Back in Steam

Talyllyn Railway No 2, Dolgoch, built 1866.  Close to returning from an overhaul, last seen in steam in 2021.  This green livery is the colour all locos were when I first came here in 1970, it's not been in this livery for a long time now, so this is special ... to those of us of a certain age at least!   This was the only serviceable loco when the preservation society took over in 1951 when she and the whole railway were in a parlous state after decades of slow decline.  This Victorian relic kept the railway alive just long enough for it to be found a new future as the world's first preserved railway, long before the death of mainline steam.   You can read about the rescue of the railway in L.T.C. Rolt's classic book, Railway Adventure.  

Dolgoch is undergoing steam trials and will return to service soon.  I was guarding today, the train in the background of the first extra, hauled by our youngest loco, No 7 Tom Rolt, named after L.T.C. Rolt.  A significant day for driver Chris, celebrating his 70th Birthday.  Drivers are retired at the end of the season when they turn seventy so it's a poignant day for Chris who has fifty eight years volunteering here under his belt.  Pleased to report I'm feeling much brighter today and we had a great trip up the line, it's been the peak week for the lineside bluebells - second extra pic - I even had an assistant whose company and help made the day go by too quickly.

Chris's special day was marked with a special headboard, with the words Uncle Chris under the marking of the years.  He's Uncle to our very special friend seen in this special birthday blip :-)