No armorial device was displayed in the days of the original company but in
the middle 1950's a neat garter transfer designed by Bill Faulkner, based on
originals found on some of the old company's literature, made its appearance
on locos and coaches and was permanently adopted.
Arrival of the first Preservation Society train at Abergynolwyn station Whit
Monday May 1951
(My mother Peggy Faulkner with my sister Diana in front of N°2).
Bill & John Snell with Dolgoch at Abergynolwyn station September 1951.
Talyllyn hauls a period train through Pendre in 1951.
The expert in Talyllyn history may well think that I have made an error in
dating the above photo as being taken in 1951. It is a well documented fact
that Talyllyn's last trip was made in 1946 when she was called out of
retirement in a parlous, if not to say dangerous state to rescue the newly
overhauled Dolgoch. This photo however was "posed" with John Snell "driving"
Talyllyn who had been pushed up the yard for what must be the first "photographic
special" on record!
(My thanks to John Bate for clearing up what for me was a mystery).
Arrival of the two Corris engines at Wharf (1951).
Tom Rolt's venerable Alvis parked in front of Wharf station June 1952.
Goods Train leaving "Caravan Siding", Brynglas June 1952.
We spent most of our week-ends and holidays in our little caravan which was
eventually moved to Tunadines Caravan Park where David Woodhouse
would come to "babysit" my sister and myself.
Bill driving Dolgoch on a double header with Edward Thomas, August 1953.
Note the Fire Ciment which had to be used to render the smokebox
airtight.
(Photo : J. Snell).
My mother Peggy, sister Diana and myself in front of N°4 at Dolgoch 1953
Presentation of "Douglas" to the T.R. 1953
Click to enlarge.
Birmingham Weekly Post 2nd July 1954
Click to enlarge.
Ken Marrian issues tickets at Wharf Station 1954.
"Thanking the driver". Bill and myself pose for the "Sunday
Graphic" August 1954
Lord and Lady Northesk at Pendre August 1954 (Bill in the background).
Left to right my sister Diana, myself and mother, Peggy Faulkner on the
"trolley" at Brynglas
where we had our caravan next to the track and where we spent most weekends and holidays.
I only once remember our Mother Peggy Faulkner revolting concerning things
"Talyllyn.
That was when Bill bought her "That awful van" so that she could pick up
parts for the T.R.
in the Midlands and transport them to Towyn! For once she got her own way
and Bill duly bought
her a smaller and more feminine A35 Countryman.
February 1956.
Hugh and Dai Jones turn N°7. (She only had one low reverse gear so this was
a necessary operation before making the return trip back down the line).
View from the footplate of N°1 Talyllyn before departure from the barn at
Pendre for rebuilding.
Photo : Geoffrey D. Braithwaite 1956.
Whilst Talyllyn was peacefully sleeping in the barn
awaiting rebuilding, one of my favorite pastimes as a six year old child
was climbing onto her footplate and playing at driving to Abergynolwyn and
back whilst my father Bill Faulkner worked on the other locomotives
in the workshop. Although very young at the time I remember vividly all the
details of the cab, to the taper pin on a chain to hold the regulater in the
closed position, to the brass Salters safety valves. One thing remained a
mystery to me for some years; how did the chickens manage to lay eggs in her
closed sandbox? I only realised some years later that William Jones used
the sandbox as a temporary store for his chicken's eggs!
William Jones who worked on the TR from 1953 to 1961.
On 22 May 1957 the BBC produced a live outside broadcast from the railway, Bill chats with Lord Northesk.
Bill Faulkner with John Wilkins inspecting the Glynn Valley carriage August
1957.
Photo : Front cover Talyllyn News March 1958.
Evening Despatch June 11th 1958
Birmingham Post June 1958
Talyllyn gleaming brightly after her rebuild in 1958.
Bill and Herbert Jones at Abergynolwyn 1958 (Rebuilders Special).
Talyllyn tea-pot stand, one of the early products on sale in the Railway
shop.
Click here to view a British Pathé short film featuring N° 4 "Edward
Thomas", Driver Bill Faulkner and Fireman George Walker.
