The Talyllyn Railway’s story with slate began back in 1864 when a group of Manchester businessmen, led by Thomas McConnel, took over the small slate quarry at Bryn Eglwys in the hills above Abergynolwyn. They had grand plans to expand the quarry, part of which was to provide housing for an enlarged workforce in Abergynolwyn village.
Also, part of the ‘grand plan’ was the construction of a 2ft 3in gauge railway to take slate from the quarry to Tywyn where it could be transferred to the mainline railway for onward transport to Aberdyfi and by sea across the world. The Railway opened in 1865 with slate trains being hauled by the Railways only locomotive ‘Talyllyn’ – which still runs to this day. Passenger travel began very soon after.
The quarry never produced the profits hoped for, and the railway struggled on under different owners and in the 1950’s faced closure. However, a group of railway enthusiasts formed the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and took over the running of the line in May 1951. In doing so it became the World’s First Preserved Railway.
Today, I am proud to be the General Manager of the Railway, and we carry around 50,000 passengers who still enjoy the same route as the Victorian travellers did, sat in the same carriage – behind the same loco! Evidence of the Slate Heritage can be seen all along the line and we actively try and preserve and improve our interpretation.
Our Narrow-Gauge Museum here at Tywyn, documents the rich slate heritage that not only our Railway has, but also the other little railways throughout Wales.
If you haven’t experienced a trip – then it’s a must do!!