Left: Talyllyn Railway's No. 2 Dolgoch and No.4
Edward Thomas approach Rhydyronen station on May 14, hauling the train marking the 70th anniversary of the first ever train to be operated by a preservation society.
BARBARA FULLER
THETalyllyn Railway's (TR) May 14, 1951 train was the first in the world to be operated by a preservation society. Bill Trinder, chairman of the Talyllyn Railway Company and then newly formed Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society (TRPS) cut a ceremonial ribbon and the train proceeded from Tywyn Wharf to Rhydyronen.
The 70th anniversary of this event was marked on May 14, 2021 when the original tape (also used in 2001 during 50th anniversary celebrations) was cut again by John Bate, a pioneer volunteer from 1951, TR's chief engineer between 1963-1994 and now an honoraryTRPS vice-president. Five original 1951 TRPS members rode on the commemorative train hauled by Fletcher Jennings 0-4-0WT No. 2 Dolgoch and Kerr, Stuart 0-4-2ST No. 4 Edward Thomas.