The Talyllyn Railway

The Talyllyn Railway is a historic narrow-gauge steam railway, set in the beautiful Mid-Wales countryside. Running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, the line passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls and there are excellent forest walks at Nant Gwernol.

Talyllyn Railway History

Built on a gauge of 2 feet 3 inches, the Talyllyn Railway is one of a number of narrow-gauge lines in north and mid Wales built in the 19th century to carry slate, in the Talyllyn’s case from the Bryn Eglwys quarries near Abergynolwyn. Opened in 1865, the line runs the seven and a quarter miles from Tywyn (on the Cardigan Bay coast) to Nant Gwernol, from where a series of horse-drawn tramways continued into the mountains. The slate traffic ceased in 1946 following a serious rock fall in the quarry.

Since 1951 great improvements have been made; volunteer members of the TRPS now provide most of the train crew and station staff required to operate the line, and assist with maintenance work and with many other activities.

The track has been re laid, locomotives have been acquired and rebuilt, additional carriages have been constructed, a safe and flexible signaling system has been installed, and the many other improvements needed to cater for the much increased number of passengers have been carried out.

Talyllyn Railway’s New Wharf Station Building

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the Talyllyn Railway on Wednesday 13th July 2005 to open its new Tywyn Wharf Station and Narrow Gauge Railway Museum building.

The station development comprises a new narrow gauge railway museum, kitchen and refreshment room, educational resource room, improved railway shop, stores, Guards’ room, toilets and much-needed office accommodation. It has been made possible by an award of £682,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and additional funding from The Wales Tourist Board, the Welsh Development Agency, the Welsh Assembly Government, Gwynedd County Council, the Council for Museums in Wales (CyMal) and donations totaling over £550,000 from members and friends.

The Railway Shop at Tywyn Wharf Station

The Railway Shop at Tywyn Wharf Station stocks a wide selection of transport and historic related items as well as Talyllyn Railway branded goods, Welsh items, Welsh Crystal, maps, videos, books and gift confectionery and jewellery, jigsaws and occasion cards and many other items too numerous to mention.

Further Information about the Talyllyn Railway

For timetables, opening hours, location and directions, you can contact the Talyllyn Railway on 01654 710472