May 12, 2026 - 213 views
The Talyllyn Railway welcomed visitors from across the UK on Saturday, May 9, as women volunteers took over the operation of the historic railway for its annual Talyllyn Women’s Day.
Every operational role across the railway — including drivers, firemen, guards, station staff, signal operators and engineers — was carried out entirely by women volunteers during the event, which celebrates more than 70 years of female involvement on the line.
Now in its fourth year, the annual event highlighted the railway’s pioneering role for women within the heritage railway sector. Women have volunteered at the Talyllyn Railway since preservation began in 1951, while in 1957 the railway became home to the UK’s first female steam locomotive fireman, Ann Hatherill.
Visitors were also able to explore displays and photographs celebrating the contribution of women volunteers past and present, alongside showcases demonstrating how the railway continues to encourage women and girls to gain skills, confidence and experience across heritage engineering, operations and tourism.
This year’s event also marked a symbolic handover between generations of volunteers. Long-serving volunteers Barbara Fuller and Sarah Thomas, who have each dedicated more than 50 years to the railway and helped establish Women’s Day, formally passed organisational duties to 19-year-old volunteer Poppy Wakeham, who has herself volunteered on the railway for more than a decade.
While fully women-operated railways remain rare within the wider heritage railway sector, the Talyllyn Railway says female representation across operational and volunteering roles is now a normal part of everyday life on the railway.
Lorraine Simkiss, General Manager at the Talyllyn Railway, said: “Women have played an important role at Talyllyn Railway since the very start of preservation in 1951, so Women’s Day is both a celebration of that history and a recognition of the volunteers continuing it today.
“What makes Talyllyn special is that women are involved across every part of the railway throughout the year, from engineering and operations through to customer service, events and leadership roles. The event continues to grow each year and it was fantastic to see so many visitors supporting it.”
Running through southern Gwynedd along the southern edge of Eryri, the Talyllyn Railway is recognised as the world’s first preserved heritage railway operated entirely by volunteers and remains one of Wales’ best-known heritage attractions.
