Description

Two locomotives united in 2001 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the beautiful narrow-gauge Tallyllyn Railway on the Mid-Wales coast. Virgin Trains named express electric locomotive 86258 Talyllyn in honour of this achievement. Steam loco Talyllyn hurtles up the Afon Fathew valley at a full 15 mph, whereas her namesake races over the Virgin network at 100 mph. What a contrast!

Full description from the producer:

A unique look at two locomotives with the same name. One a diminutive 2 foot gauge steam engine, the other a mighty Virgin Trains electric locomotive capable of 100mph.

Two locomotives came together in 2001 to celebrate the 50 years of success of the Tallylyn Railway in Wales, pioneers of railway preservation. Virgin Trains named express electric locomotive 86258 Talyllyn in honour of this achievement. The two locomotives couldn’t lead more different lives, the steam Talyllyn hurtles up the valley of the Afon Fathew at a full 15 mph, whereas her namesake surges over the Virgin Network at 100 mph. The electric works from dawn ’till dusk and more, sitting in a draughty siding at night.

The oldtimer is lovingly woken each morning and carefully fed coal and water until she has steam. At night the old lady is pampered with a warm shed. Yet out ancient machine perhaps deserves her kindnesses, entering service as she did in 1864, a century before the electric. So see the two of them now and enjoy this comparison of a days work for each.

The weather was magnificent and the images are unforgettable. Perhaps the programme shows that electric locomotives can have charm as well as old steam engines. And of course the video has a sad twist at the end of it. A Whistler classic!

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