Happy April Fool’s Day 2022! We hope you enjoyed!

It is with a head hung low that the Talyllyn Railway has to announce the withdrawal of our Steam Locomotive fleet.

With the current coal crisis looming over our heads, the decision has been made to convert the Railway to 3rd Rail Electric Traction.

Over the course of the next year, the Railway will be upgraded to 120v 3rd Rail operation – The new BEV Battery locomotive will be powered directly off of this 3rd Rail, with Diesel Locos No.5, 9, 11 & 12 being converted to electric in due course. There has also been an assessment carried out on the feasibility of converting Saloon Coaches No.20 and No.21 into EMU driving cars.

As this work is carried out, the Steam Locomotive Fleet will be gradually accessioned into the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum’s collection.

The electrification work and total withdrawal of the Steam Locomotives is scheduled to be completed by 1st April 2023.

General Manager Stuart Williams and Engineering Manager Chris Smith provide some more information on the project in the video below: