Tywyn to celebrate Thomas series 75th anniversary in August, if…

TYWYN’S Narrow Gauge Railway Museum is hoping to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publication of the first of the Railway Series books written by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry, in August.

The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at the Talyllyn Railway’s Wharf Station contains a re-creation of Thomas the Tank engine, the Rev Awdry’s study and the anniversary is planned to be marked with a celebration of the depiction of narrow gauge railways in literature.

It includes the work of Talyllyn volunteer Wilbert and his son Christopher Awdry, Pauline Hazelwood, Christopher Vine and Oliver Postgate for younger readers, plus novels by John Snell, Geraint Roberts and Kathleen Mcgurl and words by writers such as the railway’s saviour Tom Rolt,

D H Lawrence; Henry Williamson and F Scott Fitzgerald.

Alongside the exhibition, the museum is planning meet the author events.

Pauline Hazelwood, author and illustrator of the Saddletank series of books, is set to appear on Friday. August 28.

A story writing competition is being run to support the display: further details are at www.ngrm. org.uk

Currently, both the museum and the railway are closed until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, but museum officials remain hopeful that the current restrictions may have passed by the time of the anniversary in August. Details of any resumption of services may be found at www. talyllyn.co.uk