{"id":17974,"date":"2022-08-04T12:56:27","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T10:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=17974"},"modified":"2022-08-04T12:56:27","modified_gmt":"2022-08-04T10:56:27","slug":"whistle-steam-and-chug","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2022\/08\/04\/whistle-steam-and-chug\/","title":{"rendered":"Whistle, steam and chug"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
TRAIN: <\/strong>Talyllyn Railway, Gwynedd <\/span><\/h5>\n\n

Whistle, steam and chug<\/h2>\n\n

After the thrill of the Talyllyn Railway (Rheilffordd Talyllyn), walk among the umbrellaed tree canopies and gurgling cascades of an enchanted oak woodland, entices Julie <\/strong>Brominicks <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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Explore the tumbling waters of Nant Gwernol on the Cascade Trail<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Steam, wood, iron. The tangibility is thrilling. Leather straps open windows that admit the reek of sulphur, whistle-blast and steam, and as the train pulls away from Tywyn, noises too, that are rumbly and rich.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

The Talyllyn Railway is special. It is alleged to be the first narrow-gauge railway authorised to carry passengers \u2013 one year after being founded in 1865 to export slate from Abergynolwyn \u2013 and the first to be preserved by volunteers. <\/p>\n\n

The railway was rescued so promptly after the quarries\u2019 closure in 1948 that the original rolling stock was retained. <\/p>\n\n

Furthermore, it now boasts UNESCO status, being integral to the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site. <\/p>\n\n

It is also special in spirit. Volunteers still maintain the stations, trains, tracks and the museum, which includes a reconstruction of the study where Reverend Awdry, inspired by Talyllyn, wrote the <\/span>Thomas <\/em>the <\/em>Tank <\/em>Engine <\/em>books. There are special events too, (like Fish-and-Chip Frydays and Sunset Specials) alongside regular timetables.<\/p>\n\n

August is always busy, but there are quieter months. <\/p>\n\n

And silences. The sudden diminishing of sound as the train halts is as atmospheric as its chunter. So, too, is Dyffryn Fathew, which it climbs, puffs of steam chasing sheep and ferns almost tickling the glass. The numerous station walks include the Quarryman\u2019s Trail around Bryn Eglwys, and the <\/span>Dolgoch Falls loop. But perhaps my favourite is the Cascade Trail from Nant Gwernol Station. To alight here after rain is to enter a sparkling world.<\/p>\n\n