Railway Realism: 70 Years of the Talyllyn

70 Years of the Talyllyn

Heritage railways are now an everyday part of life – but 70 years ago when volunteers took over the isolated Talyllyn Railway in Wales the idea of amateurs running trains was considered not only controversial but also completely crackpot, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.

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Above: No. 4 Edward Thomas raises steam at Pendre shed in 1955. The volunteer run Talyllyn Railway was getting into its stride and in two years’ time it would reach a firm financial footing as a tourist railway. Three Lines/Getty Images.

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