Tywyn Wharf and Westminster celebrate 70 years since it all began
A COMMEMORATIVE special marked the 70th anniversary of the world's first heritage train to be run by volunteers.
Friday, May 14 was exactly 70 years to the day that what is deemed to be the world's first-ever operational preservation era train departed from Tywyn Wharf station for the short trip to Rhydyronen. Five of the original members from 1951 – John Bate, Olwyn Bate, and David Mitchell, Phil Sayers and John Smallwood – joined the commemorative train, operated by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society.
In 1951, the first train was sent off after a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Bill Trinder, chairman of both the Talyllyn Railway Company and the newly-formed Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society. In 2001, on the 50th anniversary, a similar ceremony was performed using the same ribbon – and again on the 70th anniversary.
Ceremony
On this occasion, the ribbon was cut by John Bate, who served as the line's first honorary civil engineer from October 28, 1958. He was later employed as the society's first paid chief engineer, from 1963 until his retirement in 1994. Since then he has been an honorary vice president of the society.
John was welcomed by society president David Mitchell and its chairman Jonathan Mann, who also drove Kerr Stuart 0-4-2ST
No. 4 Edward Thomas – which double headed the special train with Fletcher Jennings 0-4-0WT No. 2 Dolgoch.
Just as in 1951, the train ran to Rhydyronen, but this time continued to Abergynolwyn for passenger refreshments and before returning to Tywyn Wharf.
On the same day, Liz Saville Roberts MP, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail, tabled an Early Day Motion to draw attention to the milestone anniversary.
The motion ran: “That this House warmly congratulates Talyllyn Railway, Tywyn, on its 70th anniversary of running a public train service with volunteers, preserving its unique heritage for thousands of visitors to enjoy; notes that the railway dates from 1865, and was built to serve slate quarries above Abergynolwyn; further notes that Talyllyn Railway was the first heritage railway to be run by volunteers in preservation, igniting the enthusiasm of people across the UK leading to the development of the heritage railway movement; regrets the 18 months of loss of income suffered by heritage railways due to the Covid pandemic; and wishes them well as they start to welcome visitors again.”
A statement from the group said: “Without the plucky pioneers, it would never have happened,” adding that the first train to be run by volunteers on a heritage railway was the initial step for a movement that has done so much to develop the culture of volunteering and respect for Britain's unique railway heritage.
Mrs Saville Roberts said: “This first small step by the volunteers of the Talyllyn Railway in my Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency ignited the enthusiasm of people around the country, which led to the amazing heritage railway movement that has done so much to support rural communities and the well-being of so many people who are railway volunteers.
“I am very proud that the Talyllyn is one of seven heritage railways in my constituency and one of the 11 Great Little Trains of Wales, and I wish them well for the next 70 years.”
Success
The group's vice chairman, Lord Richard Faulkner of Worcester, who is also president of the Heritage Railway Association (HRA), said: “The heritage railway movement is a remarkable success story involving some 22,000 volunteers across the country with huge benefits for wellbeing in this difficult period.
“Skills, training and teamwork have brought encouragement and a sense of purpose to many young volunteers, recognised by an annual HRA award. The scale of the success would have been unimaginable to the Talyllyn pioneers 70 years ago but without their courage and tenacity, it would not have happened.”
Meanwhile, the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Tywyn Wharf, winner of the HRA's Interpretation Award 2021, sponsored by Heritage Railway magazine, reopened to the public on May 17 thanks to grants totalling £49,630 from the Lottery Heritage Fund, the Welsh Government's Wales Cultural Recovery Fund and Gwynedd Council.
The grants enabled the museum to make the many changes needed to provide a safe and secure
environment for visitors, with improved ventilation.
As part of the changes, a striking new window has been installed in the museum wall facing Neptune Road, giving a new perspective to passers-by. The extra funding has also seen paid staff engaged to supplement the work of the museum's volunteer attendants, ensuring the maintenance of a rigorous hygiene regime and longer opening hours. To facilitate social distancing, no more than 25 visitors (and fewer if children are present) will be allowed inside at any one time, in five groups distributed around the building.
Visitors follow a one-way system marked by arrows on the floor.
➜ Details of the railway's timetable and museum opening hours can be found at www.talyllyn.co.uk and www. narrowgaugerailwaymuseum.org.uk ➜ Our special feature on the saving of the railway in 1951 can be found in issue 273. Back copies are available by calling 01507 529529.