Rheneas

*Falcon Handover Speech* Dear Friends, I have been asked by Sir Handel Brown, the owner, to say a few words on his behalf. He’s sorry he cannot make it today. He, like us, was delighted to hear that this event was to be happening for a fourth year. “The Reverend Wilbert Awdry” he said, “did his best to show Sodor as it really is. He was a credible ambassador for our island, though only some of his artists were as creditable as he. This year’s ambassador from the Skarloey Railway is of course, Sir Handel. We would also like to thank the Corris Railway for their help in ensuring that Sir Handel could visit. They have recently finished their own steam engine, which is not unlike Sir Handel. But Sir Handel is, of course, one of a kind.” When the owner told me which engine was coming this year, I was not convinced. “Sir Handel” I explained, “is pompous, preening and full of his own self importance”. Then I realized, such an engine would love the attention from so many enthusiasts. I dare say, under such watchful eyes, Sir Handel would be even more useful here than in Sodor. This year, Sir Handel is joined by Rusty, who is in the yard, and Fred, who you can find at the other end of the line. They are the backbone of the maintenance fleet of the Skarloey Railway and deserve just as much of your attention, no matter what Sir Handel thinks. Special attention should go to Rusty, for it’s 65 years since this intrepid diesel was introduced into the book. This event is a celebration and we’re thrilled that you have come to join us. There are so many faces old and new who have come this weekend to celebrate the life and legacy of my father and perhaps his most enduring creations. We hope you’ll enjoy every part of it. It’s a privilege to be here and to those who always asked after him, Christopher sends his very best wishes to everybody. Thank you, enjoy your day - Veronica Chambers

Peter Sam is one of my favourite of the narrow gauge engines in Thomas, so now knowing the history of his real life counterpart is pretty nice.

2:37:20 THAT MINE :D

I think the name "Tom Rolt" suits this engine more than "Irish Pete". It's a nice way of praising the man who helped preserve and pretty much save the Talyllyn Railway in the 1950s. One of these days, I will go to Wales and visit the Talyllyn Railway. One day...

Lovely to see you down at the garden railway.

imagine deciding to scare someone by blasting classic railway music lol

Did the old platelayers live there, or camp out there during the week, or just use the bothy as a meal room and place to get out of the worst of the weather?

I'd take a little gas stove to cook some dinner and breakfast; it's a good way to pass some time, and a hot feed and drink can lift your mood in a dark and probably damp place.

Fred!

Ivo Hugh!

Duncan!

Rusty!

Peter Sam!

Sir Handel!

Skarloey!

0:31 Edward Thomas in a grey livery??? That dosnt look that bad actually

They really should extended the line to the old quarry for tourists and slate service again

2:46 Please make a video about that book and its pages

1:50

Five Nights on the Talyllyn

There doesn’t appear to be much headroom. Other than that it does remind me of a Scottish mountain bothy.

5 nights at Skarloeys

Found footage of the most inhabitable air bnb

An adventure that most people will never have. Congratulations!

I am guessing that the old lady passed by that hut in 1952 when Tom and David ran their ghost train

I would give ANYTHING to do this

fred's gonna find you in there

Well, that old hut certainly is a glance back in time! Can't imagine how it would be to live in that hut, day in and day out. The plate layers were probably too tired to care by the end of the day, though

I'm not sure how feasible this is, but it would be interesting if they converted the Room with a View hut into a rentable VRBO cottage with a proper interior and a bathroom for guests to sleep in.

Great premise for a found footage horror movie lol. I enjoyed this!

Fantastic video Talyllyn Railway 3:14

that's what I imagine the hut from The Signal-man by Dickens looks like. HULLO DOWN BELOW THERE

W

CALLING SMUDGER AT 3AM (DERAILED)

And we cant forget about eric the cat at pendre

how do we access the group photo

Bro forgot car vs train

I can see how easy it was for Rev Awdry to make characters for them. These little engines have such personality! Little hard workers, still going strong. You Welsh are just amazing at loving these things. 🥹

Dude is that joshred????

Tom rolt must be turning in his grave ,this type of nonsense is turning this glorious old line into a theme park ride . Won’t be visting again To much focus on making a ‘quick buck ‘than a heritage railway experience,what next a QR code on the drivers grease top ..wharf isn’t Disneyland

Great update, thanks Ian, Rob, Nick and all donors. My pin badge and certificate arrived a few weeks ago but I see I must get one of those nice waistcoats too.

I’vo Hugh

Smudger

Why is Duncan blue and why is sir Handel green

Why is Skarloey blue

Smudger having a drink

But smudger just laughed

Terrific update video, especially on the Talyllyn Railway's vtial yet crucial 57 appeal reaching it's latest target of such an astounding amount on it's fundraising appeals, OH and excellent highlights in-between, Also... brilliant idea re-using that theme tune from ''Railway with a Heart of Gold'' by the way, Even though I myself have not yet visited the terrific Talyllyn Railway 'in-person' which I hope to do so... someday, it's still on my bucket list. I consider the talyllyn railway - as the united kingdom's flagship heritage railway, msotly as it was where railway preservation first came about over 70-odd years ago.

Good stuff