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The Awdry Extravaganza 2: Skarloey Railway Weekend

July 23, 2022 @ 8:00 am July 24, 2022 @ 5:00 pm

Tickets for The Saturday Lecture, Photo Charter, Picnic Experience and The Exhibition are currently SOLD OUT.

Tickets for Train Rides, Lecture Livestream and Sunday Lecture are still available:

Book for Saturday here

Book for Sunday here

The Record-Breaking, HRA Award Nominated Awdry Extravaganza is back for a second year!

The event promises to be an amazing experience for fans of the Rev Awdry’s work around the world as the Talyllyn Railway is transformed into the Skarloey Railway – we will be live streaming over the weekend’s event for all to enjoy.

  • The Awdry Exhibition will give visitors a chance to take an up-close look at artefacts usually stored behind lock and key in the “Awdry Study”, once again Wilbert Awdry’s own model railway “Ffarquhar Branch” will be displayed and in full operation in the Exhibition room, with his original models of Thomas, Percy, Toby, Daisy and more working the carefully planned timetable penned by Awdry himself. Also on display will be artefacts from the Official Thomas Archives, including original illustrations from the Railway Series books and more.
    The display is jointly organised by the Talyllyn Railway and Mattel.

Over the course of the weekend, two special trains will be run.

  • SATURDAY ONLY: The Picnic: A Mid-Sodor Experience, hauled by the Mid-Sodor Railway’s No.4 “Stuart”, will transport you back to Sodor in the 1930s. This special experience will depart Tywyn Wharf at 2:05 pm. Upon reaching Abergynolwyn, you will be treated to a marvellous Afternoon Tea.
    At 3:45 pm the journey back down the valley begins, arriving back at Wharf at 4:32 pm, also included with the ticket is an exclusive Awdry Extravaganza themed goodie bag!
  • SUNDAY ONLY: The Skarloey Photo Charter will depart Tywyn Wharf at 4:25 pm– this train will take its passengers to some very recognisable and iconic locations from the Railway Series books.
    On hand will be Professional Photographer Phil Tugwell to assist with getting that perfect shot, and your Guard will be Awdry Expert and Sodor Historian Luke Ryan, who will stop the train in the perfect spot to recreate those iconic illustrations.
    The charter is envisioned to last around 2 and a half hours, returning at around 7 pm.

Throughout Saturday and Sunday, Duncan will be at Tywyn Wharf for the exclusive opportunity to Drive Duncan! For just £10 you can drive the Rock N Roll star from Wharf to Pendre, tickets will be sold on a walk-up first-come, first-served basis.

Also at Crovan’s Gate Wharf will be “The Toby” Pop Up Pub, that’s right – Ffarquhar’s finest drinkery is setting up an outlet just for the event! “The Toby” will provide a nice relaxation point for visitors to take a seat, enjoy a drink and listen to story readings by the one and only Tim Dunn at various intervals throughout the day!

To cap off the Saturday, once more we shall be putting on one of the Reverend Wilbert Awdry’s original lectures:

  • “The Railways of Sodor”, last heard in 1983, will be performed by Tim Dunn. This is a must-see for fans of the Railway Series and Sodor’s history – prepare for more reveals and “new” information that has been lost to time since 1983. This lecture covers all of the railways on Sodor, from the most obscure to the most famous. You do not want to miss it. The lecture will be held at Neuadd Pendre at 7 pm, there will be a shuttle provided from Wharf to Pendre at around 6:30 pm. The Neuadd is a short walk from Pendre Station, directions will be provided. Alternatively, for those not able to attend physically, we will also be selling tickets for a Livestream of the lecture.

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