On the 12th August the Talyllyn Railway received a planned visit by the ORR (Office of Road and Rail). They were conducting a series of visits to narrow gauge railways with a focus on derailment risk.
The topic of inspections for this year was due to a spike in derailments on narrow gauge railways reported and investigated in 2024.
During the visit the two inspectors met with the General Manager Operations, Operating Manager and Chairman of the Board and carried out a track walk from Wharf to Pendre, a tour around the sheds at Pendre, and a review of our maintenance systems, competence paperwork and supporting documents. The inspectors received the SMS in advance of the visit and gathered evidence of completed and template documents whilst here.
The Railway has now been in receipt of the full report from the visit, which contains some advice, acknowledgement of good practice and a rating for the 4 appropriate sections of RM3 (Risk Management Maturity Model Heritage Topic set 1: Heritage Railways guidance).
We will use this report to make further improvements to processes and our competency management systems.
Below is the official letter we have been sent from the ORR:
