Locomotive named after Welsh narrow gauge railway

Picture of Michael Holden

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Locomotive named after Welsh narrow gauge railway

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Picture of Michael Holden

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alyllyn Railway No 3 Sir Haydn and Network Rail No97304 Rheilfford Talyllyn Railway
Talyllyn Railway No 3 Sir Haydn and Network Rail No97304 Rheilfford Talyllyn Railway // Credit: Talyllyn Railway / Luke Ryan

Network Rail Class 97 No. 97304 has been named Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway at a naming ceremony today, 15th May 2024.

Chair of Network Rail, Lord Peter Hendy, named the locomotive and shows the partnership between the railway and Network Rail.

The Talyllyn Railway says that a future collaboration will see the slate story told by the display of a standard gauge wagon on Network Rail land.

Two replica nameplates have also been presented to the Talyllyn Railway to display.

Liz Porrett, David Ventry & Lorraine Simkiss
Liz Porrett, David Ventry & Lorraine Simkiss // Credit: Talyllyn Railway / Luke Ryan

“I’m very fond of this Railway and it always seemed to me that it was a great
shame that if we had dedicated locomotives on the Cambrian coast line that they
couldn’t bear the names of Railways with whom we have a very close connection.
It’s taken a bit of time and quite a lot of effort to get to the stage where we could
name this Class 97 after the Talyllyn Railway, but having taken so long to get here
it seems particularly appropriate that it is on the cusp of the Talyllyn’s 75th
Anniversary- and unlike previous locomotives named after the Railway this one
can actually get to Tywyn!”

Lord Peter Hendy

“We are really grateful to Network Rail for not only Barmouth Bridge but donations of
sleepers and assistance with relocating our standard gauge wagon- as you well
know life for Heritage Railways is becoming more difficult, as it is with big
Railways, but we are also grateful for the support you give us and the Heritage
Railway Association which is much appreciated.

Chair of the Talyllyn Railway Company David Ventry

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  1. I chose a good day for my first visit to the Tallylyn: glorious sunshine, two 97’s passing by, and all four steam locos polished up and posed photogenically! I knew something was going on, and now I know what it was !

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