THE Talyllyn Railway’s former chief engineer, John Bate, has been recognised for his services to railway preservation.

John was honoured in the recent Heritage Railway Association awards ceremony when he was given the ‘Railway Magazine Annual Award for Services to Railway Preservation’.

John volunteered during the first running season of the Talyllyn Railway when it was saved from closure by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society in 1951, becoming the world’s first preserved railway, giving up some of his summer holiday to help with tracklaying.

That started an involvement with the line which has continued ever since.

John moved to Tywyn to become the railway’s chief engineer in 1963, remaining in post until his retirement in 1994, but since then he has continued to offer his expertise and experience as a volunteer. Thus he is probably the world’s longest serving heritage railway volunteer.

Among John’s achievements during his time on the railway was the repair and reinstatement of the line following a major landslip in 1957 which threatened the railway’s future.

Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society chairman Ian Drummond said: “John is probably one of the unsung heroes of the heritage railway movement.

“His knowledge and expertise has been invaluable to the railway through the years.

“In particular his ability to keep the railway running on very limited financial resources during the early years have enabled it to become the world renowned railway it is today.

“Many have learnt from John and his enthusiasm has encouraged numerous volunteers to pursue engineering careers.

“This award is richly deserved for all he has contributed to the railway and the heritage railway sector as a whole and we have been very fortunate to have had his services.”

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