The coming of the railways in the 1860's brought an enormous amount of
new employment to this area, resulting in the creation of a new village
to house all the railway employees required to man this busy juction at
Talyllyn. The camaraderie, pride and close working relationship
inevitably created some notable characters.
Washington Williams
turned out to become one of those characters loved by everyone, and was
fondly known as Washy. He was born in 1884, the only son to engine
driver William Williams and wife Elizabeth and lived in No.6 Cobbstown.
Washy followed in his father's footsteps, becoming an engine cleaner at
Talyllyn engine shed and working his way up until he qualified as an
engine driver. On the death of his father in 1916 he took over his
father's job as the driver of the Talyllyn "Banking Engine".
Washy's sence of humour and love of his friends and neighbours can be
observed from his take on life in the village in the poem that he wrote
for "Coronation Day" in May 1937. A copy of this poem is displayed in
Llanfihangel Talyllyn Village Hall.
After the second World War
Washy trained as a magistrate a position that he could undertake
alongside his full time employment, and actively encouraged by the
Railway Company, and made possible with free travel.
Washy lived
in "Highfield" No.1 Griffin Terrace Talyllyn, he sadly lost his wife
Harriet in 1915, and his beloved daughter Enid in 1944. Washy died June
2nd 1957 and is buried at Pennorth Chapel.
Washy's two sisters
Edith and Wyn were the first female welders to be employed on aircraft
assemby in Brislol during WW1.