Many years since my last visit – and the station buildings have undergone a significant extension – vertically upwards – since then. Sympathetically done this has provided additional office space and allowed extension of the cafe area and shop which occupy the ground floor. This rebuilding took place in 2003/4. Passenger numbers reached around 100k in 1973 but the last 30 years has seen many other railways open and now about 45k are carried each year.
Once on the platform we meet our train of the day headed by No 2 Dolgoch which was built in 1866 by Fletcher, Jennings & Co. The coaches in use on the Victorian train were TR nos 2, 3, 4 and 5 – the brake van containing the ticket window from where tickets were sold in the early years of the preservation era. All vehicles date from 1866/7 with no 4 coming from the Lancaster Wagon Co, the others from Brown, Marshalls and Co. Also in the formation were a Corris Railway third, numbered 8 when on the CR, but is now Talyllyn number 17 and Glyn Valley Tramway no 14 of 1892.
There is a warm staff welcome at Tywyn Wharf where one can cross the line without a hi-viz jacket to take a picture on the sunny side. All of the platforms are on the north side of the line and there are no doors on the southern side of the line; so getting a photograph with the sun shining on the locos is never easy. Good patronage but we are encouraged to take seats anywhere in the formation and also to move around at the various stops to try the different coaches (although all are fairly spartan I would suggest).
Our first stop is Rhydyronen where Dolgoch sets back to allow a runpast – and all of the photographers again cross the line (with approval) to obtain decent photographs. Whilst most passengers travel the entire line there is an adjacent caravan and camping park. We continue up the line to Dolgoch Falls station and here we have two special treats. First Dolgoch takes water from the original water source via a pretty basic route (a wooden u shaped channel) from an old water tank. Then Dolgoch sets back twice onto the bridge over the Nant Dolgoch stream to commence a couple of run throughs enabling pictures in the green wooded area.
On my first visit to this line Abergynolwyn was the operating limit as we approach the station we can see No7 “Tom Rolt” waiting for us to clear the line so that the service train can return to to Tywyn. No 7 was built by the railway using parts from another locomotive. However no longer buffer stops here and we continue through to Nant Gwernol. A service provided on this Victorian Train is for a volunteer to join various coaches and to tell us some of the history of the line; in this case pointing out the the incline down to Nant Gwernol village; the links to the Rev Awdry stories many of the early ones being closely linked to the Railway and also stories the former Abergynolwyn catering manageress. A pleasant and welcome variation from a simple train ride. Go and read the Four Little Engines! Our train runs on up to Nant Gwernol, the opening of which in 1976 required an Act of Parliament to allow extension of passenger working beyond Abergynolwyn stipulated in the original legislation. Dolgoch runs round and we then run back to Abergynolwyn where the passengers take lunch. The Ioco and train stand in the loop, away from the platform.
Whilst we are sitting in the sunshine No 6 Douglas passes through Abergynolwyn on the other service train. The loco has been with the Talyllyn since 1954 but dates from 1918, built by Andrew Barclay and fitted with a new boiler in 1995.
Once the service train has gone our driver consults on sequence of moves required at Abergynolwyn as it would appear he has not worked this before (I think this was the first or second run of 2014 for the Victorian Train). Eventually Dolgoch runs round the train but it remains in the loop. The crew of 3 (there is a trainee given instructions on the crew operated ground frame) finally get a cold toasted sandwich which they had ordered on arrival!
Douglas returns from Nant Gwernol with the service train and stables in the loop at the western end of the platform to enable the Victorian train to pull into the eastern end of the platform and we rejoin the train again moving around as before. Our special train heads for Nant Gwernol again (I said earlier this was not a simple return journey) whilst the service train returns to Tywyn.
At Nant Gwernol Dolgoch runs round and then takes the train back to Abergynolwyn.
A major development since my last visit was opened in May 2013 by Timothy West and Prunella Scales. This is “The Guest House” a carriage storage facility at Quarry Siding made possible by a bequest by a former driver, Phil Guest who has served on the line from 1969 until his passing in 2008. Like many other railways storing all stock in a dry location had not been possible and this additional facility will mean looking after the Victorian and other stock will be much easier in the future.
Our journey back to Tywyn is interrupted by a stop at Brynglas for a final photo opportunity before we pass down the rest of the line. Unlike at least one of my earlier visits to the line our progress is not delayed by a trespassing sheep. I can remember one trip being at a very slow pace as the sheep progressed and could not be encouraged off of the line and no gap could be found for the sheep to return to the adjacent field.
The attraction at Tywyn Wharf is no longer the train but a scone plus jam and cream, a cup of tea and some cake.
Heartily recommended.