Talyllyn Railway

The Talyllyn Railway is a preserved narrow-gauge railway in mid Wales that runs from Tywyn on the Cardigan Bay coast up into the hills towards Abergynolwyn. It was built in the 19th century to serve local slate quarries and now operates as a heritage line.

The line uses a 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) gauge and runs for roughly 7.25 miles between Tywyn Wharf and Nant Gwernol, passing through rural valleys and woodlands. Trains are operated by a preservation society and a volunteer workforce using historic steam and diesel locomotives.

Originally opened to carry slate from the Bryn Eglwys quarry, the railway was saved by enthusiasts and reopened under preservation in 1951, becoming the first volunteer-run preserved railway in the world. Today it is a popular tourist attraction for railway enthusiasts and general visitors wanting a scenic heritage train ride.

The railway runs from the coastal town of Tywyn inland into Gwynedd, with the Tywyn terminus adjacent to the town and the eastern end reached in upland valley terrain near Abergynolwyn.

• Gauge and length: The line is 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) gauge and runs for about 7.25 miles, originally built to carry slate from Bryn Eglwys quarry.
• Preservation history: It was the first railway in the world preserved as a heritage railway operated by volunteers after preservation efforts began in 1951.

What to See #

• Tywyn Wharf: Tywyn Wharf terminus with station buildings and the railway museum collection of historic locomotives and rolling stock.
• Nant Gwernol: Nant Gwernol terminus at the eastern end, reached via a scenic climb through the Dysynni Valley and woodlands.