The Talyllyn Railway

The route starts at Tywyn, Wharf and depicts the station buildings and surrounding features including the new Wharf Station building extension due to open in April 2005.

Leaving Wharf we pass an open ground frame controlling the points and pass under the main road to Aberdovey. The line now climbs steeply (although the gradient has been eased) through Wharf cutting before reaching a summit and dropping gently through School Bridge (Ffordd Cadfan Bridge)

Running under School Bridge the line emerges into the highly detailed Pendre complex. As we arrive we pass the West Carriage Shed on the right, and the Blockpost cabin which controls the points here. Further on, to the left is the North Carriage Shed and workshop annexe, while to the right is a slate building containing the locomotive shed and the workshop, with the South Carriage Shed (nowadays used as a store) protruding. Opposite the loco shed is the station, which is a request stop. All the prototypical buildings and trackwork are present and the level crossing at Pendre is fully working, opening as the train approaches and stopping the moving cars along the roadway.

Passing over the level crossing, the line runs across a low embankment to Ty Mawr bridge, then climbs towards Hendy, where there is another overbridge and a halt. Presently we pass Fach Goch halt, and soon are on the long, straight climb to Cynfal Bridge and halt. (Cynfal is unique among the halts in possessing a short platform.)

Rhydyronen station, opened in 1867, is located in a pleasant wooded station area, with the original slate building nestling next to a road over-bridge. The station is conveniently located for Tynllwyn caravan park. Rhydyronen is a request stop.

The line leaves Rhydyronen on a steep gradient combined with a sharp curve and overhanging trees, providing difficult conditions for trains starting from here on a wet day. Once past Braich-y-Rhiw bridge we drop briefly before resuming the climb, past Tynllwyn Hen halt and along a stretch of line with excellent views up the valley as we approach Brynglas

Actually located in the hamlet of Pandy, Brynglas has a passing loop in the single line controlled from a small cabin adjacent to an ungated level crossing, beyond which is the station, another request stop.

The line passes through a short cutting and passes under Brynglas Farm overbridge, then assumes a position on the hillside which it retains for most of the rest of the journey.

Presently we traverse a series of reverse curves known as the 'six bends'. Soon we enter the oak woodlands at Dolgoch, pass over a three arch viaduct and enter Dolgoch station.

Dolgoch station is a popular stopping-off place for passengers to visit the adjacent falls, which have convenient access from the station via a footbridge. At Dolgoch the engine takes water from a modern tank at the end of the platform - the old wooden tank on a slate pillar opposite the station building, which appears on old photographs, has recently been renewed and is sometimes used by shorter trains. Here, the route models the remote station and buildings and supports working water columns for replenishing the locos on their way up to Abergynolwyn .

Leaving Dolgoch, the second passing loop is soon reached at Quarry Siding and you can see the typical wooded surrounds of the locality with the farms and animal stock visible over the other side of the valley. As you travel up the valley, cars keep pace with you on the local B4405 and traffic jams can even take place behind slow moving lorries.

A further two miles eventually brings the train into the Abergynolwyn station complex, clinging to the side of the mountain, before heading off up the old mineral line extension towards Nant Gwernol.

Abergynolwyn station, the upper terminus of the line until 1976, has been extensively remodelled in recent years. A new but traditionally-styled station building contains a well-stocked refreshment room. The passing loop is controlled by a signal box at the east end of the platform.

The line beyond Abergynolwyn was opened in 1976 after considerable work to bring it up to the standards required for passenger trains, having previously only been used for freight traffic.

Passing the Forestry crossing, with working flashing warning lights, the train passes the old watering point at Ty Dwr where the sound of the gushing water can be heard. Further on its way up the line passing the site of the Old Incline Winding House with the remnants of the winding drum still visible in the hedgerow and is currently being restored by members of the Society's Young Members Group.

Look out for Abergynolwyn village as the train rounds “Amen Corner” and “Big Bend” before it runs into the final station at the Nant Gwernol terminus with its forestry walks and the sound of its waterfalls.

Nant Gwernol station is located in an isolated but very beautiful spot with no road access. There are extensive footpaths from here, leading into the forest or to Abergynolwyn village. At the end of the platform a steep incline formerly carried the slate wagons up to a tramway leading eventually to Bryn Eglwys quarry, further up in the hills. The train, however, stops here and soon returns to Abergynolwyn for refreshments before proceeding back to Tywyn.