Founders’ Day special recreates early Talyllyn days
THE Talyllyn Railway ran its Founders’ Day train on Saturday, May 14, with preservation society president David Mitchell cutting a ceremonial tape using the original ribbon first used 71 years ago, when it became the world’s first volunteer-run heritage line.
No. 4 Edward Thomas and No. 3
Sir Haydn double-headed the train which paused at Tŷ Dŵr for No.4 to take water.
As previously reported, Tŷ Dŵr is the newly-reconstructed watering point, located on what was the mineral section of the railway beyond the original terminating point for passenger trains at Abergynolwyn. It fell into disrepair and was dismantled in the 1950s, and the faithful restoration of the old Tŷ Dŵr watering point was one of the first objectives of the Talyllyn Railway heritage group in response to the railway becoming a part of the newly-conferred UNESCO Llechi Welsh Slate Landscape World Heritage site.
Society chairman Jonathan Mann said: “It was wonderful to be able to celebrate our Founders’ Day in a more normal manner this year. A good number of members attended, including one gentleman who had with him a photograph taken when he was a young boy, standing in the guard’s van on the railway in 1947. This scene was quickly recreated with him standing once again in the van for a photograph, much to his delight. The use of the recreated Tŷ Dŵr watering point was a particular highlight of the journey, No. 4 having been the last locomotive known to have used it before it was taken out of use.”
Later this year the railway will be running special trains available to anyone interested in learning more about the slate heritage of the line.
On the Pioneer’s Train, an experienced guide will travel throughout the journey, pointing out interesting features and answering questions.
For full details of these events, visit the railway’s website at ZZZ WDO\OO\Q FR XN