Passenger numbers over the February half term period were up 50 per cent on the previous year according to the latest figures from the Talyllyn Railway.

This continued the encouraging trend during 2018 which saw passenger numbers increase by nine per cent over the previous year.

During the winter there has been other progress as well; volunteers and staff have been hard at work relaying much of the track between Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, which necessitated the closure of that section of the line while the work took place. In total some 40 lengths of track were replaced over five months.

Meanwhile in the workshops the boiler from locomotive No.1 Talyllyn is currently at the Mid Hants Railway where Talyllyn volunteers are busy working on it as part of the locomotive’s major overhaul. The boiler from locomotive No.7 Tom Rolt has been away for repair as well, but has now returned to Tywyn and the locomotive is being reassembled.

Chairman of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, Ian Drummond, said: “All through the winter our staff and volunteers have been hard at work on all those tasks which maintain our locomotives, rolling stock and infrastructure as well as enhancing the experience of passengers.

“Much of it is unseen but invaluable. The railway really is a year round operation even when passenger trains aren’t running, and we thank everyone involved for their dedication and enthusiasm. We are now running trains daily until 3 November and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors this year.”

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday