150th Anniversary of Our First Passengers

On Sunday 28th August 2016 we celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the first recorded passengers on the Talyllyn Railway. These were members of the Cambrian Archaeological Association, who travelled on the railway between Tywyn and Abergynolwyn before walking to Castell-y-Bere and back.

The trip was arranged by the then Company solicitor David Howell, who was also a member of the Association and took place before the line officially opened to passenger traffic. At that time the passenger rolling stock consisted only of a single carriage and the brake van, which were used to accommodate the ladies in the party while the gentlemen rode in the slate wagons behind. The train was probably hauled by Loco No. 1 Talyllyn.

To commemorate the event Frances Llewellyn from the Association visited the railway on Sunday 28th August and was given a tour of the line by David Ventry, although this time they travelled first class. Barbara Llewellyn is seen above exchanging gifts with David Ventry before their trip up the line.

The railway has had more recent links with the Association as Jeremy Wilkinson, formerly company solicitor and chairman of the Society, was also a member contributing a number of articles to their publication ‘Archaeologica Cambrensis’ including one on Sir Henry Haydn Jones, and the ill-fated Tywyn Pier.

Ian Drummond