Talyllyn Railway

Talyllyn Railway is a narrow-gauge railway in Tywyn, United Kingdom, running about 12 kilometers (7 miles) through Welsh countryside to the terminus at Nant Gwernol. The track follows wooded slopes and passes through tight valleys with views of pastures and mountain ridges.

The line opened in 1866 to carry slate from quarries at Bryn Eglwys down to the coast at Tywyn. After commercial traffic ended, volunteers took over operations in 1951 and have kept it running ever since.

The railway takes its name from Talyllyn, a lake in the mountains above the route, and runs past woodlands and valleys. Today visitors see old halts and workshops along the line that still operate using traditional methods.

Trains run from Tywyn Wharf throughout the day, with schedules changing by season and special events. Seating is available in open or enclosed carriages, and the route offers several intermediate stops for boarding or alighting.

This railway was the first heritage line in the world to be run entirely by volunteers, starting in 1951. The model inspired many other preserved railways in Britain and beyond to follow a similar path.

Location: Tywyn

Inception: 1866

Official opening: 1866

Website: http://talyllyn.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 52.58367,-4.08875

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23