{"id":9305,"date":"1989-03-22T10:23:00","date_gmt":"1989-03-22T10:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/?p=9305"},"modified":"2025-04-14T16:26:51","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T15:26:51","slug":"talyllyn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/talyllyn\/","title":{"rendered":"Talyllyn"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>The scout does not remember where he had been before, if anywhere, but he recalls spending the night in a platform waiting room at Birmingham (New Street) and catching the first train to Machynlleth, where he went into town for some breakfast before continuing to Towyn.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">There, he made his way along to Wharf Station and caught a train to Abergynolwyn; he doesn&#8217;t remember going to Nant Gwernol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-envira-envira-gallery\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-wrap-9306\" class=\"envira-gallery-wrap envira-gallery-theme-base envira-lightbox-theme-base\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\"><div style=\"opacity: 0.0\"  data-row-height=\"150\" data-gallery-theme=\"normal\" id=\"envira-gallery-9306\" class=\"envira-gallery-public envira-gallery-justified-public envira-gallery-0-columns envira-clear enviratope envira-gallery-css-animations\" data-envira-columns=\"0\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9288\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-1 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270009.jpg\" class=\"envira-gallery-9306 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9306\" title=\"The antiquated fuelling point at Machynlleth.\" data-envira-caption=\"The antiquated fuelling point at Machynlleth.\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9288\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-1 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270009-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270009-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9306\" data-envira-item-id=\"9288\" data-envira-caption=\"The antiquated fuelling point at Machynlleth.\" alt=\"Machynlleth\" title=\"The antiquated fuelling point at Machynlleth.\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270009-640x480.jpg 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270009-640x480.jpg 2x\" data-envira-width=\"300\" data-envira-height=\"199\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9302\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-2 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270030.jpg\" class=\"envira-gallery-9306 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9306\" title=\"No. 3, &quot;Sir Haydn,&quot; built in 1878, waits with its train at Wharf Station. Beyond is the Cambrian Coast line.\" data-envira-caption=\"No. 3, &quot;Sir Haydn,&quot; built in 1878, waits with its train at Wharf Station. Beyond is the Cambrian Coast line.\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9302\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-2 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"2\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270030-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270030-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9306\" data-envira-item-id=\"9302\" data-envira-caption=\"No. 3, &quot;Sir Haydn,&quot; built in 1878, waits with its train at Wharf Station. Beyond is the Cambrian Coast line.\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" title=\"No. 3, &quot;Sir Haydn,&quot; built in 1878, waits with its train at Wharf Station. Beyond is the Cambrian Coast line.\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270030-640x480.jpg 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270030-640x480.jpg 2x\" data-envira-width=\"300\" data-envira-height=\"199\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9287\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-3 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270006.jpg\" class=\"envira-gallery-9306 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9306\" title=\"The shed at Pendre, where in 1943 Tom Rolt discovered why there was &quot;No Train Today.&quot;\" data-envira-caption=\"The shed at Pendre, where in 1943 Tom Rolt discovered why there was &quot;No Train Today.&quot;\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9287\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-3 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"3\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270006-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270006-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9306\" data-envira-item-id=\"9287\" data-envira-caption=\"The shed at Pendre, where in 1943 Tom Rolt discovered why there was &quot;No Train Today.&quot;\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" title=\"The shed at Pendre, where in 1943 Tom Rolt discovered why there was &quot;No Train Today.&quot;\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270006-640x480.jpg 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270006-640x480.jpg 2x\" data-envira-width=\"300\" data-envira-height=\"199\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9318\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-4 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR4.png\" class=\"envira-gallery-9306 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9306\" title=\"In 1952, No. 4 is seen filling up at the new water column. The Carriage Shed is at right and the roof of the Repair Shop can be seen.\" data-envira-caption=\"In 1952, No. 4 is seen filling up at the new water column. The Carriage Shed is at right and the roof of the Repair Shop can be seen.\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9318\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-4 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR4-640x480.png\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR4-640x480.png\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9306\" data-envira-item-id=\"9318\" data-envira-caption=\"In 1952, No. 4 is seen filling up at the new water column. The Carriage Shed is at right and the roof of the Repair Shop can be seen.\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" title=\"In 1952, No. 4 is seen filling up at the new water column. The Carriage Shed is at right and the roof of the Repair Shop can be seen.\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR4-640x480.png 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR4-640x480.png 2x\" data-envira-width=\"300\" data-envira-height=\"209\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9301\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-5 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270029-e1740910443301.jpg\" class=\"envira-gallery-9306 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9306\" title=\"Rhydronen. The scout now wonders whether the engine was receiving attention.\" data-envira-caption=\"Rhydronen. The scout now wonders whether the engine was receiving attention.\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9301\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-5 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"5\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270029-e1740910443301-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270029-e1740910443301-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9306\" data-envira-item-id=\"9301\" data-envira-caption=\"Rhydronen. The scout now wonders whether the engine was receiving attention.\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" title=\"Rhydronen. The scout now wonders whether the engine was receiving attention.\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270029-e1740910443301-640x480.jpg 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270029-e1740910443301-640x480.jpg 2x\" data-envira-width=\"199\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9292\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-6 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270020-e1740910455998.jpg\" class=\"envira-gallery-9306 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9306\" title=\"The scout does not remember what happened at Brynglas. His train stopped in the crossing loop.\" data-envira-caption=\"The scout does not remember what happened at Brynglas. His train stopped in the crossing loop.\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9292\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-6 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270020-e1740910455998-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270020-e1740910455998-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9306\" data-envira-item-id=\"9292\" data-envira-caption=\"The scout does not remember what happened at Brynglas. His train stopped in the crossing loop.\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" title=\"The scout does not remember what happened at Brynglas. His train stopped in the crossing loop.\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270020-e1740910455998-640x480.jpg 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270020-e1740910455998-640x480.jpg 2x\" data-envira-width=\"199\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9291\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-7 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270019-e1740910429254.jpg\" class=\"envira-gallery-9306 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9306\" title=\"His engine appears to be running round, while an &quot;Up&quot; train waits at the platform. Was it an engine swap?\" data-envira-caption=\"His engine appears to be running round, while an &quot;Up&quot; train waits at the platform. Was it an engine swap?\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9291\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-7 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"7\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270019-e1740910429254-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270019-e1740910429254-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9306\" data-envira-item-id=\"9291\" data-envira-caption=\"His engine appears to be running round, while an &quot;Up&quot; train waits at the platform. Was it an engine swap?\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" title=\"His engine appears to be running round, while an &quot;Up&quot; train waits at the platform. Was it an engine swap?\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270019-e1740910429254-640x480.jpg 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270019-e1740910429254-640x480.jpg 2x\" data-envira-width=\"199\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9290\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-8 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270017-e1740910469752.jpg\" class=\"envira-gallery-9306 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9306\" title=\"The carriages only have doors, or opening doors, on one side, a feature which matches the platforms. This is Dolgoch.\" data-envira-caption=\"The carriages only have doors, or opening doors, on one side, a feature which matches the platforms. This is Dolgoch.\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9290\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-8 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"8\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270017-e1740910469752-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270017-e1740910469752-640x480.jpg\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9306\" data-envira-item-id=\"9290\" data-envira-caption=\"The carriages only have doors, or opening doors, on one side, a feature which matches the platforms. This is Dolgoch.\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" title=\"The carriages only have doors, or opening doors, on one side, a feature which matches the platforms. This is Dolgoch.\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270017-e1740910469752-640x480.jpg 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270017-e1740910469752-640x480.jpg 2x\" data-envira-width=\"199\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270009.jpg\" alt=\"Machynlleth\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270030.jpg\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270006.jpg\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR4.png\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270029-e1740910443301.jpg\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270020-e1740910455998.jpg\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270019-e1740910429254.jpg\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/000006270017-e1740910469752.jpg\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The 2 ft. 3 in. gauge Talyllyn Railway was opened in 1865 to serve the slate quarry at Bryneglwys, in the area dominated by Cader Idris. A passenger service was run between Towyn Wharf and Abergynolwyn. The quarry closed in 1948 and Tom Rolt and his chums embarked on their &#8220;adventure&#8221; in 1951. Their effort was the inspiration for &#8220;The Titfield Thunderbolt,&#8221; the classic Ealing comedy of 1953, which Rolt had hoped would be filmed on the line. It is thought that the railway had not been nationalized in 1948 simply because it was overlooked. Passenger trains began running through to Nant Gwernol, at the foot of the former rope-worked incline to the quarry, in 1976.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The original stations were (O.S. spellings): Wharf, Pen-dre;, Rhyd-yr-onnen, Bryn-glas, Dol-goch and Abergynolwyn. The railway&#8217;s name (the O.S. spelling is Tal-y-Llyn) came from the lake above the Afon Dysynn river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-envira-envira-gallery\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-wrap-9380\" class=\"envira-gallery-wrap envira-gallery-theme-base envira-lightbox-theme-base\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\"><div style=\"opacity: 0.0\"  data-row-height=\"150\" data-gallery-theme=\"normal\" id=\"envira-gallery-9380\" class=\"envira-gallery-public envira-gallery-justified-public envira-gallery-0-columns envira-clear enviratope envira-gallery-css-animations\" data-envira-columns=\"0\"><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9315\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-1 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR1.png\" class=\"envira-gallery-9380 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9380\" title=\"&quot;ROAD TO ADVENTURE&quot; The weed strewn track that Rolt must have walked along on the day he found that there was &quot;NO TRAIN TO-DAY.&quot;\" data-envira-caption=\"&quot;ROAD TO ADVENTURE&quot; The weed strewn track that Rolt must have walked along on the day he found that there was &quot;NO TRAIN TO-DAY.&quot;\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9315\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-1 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR1-640x480.png\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR1-640x480.png\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9380\" data-envira-item-id=\"9315\" data-envira-caption=\"&quot;ROAD TO ADVENTURE&quot; The weed strewn track that Rolt must have walked along on the day he found that there was &quot;NO TRAIN TO-DAY.&quot;\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" title=\"&quot;ROAD TO ADVENTURE&quot; The weed strewn track that Rolt must have walked along on the day he found that there was &quot;NO TRAIN TO-DAY.&quot;\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR1-640x480.png 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR1-640x480.png 2x\" data-envira-width=\"285\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9317\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-2 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR3.png\" class=\"envira-gallery-9380 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9380\" title=\"The Booking Office brake van.\" data-envira-caption=\"The Booking Office brake van.\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9317\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-2 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"2\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR3-640x480.png\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR3-640x480.png\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9380\" data-envira-item-id=\"9317\" data-envira-caption=\"The Booking Office brake van.\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" title=\"The Booking Office brake van.\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR3-640x480.png 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR3-640x480.png 2x\" data-envira-width=\"300\" data-envira-height=\"201\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-9316\" class=\"envira-gallery-item enviratope-item envira-gallery-item-3 envira-lazy-load\" style=\"padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay  envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR2.png\" class=\"envira-gallery-9380 envira-gallery-link\" rel=\"enviragallery9380\" title=\"Eminent Victorian: the late Sir Henry Haydn Jones, General Manager, 1911-1950. Photograhed in 1949 when he was 86.\" data-envira-caption=\"Eminent Victorian: the late Sir Henry Haydn Jones, General Manager, 1911-1950. Photograhed in 1949 when he was 86.\" data-envira-retina=\"\" data-thumbnail=\"\"  itemprop=\"contentUrl\"><img id=\"envira-gallery-image-9316\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-3 envira-normal envira-lazy\" data-envira-index=\"3\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR2-640x480.png\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR2-640x480.png\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"9380\" data-envira-item-id=\"9316\" data-envira-caption=\"Eminent Victorian: the late Sir Henry Haydn Jones, General Manager, 1911-1950. Photograhed in 1949 when he was 86.\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" title=\"Eminent Victorian: the late Sir Henry Haydn Jones, General Manager, 1911-1950. Photograhed in 1949 when he was 86.\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR2-640x480.png 400w,https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR2-640x480.png 2x\" data-envira-width=\"282\" data-envira-height=\"300\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-safe-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP\/\/\/\/\/\/\/yH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR1.png\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR3.png\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" \/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TR2.png\" alt=\"Talyllyn Railway\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">In 1953, L.T.C. &#8220;Tom&#8221; Rolt wrote of his discovery and subsequent saving of the Talyllyn in &#8220;Railway Adventure,&#8221; a copy of which the scout&#8217;s Mother had bought from The Country Book Club. It was the 1962 edition, the profits from which the author had dedicated to the preservation society he had helped to form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Foreword-to-Railway-Adventure.pdf\">Foreword<\/a> by John Betjeman gives a flavour of the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/player.bfi.org.uk\/free\/film\/watch-railway-with-a-heart-of-gold-1965-online\">Railway with a Heart of Gold<\/a>,&#8221; an American film-maker\u2019s humorous tribute to the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/53340363950_38acde282c_c.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9344\" width=\"346\" height=\"259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/53340363950_38acde282c_c.jpg 639w, https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/53340363950_38acde282c_c-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px\" \/><figcaption>The notice at Christow came from &#8220;Railway Adventure.&#8221; The stencil was made at Longdown in 1978.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The scout had read &#8220;Railway Adventure&#8221; when he was a lad, having been surprised to find it on his Mother&#8217;s bookshelf. He had read it at least once more by the time he set off to see the line, and Tom Rolt&#8217;s story and the stitched insert of black and white plates were etched in his mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The modern reality was not a shock but it was somewhat disappointing, the scout remembers. &#8220;Limited clearance&#8221; signs, men wearing B.R. orange vests, the neatness and fussiness, all conspired to diminish the dream. The people, the cars, the &#8220;merchandise,&#8221; even the colour, were an intrusion. Read the book but don&#8217;t watch the film, it might be said, for the film will supplant what the reader has imagined for himself.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/M29.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9931\" width=\"226\" height=\"383\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/M29.png 310w, https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/M29-177x300.png 177w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 226px) 100vw, 226px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">If Rolt were to awaken and return, he would be astonished at the bulk and complexity of regulation that is now necessary even to run a seven-mile narrow gauge railway. The safety case and the risk assessments; the exams, competences, compliances and methodologies; and all kinds of statements on such unheard of things in his day (or even in 1989) as equality, diversity, disabilities, access, slavery, hate, hurt, intimidation and whatever else may be demanded. From being forgotten in 1948, even little lines like this are now watched by the ministry (government&#8217;s Office of Rail and Road) and a mishap on one will draw attention to all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Worn out railways were once common and were often still in use in their worn out state, just as machinery, forklifts and suchlike are in small businesses now. The days of a driver not being sure that the road ahead was there until his engine ran onto the rail ends and the other ends sprang up from the grass, naturally could not last. Lines found on the edge of dereliction had to be made safe. Then they were improved; and bit by bit they were developed and enlarged, until the crumbling chateau became the prissy home of an English settler, obsessed with &#8220;do-it-yourself&#8221; shittery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">A request for a slate wagon to be attached to the tail of the train so that it might be gravitated back to Towyn after the family had picnicked beside the line of an evening, an arrangement that was once possible, would today be rejected by a booking clerk, whose forced smile would turn to a look of horror instanter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The Talyllyn, like an old man itself, would have passed away soon after Sir Haydn did in 1950. But young men came and saved its life. In the early years of &#8220;preservation,&#8221; the character persisted, if only on life support, as captured by the American&#8217;s film. Over the years, the legacy lived on but, by necessity or through ambition, the wrinkles, quirks and old age failings gradually went.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chr-NG-bw.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chr-NG-bw-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9428\" width=\"308\" height=\"231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chr-NG-bw-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chr-NG-bw-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chr-NG-bw-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chr-NG-bw.jpg 1353w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 308px) 100vw, 308px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>A little &#8220;road to adventure&#8221; at Christow. +<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Some might have preferred that it had died so that their fading memories would be unsullied by reality. Black and white images would be the only record, when living memory was gone, as paintings and drawings are of stage coaches and warships under sail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Could a functional railway, outdoors, be kept permanently as if it had just become disused, or in a not quite ruinous condition? Perhaps the only alternative, for men who appreciate the air of neglect, is to find or create a place and keep it to themselves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The scout does not remember where he had been before, if anywhere, but he recalls spending the night in a platform waiting room at Birmingham (New Street) and catching the first train to Machynlleth, where he went into town for &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/talyllyn\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9305"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9305"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9305\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9932,"href":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9305\/revisions\/9932"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}