The Barry Island Railway is the 'marketing name' for the heritage line operated by the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company Ltd. Mainly volunteer run, the line has been steadily extended since its arrival at Barry Island in 1996. Formerly the Butetown Historic Railway Society based at the old Taff Vale Railway station at Bute Road, Cardiff, the move to Barry saw a change in name and the start of a new chapter in South Wales railway preservation. The new base at Plymouth road, Barry Island, was opened on June 1st 1997, first operations commencing the following year.