north edge of Bryn Eglwys quarry, reaching a height of {{convert|612|ft|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.<ref name=Boyd88165>Boyd 1988, page 165</ref>

==Operation==
{{See also|List of Talyllyn Railway rolling stock}}
The line has six steam locomotives for passenger trains and four diesel locomotives, which are primarily used for shunting and to haul works trains. It is unusual for all steam locomotives to be operable at the same time, as at least one is normally scheduled for overhaul.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/node/661 |title=Talyllyn website – 100% availability |publisher=Talyllyn Railway Company |access-date=6 September 2014 |date=29 August 2007 |author=Willans, Karen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221203929/http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/node/661 |archive-date=21 December 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The railway also owns 23&nbsp;carriages and vans, including all of the original carriages and the brake van built for the railway.

[[File:Brynglas.jpg|thumb|left|Brynglas block-post]]
The railway is [[Single track (rail)|single track]], so special measures have to be taken to prevent collisions. Before preservation, the railway operated a "[[Signalling block systems#One train working|one engine in steam]]" policy, but with growing passenger numbers it became necessary to install passing loops and a more stringent method of single line control was introduced.<ref>Potter, pages 130–131</ref> The line is worked by Electric Key [[Token (railway signalling)|tokens]] installed in 1973, which authorise the driver to enter a section of single line, and these are interlocked to prevent more than one token being withdrawn for a section at any one time. There is a loop at Pendre, which was used from the opening of the railway for shunting purposes, and further loops were installed at Brynglas in 1953 and Quarry Siding in 1963.<ref>Potter, pages 132–133</ref> When the Nant Gwernol extension opened in 1976, Abergynolwyn also became a passing loop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/history/part-8-nant-gwernol-extension|title=History Part 8: The Nant Gwernol extension|publisher=Talyllyn Railway|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-date=1 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101184146/https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/history/part-8-nant-gwernol-extension|url-status=live}}</ref>

Each passing loop is controlled by a small [[signal box]], known as a block-post. These house the [[Lever frame|lever frames]] that control the points, the token equipment and telephones. The railway has few signals; instead it has stop boards at Pendre, Brynglas, Quarry Siding and Nant Gwernol, and the [[Signalman (rail)|blockman]] allows trains to proceed by use of flags.<ref>Potter, page 222</ref> There are colour light signals located at Tywyn Wharf, operated from the Control Office and disc signals controlled from the ground frame. Abergynolwyn has colour light signals, which are operated from the blockpost.<ref>Bate 2001, pages 128 & 186</ref> When the block-post is unmanned, it is the responsibility of the locomotive crew to change the token before proceeding.<ref>Rolt 1965, page 102</ref>

==In popular culture==

===''The Railway Series''===
[[File:Rev W Awdry and Peter Sam - 1988-05-14.jpg|thumb|Wilbert Awdry and ''Edward Thomas'' in the guise of Skarloey Railway ''Peter Sam'']]
{{Main|The Railway Series}}
The Talyllyn Railway is represented in ''[[The Railway Series]]'' books by the [[W.V. Awdry|Reverend W. Awdry]] and its television adaptation ''[[Thomas & Friends]]'' as the [[Skarloey Railway]]; most of the fictional locomotives are based on real-life equivalents. Awdry visited the line on a family holiday in the early days of preservation and became involved as a volunteer soon afterwards. Several of the stories in ''The Railway Series'' come from his real-life experiences at the Talyllyn, and some of the books contain full-page illustrations of Talyllyn locomotives.<ref>Potter, page 89</ref> One of Awdry's early experiences as a volunteer guard was waving for a train to depart Abergynolwyn too soon, causing the line's Refreshment Lady to miss the train; an event adapted in both the books and the TV series. His son Christopher and his wife Diana, and their son Richard would all volunteer with the Talyllyn as well. Wilbert's study along with his model trains were donated to the Talyllyn after his death and placed on display in the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/about/the-awdry-connection/ |title=The Awdry Connection |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |publisher= |access-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604223720/https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/about/the-awdry-connection/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021 the railway began hosting the ''Awdry Extravaganza'' sharing lectures on ''The Railway Series'' from the Awdry study collection, and displaying artefacts and fan creations related to ''The Railway Series'' and ''Thomas & Friends''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/news/awdry-extravaganza-2021/ |title=An amazing Awdry Extravaganza weekend! |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=August 21, 2021 |publisher= |access-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604222140/https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/news/awdry-extravaganza-2021/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The railway was briefly threatened legally by TV series creator [[Britt Allcroft]] for using the characters without paying her production company licensing fees, however since the railway's agreement to use the Skarloey Railway characters predated the TV series; the railway was able to continue using them without licensing them as part of [[Day Out with Thomas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/true-home-of-thomas-the-tank-engine-to-defy-threats-by-fat-controller-281830.html |title=True home of Thomas the Tank Engine to defy threats by 'Fat Controller' |last=Herbert |first=Ian |date=April 19, 2000 |publisher=Independent |access-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-date=7 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507153442/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/true-home-of-thomas-the-tank-engine-to-defy-threats-by-fat-controller-281830.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''The Titfield Thunderbolt''===
{{Main|The Titfield Thunderbolt}}
The preservation of the Talyllyn Railway by volunteers was the inspiration for the 1953 film ''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]'',<ref>Huntley 1969, page 77</ref> an [[Ealing Studios]] comedy about a group of villagers attempting to run a service on a disused [[branch line]] after closure. [[T. E. B. Clarke]], the script writer for the film, had heard about the preservation of the Talyllyn and spent a day on the railway in 1951, and some of the early incidents in preservation were incorporated into the film. In the book ''Railway Adventure'' Tom Rolt recalled that he had hoped the film might be produced on the Talyllyn,<ref>Rolt 1998, page 115</ref> but it was eventually filmed on the recently closed [[Camerton, Somerset|Camerton]] branch of the [[Bristol and North Somerset Railway#The Camerton branch|Bristol and North Somerset Railway]] line along the [[Cam Brook valley]] in [[Somerset]].<ref>Castens, page 5</ref> The actor [[Hugh Griffith]], who played Dan in the film, was a friend of Tom Rolt and an early vice-president of the preservation society.<ref>Holmes 2009, page 40</ref>

===''Railway with a Heart of Gold''===
{{Main|Railway with a Heart of Gold}}
In 1953, the American film producer [[Carson Davidson|Carson "Kit" Davidson]] produced a documentary film entitled ''[[Railway with a Heart of Gold]]'',{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name=RWAHOG|The film is available to view on the [[Internet Archive]] at [https://archive.org/details/railway_with_a_heart_of_gold_1965 Railway with a Heart of Gold].}} portraying the early days of preservation. Some incidents were staged for the film, such as a piece falling off the locomotive, which Davidson later described as "corny".<ref name=Heart>Fuller, volume 2, pages 96–98</ref> However most of the film was simply a record of the work and incidents that took place on the railway at the time, including a dramatic shot of ''Sir Haydn'' derailing due to the poor condition of the track at the time.<ref name=Heart/> The film, which was preserved by the [[Academy Film Archive]] in 2012,<ref>{{cite web|title=Preserved Projects|url=https://www.oscars.org/academy-film-archive/preserved-projects?title=railway+with+a+heart+of+gold&filmmaker=&category=All&collection=All|website=Academy Film Archive|access-date=28 April 2020|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808034012/https://www.oscars.org/academy-film-archive/preserved-projects?title=railway+with+a+heart+of+gold&filmmaker=&category=All&collection=All|url-status=live}}</ref> ends with the quote
"It is a relic, this railway, a bit of ornamental scrollwork lifted from the pattern of yesterday and kept as a memento."<ref>Fuller, volume 2, page 330</ref>

==See also==
* [[British narrow gauge railways]]
* [[List of 2 ft 3 in gauge railways]]
* [[List of British heritage and private railways]]
* [[Tourism in Wales]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist |group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{Reflist|20em}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|author=Bate, J. H. L.|title=The Chronicles of Pendre Sidings|publisher=RailRomances|year=2001|isbn=1-900622-05-X}}
* {{cite book|author=Boyd, James I. C.|author-link=James I. C. Boyd|title=Narrow Gauge Railways in Mid Wales|publisher=Oakwood Press|year=1965|isbn=0-85361-024-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Boyd |first=James I. C. |author-link=James I. C. Boyd |title=The Tal-y-llyn Railway |publisher=Wild Swan Publications Ltd |year=1988 |isbn=0-906867-46-0}}
* {{cite book|title=On the Trail of The Titfield Thunderbolt|first=Simon|last=Castens|publisher=Thunderbolt Books|year=2001|isbn=0-9538771-0-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Cozens |first=Lewis |author-link=Lewis Cozens |title=The Tal-y-llyn Railway |publisher=Privately printed |year=1948}}
* {{cite book|title=Rails Along The Fathew|first=Ian|last=Drummond|publisher=Holne Publishings|year=2015|isbn=978-0-9563317-8-6}}
* {{cite book|title=Talyllyn & Corris Steam Locomotives, Volume 2: Early Preservation and Locomotive Rebuilds|first=Martin|last=Fuller|publisher=Sara Eade Publishing|year=2017|isbn=978-0-9935828-3-7}}
* {{cite journal |last=Goddin |first=Geoff |title=Whose Heritage Railway is it? A Study of Volunteer Motivation |journal=Japan Railway & Transport Review |volume=32 |date=September 2002 |pages=46–49 |url=http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr32/pdf/f46_god.pdf |access-date=1 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326084037/http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr32/pdf/f46_god.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
* {{cite book|last=Holmes|first=Alan|title=Talyllyn Revived|publisher=The Talyllyn Railway|year=2009|isbn=978-0-900317-07-1}}
* {{cite magazine |author1=Household, H. G. W. |author2=Eldson, O. |name-list-style=amp |date=June 1926 |title=The Tal-y-llyn Railway |magazine=Railway Magazine |volume=58 |pages=431–435}}
* {{cite book |title=Railways in the Cinema |last=Huntley |first=John |publisher=Ian Allan |year=1969}}
* {{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Johnson (railway historian) |title=The Heyday of the Welsh Narrow Gauge |publisher=Ian Allan |year=1997 |isbn=0-7110-2511-8}}
* {{cite book |title=Welsh Narrow Gauge: a view from the past |last=Johnson |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Johnson (railway historian) |publisher=Ian Allan |year=1999 |isbn=0-7110-2654-8}}
* {{cite book |author1=Johnson, Peter |author-link=Peter Johnson (railway historian) |author2=Weaver, Rodney  |name-list-style=amp |title=Great Preserved Locomotives: Talyllyn Railway No 1 Talyllyn & No 2 Dolgoch |publisher=Ian Allan |year=1987 |isbn=0-7110-1711-5}}
* {{cite book |title=The Talyllyn Railway |author1=Mitchell, David J.  |author2=Eyres, Terry  |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Past and Present Publishing Ltd |year=2005 |isbn=1-85895-125-9}}
* {{cite book|author=Potter, D.|title=The Talyllyn Railway|publisher=David St John Thomas|year=1990|isbn=0-946537-50-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Ransom |first=P. J. G. |title=Narrow Gauge Steam: Its origins and world-wide development |publisher=Oxford Publishing Co |year=1996 |isbn=0-86093-533-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Richards |first=Alun John |title=The Slate Regions of North and Mid Wales, and their Railways |publisher=Carreg Gwalch |year=1999 |isbn=0-86381-552-9}}
* {{cite book|author=Rolt, L. T. C. |author-link=L. T. C. Rolt |title=Railway Adventure|publisher=Sutton Publishing|year=1998 |isbn=0-330-02783-2}}
* {{cite book|editor=Rolt, L. T. C. |editor-link=L. T. C. Rolt |title=Talyllyn Century|publisher=David & Charles|year=1965}}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Cliff |author-link=Cliff Thomas |title=The Narrow Gauge in Britain and Ireland |year=2002 |publisher=Atlantic Publishing |isbn=1-902827-05-8 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/narrowgaugeinbri0000thom }}
* {{cite book |last1=Waite |first1=James |title=Talyllyn Railway: A Journey By Steam |series=Narrow Gauge Album No. 2 |date=2023 |publisher=Mainline & Maritime |location=Chippenham, Wilts, UK |isbn=9781900340663 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qO-bzQEACAAJ |access-date=17 April 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417092144/https://books.google.com/books?id=qO-bzQEACAAJ |url-status=live }}
* {{cite magazine |author=Woodcock, G. George |date=September 1938 |title=The Tal-y-llyn Railway |magazine=Railway Magazine |volume=83 |issue=495 |pages=197–200}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons|Talyllyn Railway}}
* [http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/ Talyllyn Railway website]
* [http://www.ngrm.org.uk/ Narrow Gauge Railway Museum]`

{{Talyllyn Railway}}
{{Heritage railways in Wales}}
{{Historical Welsh railway companies}}
{{World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Talyllyn Railway| ]]
[[Category:2 ft 3 in gauge railways in Wales]]
[[Category:Narrow-gauge railways in Snowdonia]]
[[Category:Heritage railways in Snowdonia]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:1866 establishments in Wales]]
[[Category:Railway inclines in Wales]]