Talyllyn gets £300k grant to build three new accessible carriages
THE Talyllyn Railway is also looking to boost its coaching stock after being awarded £300,000 from the Welsh Coastal Communities Fund.
The grant will be used towards a £450,000 project for three new carriages, allowing the railway to take its 155-year-old original coaches out of daily service in order to preserve as much of their historic fabric as possible.
All three of the new carriages will offer wheelchair accessible compartments, which will allow more passengers with mobility issues to travel in comfort. Two of the carriages will also have upgraded first class accommodation.
Meanwhile, the original carriages will still be used for special trains, including wedding and driver experience trains, allowing people to discover what it was like to ride on the railway 150 years ago.
General manager Stuart Williams said: “We are delighted to have received this major award from the Welsh Coastal Communities Fund at an important time when we are recovering from the effects of the pandemic. The railway is planning a major new development in the next few years and this award is a major first step in this process.
“The Talyllyn Railway is unique in having its two original locomotives and all its original carriages in use, and this award will enable us to retain the carriages in as near their original condition as possible for many more years.”
It is planned that the new carriages will be built under contract in Wales, with the first arriving in 2022 and the others in 2023 and 2024. This project is the first part of a multi-million pound scheme including a new heritage facility at Tywyn Wharf station, new volunteer accommodation and a new engineering works.
Meanwhile, the railway's 70th anniversary year is being marked in a phased manner, following the Welsh Government's announcement of the careful relaxation of coronavirus regulations.
The daily public train service restarted on May 1. King's Café at Wharf station, which has heated undercover outdoor seating, is open from 9am until the return of the last train and the tearooms at Abergynolwyn station will be open from 10am until 3pm.
All bookings must be made in advance through www.talyllyn.co.uk, where details of covid safeguarding arrangements are available. To ensure social distancing, travellers will be booking a compartment that is exclusive to their group.