Press Release - Locomotive No.1 Celebrates 150 Years

Talyllyn Railway Locomotive No.1 Talyllyn was the centre of attention on Wednesday 24 September when it celebrated 150 years to the day since it was completed at the Lowca works of Fletcher Jennings & Co. in 1864. A special train was arranged for invited guests and members of the public on the day. This started with No.1 shunting some of the railway’s original slate and other goods wagons at Tywyn Wharf station for the benefit of the cameras.

Following the departure of the first public train of the day hauled by the line’s newest steam locomotive, No.7 Tom Rolt, No.1 was then joined by the railway’s other original locomotive No.2 Dolgoch. No. 2 had brought down the railway’s original passenger stock to form the special train.

After further photographs No.1 departed with the slate wagons, breaking through a special celebration banner as it did so. It was then followed by No.2 with the train carrying the guests. At Brynglas, three miles from Tywyn, the trains were combined and Nos.1 and 2 doubleheaded the train to Abergynolwyn.

Here there were words of welcome from the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society’s Chairman, Jane Garvey, and its President, Richard Hope. There was also the launch of a new book on the history of the Locomotives of the Talyllyn and Corris Railways by Society Member, Martin Fuller. Then a special cake was cut by Dwyfor Meirionnydd Assembly Member Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, a long-time friend of the Railway who had opened the extension from Abergynolwyn to Nant Gwernol in 1976. Following this the guests adjourned for a buffet meal before the return to Tywyn.

Locomotive No.1 was built by Fletcher Jennings and Co. as an 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive, although it was not delivered to Tywyn until April 1865. Then it was probably floated across the Dyfi Estuary to Aberdyfi, before being transported to Tywyn by the section of the coast railway open at that time. Later it was rebuilt as an 0-4-2 tank due to its rough riding.

It remained in service with the Talyllyn Railway until 1945, when it made its last journey under the old company. When the Preservation Society took over, No.2 was the sole working locomotive, and No.1 was moved out of the loco works to be stored on a siding under a barn roof.

However, in the late 1950s it was transported to the West Midlands to the firm of Gibbons Bros., who restored the locomotive to running order. It returned to service in 1958. Since then it has continued to haul trains, except for repairs and overhauls. However, its availability for its 150th birthday was under threat earlier this year when a mechanical failure led to severe damage to its motion. But with help from the Ffestiniog Railway’s Boston Lodge Works the locomotive was available to celebrate its 150th birthday.

Jane Garvey, Chairman of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, commented:

‘There are only a few operational steam locomotives in the world that are 150 years old. Therefore it is fantastic to have No.1 in steam on the exact date it was completed in Whitehaven 150 years ago, particularly after the events of earlier this year. Today we can celebrate No.1’s birthday with pride and also look forward to many more’.

This event was the first in a series to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Talyllyn Railway. In 2015 there will be five gala weekends these will be on:

May 2nd to 4th The Quarryman Experience
July 3rd to 5th The 150th Party
August 7th to 9th The 1865 – 2015 Gala
August 29th to 31st The Heart of Gold Weekend
Sept. 25th to 27th The Heritage Weekend

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For further information about this press release please e-mail: pressoffice [at] talyllyn [dot] co [dot] uk (subject: Web%20newspage%20enquiry) or phone either 0113 281 8235 or 01654 710472.