Chairman steps down at Dean Forest Railway

Local businessman Stuart Williams is to step down as Chairman of the Board of the volunteer run Dean Forest Railway (DFR) to take up a new position as general manager of the Talyllyn Steam Railway in Tywyn, mid-Wales.

Stuart is also Managing Director of County Marquees which has been in business since 1990 and from a small two-person operation the company now provided employment for 25 local people. The company now delivers and erects marquees for weddings, conferences, concerts and other large events, all over the country.

“I’ve loved steam trains since I was a small child.” said Stuart. “I became a volunteer at Dear Forest Railway 11 years ago, became a director 5 years ago and was invited to become chairman a year ago.”

“The job at Talyllyn Railway came a little bit out of the blue but who wouldn’t jump at the chance to run an historic narrow gauge-steam railway, in fact the very first preserved railway in the world? We are moving lock, stock and barrel, to live near to the railway in the beautiful mid-Wales countryside.”

“Although I’m stepping down as both chairman of DFR and managing director of County Marquees I’ll be keeping in close contact with both and will remain on the board of directors of County Marquees.”

After a short break, Stuart will be taking the reigns as general manager of the Talyllyn Railway in mid-September.