Diesels and Other Self-propelled Vehicles

Diesel Locomotives

The Talyllyn keeps a small fleet of diesel locomotives for use on engineering trains. Nos. 5, 8 and 9 have each been assembled from parts of a number of locos. The locos are:

No.5 "Midlander"

No.5 'Midlander'

Maker Ruston & Hornsby
Year 1940
Works number 200792
Wheel arrangement 4w
Wheel diameter 18"
Wheelbase 3' 4 1/2"
Engine 4VRH
Transmission 3-speed constant mesh gears with multiple clutches, chain drive
Power 53 bhp at 1100 rpm
Weight 7 tons
Livery Standard deep bronze green
Notes Rebuilt with engine, transmission and superstructure of works number 200800, re-entering service 1980.

No.8 "Merseysider"

No. 8 'Merseysider'

Maker Ruston & Hornsby
Year 1964
Works number 476108
Wheel arrangement 4w
Wheel diameter 19"
Wheelbase 3' 6"
Engine 3YDA, air-cooled
Transmission Dowty hydrostatic transmission, chain drive
Power 50 bhp at 1600 rpm
Weight 7 tons
Livery Maroon, lined blue and edged black
Notes Incorporates parts of two locomotives; a major and protracted overhaul is now virtually complete

No.9 "Alf"

No. 9 'Alf' arriving at Wharf

Maker Hunslet Engine Company
Year 1950
Works number 4136
Wheel arrangement 0-4-0
Wheel diameter 24"
Wheelbase 4' 3"
Engine Gardner 4LW
Transmission 2-speed mechanical transmission, jackshaft drive
Power 75 bhp at 1700 rpm
Weight 10 tons
Livery Standard deep bronze green
Notes Incorporates parts of another loco, stored at Brynglas

No.10 "Bryn Eglwys"

No. 10 'Bryn Eglwys'

Maker Simplex
Year 1985
Works number 101T023
Wheel arrangement 4w
Wheel diameter 24"
Wheelbase  
Engine Dorman 6DA
Transmission 2-speed torque converter; final drive comprises drop box, right angle gearbox and chains to both axles.
Power 100bhp
Weight 9 tons
Livery Yellow
Notes Arrived mid-September 1997. Ex-National Coal Board; fitted with TR-style side buffers and central coupling hooks. The name was decided upon by a ballot in September 1998.

Other self-propelled vehicles

There are three other self-propelled vehicles on the line.

Motor Trolley

Motor trolley ('Toby')

"Toby" the motor trolley is a small four-wheeled personnel carrier and can pull a couple of wagons if required. It was built by John Bate and entered service in 1955.

Matisa Tamper

Matisa ballast tamper

The railway owns a Matisa ballast-tamping machine.

Flail Mower

Flail mower

A self-propelled hedge-cutting machine (the "flail mower") has been built at Pendre workshops.

Withdrawn petrol/paraffin locos

Two petrol/paraffin powered locomotives have run on the line in the past:

  • No.5 4w, delivered October 1952, powered by third-hand Ford engine. Withdrawn 1953, frame converted to flat wagon.
  • No.7 (nick-name "Charlie's Ant"), 4-2-0. Converted Mercury tractor. Entered service 1954, ran until 1957. Fitted with jack to enable turning, later carried portable turntable. Front bogie wheels are now located under the railway's portable machine hacksaw. A photo of this loco is available in the archive section of the photo gallery.

Visiting loco

The Talyllyn railway was visited by No.7 from the Corris Railway Society on 15th/16th October 2011. You cane read about that visit here.  The railway has also been visited by the Corris Railway Society's 4w Simplex diesel "Alan Meaden". The lack of visitors is due to the unusual track gauge of 2'3", which was used in this country on only three other public lines (the Corris Railway, the short-lived Plynlimon & Hafan Tramway, and the Campbeltown and Machrihanish Railway).