What is the Talyllyn Railway?
Q: What is the Talyllyn Railway?
A: The Talyllyn Railway is a narrow-gauge preserved railway in Wales. It runs for 7.25 miles (11.67 km) from Tywyn on the Mid-Wales coast to Nant Gwernol near the village of Abergynolwyn.
Q: When was it opened?
A: The line was opened in 1866 to carry slate from the quarries at Bryn Eglwys to Tywyn.
Q: How did it become a heritage railway?
A: Despite severe under-investment, the line remained open, and in 1951 it became the first railway in the world to be preserved as a heritage railway by volunteers.
Q: What has been done since its preservation?
A: Since preservation, the railway has operated as a tourist attraction and increased its rolling stock by buying and building new locomotives and carriages. In 1976, an extension was opened along the former mineral line from Abergynolwyn to the new station at Nant Gwernol. In 2001, the preservation society celebrated its 50th anniversary and in 2005 a major rebuilding and extension of Tywyn Wharf station took place which included a much-expanded facility for the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum.
Q: How has it been portrayed in fiction?
A: The fictional Skarloey Railway was based on the Talyllyn Railway and formed part of The Rev W Awdry's Railway Series of children's books. Additionally, its preservation inspired an Ealing Comedy film called The Titfield Thunderbolt.
Q: Was it authorised by Act of Parliament?
A: Yes, it was - It was actually Britain's first narrow gauge railway authorised by Act of Parliament to carry passengers using steam haulage
