Narrow gauge steam to Torpantau
Brecon Baldwin
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2015
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
29 March 2015
We first visited the Brecon Mountain Railway in April 2002
(see Brecon Mountaineering). The ride on the 2’ gauge line
then extended as far as Dolygaer, but track had been laid for
the continuation to Torpantau, summit of the former Brecon
and Merthyr. We had promised ourselves a return visit when
the extension was open - and on finding ourselves heading
north from Cardiff, with time to kill...
It wasn’t actually the best of days for our visit. It had rained
most of the way down to Cardiff, and though the rain was well
past by the time we got to Pant, where the line begins, the cold
wind remained strong and gusty.
I struggled to hold the camera
still, and there might otherwise
have been more video...
Despite the weather, we had a
very enjoyable run behind the
big Baldwin pacific (No 2, 61269
of 1930) - the scenery is
pleasant, with good views
(improved by some timber
felling) of the reservoirs below,
and the distant skyline formed
of the Brecon Beacons. Unlike
previous arrangements, it’s now
possible to detrain at the run-
round point, perhaps 100 yards
south of the old station - and in
better weather, there could be
some good walks - now there’s a
thought...
Link: Brecon Mountain
Railway
