14th May 2014 - 63 Years of Railway Preservation

14th May 2014 marks 63 years since the most momentous occasion for the Talyllyn Railway and Railway Preservation around the world. This small railway in Wales had managed to keep going through many years of wilderness. It was down to the former owner, Sir Henry Haydn Jones and his perogative to keep the railway going as long as he lived that saw the Talyllyn Railway through years that would have seen other similar railways close down.

It was the death of Sir Henry Haydn Jones that sprung enthusiasts into action to try and save the little railway. A band of enthusiasts led by the acclaimed author Tom Rolt vowed to try and keep the railway going.On 14th May 1951, the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society lined up with Loco No.2 Dolgoch, in perilous condition, along with a railway in equally perilious condition after years of continued running with limited investment.

Tributes and honours have poured into the Railway in celebration of 63 years of achievement.

For 63 years, the industrial heritage and history of steam locomotion has been preserved and celebrated by the Talyllyn Railway. Slate from Snowdonia clad the roofs of the world. Where dusty stone-laden wagons once trundled and clattered, visitors from every continent now delight in the glorious landscape of North Wales.

Happy anniversary Talyllyn Railway and thank you for preserving our heritage.

- Matthew Ward, History Needs You and formerly of 'Horrible Histories'.
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The Worlds First Preserved Railway was under way as 'Dolgoch' headed trains between Tywyn Wharf and Rhydyronen Station. In a story that inspired enthusiast groups around the world and films such as 'The Titfield Thunderboilt', the Railway Adventure began.

63 years ago today, something happened which changed peoples' use of leisure time for ever. A group of enthusiasts began to run a railway for the fun of it. It was uncertain if they would succeed, but fortunately for us they did, and thousands now enjoy their legacy every year. Thank you Tom Rolt and team.

- Anthony Coulls, Senior Curator, National Railway Museum
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2014 continues another year in the long and illustrious career of The Talyllyn Railway with hundreds of volunteers carryong on the traditions of those pioneering volunteers in 1951.

Today is such an important day. Without the dedicated volunteers who saved the Talyllyn, the railway preservation movement around the world would have been very different, and may not have existed at all. We owe so much to those few who refused to let the Talyllyn pass into memory.

So here's to Tom Rolt, David Curwen, John Snell, Bill Trinder, Alan Garraway, James Boyd, John Bate, Pat Whitehouse, Pat Garland and the many others who gave their time, their spirit and their determination to save this wonderful railway.

- Dan Quine, Author and Railway Enthusiast.
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The main aim of the Railway to continue to providing transport to those in the Fathew Valley that had relied upon the train service to get from the villages of Brynglas and Abergynolwyn down to the town of Tywyn. Now the railway carries thousands of visitors from across the world.

The small group of volunteers who ran Talyllyn Railway trains 63 years ago today thought they were preserving a railway; if fact they were starting a multi-million £1 industry whose influence is seen around the World.

- Peter Johnson, Railway Author.
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You can leave your comments and memories of 63 years of Railway Preservation on the Talyllyn Railway Facebook Page or Twitter Page.