Latest News

Slate wagons with slates in! [View this entry]

Two of the museums slate wagons being used to store the reusable slates during the reroofing of Brynglas Station in August 2006.

Posted by ansharpe at Saturday, December 9, 2006 9:18:50 PM GMT.
Category: All

A couple of recent videos [View this entry]

As well as his recent photographs, Marc Smith has also posted a couple of videos on YouTube.

Posted by hussra at Monday, August 7, 2006 9:36:33 PM GMT.
Category: All

More summer in Tywyn [View this entry]

Marc Smith's camera has been busy again.

Posted by hussra at Monday, August 7, 2006 9:22:16 PM GMT.
Category: All

Jamie Owen on the TR [View this entry]

Broadcaster Jamie Owen visited the Railway on 23rd July, filming for a BBC Wales series. Alan Holmes kindly sent these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Monday, August 7, 2006 9:05:39 PM GMT.
Category: All

Summer in Tywyn [View this entry]

Marc Smith has sent these recent photographs from the Railway.

Posted by hussra at Monday, July 24, 2006 9:23:31 PM GMT.
Category: All

Talyllyn Tracksiders busy [View this entry]

Talyllyn Tracksiders have been busy, and Keith Theobald has sent these photographs taken last Sunday, 28th May.

During the day the new play engine was installed on a new siding off the sleeper railway at Abergynolwyn. Other tasks worked on were drainage, weeding, hedge trimming, clearance, milepost painting and preparation for further painting.

Posted by hussra at Friday, June 2, 2006 8:57:00 PM GMT.
Category: All

Carriage 10 in the Paint Shop [View this entry]

Carriage No. 10 continues to receive attention at Pendre. The frames were drawn out and used as a flat wagon to remove a fallen tree from Wharf cutting, before being stored at Wharf on the edge for a short time. Towards the end of Spring Bank Holiday week the frames moved to Pendre, where the angle-irons that support the body were removed in the Loco shed by Mike Green (who had welded them on in the first place).

Thanks to Paul Knapton for these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Friday, June 2, 2006 8:49:35 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Recent photos from the Railway [View this entry]

Phil Mason has kindly contributed these photographs of the railway, taken over the last 10 days.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:05:21 PM GMT.
Category: All

Easter Eve on the Railway [View this entry]

A couple of photographs of the Railway on Saturday 15th April, thanks to Michael Howard.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, April 20, 2006 7:39:13 PM GMT.
Category: All

Training trains, and a new arrival [View this entry]

A training event was held on the weekend of 25-26 March; Michael Howard has sent these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, March 29, 2006 6:28:17 AM GMT.
Category: All

"Dolgoch" and "Merseysider" in the snow [View this entry]

Photos of trains in the snow are always popular... Many thanks to Simon Robinson for these of No. 2 "Dolgoch" and diesel No. 8 "Merseysider" at Nant Gwernol on Sunday 5th March.

Posted by hussra at Monday, March 6, 2006 7:45:03 AM GMT.
Category: All

Loco 6's new safety valves [View this entry]

On Sunday afternoon (19th February), Dave Jones and Rob Frost brought Loco No. 6 "Duncan" to Wharf for coal and then parked it on the loop opposite the Control Office, with the comment that they were going to blow it up.

Those present can confirm that the new safety valves opened very effectively and with a good deal of noise. When the injector was used they also shut successfully. We were told that currently the valves are in basic form, without the planned "semi-pop" feature.

Thanks are due to Phil Wheeler who has constructed the valves as a homework project - more information is available on Phil's web site.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, February 21, 2006 1:29:22 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

No. 2 at Wharf [View this entry]

Michael Howard has contributed these photos of loco No. 2 "Dolgoch" at Tywyn Wharf this morning, with the 11 a.m. train.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, February 18, 2006 6:51:51 PM GMT.
Category: All

2006 Season Begins [View this entry]

Our 2006 season is now underway (see timetable) and Mike Carpenter has sent these photos of No. 2 "Dolgoch" at Tywyn Wharf on Tuesday 14th February.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, February 16, 2006 8:40:09 PM GMT.
Category: All

Winter "Track Bash" at Abergynolwyn [View this entry]

Between Christmas and New Year, a gang was at work tackling the point rodding at Abergynolwyn. The run was levelled, aligned and cleared the run, with broken A-frames and bases replaced. The levers controlling the west end points are now much easier to move; by coincidence, the original installer of the rodding run (back in 1976) visited on Monday. Many thanks to Justin Adams and MRFS for the report, and to Paul Knapton for the photographs below.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, January 5, 2006 2:09:13 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Autumn Outdoor Week Photographs [View this entry]

Autumn Outdoor Week 2005 has been reported here already, but not in photographs. Many thanks to Keith Theobald for these, and apologies from the webmaster for the delay in getting them onto the web site.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, January 5, 2006 2:05:30 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Photos from the end of the 2005 season [View this entry]

The main running season for 2005 is now over (but Santa is still to come); Phil Mason has kindly contributed these photos taken during the last week of the season.

Posted by hussra at Friday, November 18, 2005 2:32:38 PM GMT.
Category: All

Projects at Pendre Part 2: Carriages [View this entry]

Meanwhile in the Paint Shop work is progressing on saloon 20 and brake van 10... More photos from Paul Knapton.  More ...

Posted by hussra at Friday, November 18, 2005 2:08:10 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Projects at Pendre Part 1: Locos [View this entry]

During the October Half Term week Paul Knapton was out and about at Pendre with his camera, and has sent these photos of various loco projects underway at that time.

Posted by hussra at Friday, November 18, 2005 1:59:06 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Lighting up at Brynglas [View this entry]

It is very unusual these days for locos to be stabled away from Pendre, but Tony Sharpe has kindly sent these photos of locos Nos. 2 "Dolgoch" and 7 "Tom Rolt" being lit up at Brynglas during October.

Posted by hussra at Friday, November 18, 2005 1:50:38 PM GMT.
Category: All

Autumn Outdoor Week 2005 Progress Report [View this entry]

Autumn Outdoor Week 2005 took place from 5th - 13th November; Outdoor Foreman Keith Theobald has kindly sent this report on progress during the week, with photos to follow.

Posted by hussra at Friday, November 18, 2005 1:41:13 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

An unusual view of diesel No. 10 [View this entry]

Diesel No. 10 has recently been painted green (a marked improvement on its previous yellow livery), and Mike Carpenter has sent in this unusual photo of its inaugural trip up the valley, accompanied by No. 9.

Posted by hussra at Monday, October 24, 2005 6:46:11 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Brynglas, AGM Weekend [View this entry]

The weekend of 24th & 25th September saw the TRPS' Annual General Meeting taking place, with accompanying special trains for those visiting. Michael Howard has sent these photographs taken at Brynglas during the weekend.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, October 5, 2005 11:24:53 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Progress on painting No. 10 [View this entry]

Work has been continuing on the repaint of diesel No. 10; Paul Knapton has kindly contributed these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 20, 2005 5:43:31 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Other Bank Holiday happenings [View this entry]

In addition to the Young Members Day, a number of other events took place over the August Bank Holiday. Paul Knapton has kindly sent this selection of photos.

  More ...

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 6, 2005 11:30:16 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Repainting No. 10 [View this entry]

As mentioned in the report on the Young Members Day, diesel No. 10 "Bryn Eglwys" has been repainted in green. Marc Smith has contributed these additional photographs.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 6, 2005 11:23:05 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Young Members Day, Saturday August 27th [View this entry]

Saturday 27th August was Young Members Day, when the railway was run entirely by members of the Young Members Group. Paul Knapton has kindly sent these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 6, 2005 11:15:49 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Summer in Tywyn [View this entry]

It's summertime, so the Railway is busy giving the passengers a wonderful day out. Phil Mason and Michael Howard have sent in this medley of photographs of recent happenings.

Posted by hussra at Monday, August 22, 2005 8:10:58 PM GMT.
Category: All

First exhibition in new education room [View this entry]

An exhibition of GCSE Textiles and Technology work from Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn took place in the new education room at Tywyn Wharf station on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th July; over the 2 days approximately 150 people viewed the exhibition.

Many thanks to Mark and Sarah Freeman for these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, August 3, 2005 10:45:49 AM GMT.
Category: All

Tidy Wharf [View this entry]

One very pleasant consequence of completing the Wharf Station redevelopment, and hosting a Royal visit, is that the Wharf station area is looking tidier than we have seen it for some time. Michael Howard sent these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, July 19, 2005 11:16:11 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Railway Experience Day [View this entry]

The East Midlands Area Group of the TRPS and The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum ran a Railway Experience Day for 10–14s on 2 July; Chris White has sent these photographs. More on the NGRM web site.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, July 19, 2005 11:16:10 AM GMT.
Category: All

Royal visit - more photos [View this entry]

Some extra photos of the Royal visit on 13th July, thanks to Sarah Freeman and Peter Johnson.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, July 19, 2005 7:51:21 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Inside the new Museum [View this entry]

Now that the new Narrow Gauge Railway Museum is open, Peter Johnson has kindly sent some photos that show the completed displays.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, July 19, 2005 7:41:41 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Royal Opening of New Wharf Station Building - Photographs [View this entry]

These photographs of the Royal Opening of the New Wharf Station Building yesterday, Wednesday 13th July, have been kindly contributed by Peter Johnson.

There is also a report on the visit on the BBC News web site.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, July 14, 2005 6:28:58 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Royal Opening of the Talyllyn Railway's New Wharf Station Building [View this entry]

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the Talyllyn Railway on Wednesday 13th July 2005 to open its new Tywyn Wharf Station and Narrow Gauge Railway Museum building.

The station development comprises a new narrow gauge railway museum, kitchen and refreshment room, educational resource room, improved railway shop, stores, Guards' room, toilets and much-needed office accommodation. It has been made possible by an award of £682,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and additional funding from The Wales Tourist Board, the Welsh Development Agency, the Welsh Assembly Government, Gwynedd County Council, the Council for Museums in Wales (CyMal) and donations totalling over £550,000 from members and friends.

Their Royal Highnesses  More ...

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, July 13, 2005 10:59:03 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Summer Outdoor Week photos [View this entry]

Summer Outdoor Week is taking place between 25th June and 3rd July, and Mike Carpenter has kindly sent these photographs of the work taking place.

Posted by hussra at Friday, July 1, 2005 8:49:55 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Royal visit on Wednesday 13th July [View this entry]

We are honoured and delighted to be able to announce that, on July 13th 2005, Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will arrive by steam train at Tywyn Wharf Station to tour the new museum and unveil a plaque to officially open the new Tywyn Wharf Station Building.

The normal service that morning will be suspended and trains will operate to a special timetable.

The redevelopment at Wharf Station has been made possible by the grant funding received from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Wales Tourist Board, the Welsh Development Agency, the Welsh Assembly Government, Gwynedd County Council and the Council for Museums in Wales (CyMal), complemented by the hard work and generous   More ...

Posted by hussra at Thursday, June 30, 2005 10:39:05 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Installation of Museum Text Panels [View this entry]

Work continues on fitting out the new Narrow Gauge Railway Museum. These photos from Keith Theobald, taken last weekend (18/19 June) show work underway to complete the new museum displays. The large text panels are now nearly all installed and some of the additional lighted is now operational.

Posted by hussra at Friday, June 24, 2005 7:36:05 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Progress at Wharf Station and NG Railway Museum [View this entry]

Work on Wharf Station and the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum is now nearing completion. The photos below, by Lawrence Garvey, Keith Theobald and Richard Huss, show the station entrance and the various small exhibits in the museum.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, June 21, 2005 7:07:25 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Spring Bank Holiday 2005 [View this entry]

The Railway has been having a busy Spring Bank Holiday week, with both Wharf and Abergynolwyn car parks reported as overflowing yesterday (Thursday). At Abergynolwyn, the row of cars nearly reached the village.

Posted by hussra at Friday, June 3, 2005 10:47:28 AM GMT.
Category: All

News from the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum [View this entry]

The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Trust have published a number of news items on their web site regarding progress on the new museum at Wharf:

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, May 18, 2005 7:56:44 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Station on Sunday 8th May [View this entry]

Work continues on getting the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum ready for opening. Jon Richmond has kindly contributed these photos taken on Sunday 8th May.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, May 10, 2005 11:46:27 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Training Train, Saturday 23rd April [View this entry]

George Gardiner has sent a couple of photos of the training train on 23rd April, which included a simulated loco failure exercise. Diesel No. 9 "Alf" was called out to rescue the failed No. 4; unfortunately for No. 9's crew, in was raining as it only does in Wales.

Posted by hussra at Monday, May 2, 2005 6:58:51 PM GMT.
Category: All

Talyllyn Heritage Group Weekend, 30 April - 2 May [View this entry]

The second Talyllyn Heritage Group weekend will take place over the weekend Saturday 30th April to Monday 2nd May. This year, efforts will be concentrated primarily in Tywyn; there will be opportunities to participate in a number of projects:

Posted by hussra at Friday, April 22, 2005 12:32:26 PM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Microsoft Train Simulator Route - Thank You! [View this entry]

A big "thank you" to the 146 purchasers so far of Steve Pontin's Talyllyn Railway route for Microsoft Train Simulator. Steve is donating £2 to the Railway for every copy sold, and so we're delighted that in the first month over £290 has been raised towards supporting the preservation of the Railway.

If you've not yet bought your copy, find out how to order.

Posted by hussra at Friday, April 22, 2005 12:30:36 PM GMT.
Category: All

Gasworks Loco Returns to Museum [View this entry]

The last of the major exhibits for the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum - the Kerr, Stuart Dundee Gasworks loco - returned to Wharf Station on Monday 18th April from restoration by Ian Howitt. Many thanks to Brian Owen and Keith Theobald for these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, April 20, 2005 10:49:28 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Royal Wedding Train on Talyllyn Railway [View this entry]

The Talyllyn Railway commemorated the Wedding of HRH the Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker-Bowles on Saturday 9th April with a special headboard on the locomotive of the 1140 train from Wharf Station to Nant Gwernol.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, April 13, 2005 7:40:35 PM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Congratulations to the Corris Railway - No. 7 steams [View this entry]

Congratulations to our friends at the Corris Railway, whose new loco No. 7 has passed its boiler test. Corris No. 7 is a replica of Corris No. 4, which was bought by the Talyllyn in 1951 and became our No. 4 "Edward Thomas". Photos and video and a press release are available on the Corris Railway's web site.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, April 12, 2005 11:48:24 AM GMT.
Category: All

Narrow Gauge Railway Museum progress [View this entry]

Work continues on fitting out the new Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Wharf Station, and the museum has posted this news article about the latest progress on their web site.

Project Curator Brian Owen has also kindly supplied these photographs of some of the major exhibits returning to Wharf - there are more photos in the museum's news pages.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, April 12, 2005 11:42:25 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Bishop's Visit to Talyllyn Railway [View this entry]

The Rt. Rev. Antony Crockett, Bishop of Bangor, visited the Talyllyn Railway on 4th April. The link between the Church and railways is famous, the late Talyllyn Society Vice-president, the Rev. Wilbert Awdry declaring "both church and railways believe that they have the best way to get people to their destination!"

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, April 5, 2005 11:59:48 AM GMT.
Category: All

Continuing to move into the new building [View this entry]

We are continuing to move into the new Wharf Station building; Jon Richmond has sent these photographs taken on the weekend of April 2nd/3rd.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, April 5, 2005 11:46:02 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Easter Weekend photographs [View this entry]

A nice selection of photographs of the Railway and the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum taken on Saturday 26th March by Peter Johnson. (More photos of the exhibits being moved into the new museum can be found at http://www.ngrm.org.uk/.)

Posted by hussra at Monday, March 28, 2005 6:04:30 PM GMT.
Category: All

Clean Up Weekend [View this entry]

In preparation for the start of the daily running season (from today, Wednesday 23rd), a "Clean Up the Railway" weekend was held on 19th and 20th March for a variety of tasks including cleaning windows, wiping down paintwork, sweeping platforms, checking the bins, gardening, cleaning out gutters, identifying painting tasks...

The train was hauled by No. 2 "Dolgoch"; Keith Theobald has kindly sent these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, March 23, 2005 1:28:34 PM GMT.
Category: All

Weekend of 12/13th March [View this entry]

This weekend saw the railway operate a photo charter; in preparation for this, No. 4 was turned to face west for the photographers, thus giving them a different shot and the crews a different experience on the footplate. Normally, locos face east (uphill).

On the Saturday, Nos. 2 and 4 were out on the line at various spots running up and down several times to provide the photographers with opportunities; it was a fine day for photography with periods of long sunshine. No. 4 spent the morning at Pendre but later was seen at Brynglas and Brynerwest in the early afternoon. Later in the day, No. 4 was spotted at Dolgoch and Brynglas bank for lengthy periods. No. 2 had been up the line earlier in the day.

On Sunday, the normal one train service (two round trips  More ...

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, March 15, 2005 12:57:37 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Wharf Station rebuilding - Progress report, 14th March 2005 [View this entry]

Last week was a very busy one; the large engines were successfully brought back into the museum, which now contains George Henry, Rough Pup, Dot, the Guinness works engine and last, but not least, Jubilee 1897. There are several wagons in as well and the museum is starting to fill up.

Posted by hussra at Monday, March 14, 2005 8:45:31 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

More photos from Spring Outdoor Week [View this entry]

A few more photos of the work undertaken during Spring Outdoor Week, thanks to Keith Theobald and Steve Griffiths.

Posted by hussra at Friday, March 11, 2005 8:25:12 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

New Wharf Station café now open for business [View this entry]

The new café at Wharf Station opened for business on Friday 4th March; Simon Robinson has kindly sent in these photos taken on Friday.

Posted by hussra at Monday, March 7, 2005 6:49:37 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Spring Outdoor Week: Clearing up at Wharf Station [View this entry]

With Spring Outdoor Week coming to a close, George Gardiner has sent these photographs of the work undertaken at Tywyn Wharf to tidy up the station area. The new siding for heritage wagons has now been laid and ballasted.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, March 5, 2005 2:00:41 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

New café opens tomorrow [View this entry]

The improved fire protection to the new Wharf Station building is almost complete and was approved yesterday (Wednesday 2nd March) by Gwynedd Council's Building Control Officer. The TR's Managing Director, David Mitchell, has started to move into his office; others will follow shortly.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, March 3, 2005 11:13:05 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Spring Outdoor Week photographs [View this entry]

Spring Outdoor Week is now underway (26th February - 6th March). Ian Sheppard has sent these photos of the reconstruction work at Brynglas to eliminate the sleeper section of station platform.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, March 2, 2005 9:12:35 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Wharf Station rebuilding - Progress report, 22nd February [View this entry]

Progress towards completion of the new building at Wharf Station is now gathering pace. The museum ground floor ceiling has been boarded out and skimmed with plaster, edges and gaps filled with intumescent filler and "the electrics" have now been replaced. Yesterday morning (Monday), the display fit-out team arrived; during the day they started to paint the ground floor ceilings grey and started the construction of the ramps and the boards that will hold the graphics panels and showcases. The floor covering on the top floor is due to be laid today (Tuesday). We are planning to put the big exhibits back in the museum during the week commencing 7th March

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, February 22, 2005 9:51:23 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Shop progress [View this entry]

The refit of the Railway Shop is now nearing completion. The new slate floor is complete and was sealed yesterday (Tuesday 15th), with the new wall panels for display system in place. The new light fittings were also being installed. The display units have been brought over from the café ready for installation later this week. The should reopen on Friday 18th February.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, February 16, 2005 11:24:03 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

2005 season underway! [View this entry]

The 2005 season got underway on Saturday 11th February, with No. 2 "Dolgoch" in charge. At present, coaling is from a bogie wagon in the middle road as the coal dock has been temporarily dismantled to allow the large museum exhibits (locos etc.) to be brought into the new museum building.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, February 16, 2005 11:18:27 AM GMT.
Category: All

A busy weekend... [View this entry]

It was a busy weekend in Tywyn, with a good number of volunteers at work getting things ready for the start of the 2005 operating season on Saturday 12th February; tasks included putting up posters for the train service.

A couple of other reports concentrate on events at Pendre; at Wharf, work was ongoing on the shop refurbishment (glazing the platform side windows) and on the Wharf edge.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, February 8, 2005 1:43:52 PM GMT.
Category: All

Elsewhere at Pendre... [View this entry]

In addition to the busy activity in the loco shed at the weekend, various other things were underway elsewhere at Pendre. Another replica TR slate wagon is under construction, this one to go on display at the rebuilt Wharf station.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, February 8, 2005 1:19:34 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Loco Status [View this entry]

Since the New Year, Loco 2 has passed its steam inspection and can be used on the February half term service.

Loco 3 has passed its cold inspection and was steam tested at the weekend on Saturday and Sunday (less than 5 weeks after working the last New Year service). After 3 has passed its steam inspection the equalizing reservoir and wishbone can be refitted. Some work has been undertaken on the manifold.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, February 8, 2005 12:56:37 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

So what do you do all day? [View this entry]

Mike Carpenter tells BBC News...

Posted by hussra at Monday, January 31, 2005 12:26:57 PM GMT.
Category: All

Rebuilding the Shop Wall - Photographs [View this entry]

With the shop exterior wall (facing Neptune Road) now rebuilt, Jon Richmond has sent these photographs taken yesterday, Sunday 30th January.

Posted by hussra at Monday, January 31, 2005 12:22:11 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Progress at Wharf [View this entry]

At lunch-time yesterday (Friday 28th January) on our Architect's recommendation, we accepted the Practical Completion of the new Wharf Station. We still have some way to go before we will be able to fully move in and show the general public around. However, we are confident that by the start of the main season (March 23rd) we will have the offices, café and the kitchen open.

A meeting will be held this weekend to discuss the re-installation of the large engines and will have a clearer picture early next week when we have spoken to the other contractors involved as to how soon we will then be able to open the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum; please watch this space.

During January, the shop has been emptied, the north wall demolished and re-built in new brick. T  More ...

Posted by hussra at Saturday, January 29, 2005 9:06:09 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

A few recent photos (and one older one) [View this entry]

Down at Wharf, work is now underway on rebuilding the north side wall of the Railway Shop (the side of the original building that faces Neptune Road). David Mitchell has kindly sent these photographs:

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, January 18, 2005 12:48:40 PM GMT.
Category: All

Pat Garland [View this entry]

We regret to announce that Patrick Garland died yesterday, 11th. January, 2005. The funeral is to be held at St. Mary Magdalene, Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire, at 1330 on Friday, 21st. January, 2005.

Pat served as Treasurer of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society from 1950 to 1965 and remained a member of the Society's Council until 1983. He was President of the Society from 1975 to 1988, and also a Director of Talyllyn Holdings Limited and the Talyllyn Railway Company from 1965 to 1983 and Chairman from 1979 to 1983.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, January 13, 2005 12:38:00 PM GMT.
Category: All

Relaying the Wharf Edge [View this entry]

Over the Christmas New Year period the Young Members' Group and others helped relay track on the Wharf edge and reinstate the turntable (formerly outside the Museum). Other tidying up and track work tasks were also carried out at the same time. The relaying involved digging out, with assistance from the Bobcat, from by the coal road down to the TR Boundary by the former weighbridge hut, the last section being in slate waste meaning it all had to be done by hand. The turntable has been installed to provide access to the new "Heritage Siding" - it had to be taken to pieces, the six rollers made to work again, a new centre pin installed, and then all put in place, final lift taking place in in a hail storm using the light from the bobcat.

Keith Theobald and Lawrence Garvey have contributed these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Monday, January 3, 2005 9:13:13 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Ten years on the web [View this entry]

Yesterday (Tuesday 14th December) was the 10th anniversary of the public announcement of the first Talyllyn Railway web site. For the first three years, an unofficial site was kindly hosted by the University of Wales, Aberystwyth; this was succeeded by the present site at http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/.

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed text and photographs, encouragement, chocolate biscuits etc. over the last ten years.

Richard Huss, Webmaster@talyllyn.co.uk

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, December 15, 2004 12:12:23 PM GMT.
Category: All

Wharf Redevelopment - Further Delay [View this entry]

A further delay in the completion of the new station building at Wharf was confirmed last week following an earlier inspection by the Building Inspector. Some remedial work will be necessary before the building can be fully used and opened to the public. Due to the coming Christmas/New Year holiday period, it is anticipated that this work will take 5-6 weeks to complete. The reasons for this problem will be investigated, but rectification is clearly a priority.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, December 15, 2004 12:11:41 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Track Bash Weekend Pictures [View this entry]

Last weekend (27/28 November) younger members re-instated the track across the rebuilt bridge on Brynglas Bank and helped dig a trench for a new drain at Brynglas and ballast and tamp the track at the top of Brynglas Bank. Thanks to Keith Theobald for these photos.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, November 30, 2004 7:55:11 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Photographs of Wharf Station Building, 28th November (updated) [View this entry]

Michael Howard and Keith Theobald have kindly sent these exterior photographs of Wharf station building taken on Sunday 28th November.

Posted by hussra at Monday, November 29, 2004 12:27:03 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Brynglas Bank cattle creep [View this entry]

A number of news articles on this site have focused on the recent work on the cattle creep on Brynglas bank. Michael Howard has kindly sent this photograph showing the creep, from ground level, in August 2004.

Posted by hussra at Friday, November 26, 2004 9:49:07 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Autumn Outdoor Week [View this entry]

Autumn Outdoor Week took place between November 6th and 14th.

Posted by hussra at Monday, November 15, 2004 8:37:52 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Tracksiders at work during Half Term week [View this entry]

The Talyllyn Tracksiders were busy in the Brynglas area during the recent half term week. Keith Theobald has kindly submitted these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, November 4, 2004 8:20:37 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Wharf Redevelopment - More recent Photographs [View this entry]

A further (large) selection of recent photographs of the Wharf Redevelopment.

Posted by hussra at Monday, November 1, 2004 12:30:42 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment: Further photos [View this entry]

Peter Austin has kindly supplied these six photographs of recent progress at Wharf Station.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, October 19, 2004 7:31:34 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Temporary staging on Brynglas Bank [View this entry]

As preparation for November Outdoor Week a temporary staging has been constructed on Brynglas Bank. The staging will be used to house the concrete mixer, water and cement during replacement of the creep bridge. There has been much speculation as to its use by those who are unaware of the proposed work, especially as most carriages do not have doors on the South side! Many thanks to Keith Theobald for these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, October 19, 2004 11:46:21 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Wharf Redevelopment - Progress report [View this entry]

The external scaffolding has now been removed from around 3.5 sides of the building and only remains in front of the Guard's room, which had its slate roof completed last Wednesday (13th October). Apart from the Guard's room, all of the room decorations have been started and it's now down to painting/patching up the missed bits. Electricity was switched to the building also on Wednesday and snagging/commissioning of electrics has commenced. Gas was laid to the building about two weeks ago so commissioning of the heating system is imminent. The strings (sides) of the museum's steel staircase have been painted and the steel and glass handrail was installed last Wednesday (when everything happened!). The wooden flooring for the balcony is in place and the handrails will follow. All windows are glazed - the toilets presently all with plain glass - and most of the external gloss painting (in buttermilk and hollybush green) is complete.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, October 19, 2004 11:38:46 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment - The new canopy [View this entry]

Keith Theobald has kindly sent these recent photographs of Wharf Station showing progress on glazing the new station canopy.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, October 19, 2004 11:33:13 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Summer Outdoor Week - photos [View this entry]

And to complete today's updates, a number of photographs of the goings-on during Summer Outdoor Week, again from Keith Theobald.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 28, 2004 12:55:00 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Steam-hauled works trains [View this entry]

A series of steam-hauled works trains was run during the summer; Keith Theobald has kindly sent these photos.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 28, 2004 12:49:50 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Fishplate oiling weekend [View this entry]

Keith Theobald has kindly sent these photos of the fishplate oiling weekend, based on Brynglas, held on 27-30 August.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 28, 2004 12:47:14 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Double-headed vintage train on Sunday 26th September [View this entry]

A double-headed vintage train was run on Sunday 26th September; No. 4 "Edward Thomas" piloted No. 2 "Dolgoch" to Brynglas, then returned light engine to Pendre to take a later train. Many thanks to George Gardiner for these photos.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 28, 2004 12:39:50 PM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Wharf Redevelopment: Photos from August Bank Holiday weekend [View this entry]

Lawrence Garvey, joint TRPS Membership Secretary, has kindly sent these photographs of Wharf Station taken during the August Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 28th - Monday 30th August).

Posted by hussra at Friday, September 17, 2004 7:39:29 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Have-Another-Go - AGM Weekend Services, 25th & 26th September 2004 [View this entry]

A service of more and shorter trains (the Orange service) was drafted for possible use in Spring Bank Holiday week during Wharf redevelopment. In the event, it was judged to be necessary only to add relief trains to the advertised (Pink) service on a few days. However, some operating volunteers were keen to try the Orange service, so on A.G.M. Saturday a curtailed version will operate, slightly retimed to fit the advertised (Blue) service. One of the four sets used will be our vintage train.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 7, 2004 10:45:39 PM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Memorial Service held for John Slater [View this entry]

Following a private cremation at Putney, Tywyn said goodbye to John Slater at a Service of Remembrance at St Cadfan's church on Friday 3rd September.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 7, 2004 2:55:30 PM GMT.
Category: All

"Dot" at Pendre [View this entry]

The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum's 18" gauge Beyer Peacock loco "Dot" was spotted on 21st August by David Mitchell. Here it is just outside the South Carriage Shed at Pendre having its paintwork cleaned. (Next to it is TR No. 1's boiler.)

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, September 1, 2004 7:08:01 PM GMT.
Category: All

Wharf Redevelopment: Project updates 14th and 21st August [View this entry]

"The building is starting to look like a building!"

From the top, the roofs are almost finished, with slating complete and the ridge tiles added only last Thursday and Friday. The fascia boards are up and have been painted in "Holly Bush Green"; gutter clips are in place but the guttering will have to wait until we can instal the downpipes (otherwise it might leave nasty watermarks down the outside brickwork). On the top floor, the exposed interior steelwork has been painted - again with intumescent paint - and most of the interior walls have been covered with plasterboard. Nearly all of the external pre-glazed windows are now in place as are the internal door frames and some of the museum office and Awdry Study (internal) windows/glazed areas. The underfloor heating system passed its pressure test and the pipes have been covered over with concrete screed. A start has been made on the external brick wall at the eastern end on the Neptune Road side of the building (the first of three such sections) and this is up to the "bottom of the roof" level; there is still much facing brickwork to finish, though.

Posted by hussra at Monday, August 23, 2004 12:00:23 PM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Wharf Redevelopment: Latest exterior photographs [View this entry]

As work progresses, here is another batch of recent exterior photographs of the new Wharf Station building.

Posted by hussra at Monday, August 23, 2004 11:37:34 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment: A peek inside the building [View this entry]

With the temporary platform in use at Wharf Station, some better views into the new building are now possible.

Posted by hussra at Monday, August 23, 2004 11:24:15 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment: Full platform length back in use [View this entry]

The full platform length at Wharf station was brought back into use on Friday 20th August, with a temporary platform. This will be available until Tuesday August 31st (the last day of peak service).

Posted by hussra at Monday, August 23, 2004 11:16:47 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

A few pictures from Pendre [View this entry]

Your webmaster has been on holiday near Tywyn for the last week. The first of today's news items is a few photos taken at Pendre on Friday afternoon (20th August).

Posted by hussra at Monday, August 23, 2004 11:01:22 AM GMT.
Category: All

Photos of Wharf Station redevelopment, 9th August (700KB of images) [View this entry]

Pete Mintoft and Jon Richmond have kindly sent another fine batch of photographs of the current state of play on the redevelopment of Tywyn Wharf station.

Posted by hussra at Monday, August 9, 2004 4:29:24 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Special Timetable - Saturday August 21st 2004 [View this entry]

In connection with the annual Tywyn Rotary Club "Race The Train" a Special Service will operate as shown below.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, August 5, 2004 9:05:13 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Wharf Redevelopment Progress Report, 1st August [View this entry]

Yes, Wharf station still looks like a building site - probably because it still is! Slates are still being added to the roofs and the barge boards are being added. The underfloor heating has been laid on the first floor and is on pressure test this weekend. The south (over the platform), first floor external brick wall is nearing completion and should be completed this coming week - there's still a lot of facing brickwork to complete, though.

Posted by hussra at Sunday, August 1, 2004 2:59:03 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Photos of Wharf Station, 31st July 2004 [View this entry]

Some photographs of the current state of the Wharf Station redevelopment, courtesy of Peter Austin.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, July 31, 2004 1:09:58 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

No. 6 "Douglas" celebrates 50 years in Tywyn [View this entry]

Monday 19th July 2004 saw the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Loco No. 6 "Douglas" on the Talyllyn. Bill Redfern and Ken Woods have kindly supplied these photos of the occasion. The Railway's online photo gallery also has a shot of the loco being handed over to the TR in 1953.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, July 20, 2004 8:42:25 PM GMT.
Category: All

John Slater [View this entry]

The Talyllyn Railway is mourning the death of John Slater, one of its keenest supporters. John became a member of the recently formed Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society in 1951, and has spent virtually every second weekend in Tywyn since, working on the railway.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, July 20, 2004 8:34:53 PM GMT.
Category: All

Wharf Redevelopment Progress Report, 17th July [View this entry]

All the ground floor external walls are now complete (apart from the Guard's Room at the far west end of the building, which hasn't yet been started). The top floor internal block walls are nearing completion but the external brick facings have only just been started. The roof wooden frames are all in place; they have all been felted and battened, and insulation is being added. Slating of the roof continues but still has some way to go before it is complete. The valleys between each of the three roof pitches have been lined.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, July 17, 2004 7:46:45 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Station: Photos from 12th July [View this entry]

Work continues on the redevelopment of Wharf Station; Jon Richmond has kindly sent these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, July 13, 2004 11:20:12 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment: Photos from 3/4 July [View this entry]

Work continues on the redevelopment of Tywyn Wharf Station - Pete Mintoft has kindly sent these photographs, taken on 3rd and 4th July.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, July 6, 2004 1:02:05 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment progress report, 3rd July [View this entry]

By the end of Friday 2nd July, the ground floor external walls (brick mostly) have been completed, and the internal blockwork walls on the first floor are nearing completion. The third section of roof trusses (over the museum) are now in place and the purlins are being added. The other two sections of roof (east end and middle gable) have been "felted and battened" and the east side of the east end has been slated - from Wharf bridge it looks quite good we hope to get a picture for the web site soon - if it's sunny!

Posted by hussra at Saturday, July 3, 2004 8:21:35 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Nutty's Cosmetic Restoration [View this entry]

Mark Lock of Midas Technologies (GB) Ltd workshops in Peterborough has sent these shots of the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum's Sentinel locomotive Nutty - some are of the final assembly and others with the locomotive complete after cosmetic restoration. Nutty remains at the workshops pending completion of the area at Railworld where it is to be exhibited.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, June 30, 2004 8:05:28 PM GMT.
Category: All

Young Members Group carriage push - photos [View this entry]

As reported yesterday, 15 members of the Railway's Young Members Group took part in a sponsored carriage push on Saturday. Peter Austin has kindly provided this selection of photos of the event.

Posted by hussra at Monday, June 28, 2004 4:39:28 PM GMT.
Category: All

Tom Rolt Vintage Rally - more pictures! [View this entry]

Tim Wroblewski has kindly contributed a further batch of photos from the Tom Rolt Vintage Rally.

Posted by hussra at Monday, June 28, 2004 4:11:00 PM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Sponsored carriage push [View this entry]

The Railway's Young Members Group had a sponsored carriage push on the evening of Saturday 26th June. 15 members started off from Wharf at 1700hrs pushing brake van No. 22, and successfully reached Nant Gwernol at 1942hrs. They stopped at Brynglas and Quarry Siding for 10 minute breaks at each, and were forced to stop at Pendre for about 5 minutes to cross with the last down train of the day - about 2 hours 17 minutes of travelling.

Posted by hussra at Sunday, June 27, 2004 7:39:00 PM GMT.
Category: All

Tom Rolt Vintage Rally - more photos [View this entry]

Russell Prince has kindly sent some more photos of the recent Tom Rolt Vintage Rally to add to those posted on Tuesday.

Posted by hussra at Friday, June 25, 2004 7:03:51 PM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Photos from the Tom Rolt Vintage Rally [View this entry]

The Tom Rolt Vintage Rally took place at Hendy County Showfield, near Tywyn, on Sunday 30th and Monday 31st May 2004. Russell Prince has kindly sent these photographs from the event. (See also the further set of photos added Friday 25th June.)

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, June 22, 2004 10:04:17 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Talyllyn runs memorial train for preservation pioneer [View this entry]

The Talyllyn Railway ran a memorial train on Saturday 19th June to carry the ashes of Owen Prosser to the memorial garden at Brynglas.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, June 22, 2004 9:58:41 AM GMT.
Category: All

More photos of No. 4 [View this entry]

The return to service of No. 4 "Edward Thomas" continues to excite the photographers. These shots, taken at Pendre on 15th June by Diana Awdry, are of No. 4 preparing to propel the empty stock for the first train of the day down to Wharf.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, June 22, 2004 9:56:42 AM GMT.
Category: All

Photos of Wharf Station - 14th and 19th June [View this entry]

George Gardiner and Diana Awdry have kindly sent in a number of further photographs of the ongoing work on Tywyn Wharf station.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, June 22, 2004 9:53:57 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment - Progress report to June 19th [View this entry]

All of the ground floor internal block walls are up and the ground floor external block and brick walls are nearing completion with concrete sills in place and pre-glazed, sash window frames on-site awaiting fitting. Some of the first floor internal and external block walls have been started and the liftshaft is now complete. Two thirds of the roof has been raised (over the middle and east-end gables) and the wooden structures are complete and ready to be felted.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, June 19, 2004 8:24:46 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

More photos of No. 4 [View this entry]

David Mitchell has kindly sent a few photos depicting No. 4's recent return to service.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, June 16, 2004 7:43:06 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Wharf Redevelopment: First roof trusses appear [View this entry]

The roof trusses for the new building at Tywyn Wharf Station were delivered on Friday 4th June. The building has now begun to look rather less like a warehouse! Diana Awdry has kindly sent these two photographs:

Posted by hussra at Friday, June 11, 2004 7:47:50 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment - Progress to 6th June [View this entry]

Construction works are gathering pace. All the ground floor walls have been laid out; the inner west and east block walls are both nearing completion and some of the ground floor office/partitioning walls are at the same stage. The drainage and sump are in place on the north-eastern edge of the plot and the drainage under the platform and along the Neptune Road perimeter have been completed. The liftshaft rises from the ground floor, through the first floor and is about to reach "ceiling level" on the first floor. Shuttering is in place on the first floor for the screed whilst the complete building has been surrounded by scaffolding to enable the walls to be constructed. Safety netting is in place on the top of the structure such that the roof may be raised.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, June 9, 2004 7:39:46 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Revelopment: Photos from 1st and 2nd June [View this entry]

Work continues apace on the redevelopment of Wharf Station. These photos were taken by Jon Richmond on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd June.

Posted by hussra at Friday, June 4, 2004 8:35:20 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Photos of Railway Letter Service in action at Tom Rolt Rally [View this entry]

The Railway Letter Service were in action at the recent Tom Rolt Rally, and have kindly supplied these photographs which show the sale of special postcards on the rally field, which were then conveyed to Brynglas station by Land Rover and handed to a passing train for conveyance as Railway Letters.

Posted by hussra at Friday, June 4, 2004 8:19:28 PM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Loco No. 4 "Edward Thomas" returns to public service [View this entry]

On Saturday 29th May No.4 received some final fittings (air pump plumbing, displacement lubricator etc) before being test steamed. In the afternoon it made a series of light engine runs between Wharf and Pendre. David Jones and Martin Turner then took No.4 light engine to Brynglas, and from there it returned double-headed with No.7 on the penultimate service train of the day. At 7.30pm it took a on a two coach train to Abergynolwyn for group of volunteers.

Posted by hussra at Monday, May 31, 2004 10:22:30 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Reassembling No. 4 - progress and pictures [View this entry]

It's all hands to the pumps at Pendre getting loco No. 4 ready for Spring Bank Holiday week. The fireman's side bunker and cab are back on now, though the cab still needs bolting down. The boiler lagging work is complete, and the firebox has been clad while new cladding sheets are being fabricated for the barrel. When this is done the saddle tank can go back on.

Posted by hussra at Monday, May 24, 2004 12:49:19 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Wharf Station Redevelopment: progress to 22nd May [View this entry]

The "foundations" (beams and blocks) for the first floor have now been finished - you can now walk across it - and things are starting to take shape; the concrete, pre-formed "back stairs" were craned into place on Friday afternoon and blocks have been lifted onto the first floor for the building's inner walls; the first courses of blockwork have been laid on the ground floor too. Windposts are being fitted (square, metal tubes which run from "floor to ceiling" and lie between the inner and outer walls - they aid building stability in the event of high winds and stop the walls from being blown over/out) and when completed, the walls will be built.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, May 22, 2004 8:29:52 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

More photos of recent progress at Wharf [View this entry]

Keith Theobald has kindly sent a further batch of photos of the redevelopment work at Wharf Station.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, May 22, 2004 2:49:45 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Station progress to 14th May [View this entry]

The steelwork was completed on Wednesday 12th May. The piles for the retaining wall with Neptune Road have been trimmed to height and the void between them and the concrete retaining wall backfilled. Safety netting and scaffolding have been placed around the steelwork to enable the first floor (concrete pot beam) to be installed starting on Monday 17th. Three loads of blocks have been delivered for the inner walls - construction will not start until the first floor has been installed. Drains have been laid along the new platform edge and the footings for the new platform poured. The foundations for the Guard's room are in place and the groundworks for the "new station approach" (steps and disabled, zig-zag ramp) were started to-day.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, May 15, 2004 6:13:01 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Further photos of the new Wharf Station steelwork [View this entry]

A selection of photos of progress on the redevelopment of Tywyn Wharf Station, taken today (14th May) by Pete Mintoft. The external steelwork has been added for the balcony and canopy and a lot of safety equipment is now in place within the frame. The embankment retaining wall has been partly backfilled and compacted (complete with polystyrene insulation and waterproof membrane) and concrete blocks for the internal walls have arrived.

Posted by hussra at Friday, May 14, 2004 7:38:30 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Loco No. 4 [View this entry]

Loco 4 came to Wharf this afternoon (Sunday 9th May) at about 1430 under her own steam, and later went up the line as far as Hendy. Loco 9 was attached as a brake tender. The engine is still a very minimalist delight, being sans lagging, tank, cab (except for driver's side bunker to carry the reversing lever) &c., &c. Many thanks to Phil Wheeler for the photos below.

Posted by hussra at Sunday, May 9, 2004 5:05:50 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

National Railways Ticket Agency [View this entry]

The National Railways ticket agency at Wharf Station closed at the end of April. Our thanks to our customers over the years for their business.

Posted by hussra at Friday, May 7, 2004 8:22:23 AM GMT.
Category: All

Calling Janet Wilkins [View this entry]

Can Janet Wilkins, who contacted the Railway to reserve tickets for 'First Class for Sunday Lunch', please contact Wharf Station on 01654 710472 or at Enquiries@talyllyn.co.uk

Posted by hussra at Friday, May 7, 2004 8:20:05 AM GMT.
Category: All

Photos of the new Wharf building framework [View this entry]

Pete Mintoft and Lawrence Garvey have kindly sent a number of photographs showing the recently erected steel frame for the new musuem and café building at Wharf.

Posted by hussra at Friday, May 7, 2004 7:45:29 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment Progress to 30th April [View this entry]

Progress on the Wharf Redevelopment is now very tangible - we're out of the ground at last. With the concrete completed, on Wednesday and Thursday the big Meccano set has arrived, and about two thirds of the steelwork is now up.

Posted by hussra at Friday, April 30, 2004 3:51:58 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Easter report [View this entry]

Locomotives 3, 6 and 7 worked the Easter train service, with diesel locomotives 8, 9 and 10 on engineering trains.

No. 7 suffered a problem with the "Everlasting" blowdown cock failing to close completely on Saturday while raising steam. The fire had to be dropped and the boiler emptied to allow the valve to be removed; it was fairly quickly rectified, but the boiler then had to be refilled with cold water and the fire relit. The other steam engines worked earlier turns than rostered and diesel No. 8 worked the empty coaches for the 1245 and the passenger train as far as Pendre.

Posted by hussra at Friday, April 30, 2004 3:47:44 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Indian Runner at North Ings [View this entry]

The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum's newly-acquired Ruston diesel "Indian Runner" has now had its first run at North Ings Farm Museum, on 4th April.

Posted by hussra at Friday, April 30, 2004 3:41:07 PM GMT.
Category: All

Photographs from 14th, 21st and 28th March [View this entry]

Some more photographs of the ongoing work on the Wharf redevelopment scheme, courtesy of Keith Theobald.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, March 30, 2004 7:02:20 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

The Railway Shop - now open again [View this entry]

The Railway Shop reopened on Sunday at 10.30 a.m., and will now be open daily from Saturday 27th March until November 7th. The shop will open half an hour before the departure of the first train and will remain open until the return of the last train.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, March 23, 2004 6:45:42 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Photos from recent charters [View this entry]

On Thursday to Saturday a series of photo charters were run, with No. 3 being turned to face West for the occasion. No. 7 is seen arriving at Nant Gwernol on Saturday, while No. 3 and a Corris train waits in the loop.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, March 23, 2004 6:38:37 PM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Pouring the Concrete - Photos [View this entry]

Peter Austin has kindly sent some photographs of the concrete being poured on Thursday 18th March for the foundations of the new museum building.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, March 20, 2004 6:07:02 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment: Arrival of the Concrete [View this entry]

At last we are starting to work above the ground. Yesterday (Thursday 19th March) fifteen loads of readymixed concrete (90 cubic meters) were poured onto the reinforcing steelwork base that will become the foundation slab for the museum. The weather has been reasonably kind - dry with sunshine and only 2.5 hours of rain between 1100 and 1330 - and the layout of the other half of the base (café) will now start to be put in place. We hope to get digital photos of this at the weekend.

Posted by hussra at Friday, March 19, 2004 9:19:57 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

A few recent photographs [View this entry]

To round off this morning's news updates, a few photographs from the last few weeks.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, March 16, 2004 10:20:12 AM GMT.
Category: All

No. 4 steams [View this entry]

The new boiler for No. 4 "Edward Thomas" alias "Peter Sam" had its first test steaming at the Railway during the weekend of Saturday 13 March & Sunday 14 March. Thanks to Alex Eyres for these photos.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, March 16, 2004 10:16:18 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Rebuilding Wharf Station - recent photographs [View this entry]

A few recent photographs, taken on 28th February, of the work currently underway at Wharf Station. Thanks to Keith Theobald for these.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, March 16, 2004 9:55:50 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Spring Outdoor Week [View this entry]

Some photos of work underway during Spring Outdoor Week. Following work on the drainage in Dolgoch cutting (between the viaduct and the station) the track has been reballasted. Many thanks to Keith Theobald, Outdoor Supervisor, for the photos.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, March 16, 2004 9:49:10 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

News from the Wharf Redevelopment [View this entry]

A revised foundation plan for the new building has recently been received and reinforcing steelwork has been ordered; the ground below the old Museum was re-constituted having been used as a borrow pit for the embankments on the main line between Tywyn and Aberdyfi, then refilled by the Talyllyn with the spoil from the Wharf-Pendre cutting. 140 years have not done a lot to settle and compact this.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, March 6, 2004 9:50:28 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

No. 4 - reassembly continues apace [View this entry]

The new boiler for loco No.4 (Edward Thomas/Peter Sam) arrived at the Railway at about 11.30 on February 19th. It was met by diesel No.8 and No. 4's rolling chassis, and placed straight onto the frames. It is now residing in the back of the loco shed for the workshop staff to put it all back together. These photos, taken by John Bilsbury, show the work now underway.

Posted by hussra at Friday, March 5, 2004 4:35:54 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Wharf in the snow and other recent photographs [View this entry]

Some recent photographs of the rebuilding work at Tywyn Wharf station. Work has been progressing on the roof of the original station building, and rebuilding of the chimneys to to their original height - 22 courses of brickwork. Because of these roof works, the station shop is closed, partially emptied and under wraps with an increased range of stock on sale at Abergynolwyn.

Posted by hussra at Friday, February 27, 2004 4:59:57 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Station - photos of the demolition work underway [View this entry]

Work continues apace on the Wharf Station demolition works. Jon Richmond and Michael Howard have kindly supplied these photos.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, January 27, 2004 8:47:27 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Special train for new stamp issue - photographs [View this entry]

A special train was run on Tuesday 13th January to help launch the new Royal Mail "Classic Locomotives" stamps. The Railway Letter Service also issued a special stamp featuring No. 2 "Dolgoch" the same day. Many thanks to George Gardiner and Ken Woods for these photographs.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, January 15, 2004 9:33:23 AM GMT.
Category: All

Demolition starts [View this entry]

The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum building at Tywyn Wharf station was completely razed on Monday 12th January, and the former Guard's room, toilets, shop office, store, and back office swiftly followed on the afternoon of Tuesday 13th - the station's north wall is now once again proudly on view after quite some years. Works will continue this week to level the site by removing the rubble so that the process of re-building can soon begin.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, January 14, 2004 5:01:39 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

"Dolgoch" features on new Royal Mail stamp [View this entry]

Loco No. 2 "Dolgoch" is featured in the new "Classic Locomotives" set of special stamps issued by Royal Mail on 13th January 2004. The 20p (2nd class) stamp depicts "Dolgoch" emerging from the overbridge at Rhydyronen - the other stamps feature the Bo'ness and Kinneil, Great Central, Severn Valley, Bluebell and Keighley & Worth Valley Railways.

More information about the stamps is available on the Royal Mail web site.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, January 13, 2004 12:25:16 PM GMT.
Category: All

More photographs of recent engineering work [View this entry]

Keith Theobald has kindly sent some further photographs of recent engineering work on the railway.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, January 8, 2004 2:57:56 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Site huts for Wharf Station redevelopment arrive [View this entry]

Messrs. Watkin Jones have now started to set up on site at Wharf Station in anticipation of the start of redevelopment work at the station. Their portacabins and site offices arrived on 6th January, followed by fencing work starting on 8th January. Once this is complete and the project proper can get underway, the demolition contractor will start work.

These photographs (courtesy of Keith Theobald) show the construction of the temporary buffer stops (as the platform road is now shortened by the building work) and the arrival of the site huts.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, January 7, 2004 10:03:09 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Drainage work at Dolgoch [View this entry]

A group of young members worked on the drainage in the cutting between Dolgoch Station and the viaduct over the Christmas and New Year period. These photographs (kindly supplied by Keith Theobald) show the work underway.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, January 7, 2004 9:52:48 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Autumn Outdoor Week photographs [View this entry]

Autumn Outdoor Week took place between 8th and 16th November 2003. Keith Theobald has kindly provided these photographs of the work under way.

Posted by hussra at Monday, December 29, 2003 8:38:18 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Nutty's Cosmetic Restoration [View this entry]

Cosmetic restoration of Nutty, the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum's Sentinel vertical boilered locomotive, is moving ahead quickly now. Most parts have now been cleaned and primed. The engine has been part stripped and reassembled and can be turned by hand; the cylinder bores were in immaculate condition.

Mark Lock of Midas Technologies (GB) Ltd., where the restoration work is taking place, has supplied a number of photographs of the work underway, which are now available on the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum's web site.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, November 22, 2003 7:44:31 PM GMT.
Category: All

Autumn Outdoor Week [View this entry]

During Outdoor Week (8th - 16th November) the following tasks were tackled  More ...

Posted by hussra at Saturday, November 22, 2003 7:18:43 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Tom Rolt Rally 2004 [View this entry]

The 2004 Tom Rolt Rally will take place on Sunday 30th & Monday 31st May, 2004. If you would like to bring a vintage vehicle to the rally, information and booking forms are now available.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, October 30, 2003 7:39:38 PM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Moving the locos out [View this entry]

Brian Owen, Project Curator for the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, has kindly sent a considerable number of photographs of the removal of the locomotives and some other large objects from the museum building in mid September prior to the start of the museum redevelopment works. This afforded a rare opportunity to photograph the locos outdoors. All have now been placed in secure storage while the work is underway.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, October 11, 2003 8:10:18 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

AGM beard shaving photographs [View this entry]

A number of TRPS staff and volunteers had their beards shaved off on the evening of the Annual General Meeting (Saturday 27th September) to raise money towards the redevelopment of Tywyn Wharf station. Around £1500 was raised in total.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, October 11, 2003 8:10:12 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Signalling artefacts - can you help? [View this entry]

The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum has an extensive collection of artefacts representing many aspects of Britain's railway heritage. A number of signalling items - almost certainly not of narrow gauge origin - have a place in the collection, and we require a little assistance with identifying some of these.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, October 11, 2003 6:52:56 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Striking the First Blow [View this entry]

It is not often that an architect is invited to strike the first blow (if only symbolic) in the demolition of one of his buildings, but this is what happened on 12th July this year. Mind you it is unlikely that the building would have won any prizes because it involved building up some existing stone walls and then adding a flat roof with a further extension alongside.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, October 11, 2003 6:52:54 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Removing the Museum exhibits - Photographs [View this entry]

The large exhibits from the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum were removed in an operation starting on 18th September.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 30, 2003 5:30:15 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Moving the Wharf Café - Photographs [View this entry]

The portacabin café at Wharf Station was moved on Tuesday 16th September to a new temporary position which it will adopt for the duration of the rebuilding works at Wharf, before the new café in the redeveloped station opens.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, September 30, 2003 5:07:53 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Museum exhibits move out [View this entry]

During mid-September all the exhibits were moved away from the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum and the building is now empty waiting demolition, which is expected to start in October.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, September 27, 2003 7:17:07 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf redevelopment work begins in earnest with café move [View this entry]

The portacabin café at Wharf Station was successfully moved yesterday (Tuesday 16th September) to its new position outside the gunpowder shed. A 70 tonne crane was used to perform two lifts and the café has now been re-sited on eight new block legs. Water and power were also reconnected and a new public access ramp built.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, September 17, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Wharf Redevelopment Progress [View this entry]

Work is continuing at Wharf Station to prepare for the re-development. An area outside the old gunpowder shed (Nutty House) has been prepared as the temporary site for the café portacabin. Services have been provided in preparation for the move of the café on 16th September.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, September 10, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Fishplate Oiling [View this entry]

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, fishplate oiling started at Fach Goch. During the following week and the next weekend this progressed past the down whistle board for Tynllywen Hen crossing. This means that the annual target of one mile has been exceeded.

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, September 10, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Summer Outdoor Week 2003 [View this entry]

Photographs from the week form a separate report.

The weather was very much kinder during this year's Summer Outdoor Week (28th Jun - 6th July). Little or no rain fell during working hours or at all fortunately, as a lot of work was needed on the Cynfal stream culvert and along the sides of the stream. Further drainage work was also planned for the Fach Goch area.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, August 9, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Summer Outdoor Week 2003 - Photographs [View this entry]

Details of the work during the week form a separate report.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, August 9, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Have-A-Go Gala [View this entry]

Photographs from the gala form a separate report.

After the success of Jubilee Festival Week in 2001 it was time for another gala; to get the event off the ground took well over 12 months of planning. One of the first decisions was for the gala to give the opportunity to members of the public to try something different at a price that was not too expensive and as a result would give good value for money. The result was the Talyllyn "Have-A-Go" Gala, 'Live your Childhood Dreams' 18th - 21st July 2003.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, August 9, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Have-a-Go Gala - Photographs [View this entry]

There is a separate report on the gala itself.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, August 9, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

"We're Not Closed For Business - Just Growing!" [View this entry]

On Monday, July 14th, Brian Owen joined the Talyllyn Railway's staff as Museum Curator with specific responsibilities for overseeing the emptying of the narrow gauge railway museum and the re-creation of a new exhibition and display of our many artefacts in the new building - welcome Brian!

Posted by hussra at Wednesday, July 16, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Tom Rolt Vintage Rally - Report [View this entry]

Photographs from the rally form a separate report.

The 14th Tom Rolt Rally and the first as a vintage show took place on 25 and 26 May this year, and although plagued with bad weather during the setting up, the two show days were glorious. The Railway had underwritten basic costs, but well over £1000 of sponsorship also came the organisers way from local businesses which gave a welcome community involvement.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, June 14, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Tom Rolt Vintage Rally - Photographs [View this entry]

A selection of photographs from the Tom Rolt Vintage Rally on 25th and 26th May. (See also the separate report on the rally itself.) More photos of the event are available on the Hockley Heath Steam Association's web site.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, June 14, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Tracksiders Week, 27-30 May 2003 [View this entry]

The Talyllyn Tracksiders were at work on the railway between 27th and 30th May. Here they are seen at Wharf Station for their group photograph and receiving a briefing before starting work.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, June 14, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: All

Loco No. 3 leaves for Corris [View this entry]

Loco No. 3 "Sir Haydn" being loaded for transport to the Corris Railway on Saturday 31st May. The loco, together with carriage 17, van 6 and a loco coal wagon (all ex-Corris stock acquired by the Talyllyn Railway in the 1950s) are on loan to the Corris Railway for the month of June.

Photographs of No. 3's antics at Corris, and details of steam-hauled passenger services on the Corris Railway during June, can be found on the Corris Railway Society's web site.

Posted by hussra at Saturday, June 14, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: All

Tom Rolt Vintage Rally [View this entry]

The Tom Rolt Vintage Rally took place on Sunday 25th and Monday 26th May, attracting 1500 visitors and making a profit of £1450 for the Railway. Photos of the event are available elsewhere on the web.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, June 3, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

Coronation Train, 1st and 2nd June 2003 [View this entry]

In 1953 the Talyllyn Railway was the only preserved line running trains. Coronation Day on 2nd June that year was a public holiday and the Railway laid on a special train to give the local schoolchildren a free ride up the line. The train was decorated and a young-looking Gareth Jones was the fireman on that occasion - a photograph of him placing the special headboard on the train is shown above.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, June 3, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Special Events

No. 3 prepares for Corris visit [View this entry]

The new front buffer-beam, of oroco, a tropical hardwood similar to oak, for loco Number 1 was completed and fitted. The previous one had been of ash and had lasted about thirty years. An air pump has also been refitted to the locomotive, the previous one having been removed for a photographic charter and then sold abroad.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, May 1, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Easter Traffic [View this entry]

Good weather preceding and over the Easter Weekend was reflected in good traffic, even on the relief trains which were only advertised locally. Traffic for the year-to-date is up about 13% on last year, but that is on a very small proportion of the year.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, May 1, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: All

Buffer beams and boiler tests, plus a visit from Fedecrail [View this entry]

Locomotive No. 1 "Talyllyn" is currently in the workshop being fitted with a new front buffer beam. The buffer beams of the Fletcher, Jennings engines are sizeable timbers, nowadays secured to a heavy steel plate forming the end of the frames.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, April 3, 2003 11:00:00 AM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Full steam ahead for Talyllyn Railway [View this entry]

Tourism in North Wales has received a significant boost this week as lottery funding is announced for the improvement and redevelopment of museum facilities at the Talyllyn narrow gauge railway, which famously inspired the Rev W Awdry's Thomas the Tank Engine stories and the 1953 Ealing comedy, The Titfield Thunderbolt.

Posted by hussra at Thursday, March 13, 2003 12:00:00 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Talyllyn Railway's Wharf Station Redevelopment Project [View this entry]

The Station redevelopment project will provide one large, combined new Station building adjoined to the already extended western end of the original structure that dates from around 1865. This new building will comprise not only a new Museum, but also an educational resource area, café and much-needed office accommodation. The project will also enlarge and renovate the Station shop and finish by landscaping the Station approach (from Neptune Road).

Posted by hussra at Thursday, March 13, 2003 12:00:00 PM GMT.
Category: Wharf

Engineering News [View this entry]

At Pendre, partial retubing of loco 2 is nearing completion.

Loco 1 (with its air-pump temporarily removed) worked special trains for photographers on Friday and Saturday (7th and 8th March). These were well-received despite poor weather on Saturday. The loco was watered at Dolgoch using the new tank (steel tank clad in wood to resemble original) on the old column.

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, March 11, 2003 12:00:00 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering

Spring Outdoor Week 2003 [View this entry]

Work undertaken during Spring Outdoor Week (Saturday 22nd February - Sunday 2nd March) included:

Posted by hussra at Tuesday, March 11, 2003 12:00:00 PM GMT.
Category: Engineering