This Heritage Treasures Day, The National Lottery Heritage Fund is announcing a landmark £3,697,911 grant for the Talyllyn Railway. This transformative boost will protect the railway’s industrial heritage and strengthen the volunteer movement that pioneered railway preservation.
Originally built in 1864 to serve Bryneglwys slate quarry and famously rescued by volunteers in 1951 as the world’s first preserved railway, Talyllyn is now part of the UNESCO Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site. Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding will ensure its story continues to inspire and connect people across Wales and beyond.
Situated in Gwynedd between Machynlleth and Dolgellau, the railway stretches 12 km from Tywyn Wharf to Nant Gwernol near Abergynolwyn.
The project includes major engineering upgrades, with expanded workshop spaces and improved woodworking facilities to maintain historic rolling stock year-round.
Historic stations will be refurbished and reimagined as immersive visitor experiences and heritage hubs, creating engaging spaces that attract more visitors, celebrate local stories and attract visitors and strengthen community spirit.
Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Wales, said:
“We’re delighted to support Talyllyn Railway, a much-loved heritage attraction that holds a special place in the story of Wales. Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding will help preserve its unique history and ensure future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from this remarkable site.”
New volunteer accommodation will create welcoming spaces to support a growing volunteer programme, while local engineering apprenticeships will help develop essential skills. Sustainability is central to the plan, with solar panels, insulation and biodiversity initiatives reducing costs and environmental impact.
David Ventry, Talyllyn Railway Company Chairman, said:
“Obviously, we are overjoyed at this news. I am particularly delighted for the team who worked so hard to put this bid together, especially our development manager, Nick Broster, that their dedicated work has now reaped its reward. The bid faced many challenges, not least the huge rise in construction costs that has taken place over the past few years and we are very grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for backing this project through all the changes that have had to be made. The tremendous response to our 75 Appeal, currently standing at well over £500,000 in donations and pledges, has also been key to this successful outcome.”
A new community hub will offer schools and local groups opportunities to explore heritage through bilingual interpretation and accessible facilities, helping to inspire learning, foster cultural understanding and create a welcoming space for everyone to connect with the local railway history.
Liz Porrett, the Railway’s General Manager (Operations) also commented:
“This is tremendous news and we would like to thank The National Lottery Heritage Fund for recognising the need for this project. The team would also like to say thank you for the fantastic support from our members, visitors and all those who have donated to our Appeal, or supported the project in any way. We are now looking forward to our 75th Anniversary celebrations as the World’s First Preserved Railway with real optimism that the Railway will have the facilities it needs for the next 75 years”
With this support, Talyllyn will continue to strengthen local communities, create new opportunities for learning and volunteering, whilst remaining a cherished part of Wales’ rich heritage.
#Heritage Treasures Day is an annual UK-wide social media day which spotlights the diverse range of heritage projects across the UK that have been saved thanks to funding from National Lottery players.
You can learn more about the project this grant is supporting below:
Editor’s notes
About Talyllyn Railway:
The Talyllyn Railway is a narrow-gauge railway opened for goods traffic in 1865 and shortly after for passenger services, which have operated every year since between Tywyn on the west coast of Wales and Nant Gwernol just over seven miles inland. In 1951 operation of the line was taken over by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and became the world’s first preserved railway.
Operation of the line is primarily by volunteers from all walks of life, with a small paid staff. It is now a major tourist attraction in the mid-Wales area, contributing significantly to the area’s economy.
In 2026 it will celebrate 75 years as the World’s First Preserved Railway.
For further information about this press release please email: [email protected] or phone 01654 710472.
For further information from The National Lottery Heritage Fund please contact Laura George – [email protected] or phone 07751708267
75 Appeal
The Appeal remains open for additional contributions and details can be found at: www.talyllyn.co.uk/75appeal.
Follow @TalyllynRailway on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #HeartOfGold
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund:
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
heritagefund.org.uk Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund
