The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

Before entering the museum

By this time the TRPS was becoming increasingly conscious of the unique nature of the collection, and felt that it was time to define more clearly the legal status of the museum, and in 1964, the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Trust came into being. It was registered as a charity and was thus able to attract grants from outside bodies and to reclaim tax on donations. The Trust was fortunate in quickly obtaining grants from a number of individuals and bodies, enabling the building to be extended to provide space for the still expanding collection. Work was interrupted when the almost completed roof was blown away in a gale in November 1965 and it was 1967 when the extension was formally opened.
More space made it possible to house more locomotives. These included Jubilee 1897, one of the largest engines ever built for the Welsh slate industry and much the largest exhibit at Tywyn, and Rough Pup, one of a number of identical locomotives supplied by Hunslet of Leeds to the extensive quarries at Dinorwic. It has been kept in the condition in which it finished work unlike other similar locomotives which have all been modified to equip them for new roles.

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