Auction

A good friend, Louisa, invited me on a special day out.   She'd made the highest bid in a fundraising auction in aid of the Talyllyn Railway during 2020 when we were not running trains.   Her prize - a day out with Tim Dunn, railway historian and TV presenter who has been a supporter of the railway for some time.   Add the fact that he's a friend of Ruth's and you'll understand that he's a good chap!

A party of ten set out on the first train.   We alighted at Nant Gwernol from where Louisa led us on a walk up into the old quarry workings for which the railway was built.   As we set out, I was reminded that Louisa and I had made a similar hike forty four years ago along with our siblings - another party of ten!   Todays main picture is looking back down the incline above Nant Gwernol station.   Behind me the 1865 winding house with it's drum still intact, a rare feature in the Welsh Slate industry today.  The path took us up much higher - see extra pic of the spoil at the main quarry site, much changed by the Forestry Commission in the 1970's when most of the old buildings were destroyed :-(   

Tim was entertaining company and a mine of fascinating historical information.   He's also an expert on all things Awdry and read to us from 'Gallant Old Engine' on the return journey (second extra pic), taken after an excellent afternoon tea at Aber Cafe.  Fun to be a guest for a change!