Talyllyn 1950

It's a lovely film and illustrates by just how much the Talyllyn clung on by its finger tips n the early '50s - by the time I visited it in 1955, the whole thing was much tidier and the track and rolling stock was half presentable - immense progress in 3 years or so.

GH
 
A lovely film, always a pleasure to see. The condisending narrator is also a sign of the times :rolf:
 
I remember someone, but I don't remember who, describing the Talyllyn permanent way of that era as two rust filled ruts held to gauge by weeds!
 
Neil Robinson said:
I remember someone, but I don't remember who, describing the Talyllyn permanent way of that era as two rust filled ruts held to gauge by weeds!
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L.T.C. Rolt maybe?
 
Great film!

Mizzy especially liked the sheep at the start....
 
oberinntalbahn said:
Wonderful, the scene where the fireman retrieves a bit which has fallen off the loco, reminded me of an incident from the early days of the FR ?

Back then, attached to the S&T gang above Penrhyn, I happened to be working in a hole we were excavating beside the line and as a down train rolled by, from my vantage point actually saw the securing bolt for the handbrake crank hit the ground as it dropped out from underneath the Fairlie. As soon as the train had passed I retrieved said bolt to show our Guvnor, who told me to get after the train at once and as an afterthought thrust a spanner into my free hand.

So I set off with all speed along the two foot hoping to catch the train while it was stopped at Penrhyn. Fortunately the crossing keeper saw me coming and had the presence of mind to keep the gates closed to road traffic, which allowed motorists the unusual sight of a train being pursued across the level crossing by a small sweaty chap in overalls carrying a strange piece of metal in one hand and waving a large adjustable spanner with the other. The sound of car horns and children yelling encouragement remains with me to this day.

Rounding the bend into the station I collapsed in a heap beside the loco and by now incapable of speech, could only manage to feebly wave the errant bolt at the fireman. Realising what had happened, Evan Davis leaned over the boiler and with a wicked grin suggested that as I was already holding the spanner I might as well carry out the repair.

Suffice to say there are better places to be than underneath the footplate of a Double Engine and the tangy aroma of burnt overalls and singed volunteer continued to waft around the station for some time after the train had departed.
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Magic. I love tales like that
 
Ahhh, the smell of singed volunteer in the morning
 
Netty said:
oberinntalbahn said:
Wonderful, the scene where the fireman retrieves a bit which has fallen off the loco, reminded me of an incident from the early days of the FR ?

Back then, attached to the S&T gang above Penrhyn, I happened to be working in a hole we were excavating beside the line and as a down train rolled by, from my vantage point actually saw the securing bolt for the handbrake crank hit the ground as it dropped out from underneath the Fairlie. As soon as the train had passed I retrieved said bolt to show our Guvnor, who told me to get after the train at once and as an afterthought thrust a spanner into my free hand.

So I set off with all speed along the two foot hoping to catch the train while it was stopped at Penrhyn. Fortunately the crossing keeper saw me coming and had the presence of mind to keep the gates closed to road traffic, which allowed motorists the unusual sight of a train being pursued across the level crossing by a small sweaty chap in overalls carrying a strange piece of metal in one hand and waving a large adjustable spanner with the other. The sound of car horns and children yelling encouragement remains with me to this day.

Rounding the bend into the station I collapsed in a heap beside the loco and by now incapable of speech, could only manage to feebly wave the errant bolt at the fireman. Realising what had happened, Evan Davis leaned over the boiler and with a wicked grin suggested that as I was already holding the spanner I might as well carry out the repair.

Suffice to say there are better places to be than underneath the footplate of a Double Engine and the tangy aroma of burnt overalls and singed volunteer continued to waft around the station for some time after the train had departed.
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Magic. I love tales like that
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Brilliant. Now if only someone had filmed that. :rolf::rolf:

Loved theTalyllyn film too BTW.
 
PaulRhB said:
Had this on VHS years ago and wore it out! Must see if I can get it on DVD. Thanks Mel :)
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It was on the 2011 editon of The 16mm Association DVD....:)
 
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