Lord Hendy, chair of Network Rail, joined Ken Skates MS, Owain Pritchard, the Mayor of Barmouth, and members of the Network Rail project team to unveil the heritage plaque. Lord Hendy also officially named a class 97 locomotive after Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway.
The restoration of the Barmouth Viaduct was completed in December 2023 following a four-year programme of work to restore the 156-year-old Grade II listed structure to its former glory and protect it for generations to come.
The Railway Heritage Trust played a key role in financing the installation of new handrails on the viaduct and contributed the plaque on the walkway adjacent to this renowned structure. Following the unveiling of the heritage plaque in Barmouth, Lord Hendy personally operated the Class 97 locomotive on its journey from Barmouth to Tywyn, where he officially named the locomotive.
The cast nameplates in the style of the Talyllyn Railway logo were revealed on the loco and are a testament to the close relationship between Network Rail and Talyllyn Railway as neighbours. Two mounted replicas cast from the same pattern were presented to David Ventry, Talyllyn Railway chair, and general managers, Liz Porrett and Lorraine Simkiss.
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The Talyllyn Railway, often called "the railway with a heart of gold," was the world's first preserved railway. It started operating in 1865. In 1951, the Preservation Society took over the railway after the owner, Sir Haydn Jones, passed away. Today, old steam engines carry passengers from Tywyn to Nant Gwernol, a mountainous spot above Abergynolwyn.
Peter, Lord Hendy, chair of Network Rail, said: "I'm delighted to have unveiled the new plaque in Barmouth following four years of painstaking work by the project team to restore this iconic viaduct. I'm very fond of this railway and our Cambrian lines, and it always seemed to me a great shame that the dedicated locomotives on the Cambrian didn’t bear the names of railways with whom we have a very close connection.
"It's taken time and quite a lot of effort to get to the stage where we could name this Class 97 after the Talyllyn Railway, but having taken so long it seems particularly appropriate that it is on the cusp of the Talyllyn’s 75th anniversary as the first preserved railway in the world. And, unlike the previous locomotive named after the railway, this one will actually get to Tywyn!"
Tim Hedley-Jones, Director of the Railway Heritage Trust, said: "We were very pleased to work with Network Rail on the restoration of Grade II* listed Barmouth Viaduct. By reinstating handrails more in keeping with the architecture of the bridge we hope that those crossing it will better appreciate this marvel of Victorian engineering."
The Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates commented: "The restoration of the iconic Barmouth Bridge, the longest viaduct in Wales and a vital part of the Cambrian railway line, will provide a huge boost to our rail infrastructure, linking communities and encouraging more tourists to see this beautiful part of Wales, supporting the local economy."
David Ventry, Talyllyn Railway chair, stated: "We are grateful to Network Rail not only for Barmouth Bridge but donations of sleepers and assistance with relocating our standard gauge wagon. Life for heritage railways is becoming more difficult, as it is with bigger railways. But we are grateful for the support Network Rail gives us and the Heritage Railway Association which is much appreciated."
