#dolgoch

[mrtheengie]

The Railway with a Heart of Gold

[pinkyberet]

The Narrow Gauge Mane 6 But It’s Their Talyllyn Counterparts

Talyllyn Fletcher, Dolgoch Fletcher, Sir Haydn Hughes, Edward Thomas Kerr, Midlander Hornsby & Douglas Barclay

[steam-beasts]

The Conductor's Popper

The Conductor's Popper is a disciplinary railway tool used from the early 1830s to the early 1940s before being banned in 1941 as it was considered abusive and too harsh towards sentient machinery.

This whip was made in Tywyn, Wales, by railway engineer, Max Macintyre in 1838 as a way to deal with unruly and undisciplined sentient railway vehicles. The whip itself was quite different from standard whips, as instead of a cracking noise, it made popping sounds when used, hence the "Popper" bit in the name. The tool was mostly at use in Wales and was legal to use on engines at the time, though, it found most use when dealing with narrow guage engines.

The whip when in use has enough force to create a 'whip mark' shaped dent in steam engines. Light enough to not fully cut through iron, but was ensured to be strong enough to leave a, as crews heard their engines describe it, "a horrible stinging pain". It started drawing out more concern as time went on, with people debating whether or not it was too cruel or a good disciplinary tool.

A certain railway that once used this type of discipline was the Talyllyn, who used the tool on No 1 and No 2 back in 1865 to 1938. Unlike the rest of the UK, Poppers weren't used on Sodor. As quoted from the NWR Director, Richard Topham Hatt;

"I'm never getting a single one of those cheapskate contraptions to use on my engines. I aim to treat my engines fairly and with respect, not like slaves. If an engine steps out of line, I reprimand them verbally, not physically, I'll even keep them in the shed as punishment if it depends. If I see a single man with a Popper, he'll be sacked the moment I find out!"

This was the same for the Talyllyn's counterpart, the Skarloey Railway.

On the Talyllyn, the engines did not have faces, and in that case were considered blind. Talyllyn and Dolgoch's translators helped them describe what their experiences were like with Poppers. It is up to you to decide if they are truly disciplinary or abusive:

Talyllyn; "When me and Dolly were still young and fresh, the manager and the workers were skittish and unsettled by us. They were used to seeing engines with faces. But unfortunately, me and my sister, along with our friends were cursed by Lady and Proteus alike..."

Dolgoch; "...when an engine, steam or diesel, is built, a face usually appears on their smokebox doors or radiators. For some reason, our faces never appeared, rendering us nearly completely blind and unable to speak through words. We were discriminated by workers, and treated like soulless beings, while our twins were given so much adoration and attention. It made me and Tally a bit jealous, if I must be honest..."

Talyllyn; "...While Sir Hayden Brown was owner of our railway, Mr Max handled operations and observed us. He had one of those nasty whips on him. He'd constantly whip us, or make us hear that popping noise as a warning. Though, he was more short tempered, and while nobody was around, would intimidate or hit me with the Popper. I've got 89 welding marks altogether, some on my boiler and buffers, and a couple on my funnel. Most of them were afflicted on me when I was still a 'bucking bronco'...thankfully, the overhauls and liveries made them fade a bit... most of those marks would just...reappear, even if I got a new, fresh part put on me...I've gotten used to it, it's fine...."

Dolgoch; "...I've got 56 welding marks, a few on my boiler, a few on my buffers and a few near my cab windows. Much like Tally's, they've faded but they're somehow still there. Sometimes, I wish our lives starting out was more like Skarloey and Rheneas's. At least they didn't get whipped if they were being too slow with slate or misbehaving...though, I wouldn't wish our experiences upon them...even despite our sentiments. Thankfully, the Poppers were made illegal by the time Sir Hayden and Edward Thomas arrived...I would dread the thought of young engines having to face discipline like that"

What do you think? Was it right to ban this tool?

(Decided to do a little bit of lore on the ttte version of the Talyllyn railway considering its basically the irl SKR and on a banned weapon used)

[hazel-of-sodor]

For Chirstmas, heres a glimpse of the next engine to be released. @talyllyn.co.uk 's No.2 joins No.1, along with their Skarloey counterparts.

[heyheyhaydn]

TALYLLYN CHRISTMAS 2024 DESIGN

I had the honour of being asked to make some art for @talyllynrailway's Christmas jumpers - some of my best this year. If you think this is too early for Christmas, let it be known I did this over several sittings in late August - early September

You can buy them below, worldwide shipping!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Haydn Spencer (@hey.hey.haydn)

[naurasweetarudesu]

Skarloey > Happy drunk

Rheneas > Wasted drunk

Talyllyn > Sad drunk

Dolgoch > Suprisingly heavy drinker

[biggsodorcitystories]

Sodor's Christmas Committee

Christmas Fayres are big events for the population of Sodor, and there are many of them across the island throughout December.

Despite the number, Rheneas, Edward, and Dowager Hatt play key roles in the planning of every single one. Due to Rheneas and Edward's rail schedules, it isn't always possible for all three to attend each one together. But when they do, you can usually find them dressed in Christmas finery close to the mulled wine/cider stall.

[nwr-astrotrain]

Random TTTE head canons and ideas No.3

Even though the Talyllyn Railway and Skarloey Railway have very remarkably similar history and motive power rosters, the engines themselves have very different and unique personalities to each other. This is a quick bio for Dolgoch.

No.2 “Dolgoch” “We must keeps trains moving and on time”

Dolgoch better known as “Dolly” by the other engines or “The Old Lady” by TR volunteers is a focused and no nonsense engine. That not to say she is unkind, she’s always happy to advise, or settle arguments among the engines, and will often be the first to volunteer to teach newcomers, she just tends to look at things from a viewpoint of practicality. Due to being the only engine running in the early days of preservation she knows how to make do in even the most difficult of conditions. She won’t stand for waste or excess, often chastising the others for over filled tanks and bunkers. The other engines know her concerns come from a place of love and that they are very lucky to have her on their railway.

[hartage]

📸 !

[ryan1014n2]

Dolgoch plate: before and after

[brownsugar-chan]

Yes I know it's 2/4 lol but here's some little old twins!

[mrtheengie]

The Old Lady

Talyllyn Railway #2, “Dolgoch”

Fletcher, Jennings & Co., 1866

[stellar-chrondrite]

Look who I got to see on my recent trip to Wales! 

Dolgoch truly does give amazing rides and it was so cool finally getting to see her in action. Riding in her train was incredible; I can’t recommend the scenery the TR provides enough. Genuinely, I was so taken in by the mountain views and waterfalls I couldn’t stop smiling.

Bonus:

My little de-stresser Rheneas with his ‘twin’! (My phone really doesn’t like to focus on more than one thing so Neas is blurry, sorry!).

[brain-dead-killjoy]

I would add Idris (who is a line press machine (at least that's what I think she is)) but Tumblr only allows 10 options and I'm pretty sure nobody outside of select Talyllyn members know that they named a line press machine "Idris". The Talyllyn Railway names practically everything by the way, we're slightly mad (I say that as a life member of the railway).

BTW when this poll ends I will be in Wales, probably pestering some Talyllyn members who are close in age to me or being asked to take photos of some random tourists or running around Nant Gwernol with a child who pestered me while on the ride up in the coaches (like last year).

[synthetic-rust]

Gallant ol’ Engine

[naurasweetarudesu]

Fletcher-Jennings Sibling Reunion Short Comic

Ch. 1: "What Do Live in Sodor Does to Motherf*ckers"

Featuring: Skarloey, Rheneas, Talyllyn dan Dolgoch