Talyllyn Railway has scooped a top tourism award.

Management staff at the Meirionnydd railway received the prestigious Regional Business Award for the railway’s contribution to tourism in the north Wales area at an awards ceremony in Bangor on 23 May.

Talyllyn was awarded one of five accolades sponsored and presented by North Wales Tourism, as part of Gwynedd Business Week 2019.

The award named Talyllyn Railway as ‘Tourism Business of the Year’, praising its contribution to the North Wales tourism industry, which includes its generation of £3 billion to the local area.

The railway was commended for not only increasing revenue and passenger numbers, but also for working with the local community, schools, environmental groups and sister organisations as part of the ‘Great Little Trains of Wales’, a scheme that promotes some of the country’s narrow gauge steam railways.

General manager Stuart Williams, who accepted the award in person, said: “I am delighted to have been able to attend the award ceremony and accept the award on behalf of the volunteers and staff at the railway.

“The award is a fitting testament to the efforts that have been put in over the past year to heighten the profile of the railway.”

Ian Drummond, chairman of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society added that the award would impress society members.

He noted that it recognises the contribution made by staff as well as the volunteers who allow the railway to continue making an effective contribution to tourism in the Gwynedd region.

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