THE Talyllyn Railway has been busy celebrating the centenary of both the RAF and one of its own locomotives.

The railway joined in the centenary celebrations for the Royal Air Force on Easter Sunday – the actual 100th anniversary of the RAF’s formation – by not only repainting 100-year-old No 6 Douglas in RAF Traffic Blue, but by also hosting a special guest for the occasion.

Squadron Leader Lee Turner came along for the morning. He not only has local Welsh connections, but also has been chosen to bear the Queen’s Colours at the special RAF centenary service which is taking place in Westminster Abbey in July.

He posed for photographs with the locomotive and was also treated to a trip up the line, and the chance to ride on No 6’s footplate for part of the journey.

He said: “To be invited to the railway on the birthday of Douglas the engine and the RAF is a real honour. My wife has lived in Tywyn all of her life and little did I know that when I married her, I was marrying an entire language, culture and rural community.

“The RAF has survived these first 100 years standing for integrity, service and working for the community. These are traits that are shared by all the staff and volunteers at the Talyllyn Railway, without whom this area would not have such a special jewel to be proud of.”

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