News from The Talyllyn

I am sure this event will not be for everybody but looking at how busy it appeared to be, based on railways webcams, it seems to have been very popular a sector of the population.

 

Those who love Thomas often get marginalised but the Talyllyn is perhaps one of the few, if not the ONLY place where you can step into the books, as many of the illustrations for the Skarloey Railway stories were based on locations on this place.
Many of us have gotten into preservation and volunteering because of these books, and some even found careers because they began writing and filming their own stories after being inspired.

One aspect that shouldn't be overlooked is that this event has proven an immensely popular hit with those on the neuro diverse spectrum who find it a safe space; this weekend we heard stories of young people with communication disorders who had never spoken before coming here and opening up for the very first time, making friends and feeling included, and that is very much the heart of what the Talyllyn Railway is about.

 

Wasn't able to go, but my children and I have loved watching the various videos and live streams from this weekend.

We're all looking forward to making our first visit to the railway when we go on holiday next week.

 

Wow, that is a photo and a half. Great effort in capturing that just goes to show the world what railway heritage is all about. Thanks for sharing that one

 

Some of my pics from over the weekend

 

Amazing!

 

Delightful, absolutely charming!

 

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/22/thomas-the-tank-engine-superfans-an-unlikely-fandom

Fascinating

 

Looks like everybody has had a Great Time --- and plenty of youngsters, some of whom will be encountering real steam for the first time. I hope that the event will hook them into it for life !

[I'm just old enough to remember Steam in BR days ... So, I probably first met steam at Bath Green Park, Bath Spa or Bristol Temple Meads.
And it was many years later before I encountered the Great Little Trains of Wales]

 

By the time the drone went up, the crowd had dispersed somewhat. Nevertheless this probably helps give an impression of how busy Wharf was on Sunday for our big finale. Nearly all the space was full, and a local bus even stopped on the bridge and decanted all its passengers who wanted to see what was going on.

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15tZW95jMM/



Photo by Nathan Spence from the above link. A tad rammed!

 

Certainly as busy a weekend as they seen for a while.

They've also followed up on the 'Thomas' theme;



A 'live' rendition of one of the books, with Rev. Awdry narration.
Quite nicely done.

 

Just got around to watching this vid and realised that of all people you could've filmed it just so happens to be me riding in Duke's tender at around 8:45!! Small world

 

Talyllyn Original locomotives in action, captured on Saturday 9th August - services operated by locos 1, 2 and 4

 

Very nice - but if you really wanted to go for that "originals" look you could have (a) added a bit of video 'noise' and (b) shot it in 4:3 as well as being in b/w

 

I'll consider those effects next time, perhaps! I'm aware the b/w approach only suits a minority. I was 'hooked' onto the TR when I saw an image of No1 in worn out condition in the 1940s, with rails probably held together by the turf. The shiny colours and bright liveries are all very nice but I wanted to add something to give a hint of age. Having worked on the railway between the mid 60s and mid 80s it's reassuring the recognise the same character and atmosphere of the line - you remember the whistles echoing off the hillside, the buzzards calling around Abergynolwyn and often over-looked Cynfal Bank. And most of all, no need for diesel substitutes in these fire-risk times!

 

For what it's worth, I liked the black and white segment

 

Sir Haydn on a evening special for the Young Members Group, who earlier in the day unveiled their newly built replica Gunpowder Van.

 

This is how you do it.
Always impressed by the TR’s use of social media, certainly think certain others could learn from their use of it.

 

Indeed. For me, the Mid-Hants and Talyllyn are the best on YouTube.

We visited for the first time and few weeks ago and loved it, and my son and myself have loved all the videos on YouTube.

I also applaud the railways for all the videos and stuff they did for the Awdry Extravaganza. I know a lot of purists will cringe, but it really helps bring in a new and younger audience.