Talyllyn long service award is presented… at Launceston line instead
ON a sunny August day, Launceston Steam Railway hosted an event on behalf of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society – the presentation of a TRPS Long Service Award.
The recipient, Michael Farr, wellknown for his expert knowledge and printing of tickets, and also for his exquisite narrow gauge railway modelling, began volunteering with the Talyllyn Railway in 1952 and the following year became ‘Learner Guard No 3’ – and still has the card to prove it.
More recently he has not been able to be quite so active on the TR, but having accomplished more than 50 years volunteering, the TRPS wished to honour him with the Fifty Year Long Service Award. Unfortunately the lockdown intervened, and with little prospect of being able to travel to Tywyn, arrangements were made for the award to be presented locally. By luck, Michael is well-known at the Launceston line, for which he has not only provided tickets, but has also been a member of the staff. Furthermore, LSR director Jonathan Mann is also chairman of the TRPS, and so it was agreed that Michael would be presented with his award on the LSR. The presentation itself was made at Newmills station, in the presence of fellow 009 modellers and members of the public.
Years-long connection
Although the railways are far apart, they have had a working relationship for several years; the steam-driven air pumps made by the TR’s Pendre Works are based on the design of managing director Nigel Bowman for his Hunslet 0-4-0ST No. 317 of 1883 Lilian.
Nigel said: “It was a real pleasure to provide the venue for this presentation.
“Michael is a good friend of the railway and is one of the few who has been connected with railway preservation almost since the beginning.
“Unlike the Talyllyn Railway, which is run by volunteers, the LSR employs a small – but versatile – team. However, like the Talyllyn, we run our railway because we value our heritage and the traditional skills and values, and we wish to see these passed on to another generation.
“It is thanks to people like Michael, who helped the TR in its earliest days, that we have such a vibrant heritage movement today.”