Our History

From a mining backbone to the world’s first preserved railway

The story and people who have kept the railway with a heart of gold alive.

1840’s Onwards

The Quarry at Bryneglwys

The history of the Talyllyn Railway is inextricably tied up with the history of Bryneglwys slate quarry.

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1840’s Onwards
1863 Onwards

The Railway is built

In 1863 a group of Manchester cotton mill owners, concerned about a shortage of cotton supplies owing to the American civil war, sought to diversify into slate mining.

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1863 Onwards
1866

Passenger traffic starts

Captain Tyler inspected the line a second time on 8th November and official blessing was given on the 11th for the railway to open to passengers.

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1866
1879 Onwards

The McConnel Era

The venture was grossly overcapitalised and never really flourished.  By 1879 it was clear the venture was not a success, and both quarry and railway were offered at auction on 9th October.

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1879 Onwards
1911 Onwards

Haydn Jones buys the quarry and railway

The recently elected local MP, Mr Henry Haydn Jones, sought a buyer but failed.  He then bought the undertaking himself, for £5500 in 1911, and formed the Abergynolwyn Slate & Slab Co. Ltd.

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1911 Onwards
1950s Onwards

The world’s first preserved railway

Following Sir Haydn’s death in 1950, a group of enthusiasts, led by the engineer and author Tom Rolt, called a public meeting in Birmingham and the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society was formed.

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1950s Onwards
1952 Onwards

Restoring the line

The TRPS faced two pressing problems.  Having an engine to work the train and track to run it on.

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1952 Onwards
1959 Onwards

The Nant Gwernol extension

Beyond Abergynolwyn the line was extended again towards the disused quarry.

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1959 Onwards
1973 – Now

The TR in the third millennium

As the TR continues its seventh decade under volunteer operation it will continue to improve its facilities and the experience for its passengers in a world which has changed out of all recognition from 1951 when the first volunteers on a working party to lift rail on an incline appeared in suits and ties.

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1973 – Now