Press Release - 'Prince’ is Coming to the Party

Announcing the Special Guest for our 150th Party Gala Weekend


Following on from the revelation of the new liveries for ‘Talyllyn’ and ‘Dolgoch’, the Talyllyn Railway is delighted to announce that there will be the opportunity to see three of the world’s most iconic narrow gauge locomotives in steam together for the first time. This will occur during the 150th Party gala week-end between 3 and 5 July, when the railway’s special guest will be the Ffestiniog Railway’s locomotive ‘Prince’.

Built in 1863 by George England, ‘Prince’ represents the earliest 2ft gauge locomotive currently in steam. When ‘Prince’ was built, it was thought impossible to design practical working steam locomotives for so narrow a gauge. However, ‘Prince’ and its fellows became the pioneers of narrow gauge steam traction on the 2ft gauge, and over 150 years later have demonstrated the practically of the original concept.

‘Talyllyn’ and ‘Dolgoch’ in turn represent part of the on-going story of the development of early narrow-gauge locomotives. Although built for the slightly wider gauge of 2 ft 3 ins they also have demonstrated that the early locomotive builders produced designs that would stand the test of time. ‘Dolgoch’ also hauled the first train ever run under the auspices of a railway preservation society on 14 May 1951. They both continue to be in regular use on the railway.

Chris Price, General Manager of the Talyllyn Railway, comments:

‘To have all three locomotives in steam together at Tywyn Wharf station over the gala will be truly unique. Together they represent over 450 years of locomotive history, and bringing them together for the first time is truly historic. Completing the line-up will be our other locomotives, each of which has a place in Talyllyn history.

This is an event that no narrow gauge steam enthusiast will want to miss, and is only part of the planned celebrations for the weekend.’

Before then ‘Talyllyn’ and ‘Dolgoch’ will be officially launched in their special 150th liveries, revealed on-line on Christmas Day, at ‘The Quarryman Experience’ gala week-end between 2 and 4 May 2015.

Issued 27 February 2015.

For further information about this press release please e-mail: pressoffice [at] talyllyn [dot] co [dot] uk (subject: Website%20press%20release%20query) or phone 01654 710472.


2015 marks the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the line to goods traffic, and to mark the occasion a series of special celebrations are being planned.

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