Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Fresh air, Steam Train, Nature |
| Disadvantages: |
Hard Seats |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
The Brecon Mountain Railway
A narrow Gauge line That runs beside the Taff Fechan Reservoir in Wales.
The Station building at Pant is built into the side of the hill at the starting point of this railway. It is built mainly on the track bed of the old Brecon & Merthyr Railway. After this was closed, like so many others in the 60's the land was sold to local farmers.
When in 1972 an engineer was looking for a site to run renovated narrow gauge engines he decided upon this area. He was unable to obtain the site of the original Pant Station so a new one with workshops was built slightly further down the hill.
The station opens at 09.30am and the first train is at 11.00am
The season is from end March to End of October. On some days in peak season the final daily train is at 05.00pm rather than at 04.00pm
Some days from April to June and again in October no trains are run.Timetable on web site should be checked to avoid disappointment.
On entering the building, to your Left is a fully licensed cafe where food and drink can be obtained. To your right are the toilet facilities.
These are very clean and well maintained. Train booking and access to the trains are immediately to the front.
Access to the higher level platform is by means of an inclined ramp.about half way up there is access into the workshop. It is not permitted to walk freely about this area but viewing is possible.Here they repair the engines and rebuild them.
At the upper level are another cafe and souvenirs and the main platform.
The line from Pant falls away to the side of the Taff Fechan reservoir and along the side until it reaches Dol-y-Gaer. Here the train stops but there is no station for passengers to get off. The engine runs around its train and returns to Pontsticill. Here there is a stop where the engine may take on water. There are refreshment facilities made from the grounded bodies of old railway agons. There are further toilet facilities which again are clean and in good order.
There is a picnic area and an area for small children with some play toys. Large wooden tables and benches are provided. Litter bins for plastic cups and other rubbish are provided also. The whole area is clean and well maintained.
After a half hour stop, the train returns to Pant, pulling hard up the quite steep gradient. The whole journey taking some 65 mins.
The stop at Pontsticill is on the site of the old station, All that remains of that is the Old Signal Box, which offers accommodation, but more about that can be found on the Web Site.
The old station was situated alongside the Reservoir, and on fine days views of Pen-y-Fan may be obtained.
It is possible to break your journey at Pontsticill and return on a later train. In fine weather there are very nice walks alongside the reservoir to be had. The views over the Beacons and back towards Merthyr down the Taff valley are very good.
There are lots of birds around, though seeing them in the bushes may be difficult. No problem with the jackdaws that will be looking for and dropped food they can find.
You may hear the cry of a Buzzard and sight one circling high above.On the quarry cliffs at Morlais you may be very lucky and spot a peregrine falcon. I have heard persistent rumours that a red kite has been seen and is nesting in the area but I have never seen it.
Getting There.
The site is signposted and is easily accessed from the A465 Heads of the valleys road or from the A470.There is a large free car park that can accommodate coaches.
There is a local bus service from Merthyr. You want a bus that goes to Pant Cemetery. The station is only a short walk from the bus stop.
Rail
travel from Cardiff on the Valleys line is an hourly service. The bus station being just a few minutes walk from the train station. There has been some recent rebuilding in Merthyr but the natives are friendly and will direct you.
Prices.
That is the difficult point. I have lost my pricelist. I do know that special rates can be had for parties and school visits. From my admittedly poor memory I believe that the cost for an adult was in excess of £10.00 but check for yourself first. No advance booking required unless for parties.
Now for the downside.
The coaches are built to allow as much observation as possible. The bogies used are rather hard riding. The seats are wooden and would not be very comfortable for very long journeys. Bring your own cushion.
The Future.
There have long been plans to extend the line further up to Torpantau.I understand that the track laying is well advanced and was waiting for inspection to some rebuilt bridges. Work had to be put on hold during the last Foot and Mouth outbreak and this has had an effect on revenue.
The longer run would require other Locos and I believe that a Garret has been acquired. It may already have been rebuilt. I have not seen it and it may be in storage.
The company that runs this railway also runs The Vale of Rheidol railway in Aberystwyth. Locos from that railway can be maintained at the Pant workshops.
This makes for a pleasant day out in fine weather, when you can break your journey and take a walk by the waterside.
Display pictures
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
