Time for something a little different in Railfest week......

davidaward · Post by **davidaward** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 1:38 pm

In a week dominated by railfest, its time for something a little different, while visiting relatives in the South Wales Valleys over the bank Holliday, I just had to go to this line, not very far at all form the birth of railways at Methyr Tydfill...........

The 2ft gauge line is very different amoung UK preserved ones, having all trains run by a massive Baldwin Pacific hauling open balconied coaches and a caboose! Seems like a little bit of the USA in deepest Wales! and spectacular scenery may I add. The line runs on an old Standard guage trackbed. Here are some pics of the loco and coaches.

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<IMG width="448" height="571" SRC="http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/109832/BMR 3.JPG">

<IMG width="640" height="480" SRC="http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/109832/BMR 1.JPG">

The Train leaves Pant, around a sharp curve and onto the old Standard guage trackbed, with the wonderful scenery as a backdrop.

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Finally the whole train is seen making its way along the trackbed of the old Brecon and Methyr Railway, the line can be made out on a ledge along the hillside.

It is of course the uniquely themed Brecon Mountain Railway................a truly different UK preserved line experience.

Next stop, RAILFEST

alex2008 · Post by **alex2008** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 11:16 am

WOW! quite an amazing railway there. very impressive.

davidaward · Post by **davidaward** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:01 pm

alex2008 wrote:WOW! quite an amazing railway there. very impressive.

Cheers, I was impressed with the Baldwin too, far more impressive than that little German Well tank they used to use all the time.

Christopher125 · Post by **Christopher125** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:25 pm

Hi

does the line go along the extension yet? last year I went on it, and also drove along to their future terminus, which looks basically complete. However they seem to be very quiet about it and I never hear any news about it. (also had a look at the tunnel, about 300 yards further along - looks like it had been surveyed as there were tyre tracks all along the cutting.)

Chris

davidaward · Post by **davidaward** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:47 pm

No, they just ran up to Dolygaer loop when I was there. The Torpantau extension is basically complete (i think) though its a mystery as to when they will open it up, I personally thoughjt the tunnel was part of the extension, but i am willing to stand corrected.

Can't wait for the line to open up more of that wonderful scenery, it really is wonderful up there in the Brecon Beacons............

Just checked their webpage, no news there, I may enquire via email.....................

rwaceyw · Post by **rwaceyw** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:49 pm

The Brecon mountain is ususally quiet on most enthusiast matters, and certainly not one of the most people friendly railways I ahve seen..its a shame really, as theres some great locos there

David

Christopher125 · Post by **Christopher125** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 4:53 pm

Hi

I believe that they originally envisaged using the tunnel, but the run round and the fencing show that is stops on the pant side of the road, not the tunnel side. I expect that the cost of getting the tunnel usuable is too high. (also, they will have a job getting it to the tunnel in future because by the looks of it they have leveled the loop, which makes it quite a climb to get up to the tunnel)

Chris

davidaward · Post by **davidaward** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 4:59 pm

Shame, the tunnel is quite long I think, and it was going to be the highest passenger tunnel in the UK when complete, perhaps when the extension is open they will have 2 train operation, a first for them I think.