Editing Talyllyn Railway (section)

===Original passenger line===
[[File:Tywyn Wharf layout - 2008-03-18.jpg|thumb|left|Tywyn Wharf station, 2008]]

The main terminus of the line is at {{stnlnk|Tywyn Wharf}} (originally known as King's Station, after a local landowner), where the railway's administrative headquarters and the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum are located. When the line carried traffic from the quarry, slates were transferred to the [[Cambrian Railways]] on the [[transhipment]] sidings. Leaving Wharf station, which stands at an elevation of {{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}} above sea level, the line passes immediately under the [[A493 road|A493]] [[Machynlleth]] to [[Dolgellau]] road and enters a long [[Cutting (transportation)|cutting]] that climbs towards {{stnlnk|Pendre}}, at a maximum [[Grade (slope)#Railways|gradient]] of 1 in 60. On the left (north) side of the cutting there was once a long siding used for gravity [[Shunt (railway operations)|shunting]] of wagons into the sidings at Wharf station. The railway runs through the cutting for about {{convert|0.5|mi|m}}, before passing under another road bridge and passing the [[Motive power depot|locomotive and carriage sheds]] and works at Pendre.<ref name=Boyd6577/>

From Pendre, the railway passes over a gated [[level crossing]] and runs beside an industrial estate before climbing up to Ty Mawr bridge and on to Hendy, the first of five [[Minor halts on the Talyllyn Railway|minor halts]], which serves the adjacent farm. The railway runs in an approximately north-easterly direction along the [[River Fathew|Fathew]] valley, mainly through fields of local farms on the valley floor, although this is where some of the steepest gradients on the line are to be found.<ref name=Potter226>Potter, page 226</ref> The [[ruling gradient]] of the line is 1 in 60.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/history-building-railway|title=Talyllyn Railway history|access-date=3 August 2009|publisher=Talyllyn Railway Company|archive-date=14 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514113551/http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/history-building-railway|url-status=live}}</ref>

More local halts follow at Fach Goch, and Cynfal, the latter having a small platform.<ref name=Potter226/> The section from Cynfal to {{stnlnk|Rhydyronen}} was relaid in 1951 using rail purchased from the Corris Railway after the latter line's closure in 1948. Rhydyronen, a [[request stop]], was the first intermediate station built on the line, opening in 1867. A siding at the station was shortened in 1957 and removed completely circa 1975. A short steep climb under a road bridge follows the station, followed by a slight downhill gradient. Unlike the Ffestiniog Railway, the Talyllyn was not designed to be worked as a gravity line, however this is the only downhill section between Pendre and Nant Gwernol.<ref>Potter, page 228</ref> Another minor halt follows at Tynllwynhen, before the passing loop and request stop at {{stnlnk|Brynglas}}.<ref>Potter, page 229</ref>

Above Brynglas, the line crosses the Cwm Pandy stream and enters a shallow cutting, climbing as it goes. The cutting ends at a road overbridge after which the line runs through open countryside as it starts to ascend the valley side on a ledge. After approximately {{convert|0.75|mi|m}} it enters woodlands west of {{stnlnk|Dolgoch}}, climbing steadily, then curves to the south east and crosses the Dolgoch gorge on the Dolgoch viaduct, which carries the line {{convert|51|ft|m|abbr=on}} above the Dolgoch ravine.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 82–83</ref> Dolgoch station is immediately east of the viaduct, situated on a left-hand curve at {{convert|187|ft|m|abbr=on}} above sea level, and is the main intermediate station on the line, being popular with tourists visiting the nearby [[Dolgoch Falls|falls]]. The railway continues in a north easterly direction, curving through the woods and climbing the valley side. It shortly passes Quarry Siding, where a halt and passing loop are located; this is the site of a small old [[shale]] quarry, the rock from which was used for [[Track ballast|ballasting]] on the railway. A large permanent way and storage shed opened on the site in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/news/2013-may-guest-house-opening-quarry-siding|title=The 'Guest House' opening at Quarry Siding|publisher=Talyllyn Railway|date=13 May 2013|access-date=2 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819032219/http://talyllyn.co.uk/news/2013-may-guest-house-opening-quarry-siding|archive-date=19 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The line continues its ascent towards [[Abergynolwyn railway station|Abergynolwyn station]], situated on a ledge cut into the hillside.<ref>Boyd 1965, pages 83–84</ref>