Edward Thomas at Nant Gwernol |
At Machynlleth the train was divided, the first part going to Aberystwyth and the second to Pwllheli. I spoke to the driver of our section who had worked the Paddington suburban services before moving to here where he was also a driver on steam on the Ffestiniog Railway. Uncoupling is such a simple procedure now as it can be done completely from the cab. No getting in between and uncoupling hoses now.
At Tywyn there were no signs on the station showing the way to the Talyllyn Railway station. However, it was easy to find as we passed the Wharf station on the run in but one would have thought that Arriva Trains Wales would have thought to have put up signs to one of the major tourist attractions on the Cambrian Coast. My first visit was on Thursday 22 September 1961 and I wrote about it in my diary:
http://www.railways.incanada.net/Diary/Diary_1961-09.html
At that time the trains were running only as far as Abergynolwyn.
I also came here with Paul several years later
https://www.flickr.com/photos/colinchurcher/sets/72157607328437422
Today the train and platform staff were all well dressed and identified by TR blazers with collar and tie. The track crews all used high visibility clothing and EVERYONE smiled and waved at the train. They made quite an impression.
We were hauled by Edward Thomas, one of the locomotives obtained by the preservation society from the Corris Railway and a real gem. Talyllyn. one of the Talyllyn original locomotives was also running. Duncan, no. 6, was the third engine in steam - it has a face similar to Thomas the Tank and I would have been bitterly disappointed if it had been our train engine, The line climbs steadily up a wide valley which is given over mainly to sheep. There are patches of woodland and the bluebells were in their prime. As we climbed higher the grass gave way in places to bracken which was well advanced here. Several fields of sheep were festooned with many patches of wool, both on the ground and also caught on the wire fences.
The bracken was leafing out. In the background is a slate fence which is used extensively in this area. |
Running round at Nant Gwernol |
At Tywyn |
A locomotive from the Guinness brewery in Dublin |
An interesting and well displayed collection of TR railway tickets |
Waiting to depart at Tywyn. The trains were crowded as this is half term but my people filter was working well |
Click here to see all pictures taken this day
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