Free travel for local heroes

Serving and retired members of the armed forces, NHS staff, home helps, carers, firefighters, police, coastguards, members of other rescue services, first responders, lifeboat crews and blood bike volunteers will be entitled to free travel on the Talyllyn Railway.

Ian Drummond for the railway said: “These people give so much to the community in their various capacities, both paid and voluntary, that it seems only right to give something back them. This is our way of showing our appreciation for their dedication and service.”

Free travel will be available on production of valid identification from one of the qualifying organisations. For more information please check the railway’s website at: http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/local-heroes-weekend or phone 01654 710472.

The railway runs from the coastal town of Tywyn in mid Wales to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol. Passengers can get out at stations along the route to visit the spectacular Dolgoch Falls and there are forest walks at Nant Gwernol.

The line is the oldest preserved railway in the world. In August hundreds of runners from across Britain try to beat the locomotives on the seven and 14 mile journeys in a charity, Race the Train event.

Talyllyn Railway opened for goods traffic in 1865 and shortly after for passenger services, which have operated every year since between Tywyn on the west coast of Wales and Nant Gwernol, just over seven miles inland.

In 1951, operation of the line was taken over by Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and became the world’s first preserved railway.

Operation of the line is primarily by volunteers from all walks of life, with a small paid staff. It is now a major tourist attraction in the Mid Wales, contributing significantly to the area’s economy.