2015 May - Talyllyn 150 - The Quarryman Experience

Saturday 2nd May to Monday 4th May 2015


Our 150th Celebrations started very early on Saturday 2nd May with a photo charter up the line. The morning and evening Photo Specials over the weekend included slate trains, our original vintage carriages, mixed trains and Corris formations.

Wharf's resident Victorian Photographer for the weekend was Matthew Ward, of 'Horrible Histories' fame, while Gill Fraser-Lee provided a sound education for visiting children in the 'Victorian Classroom'.

For the more practical minded, Paul the Slate Splitter held regular slate splitting/cutting demonstrations by the Weigh Bridge House. The talks he gave were fascinating - did you know Bryneglwys slate was on the roof of Westminster Hall and the National Library of Wales?

No 1 Talyllyn and No 2 Dolgoch were officially welcomed in their new liveries, based on old photos of the locos. They double headed the 'McConnel Special' on Saturday where the Talyllyn Railway welcomed members of the family of the original owners of the railway.

Sunday saw the big launch of local author Sara Eade's new book, 'The Talyllyn Railwaymen' (available through the Talyllyn Railway's Shop) and the return of 'The Quarryman' train.

Other highlights of the weekend included:

• Demonstrations of Wagon Weighbridge and Turntable at Tywyn Wharf station
• Display about the old village incline system in Abergynolwyn village
• Cream teas
• Victorian games at Dolgoch (when it stopped raining!)
• Mini-Music Festival at Abergynolwyn
• Extra trains / double headed trains
• Wurlitzer Concert at Neuadd Pendre featuring Victorian popular music
• Members barbeque at Abergynolwyn

Many thanks to everyone who helped organise the events, it was a really fun weekend despite the weather. The next #Talyllyn150 event will be The 1865 – 2015 Gala, Friday 7th to Sunday 9th August 2015.

You can see more photos on the Talyllyn Railway's Facebook page.

Photos by Barbara Fuller, Martin Lester, Darren Turner and Karen Willans