2001 News

For the Enthusiast

Press Release, 13th December 2001

TYWYN WHARF STATION REDEVELOPMENT

£456,000 HERITAGE LOTTERY GRANT ALLOCATED

The Talyllyn Railway is pleased to announce that the Heritage Lottery Fund has allocated £456,000 as a "Stage One Pass" towards redevelopment of its main terminus, Wharf Station, and the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, to bring them up to the standards expected of the World's First Preserved Railway.

A "Stage One Pass" is a positive indication that, provided the project is developed further along agreed lines, it is likely to receive support in the form of a confirmed grant at Stage Two, after a few months.

Match Funding is required for the project and is to be provided by considerable sums raised by the Talyllyn Railway's own Golden Jubilee Appeal, along with support from the Welsh Development Agency, Gwynedd Council and the Wales Tourist Board.

The new building, designed to complement the original 1860s station, which will be restored to its original appearance, will accommodate a state of the art Narrow Gauge Railway Museum and vastly improved restaurant, shop and administration facilities.

The project is planned for completion by May 2003.

Further information from John Smallwood or David Leech at the Talyllyn Railway, Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9AW. Telephone 01654 710472. Fax 01654 711755.
E-mail enquiries@talyllyn.co.uk. Website, www.talyllyn.co.uk.

The Heritage Lottery Fund provides financial support for the protection and enhancement of our heritage of local, regional or national importance for the benefit of communities throughout the UK. So far, in Wales, 532 grants have been awarded for a total of more than £87 million. For more information about the Heritage Lottery Fund, contact Mark Ludmon or Lydia Davies, Heritage Lottery Fund Press Office, on 020 7591 6102/6032.

News Update, 5th December 2001

Information kindly supplied by Peter Mintoft and Keith Theobald.

Loco 8 "Merseysider" has had more parts made for the control panels in the cab, further work on electrical conduit and effective repairs made to some long standing leaks in the diesel fuel tank. Electric switches have arrived and electrical wiring is to commence soon.

Elsewhere in the works extensive repairs to a point crossing (frog) from Wharf sidings are nearing completion, and repairs are well underway to cracked areas of Loco No. 3 "Sir Haydn"s main axleboxes. The small diesel engine on the yellow generator set has also received an overhaul.

A well attended locomotive working party worked hard last week undertaking maintenance jobs on the locomotive fleet. Amongst many other things, the motion of No. 7 "Tom Rolt" received routine attention to oil ways, felts, trimmings etc in preparation for its work scheduled later in the year. Locos Nos. 1, 2 and 3 also received attention in the shed.

During Autumn Outdoor Week (3rd-11th November), a considerable amount of work was undertaken:

Further improvements to the engineers sidings at Wharf.
Bonfire by Ty-mawr Bridge, general lineside tidying up between Pendre and Brynglas, lots of fencing around the Fach Goch area, ¼ mile of gapping and fishplate oiling between Tynllwyn and Tynllwyn-Hen, and improving the alignment to remove the kink by Tynllwyn-Hen.
On Brynglas Bank, at the down stop board the step was repaired and the cattle grid and fence reinstanted. Rodding chambers for the South side drain constructed out of available material, and the track was jacked and packed from 90ft east of the bridge for some distance beyond the end of last autumn's work. A trench was dug at the top of the bank for a duct to protect the water pipe. Some of last autumn's displaced rails were moved to Hendy Bank.
Between Six Bends and just below Dolgoch viaduct a considerable number of overhanging branches etc. were pruned to stop them rubbing on the trains in wet weather.
Over ¼ mile of bolts below Dolgoch Woods prepared for a pulling back exercise during the Spring Outdoor Week.
In Dolgoch Woods a damaged drain under the track was replaced, all other drains cleared of leaves and mud, and a trench dug in a very boggy patch to encourage better drainage. Several small bonfires were lit to get rid of boscage, and the track was jacked and packed as required, heading west from the viaduct as far as the slip site.
At Dolgoch Station the under bridge was subjected to a heavy overhaul involving removal of track, overburden, and all loose material; cleaned and re-pointing of the stone work; installation of two cross drains installed; replacment of loose blocks with mortar; and removal of moss and dirt from the face and sides. Drainage work as required was also carried out in the station area.
At Abergynolwyn further progress was made on the sleeper railway in the new play area.

News Update, 10th November 2001

Information kindly supplied by John Robinson, Richard Pickersgill and Tony Skinner.

Daily service ceased on Saturday 3rd with reasonable loadings; the next services are the Santa Specials on 15th, 16th, 22nd - 24th December, the Carol Train on 15th December, and the Christmas Trains on 26th December - 1st January. Autumn has generally been satisfactory with traffic revenue for the year up 1.4% despite losses due to foot-and-mouth.

Outdoor week has commenced with regapping rails near Tynllwyn Hen, fencing work at Fach Goch and stripping the underbridge immediately east of Dolgoch station down to the brick arch.

The current locomotive position is:

1, 2 & 3 are more-or-less ready for their annual out-of-steam boiler inspection.
3 has also been lifted, and its coupled axleboxes removed for remetalling.
4 is dismantled awaiting a decision on funding of a new (or largely rebuilt) boiler.
6 & 7 are serviceable for Santa Specials and Christmas service.
Diesels 5, 9 & 10 are in use for outdoor week; 8 is usable but in the workshop awaiting completion.

The Milton Keynes Area Group are holding a Slide Show on the evening of the 13th November at 8 p.m.; the venue for the event has had to be changed from the Bull & Butcher Pub, Aylesbury St, Fenny Stratford, Bletchley and will now be held at "Dobbers Refreshment Room" at Pages Park station of the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway. Directions to the railway can be found on their web site.

The speaker is David Mitchell, the Talyllyn's Managing Director, and we are hoping to see some of his slides of the TR in the 60's and 70's, including the Nant Gwernol Extension, and the Isle of Man Railways. Members and non-members are welcome, the group does however ask for a contribution of at least £2 to cover expenses.

News Update, 1st November 2001

Information kindly supplied by Pete Mintoft.

Loco 8 continues to make steady progress in the works with many jobs underway. The cab now sports roof rain strips and windscreen wipers and most of the mechanical controls are now in place. Bonnet side doors are fitted and now being painted. After the fitting of rain strips to them, the bonnet tops were once again removed to enhance access for further work. Major progress has been seen on electrical conduit installation and further paint finishing both inside and out. Electrical switchgear and instruments should be fitted soon.

News Update, 29th October 2001

Information kindly supplied by John Robinson.

Confirmation has been received from the Charity Commission for England and Wales that Talyllyn Holdings Limited has been entered in the Central Register of Charities with effect from 25th. October, 2001 with Registered No. 1089053. Talyllyn Holdings is the beneficial owner of all the shares in the Talyllyn Railway Company. It has four directors appointed by the Council of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and two appointed by a grandson of Sir Henry Haydn Jones.

The annual bonfire party for members and friends took place on 27th. October and about 150 were present. The evening was calm and dry, the bonfire burnt extremely well and the firework display was spectacular. At Pendre, No. 1 "Talyllyn" has been prepared for the annual out-of-steam boiler inspection.

News Update, 15th August 2001

Information kindly supplied by John Robinson.

We are hosting the annual Narrow-Gauge Volunteers Get-Together on the weekend of 21st-23rd September, 2001; as with previous such events, we hope that this will provide an enjoyable opportunity to meet volunteers from other railways. As always, an unusual and interesting timetable will be operated and the dinner and other social events will be organized to a high standard.

For further information please contact Chris Russell at ckr (dot) post (at) lineone.net.

News Update, 31st July 2001

Information kindly supplied by Roger Whitehouse.

The Jubilee Festival Week is now over, having finished with 50 hours of continuous public service. The final train of the weekend, the 7.30pm departure from Wharf on Sunday 29th, was hauled as far as Pendre by all five working steam locos (Nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7) following an hour of extensive interest from many photographers, both members and visitors.

News Update, 19th July 2001

Information kindly supplied by MRFS.

Loco No. 7 made a test run yesterday, Wednesday 18th, following its repaint. It worked light engine from Pendre to Wharf, up to Brynglas, before returning to Pendre. Today (Thursday) it was expected to put in some further running-in workings, double-heading one of the service trains.

News Update, 12th July 2001

Information kindly supplied by Keith Theobald.

Loco No. 1 "Talyllyn" arrived safely back in Tywyn on Tuesday 10th July from the National Railway Museum in York, where it had been on display as part of the exhibition celebrating 50 years of Heritage Railways. No. 1 will be given the once over before returning to traffic, just to check that everything is in order. Thanks to all those who made it possible.

News Update, 25th June 2001

Information kindly supplied by Justin Adams.

Coach number 21 (bogie saloon) is now back in traffic after its winter repairs. Loco No. 7 "Tom Rolt" is now in the Paint Shop for a repaint, which is progressing.

The PW slack at Rhydyronen has now been lifted. Also at Rhydyronen, handrails have been fitted over the stream bridge.

Diesel loco No. 10 "Bryn Eglwys" is back in service but currently subject to a maximum speed of 12 mph.

News Update, 12th June 2001

Information kindly supplied by Keith Theobald.

We are pleased to report the lifting of the Permanent Way slack through tadpole cutting at Brynglas, following a good response to a request for help; thanks to everyone who was able to help over the weekend of 2-3 June. The gang are hoping to make progress with the P.W. slack at Rhydyronen on the 23/24 June.

News Update, 27th May 2001

Information kindly supplied by John Bilsbury.

Diesel loco No. 10 "Bryn Eglwys" now has its engine and gearbox fitted. Test running of the engine out of the loco revealed that the free-end crankshaft oil seal was leaking, so this has been replaced. The overhauled gearbox and drop box were then assembled on to the engine and the combined power unit was lifted into place.

This left a wagon full of assorted bric-a-brac, some of an obvious purpose, some less so. Most of this has now been found a home on the loco, and the process of connecting it all up has begun. Still to be fitted are the roof mounted air bottle and the two bonnet roof sections which carry the exhaust silencer. A re-wire is being considered, to eliminate all the cables that are no longer required and reinstate some of those that are. More work is planned for July.

News Update, 16th May 2001

Information kindly supplied by John Robinson, Roger Whitehouse and Gill Best.

John Bate's book "The Chronicles of Pendre Sidings" was launched at Abergynolwyn on Sunday 13th; it is now available from the Railway Shop. John gave a brief but informative talk in the evening, followed by interesting answers to a variety of questions.

On Monday 14th, the 50th anniversary of the reopening of the railway in 1951, the tape cutting ceremony from 1951 was re-enacted at Wharf by Roger Whitehouse as Chairman of the Society, using a tape which included a short length preserved from the original. There was a brief but noisy flypast by an aeroplane from R.A.F. Valley, after which the vintage train proceeded to Rhydyronen where passengers detrained, the stock was set back and then pushed forward to the engine by hand. Sonia Rolt unveiled a suitable plaque.

At Abergynolwyn the train was again pushed by hand, this time genuinely past loco No. 2 "Dolgoch" standing in the siding. In due course the party boarded a "modern" set for the journey to Nant Gwernol and thence to Pendre where a cold collation was served in the Drill Hall. A fiftieth birthday cake was formally cut by Society President Jeremy Wilkinson. This was followed by a showing of "Railway with a Heart of Gold", it being pointed out that the crew of the train involved in the derailment (Driver John Snell, Fireman Gareth Jones "Monfa" and Guard Phil Glazebrook) were all in the audience.

Finally the party returned to Wharf on a short train and dispersed.

Those present included Lord Elis-Thomas (Assembly Member), Councillor Llew Huxley (Vice-Chairman Gwynedd Council), Councillor Meredith Lewis (Mayor of Tywyn), a representative of the Llanfihangel-y-Pennant Community Council, Miss Mair Jones; representatives of the Inland Waterways Association and various preserved railways; Vice-Presidents Christopher Awdry, John Bate, Sonia Rolt, John Slater, Roy Smith and Don Southgate; a gentleman, David Laing, who appears (aged 11) in one of the photographs of the original tape-cutting (and had brought his ticket from that day with him); Alan & Sheila Bridge, from the Puffing Billy Railway; Owen Prosser, from the committee appointed at the inaugural meeting in 1950, and various others.

Tuesday 22nd May marks the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Nant Gwernol Extension, and we are arranging a low-key informal event to mark the occasion. The 12.15 departure from Wharf will hauled by No. 2 "Dolgoch" and will carry the headboard used on the opening day in 1976 and the loco will be crewed by Phil Guest, firing as he was 25 years ago, and David Jones driving, representing his father Dai who was driving that train. It is planned to cut a celebration cake at Abergynolwyn on the down trip so the more there the merrier.

News Update, 10th May 2001

Information kindly supplied by Justin Adams.

Virgin Trains AC electric loco 86 258 was rededicated in platform 1 of Birmingham International station yesterday, Wednesday 9th May, with TR loco No. 1 "Talyllyn" parked at right angles alongside the mainline engine on a low loader.

After a welcome by Donald Heath (Adviser to the Chief Executive of Virgin Trains and TR driver) the new nameplates, which read (on three lines) "Talyllyn 50 Years of Railway Preservation 1951-2001", were unveiled by Society chairman Roger Whitehouse. Roger then received a third nameplate from Virgin Trains. He was also presented with one of the old plates from 86 258 by HSBC Rail (the owners of 86 258). These plates will be displayed in Tywyn.

Roger Whitehouse then presented replica name and works plates from TR No. 1 to Virgin Trains, along with a second set to HSBC Rail which will be joined by the other old name plate from 86 258 in a charity auction.

86 258 was also blessed by TR volunteer Rev Nigel Adams.

After the ceremony 86 258 had to hurry off fairly sharply as it was needed in service; the ceremony was followed by a buffet lunch in the station lounge. No. 1 then continued on its road journey to the National Railway Museum in York where it will be part of the exhibition celebrating 50 years of Heritage Railways.

News Update, 3rd May 2001

Information kindly supplied by John Smallwood.

Loco No. 1 "Talyllyn" will be going to the National Railway Museum, after its visit to Birmingham International for the rededication of Virgin Trains' No. 86258 on 9th May. It is expected that it will leave York for home on 13th July. Loco No. 6 "Duncan" has had a boiler tube replaced.

Teresa Cox has yesterday retired as Shop Supervisor at Wharf; our best wishes to Teresa and Gerald for their retirement. The shop is now in the capable hands of Cherryl Statham.

News Update, 17th April 2001

Information kindly supplied by Justin Adams and John Robinson.

A new, temporary entrance has been made to Cynfal halt, from the other side of the road and under the bridge. This avoids the need for intending passengers to walk in the field, but please note that the halt is still not open to the general public.

At Pendre, the trolley is in the workshop, where it has been painted blue with yellow warning panels on the ends. Work on the ex-Ford Escort van diesel engine that that will be fitted is continuing. Carriage 11 is now finished and is available for use, and Pendre Blockpost is being repainted.

The water at Dolgoch is now flowing again. This means that locos are now taking water there again and the toilets can be opened.

The slate wagon that went to the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition as a kit of parts has been been given its proper steel floor, painted and re-assembled. It will join the Museum fleet in due course.

The museum's Baguley loco was pushed out of the 'Nutty Shed' (Gunpowder Store) on some temporary track to enable some photos to be taken. These will accompany grant applications for its restoration.

News Update, 16th April 2001

Information kindly supplied by Martin Fuller.

On Friday 13th No. 6 hauled its first service train as "Duncan" looking extremely smart; it previously hauled a test train on Wednesday 11th. Children already seem to have responded well.

The railway has taken stock of some new coal which has proved difficult steaming. As a result No. 1 "Talyllyn" has been fitted with a restriction to the blast pipe to sharpen the draft and brighten up the fire. This, with careful handling of the fire, has helped steaming greatly.

No 7. "Tom Rolt" has also been in service over the Easter weekend. No 4. "Edward Thomas" is being stripped down for overhaul; cab pipe work and fittings have been removed, and work was progressing this weekend on removing steam pipes and blast arrangements. No 3. "Sir Haydn" is in the process of re-assembly, the boiler is back in the frames, boiler cladding, smoke box and bunkers have been refitted.

Diesel No. 10 has had its frames cleaned in preparation for re-uniting engine and frame, while diesel No. 8 was receiving additional bodywork.

Carriage No 21 (bogie saloon) is in the paintshop and was receving some attention to the roofing.

During the week some further rewiring work was undertaken on the token instruments for the Wharf-Pendre block section, finally completing the task of rewiring the instruments throughout the railway started in 1997.

News Update, 2nd April 2001

Information kindly supplied by John Smallwood, Mark Stevenson, and Roger Whitehouse.

Carriage No. 11 (semi-open) has been in the paintshop for repainting and revarnishing, and replacement of the end panels, while No. 21 (bogie saloon) has had its new south side cantrail cut to size.

At the other end of Pendre yard, No. 6 "Douglas"/"Duncan" has been up on blocks for running gear attention. The boiler certificate for Loco No. 4 "Edward Thomas"/"Peter Sam" has now expired.

Whilst Foot & Mouth precautions continue, access is now available to Dolgoch and Nant Gwernol stations. However, the water supply to Dolgoch water tanks has failed, and access restrictions mean we are currently unable to investigate the reason for this. The Abergynolwyn tank has been brought back into use for the time being.

News Update, 6th February 2001

Information kindly supplied by John Robinson.

At the weekend, loco No. 7 "Tom Rolt" was in steam for test purposes. No. 3 "Sir Haydn" has had its new tubes installed. No. 4's short-term repaint in B.R. black livery is complete ready for a forthcoming photographic special, and work on painting No. 6 red for use as Duncan is progressing well.

12 1/2 tons of little-used BS50 rail have been delivered. Some ends will require cropping but much is usable as is. A container of jarrah sleepers has been delivered and some are being drilled for use at Rhydyronen during Outdoor Week. At the weekend John Slater was making some replacement fishplates for ex-Corris rail (apparently from Matthew's Mill siding) in the middle road at Wharf.

A three-speed ex-dumper-truck gearbox has been reconditioned for use on the motor trolley, and an improved brake linkage devised.

News Update, 25th January 2001

Information kindly supplied by Mark Stevenson and John Robinson.

At Pendre, loco 4 has now been painted in unlined black, while work continues on transforming No. 6 "Douglas" into "Duncan". No. 3 "Sir Haydn" has had its tubes removed and the boiler lifted. Nos. 1 "Talyllyn", 2 "Dolgoch", and 6 have passed their steam tests.

On the carriage front, new wood has been delivered for replacing the south-side cantrail of saloon carriage No. 21, and long-term paintshop resident No. 14 (ex-Glyn Valley Tramway) has been temporarily placed on its new underframe to allow shunting.

Keith Bannister, a life member and prominent locomotive volunteer in the 1960s, died last week. The funeral is to take place tomorrow (26/1/2001).

News Update, 4th January 2001

Information kindly supplied by John Robinson.

Trains ran as advertised over the Christmas period, although the snow on the evening of the 27th followed by bitterly cold weather until the morning of the 31st necessitated some work in freeing points and thawing water supplies.

Locos 1 "Talyllyn" and 2 "Dolgoch" have had their bunkers painted internally (as part of the annual winter maintenance routine); the new tubes for No. 3 "Sir Haydn" were being prepared for insertion. Loco 4 was spare over the holiday period, having worked the Santa trains. A definite date for stripping the engine has not yet been decided. Loco 7 was in service, but a start was being made on January 2nd on stripping it for annual boiler inspection. Work is continuing on the motor trolley.

In the paint shop work is underway on painting loco 6 "Douglas" red, ready for its role as Duncan, while work continued on seat trimming and on fibreglass roof coverings.

The "privacy wall" around the ex-Snowdonia National Park toilet block at Abergynolwyn has been demolished.

About 50 members attended a buffet meal at the Dolgoch Falls Hotel on December 30th.