The Talyllyn Railway is a Victorian Narrow Gauge Railway, running for 7 ¼ miles through the stunning and unspoilt Snowdonia National Park – starting at the seaside town of Tywyn and heading up through the Fathew Valley into the mountains of Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol. It is a component part of The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Railway is notable as being the First Preserved Railway in the World to be owned and run by volunteers, being taken over by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society in 1951. The Railway was originally opened in 1865 and thankfully we still have our two original steam locomotives, five original carriages and a handful of original wagons – so historically accurate trains for period pieces are very achievable.
It was also this Railway that inspired the Reverend Wilbert Awdry when writing the original Thomas the Tank Engine books, with many of the stories being based on true events that happened here and some of his steam engine characters being based on our own steam locomotives.
We have over 20 passenger carriages and 6 steam locomotives – each of which are unique and would be available to be specifically requested for any filming needs, subject to availability.
We have 7 Stations, each unique in their look, along the line set in stunning, isolated scenery; Tywyn Wharf – the main terminus, a large station with a slate transhipment yard. Cafés and good base facilities.
- Pendre – The main engineering works, a small station with the historic locomotive sheds situated right next to it.
- Rhydyronen – Serving the village of Bryncrug and the nearby campsite, a picturesque station with plenty of daffodils in spring.
- Brynglas – Isolated serving only a farm.
- Dolgoch – Nestled in the woods, this station is near to the amazing natural beauty of the Dolgoch Falls.
- Abergynolwyn – A larger station at the other end of the line.
- Nant Gwernol – Our most isolated station with no road access, where the old slate quarry met the Railway.
Be it for Fictional or Factual, Documentary or Drama – the Talyllyn Railway can offer a unique filming location to suit your needs. You can see the Railway on film in the S4C Children’s Program “Dreigiau Cadi”, where it serves as the main setting for the series.
For all filming enquiries and to organise a recce’ contact: Luke Ryan | Email: Luke.Ryan@talyllyn.co.uk | Work Tel: 01654 710472 Ext. 246 | Mob: 07585 702098
Website : www.talyllyn.co.uk