A restored platelayer’s trolley made a special appearance at Talyllyn Railway’s ‘Anything Goes’ gala on Saturday, 15 June, making its enthusiastically-received return after being out of service for 10 years.

The ‘Anything Goes’ gala showcased a selection of Talyllyn’s freight and vintage trains and saw them power round the railway’s principle stations.

‘Toby’, the railway’s original platelayer’s trolley which had been out of service since 2008, made a surprise appearance at the gala to the delight of staff there – particularly John Bate, former volunteer and Chief Engineer, who originally built the trolley in 1954.

The trolley is a significant part of the railway’s history, and its many uses when it was in use included operating as a fire tender following trains up the valley in periods of drought.

It was deemed unusable after being badly damaged in 2008, but the trolley has now been rebuilt by volunteers, after an appeal for help by the railway’s engineering manager, Chris Smith.

The restored vehicle was greeted at the railway by John Bate himself, who continues to be an active volunteer at Talyllyn.

John nostalgically took the controls for a journey between the Wharf and Pendre stations; he also helped to refit it with a canopy, which was originally attached to the trolley in 1960.

David Ventry, company chairman, said in a statement: “In 1954 John Bate built the original trolley at his parent’s home in Reigate for the use of permanent way gangs.

“Therefore, it is fitting that this restoration has taken place in not dissimilar circumstances. We are very grateful to those volunteers who have undertaken the work to rebuild this part of the Railway’s heritage.

“It also made it a very special occasion that John Bate was on hand to greet its return to the line, and we look forward to it being employed for various tasks for many years to come.”