Narrow Gauge
THE TALYLLYN Railway has launched an appeal to raise a minimum of £500,000 over the next five years to support its major redevelopment project at Pendre Works and Tywyn Wharf.
Named ‘Preserving our past, building our future’, the main focus of the redevelopment project will be upgrading the facilities at Pendre Works, while protecting and conserving the works’ historic fabric. Three options for Pendre are being considered, with the final layout of the site being determined by how much the railway is able to raise, but the proposals include a new engineering facility to replace the North Carriage Shed, a new carriage shed built on the old orchard site adjacent to the works, a new paint shop, and improved visitor facilities. The project also includes remodelling Wharf station building to provide a more accessible entrance from street level, as well as an enlarged café and shop, and additional volunteer accommodation at Trefri, including an accessible suite.
The total cost of the project is expected to be around £4 million, and the railway has received a £110,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop its full application for a grant of around £1.5m. In addition to other grant‐funding and potential business sponsorship, the railway has launched its own fundraising appeal. Dubbed the ‘75 Appeal’ as a nod to the forthcoming 75th anniversaries of the formation of the TR Preservation Society in 2025 and the first trains as a heritage line in 2026, the appeal will not only generate additiona
