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The Talyllyn Railway is the world's first preserved railway. It opened in 1865 to carry slate from the Bryn Eglwys quarry down to Tywyn Wharf, and in 1951 it became the first railway anywhere to be saved and run by volunteers — the start of the heritage railway movement worldwide. Today steam locomotives haul passengers on a 7¼-mile journey from Tywyn Wharf through the Fathew Valley — farmland, ancient woodland and dramatic ravines — to Nant Gwernol, taking about an hour each way. Tickets let you break the journey at any station: hop off at Dolgoch for the waterfall walk, or ride to the end at Nant Gwernol for the forest and old quarry paths. Back at Tywyn Wharf, the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum (with its Rev W Awdry and Thomas the Tank Engine connection) is well worth a visit, and there's a licensed café and gift shop too.
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