Imagine being preserved for over 150 years and still having a square cab

The preservation of the Talyllyn Railway feels like the sort of idea you come up with in a pub with mates after a few pints. "You know what I wanna do?" "Tom what idea do you have?" "Theres this lovely little railway in Wales, and we should save it!" "YES!!! THAT'D BE AMAZING!"

A few years later, the Puffing Billy Railway near Melbourne, Australia was preserved after members of the public drew inspiration from Tallylyn and not long after Tallylyn started operating on a voluntary basis. So you could say it didn't take long for Tallylyn to impact people on the other side of the world.

I managed to see this Railway for myself last year. After growing up with the Railway Series and Thomas, I can’t begin to describe how amazing it was to see it for myself

I’m actually a member of the Talyllyn Railway so seeing all this history of the railway posted online makes me very happy to see. I usually go on the railway every summer. 😊🚂

This must have been one of the best moment in Awdry’s life

The Railway that started it all

Real-life events for Awdry's Skarloey and Mid-Sodor stories as well as for mountain engines: * Skarloey remembers - How Talyllyn was retired in the shed, Dolgoch left for an overhaul, and life on the Talyllyn before new engines arrived. * Sir-Handel - Sir-Haydn's derailments. * Peter-Sam & The Refreshment Lady - Awdry once caused a train on the Talyllyn to leave the driver's mother-in-law behind. * Old faithful - Talyllyn being worned-out yet used for emergency tasks. * Trucks! - Possibly the 1902/1904 Abergynolwyn quarry accident. * Home at last - When Talyllyn returned from being overhauled and Douglas's cab scraping against roofs. * Rock-n-roll - Douglas's rough-riding and derailments, and Minlander's maintenance work. * Little old twins - The BBC TV visiting the Talyllyn. * Special funnel - The 1948 washout on the Corris, and Edward-Thomas's brief Gisel injector. * Steam-roller - An Irish steamroller collied into a train. * Passengers and polish - How Douglas was said to have once stalled on a bridge. * The gallant old engine - How Dolgoch saved the Talyllyn from closure. * Mountain engine - Snowdon's #5's inspection trial before the Snowdon opened to the public. * Bad look-out - Snowdow's opening day accident with #1. * Danger points - Snowdon's #6 derailed at summit. * Devils-back - Snowdon's #6 rescued people and changed names. * Crosspatch - When Talyllyn was first built and had steaming problems. * Bucking bronco - Talyllyn bouncing as a 0-4-0. * Stick-in-the-mud - Possibly if there was ever a mudslide on the Talyllyn. * Duck and dukes - The Talyllyn's centenary. * Grand-puff - A locomotive as a stationary boiler at Ffestington, and the Corris' closure. * Bulldog - Linda's leap on the Ffesington. * You can't win - Possibly an event on either the Corris or the Ffesington. * Sleeping beauty - An abandoned steam locomotive rediscovered in Amazon.

Hearing the Rev. Wilbert Awdry mentioned in a trains of thought video warms my heart

Awdry may have not helped it get preserved, but I’m sure we can all be thankful for him helping to get the word out and getting people interested in railways like this one.

It's quite uncanny just how much the narrow gauge stories in The Railway Series paid homage to the trains and events on the Talyllyn Railway.

As the story began I said to myself "Those two engines look exactly like Skarloey and Rheneas!" Then as the story progressed I realized it was exactly like The Railway Series! Number 1 breaking down, Number 2 keeping the line runinng by itself, Number 3 and 4 joining the railway(and looking exactly like Sir Handel and Peter Sam I must add)! By the time you said they acquired a diesel engine, I said to myself "Show me a picture! I bet it looks exactly like Rusty!" The final "I knew it moment" was when you explained about "Duncan"! From the shape to the name of the engine, it confirmed my theory! But what I didn't know was Wilbert Awdry got his inspiration for those stories by volunteering on the T.H Railway himself! Thanks to you I learned many new things today and I thank you for that! Keep up the amazing work!!!🚂🚃🚃

The wonderful Welsh weather! In Wales, there are only two seasons of the year, August and Winter.

I read "Railway Adventure", it's such a wonderful book. These first generation volunteers really must have felt like they were in a Wild West film. Also so fun to see were "Titfield Thunderbolt" and Wilbert Awdry got their inspiration from

People forget just how much of a renaisance man Lionel Thomas Caswall Rolt was, not only through his efforts in helping to form the preservation society along with others that helped save the Talyllyn Railway, but also through his writing of Narrowboat detailing his journey with his then wife in their narrowboat Cressy through England in 1939 which became the catalyst for the Inland Waterways Association. he also wrote a book on journeying through the Irish Republic by canal and river as well as his histories on train accidents (Red For Danger) as well as history books and biographies of famous engineers.

As one of the many volunteers of the railway I love seeing videos like this ! My Grandpa joined the society in 1957 and was a volunteer for a few decades. Me and my Dad now volunteer on it and we both love it ! The railway is unique is ways that can’t be described and it will forever be an absolute treasure !

The Talyllyn Railway, the real life Skarloey Railway.

Going to this railway tomorrow for the Awdrey Extravaganza! It's a lovely line, well worth a visit from any railway lover

Skarloey and Rheneas were my childhood. I hope I get to visit the real Talyllyn Railway to pay respect to the inspiration for the Skarloey Railway.

On the topic of Thomas and Friends major influence on the Talyllyn Railway, maybe you should do a video focusing on Thomas and friends and the Railway Series and its influence on real trains and railways

I was wondering if you'd do a video like this. Very interesting to hear the history of what inspired the Skarloey Railway

1:25 I've Might Go To The Talyllyn Railway In Towyn In North Wales Near Holyhead One Day. Thanks Mate. X

I remember seeing the,”Railway with a Heart of Gold”,and being so shocked at them mulling over a part falling off of Dolgoch that I actually laughed out loud and said to myself,”a heart may be all that’s left if they reach the last station”,and that started my love for the Talyllyn,and I have made a promise that I will one day go and volunteer at the railway.

"Passengers are our coal and water" - skarloey from thomas and friends

Just lovely. Thank you - I enjoyed seeing some old photos of the early days which are new to me. When I first visited Towyn they had 'Cambrai' , a French metre gauge Corpet 0-6-0 sitting outside, and I fell in love with little engines like that. Nowadays (60 years later) I model them, and my efforts turn up occasionally on youtube films of shows - so that was a far reaching event too.

It’s amazing how the railway series author Reverent Wilbert Awdry once volunteered on Europes most historic railway.

Was this the reason Wilbert Awdry decided to make a few books based on it?

I am a volunteer on the talyllyn railway and this weekend we celebrate rev.w.awdry and the locomotives will be in their skarloe characters

Its such a cute little railway , i hope to one day see it for myself!

As a lover of steam engines since I was a tot and reading about and loving the Skarloey Railway in Wilbert Awdry's books, this railway never ceases to amaze me. This is such a lovely inspirational story that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! I do hope to someday be able to travel this railway. Have made plans with my cousin to do so the next time I go to see her in the UK.

Awesome work as always! I'm not sure if you've covered it yet, but the narrow gauge RH&DR? It's also a very neat little railway with fascinating history behind it!

I look forward to seeing the Glyn Valley Tramway operating steam services again. 88 years since it originally closed, it had its first horse drawn passenger services in preservation a couple of weeks ago

The Welsh are always and should always be proud of this. The love they show to their own ideas, objects is just beautiful 🥹

It was nice to meet you at the extravaganza! Love your videos!

This is such a great story! Thanks for sharing it.

Im amazed on how Talijyn and Dolguch (Rheneas and Skarloey) are in working order after so many years. Their builders must've did a great job constructing those two with thr best materials known to man. What do you guys think?

I'm so glad to finally see this railway on hear

I was waiting until you mentioned the Rev Glad to hear him

Gosh memories flood back to the fifties. Being next to a driver on the cab step for a photo and smelling the steam coal! Good to see it thriving today alongside so many more.

My number one want to visit destination on the planet… and it looks like I will get the chance soon… I’ve been to it’s twin railway, puffing billy in Australia (because I live down under) but I am extremely keen on visiting Talyllyn!

Another Amazing Video that lets my Heard for the old Steam Trains Go faster. Thanks for your Good Videos that helps to preserve the History of Trains from all around the Globe! With best regards from Germany 🇩🇪👍

This railway is on my bucket list of places to go to if I'm ever able to visit the U.K. again, mainly because it's probably the easiest way to see the real-life counterparts for Thomas the Tank Engine characters that I spent my childhood watching on TV.

I love the talyllyn so much because if it did not exist, most of my childhood would not have been the same, and hell most of my current interests are those exact same things, so I owe the railway so much! I wish I could be there!

Another thing is that if it hadn’t been Reverend Wilbert Awdry writing the Skarloey Railway Stories, the Talyllyn Railway wouldn’t be as much of a crowd drawer as it is today.

I managed to acquire 2 original Talyllyn Railway photographs, from 1939 and 1949, one with No.1 in and one with No.2 in - the smell is phenomenal!

I definitely knew most of them were inspirations for Thomas and friends just from little snippets

When I saw the pictures of the two engines, and heard they worked for a quarry, my first though was "That's Skarloey and Reneas!"

I wish someone did the same with the railway that used to pass through my hometown...😢

Skarloey, Rheneas, Peter Sam, Sir Handel(originally Stuart and Falcon), Rusty, Duncan, and Duke

GOOD TO HEAR ! -- I'd love to see it!

The tallylyn railway, I still can't pronounce it correctly.

The story about this railway is truly wholesome and sweet. Random people came together to save the railway…a little help goes a long way lol

I just came back from a trip to this Railway. It's something special to experience firsthand. Awdry Extravaganza was something fun all day, even if the weather tried to disagree. Even got a personal favourite shot of Sir Haydn pulling the up-service across the viaduct from the viewpoint

Very good presentation. I've volunteered on this railway, but the initial over-gauge problem is one that I'd not heard of before!

train just started blowing its three chimes not ten seconds after clicking aon your excellent video.

First rode the TR summer of 1961 , started my love of Welsh narrow gauge railways which prevails to this day last visited the TR 2018 last rode Festiniog Railway 2022. Hoping to visit both again someday whilst I can. Not so agile at 82!

there is an annual event, in which you can run alongside the rail way (through fields and roads) called race the train, over several distances

If I lived closer, I'd turn up and just start blasting your videos and watch people's reactions. We'd soon find u😊

What is great is they have a KZfaq channel.

Enjoy the weekend, Miss working with you man

Man Awdry took alot of inspiration for the Skarloey railway

Perfect timing since the Awdry Extravaganza is this weekend.

Talyllyn Railway had also Inspired many railway Preservation including USA or Australia such as the Zig Zag Railway, Richmond Vale Railway or in Victoria Puffing Billy

As someone who became a train enthusiast from Thomas the tank engine books and old tv episodes. This is a trip I want to go on ASAP.

I love the talyllyn railway.

I've travelled on this line. A very enjoyable day.

Fascinating I never knew many of those connections thank you

Someone sent this my way, as a Welshman not knowing where you are from, can I just say you did a fantastic job with the place names

I know that one of the stories that Awdry wrote was the result of him causing a minor incident.

I remember as a kid, going to the Strasburg Railroad, a heritage railroad in Pennsylvania.

I have been on the Ffestiniog prior to the completion of the Welsh Highland connection and the Llangollen. I think I popped by the Tallylyn when seeing King Arthur's cave.

This video feels so wholesome.

Unless you remember the Edaville Railroad. In which case, its the "2nd" Preseved Railway. ;) I know. Lots of technicalities in that statement. But worth pointing out.

I actually plan on going to the Talyllyn Railway next year for my 18th Birthday

if i ever went to The UK, this is the first thing id go to

I'm just glad Thomas and Friends made their way back into these videos ever since ToT did that shitpost on Thomas himself. Knowing that more love and effort was put into preserving this little railway before Rev Awdry's involvement just makes me want to visit the railway even more to pay my respects.😊😊😊

so amazing

As I’ve travelling to the TR, you upload this video! What are the chances!

It's a dream of mine to move to Tywyn and be a regular volunteer at the Talyllyn Railway :3

Wish you'd put out the video a 2 weeks ago made plans for this weekend so cant go for a chance to meet you)(shame about the weather)

If I won the lottery I'd want an old mining steam engine. Ravenglass and Eskdale has some of the most beautiful tiny engines

Was just there in June, my buddy got a cab ride in Douglas

Honestly a beautiful story. Seriously

They really should do slate services again, too, and extended the line longer

The Talyllyn Railway is on my list if I ever make it over to the UK! Now how about a video on its American counterparts in Pennsylvania, the standard-gauge Strasburg Railroad and narrow-gauge East Broad Top Railroad?

Talyllyn Railway is the the best Railway in the world!😄🚂

i went to the tallyllyn railway and i got to see Edward thomas in his red video and even took a video of it

Lovely !!

What a excellent presentation

Could you give a source on the built half an inch over gauge for Talyllyn's wheelbase thing? The way I heard it when I researched the Talyllyn for a school project was that it was built to the proper 2'3", but Dolgoch's boxing slowly spread the rails, and that, combined with Sir Haydn being half an inch under gauge compared to both the Talyllyn engines and Edward Thomas, gave enough play for the engine to drop between the rails. If it were just that the line was always a bit over gauge, you'd expect Edward Thomas and the Corris coaches to drop between the rails too, but it was only ever Sir Haydn that had the issue.

The most surprising thing about this for me, is that in the 1860s they cared about Health and Saftey. It seems like the bridge not being wide enough to let people off wouldn't have been a thing back then.

Driving "a self propelled bomb" takes dedication and certain something else not so easily defined, lol.

What a great story 🙂🚂🚂🚂

what a great heartwarming story😀

I’ve wanted to go there since I was a child! Perhaps by the time I do, I’ll finally be able to pronounce it.

"less of an engine and more of a self-propelled bomb" ... exactly the way I like my trains to be described.

Amazing!

me sees this video my head: now playing a railway with a heart of gold and next is the skarloey railway theme

There s a race they do in twynn called race the train where most of course follows railway s route apart from the start and finsh line thats on public highway in the town i seen lots of people doing the race while been in the area

Do the West Clare Railway next! 🎵Are you right there Micheal are you alright 🎶