The Talyllyn Railway

The Talyllyn Railway runs for over seven miles amid magnificent mountain scenery from the Welsh coast at Tywyn inland to Nant Gwernol and has several claims to fame. In the 1860s it was the first narrow-gauge railway in Britain to be built for steam operation. In 1951 it became the world's first preserved railway, pioneering 'heritage' as a commercial proposition, and it is one of the very few railways that regularly still runs the trains that opened the line!

David J. Mitchell and Terry Eyres, both members of the preservation society, take us on a fascinating past and present photographic trip up the line from Tywyn Wharf to Nant Gwernol, then look at rolling-stock development and essential behind-the-scenes activities in engine sheds and workshops. Many improvements have taken place on the railway, while keeping much of the original Victorian atmosphere. Prepared with the full co-operation of the Talyllyn Railway, here is a fitting tribute to the pioneers of railway preservation and the challenges that they overcame.

This new edition has been expanded to reflect the on-going progress on the development of the line with new comparison shots and latest information. A new cover completes the make-over.