Press Release - Talyllyn Railway Backs World Heritage Site Bid

On Friday 3rd July 2015, at a special ceremony to mark the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the Talyllyn Railway, it was announced that the railway was backing a bid for World Heritage Status for the Welsh Slate Industry.


The bid is being lead by Gwynedd Council, and has already been short-listed as one of the UK sites being considered for World Heritage Status.

The Talyllyn Railway is backing the bid because it is the only example of a railway built for the transportation of slate, which has been in continuous operation since it was opened in 1865. It was also the first statutory narrow-gauge railway designed for steam operation from its inception. In addition, it was also the world’s first preserved railway, being saved from closure by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society in 1951.

The Slate Industry made a significant impact on the economic and environmental life of this part of Wales. Tens of thousands were employed in quarries throughout the area. Many communities in villages and towns across the region were created because of the industry, and its legacy continues on into the present day.

Part of the industrialisation of the area was the development of new transport systems and the pioneering of narrow-gauge railways was particularly significant in this process. The Talyllyn Railway played a significant role in gaining Parliamentary approval for narrow-gauge railways that carried not only slate, but passengers as well. Its use of steam traction from the outset also underlined the progress being made in the development of the steam locomotive.

Jane Garvey, chairman of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society said

“This year the Talyllyn Railway celebrates 150 years since trains first ran on its tracks, and also the passing of the Talyllyn Railway Act on 5 July 1865. It is therefore wholly appropriate that we support this bid that seeks to bring World recognition to an industry that changed the world in the way buildings were constructed. The Talyllyn was built primarily for transporting slate, and it is important that its part in the story of the North Wales Slate Industry is recognised. It was also the World’s First Preserved Railway creating a movement that has spread all over the globe. Therefore, it could be said that the Talyllyn has helped change the World. We hope that World Heritage Status will help to attract tourists from across the globe to come here, so that we can inform them about our past and also help preserve our heritage for the future”.

Councillor Mandy Williams-Davies from Blaenau Ffestiniog chairs the World Heritage Status Steering Group and is delighted that the Talyllyn Railway is so supportive of the bid:

“The decision to forge ahead with the bid was taken based on a comprehensive economic report about the benefits which gaining World Heritage Status for the slate industry could bring to Gwynedd.

“It will be up to us to seize the initiative and make the most of the opportunities that our extremely rich heritage can offer. I’m absolutely delighted that the Talyllyn Railway, which has played such an important part in the history of Welsh slate has decided to support the bid.”


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