Big Pit and the P&BR
Return to Blaenavon
1 September 2002
One of the oldest "Rail Diaries" pages is “South
Wales Steam”, a record of a trip made to
some of the pits then using steam
locomotives. I was able to take one or two
quite pleasing pictures of "Nora", a Barclay 0-
4-0ST, as she returned to the shed. Thirty
years later, I made a return visit to a
somewhat changed Blaenavon. We were on the
way home from Cardiff - "let's go and have a look".
The mine is perhaps more generally known today as "Big Pit", open
to the public as an outpost of the National Museum of Wales,
complete with a trip underground - miners lamps and no
contraband - great fun! As well as a fascinating and well-led trip
to the workings 300 feet below the surface, we were able to take
on essential supplies (cup of tea and a bite to eat...)
A few hundred yards from the pit, the Pontypool and Blaenavon
Railway is gradually taking shape - we paid a visit and took a ride
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
on the BR blue-and-grey DMU, along the short but scenic line to
Whistle Inn. Ride duly completed, a quick inspection of the
"work in progress" was in order. A number of ex-Barry "long
termers" stand in the compound, along with sundry other items
of motive power. A pair of class 50 diesels stand in extremely
faded NSE livery, while numerous items of coaching and multiple
unit stock are in various states of repair and renovation. Two
steam locos are subject to considerable attention - No 8, the
"Austerity" from Mountain Ash, appears to be very close to the
re-assembly stage, while a friendly group of enthusiasts worked
on pannier tank 9629 - the one that once stood outside the
Holiday Inn in Cardiff. And there, parked behind the 50s, and
looking very pleased to have survived into preservation, was
"Nora" - my friend from 30 years ago.
The Pontypool and Blaenavon is gathering momentum, and its
proximity to Big Pit must be a major "plus point". Hopefully a
longer run soon will start to bring in much-needed funds - it's a
long way to Pontypool...
Link:
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway
