The Two Original Engines On The Talyllyn Line In Gwynedd

Two locomotives at the heart of a historic preserved railway have been given a secret make-over as the line celebrates its 150th anniversary. The original two engines on the Talyllyn line in Gwynedd are now a striking "Indian Red", as they were in 1865 and 1866. The railway inspired the Rev W Awdry to write Thomas the Tank Engine stories.

The special anniversary year is being marked with a series of events throughout 2015. Photographic archives helped reproduce the original livery for the locomotives, No.1 Talyllyn and No.2 Dolgoch, before the results were unveiled online – grabbing 3,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook within days.

‘World first’

"We were just stunned when the numbers just kept climbing and climbing," said the railway’s general manager, Chris Price.

"What people have also responded to is the quality of the work that has been done with many commenting that the overall finish is amazing."

The railway, running from the coast at Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol inland, was built to carry slate. It was saved by volunteers in 1951, making it what they say is the world’s first preserved railway.

Text and images from BBC NEWS North West Wales

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Time Line Of The British Steam Railway – 1881 – 1900

1885
William Stroudley introduces the Gladstone 0-4-2 class (LBSCR).

Allen Sarle of the ‘Gladstone’ class

1886
The Barry Railway introduces the first British 0-8-0 type, with outside cylinders.

1887
Crewe Works builds its 3,000th locomotive.

1888
‘Races’ from London to Edinburgh reduce journey time to 7 hours 45 minutes.

1892
All remaining broad-gauge lines are narrowed to standard between March and May; last broad-gauge passenger trains run’ on 20 May.

1894
David Jones introduces the ‘Big Goods’, first 4-6-0 to run in Britain (HR).

(Right) The first British 4-6-0, No 103 of the Highland Railway, built in 1894 and now preserved, is seen on a special mixed-train run on the Dingwall-Skye line, skirting Loch Carron between Plockton and Strome Ferry, with the Skye Cuillin in the background.

(Above) GWR ‘Castle’ class 4-6-0 No 5032 Usk Castle emerges from the Severn Tunnel, Britain’s longest at 4 miles 628 yds (7km), with a South Wales-Paddington express. The crew are at pains to minimize smoke output, despite the adverse gradient as the line rises to ground level.

1895
‘Races’ from London to Aberdeen this summer reduce journey times to a minimum 8 hours 32 minutes (East Coast) and 8 hours 38 minutes (West Coast) on 22 August.

1896
J G McIntosh introduces the big-boilered 4- 4-0 Dunalastair class.

The Dunalastair Class

1898
H A Ivatt builds Britain’s first Atlantic type 4-4-2, Henry Oakley (GNR). 

Birch Grove

R.T. Billinton designed the E4-class 0-6-2 radial tank engine for the London Brighton & South Coast Railway in 1898. ‘Radial’ refers to the bar allowing the pony wheels to adjust independently to sharp curves. Restored class member No 473 Birch Grove is seen here on a winter day at Hoisted Keynes on the Bluebell Railway.

1899
Wilson Worsdell builds the first express 4-6- o engines to run in Britain (NER). Dugald Drummond introduces the T9 class 4-4-0, nicknamed ‘Greyhounds’ (LSWR).
Sir John Aspinall introduces his ‘Highflyer’ inside-cylinder 4-4-2 type (L&YR).

1900
‘Claud Hamilton’ 4-4-0 class introduced on the GER.
Wainwright/Surtees ‘D’ class 4-4-0 introduced on the SE&C.

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