News from The Talyllyn

In that case you will just have to keep going until you have collected the "set"!
No 3 runs like a little sewing machine, and that gorgeous chime whistle - sigh!
(ps. The TR website publishes the weekly loco roster, so it is a bit easier these days).

 

Yes, much easier with the loco roster. With the Control thing you can even track the train!
However there is also the rest of the family to manage/keep happy. Sadly they aren't up for travelling several times a week just to see the right locos. Swines

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This is from my trip at the start of June

 

Yes, my favourite of the North Wales steam lines, although the margin isn't huge - they are all good. But the Talyllyn has kept its atmosphere better than the others. Unfailingly friendly and the usual stop at Abergynolwyn on the way back works out fine for me to get a coffee and something to eat, plus usually a purchase of printed matter!

 

I stumbled across this clip [8'11"] of the Talyllyn and Bryn Eglwys, which includes a fair bit of colour film of the TR (some bits with No.3 facing west, which ought to date it).



After first watching it, the clip vanished from my 'Recommended' suggestions list on YouTube, so I searched for "Slate Wales". Lo and behold, oodles of clips of quarries and their railways appeared, some comparatively recent colour film, some ancient B&W footage, which I'll now gradually be working my way through at leisure. It knocks "Bargain Hunt" into a cocked hat!

 

I think all of us have said something like that at one point or another at our favourite/local Railway.
46443 was the one for me at the SVR, (although I also remember seeing it at Twywn in 1987!) although to get things back on track out of all the TR fleet I think No3 is the one I’m missing, family holidays and the odd weekend here and there at our caravan in Bruncruig (I’ve spelt that wrong) between 1984 and 1994 would mean a day packed off there at some point!

 

Forgive me if this was already known but the colour archive footage is all from ‘Railway with a heart of gold’. If that wasn’t known, then you’re in for a real treat when you search for that!

 

There are also some clips of TR and other railways on the 'Huntley Archives' site. Variable quality - probably transferred from cine film.

 

Mentioning the SVR, it's funny how the hobby throws up some magical moments. My late father used to take me on the main line specials to the TRs AGMs in the 1960s and there was always some interesting motive power on the front. In 1965 we had two Manors on the Shrewsbury-Towyn leg - something I was looking forward to.
7802 Bradley Manor and 7812 Erlestoke Manor backed into the platform, and I was hugely disappointed to see that they were filthy and bereft of nameplates. This was near the end of steam, and I subsequently found out that they were withdrawn a few weeks later and sent off to Barry scrapyard.

Fast forward a few decades, and I took my my father to an SVR gala (the year before he died). There, standing along side each other in Bridgnorth yard and resplendent in BR lined green were Bradley and Erlestoke - with nameplates of course! I was aware that they had been saved, but had never seen them both together. It was a reunion that I will always treasure.

Oh, and we also had a caravan at Bryncrug (Tynllwyn)!

 

I thought the same, I always got Number 4 at TR, Blanche or EoM at the FR, Hinton Manor and Gordon on the SVR, Brian Fisk and Bodmin on the MHR, seemed to be the only locos allowed to pull trains that I rode on.

Number 6 on the other hand, that always seemed to hide

 

Was good to see progress with Talyllyn no 1's boiler in the latest MHR video (4 mins in)

 

Hadn't clocked that (it's been quite a few years since I saw "Heart of Gold" and they didn't pinch the music!!).

What I did find fascinating on that (and a couple of other clips YT threw up) were the shots from inside Bryn Eglwys, which were totally new to me. I suppose, given the circumstances under which the quarry closed, the presence of quite so much NG stuff lying around, rusting quietly to itself, shouldn't be too surprising. Less so is that anyone got permission to go down there in the first place. I wonder who's actually responsible for the site these days? IIRC, Sir Henry Haydn Jones leased the quarry, after the McConnell family upped sticks and I'm uncertain whether they owned or leased it, so who was (is) the freeholder?

 

Access to Bryneglwys is managed by Cave Access Limited on behalf of Forestry Commission Wales, Environment Agency Wales, Natural Resources Wales and other landowning bodies who agree to access organised via the scheme.

It is a requirement of the landowners/scheme to hold BCA 3rd party insurance, and be warned it is an abandoned mine not a visitor attraction. There are numerous hazards and risks associated with exploring disused mine workings.

 

Superb photos, thanks.

 

Unexpected trip on the TR yesterday - overall very enjoyable with double headed Tattoo class locomotives; the resident TR loco number 4 and visiting Corris Railway sister (brother?).

Weather broke yesterday so our single trip back to Tywyn was in a mix of downpours then brightening conditions. On train staff were excellent, as were Aberglynolwen platform staff; very professional and friendly.

The station buffet at Aberglynolwyn caused a sharp in take of breath however, 12 pounds for two mediocre teas in takeaway cups and two small (dry) pieces of chocolate cake - buyer beware! Respect the railway has to make money but that was eye watering and not spotted until payment came - I’ve never encountered that Mark-up on other heritage railway visits this year or last for a cake and hot drink. That was the only gripe; back again tomorrow for the 100th anniversary gala for TR No.4.

Photos from yesterday attached.

 

Thanks for the photos. Looks like great fun.

Sorry for your Abergynolwyn café experience. I've always found the cakes there excellent.

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Agreed, I had a slice of Millionaire's cake at Abergynolwyn yesterday and it was excellent.

 

Did the millionaire mind?

 

If you've ever wondered what a double Fairlie would sound like on the Talyllyn, hit 'play' and close your eyes, 'coz this is as close as you're likely to get [52'52", watch that mobile data peeps!]. From the TR:



Having watched CR No.7 start a pretty impressive load on the 1:30, just south of Maespoeth Jnc., I can't say the bank flattening performance of two Tattoos comes as a surprise, but it's no less a sight for all that.

 

New vid. [21'21"]