2014 - September 24th - No 1 Talyllyn's 150th Birthday

Celebrations begin!


If your 'No 1' engine was celebrating her 150th birthday, and you had all the original coaches, and your friendly museum lent you some original style wagons, would you run a very special train? We do, and so we did!

No 1 Talyllyn made her grand entrance at Wharf in time to be on the radio. Local volunteer Noel Williams was being interviewed live by BBC Radio Cymru. Of course No 1 had to blow her whistle at the end of the interview!

Following that excitement, No 1 shunted her goods train into the right order which kept the many photographers present happy. We were blessed with gorgeous sunshine which will hopefully mean everyone managed to get a good photo.

After the 10.30 service train departed, No 1 Talyllyn and her goods train left Wharf charging through a celebration banner. The Vintage train set with sister loco No 2 Dolgoch on the front carried the special guests who had come from far and wide for the occasion. The Vintage train overtook the goods train at Pendre. The goods train then trundled up the valley after the Vintage train and joined up with them at Brynglas to make up a mixed train set.

On arrival at Abergynolwyn the guests detrained and gathered round for a speech from Society President Richard Hope. Society Chair Jane Garvey had made a lovely cake for the occasion. This was cut with due ceremony by our local AM Dafydd Elis Thomas and Jane.

The other big occasion today was the launch on TR volunteer Martin Fuller's fascinating new book about our locos pre-preservation. Appropriately enough, Martin was driving No 1 today so he took a break from the footplate to launch the book and thank everyone who had helped him with it. Martin then settled down for a book signing session on the platform.

While the guests enjoyed a bit of lunch and cake, the mixed train was shunted round ready to head back to Wharf.

The journey down allowed time to stop at Rhydyronen for some photos in the sunshine.

If you fancy travelling on the mixed train, it's running again at 11am on Sunday 28th September. Look out for more special events during our 150th celebration year!

Many thanks once again to everyone involved with getting No 1 back in time for her Birthday.

You can buy a copy of Martin Fuller's book 'Talyllyn & Corris Locomotives Volume 1: Pre Preservation' from our online shop.

Photos by Barbara Fuller, Karen Willans and Graham Williams