Shrewsbury-based Morris Lubricants has helped keep the world’s first preserved railway up and running by providing some much-needed support.
The Talyllyn Railway runs for seven miles on narrow-gauge tracks that were originally used to carry slate. For almost the past 70 years of its 155-year history, the railway has been cared for by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society. Reverend W. Awdry, the author of the ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ books, was one of its first volunteers.
The society was forced to close its doors for 20 weeks during lockdown, which, like other historic railways, deprived it of vital income from visitors. To help Talyllyn and similar projects, Morris Lubricants invited operators to apply to them for support as part of its Heritage Railway Support Scheme. Talyllyn Railway was one such project to apply and be given support by the company.
Andrew Goddard, Morris Lubricants’ Executive Chairman, visited the railway to deliver promotional signs and lubricant products, which the company makes on a bespoke basis for various heritage vehicles. He said:
“Morris Lubricants has a long tradition of supplying these railways with our top-quality steam lubricants. We particularly want to reward the loyalty of our existing heritage railway customers and I am pleased to report that the support scheme has attracted others, like Talyllyn Railway, to use our products.”
He also expressed his honour at being able to support the railway and highlighted the importance of preserving heritage railways in general, saying that if we fail to do this, they will disappear forever.
