Other Locomotives

For the Enthusiast

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"

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"

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"

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"

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

"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

The railway owns a Matisa ballast-tamping machine.

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Withdrawn petrol/paraffin locos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 Withdrawn 1953, frame converted to flat wagon.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

Only one loco has ever visited the Talyllyn, 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).