Talyllyn Railway
 

Sad to read that the Talyllyn is struggling a bit. I for one will be paying a visit later on this year and contributing a bit of cash


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20897036

Sadly they are not alone. An awful lot of railways and other attractions are suffering really badly at the moment!
Richard

My sister lives just outside Tywyn & The Talyllyn Railway runs about 500 yards from the back of her house.
You hear & see the trains approaching Rhydyronen station which is just ten minuets walk along the lane at the side of my sisters house.
I visit my sister( and mother who lives in the same vilage(Bryncrug)) at least twice a year a try a make a visit to the railway.
I think the problem is not the "Railway" it's self but where it is.
I go there by rail and the journey takes three hours from Birmingham & there is only one train every two hours.

Even going by road can be just as slow if not slower than rail.

Therein lies their problem. It's not in day trip territory for many potential customers unfortunately. It's also a longish distance from the popular holiday spots in North Wales, with so much going on there without the need for a drive down as far as Towyn

Even if you are staying in Pwllheli the journey to Tywyn takes an hour & three quarters.
Again a train only every two hours :(
Again the trip by road is no quicker!

I feel sure that all the railway's will start to feel the pinch this next year or so. I know we love them but its an expensive day out for a family and it's going to get a lot worse, especially for the more remote ones. The ones near the large populations may survive but the remote ones will most certainly feel the recession.

Yes unfortunately Yorky you are dead right. Unless the members can dig deeper they may be in danger of loosing it! Nothing is cheep these days and the running of a railway is difficult enough without having the added disadvantage of being so remote!
I do wish them all the best and maybe a nationwide appeal would bring some extra cash through the door.
Good luck and all the best
Phil