Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway
The Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway is a heritage railway in the Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales. The line climbs from Furnace Sidings (the headquarters) to Whistle Inn Halt (at 1,200 ft / 366 m, one of the highest standard-gauge stations in England and Wales), and includes a connection to the Big Pit National Coal Museum at Blaenavon.
The line is the surviving fragment of the former Great Western Railway Pontypool to Blaenavon route, an industrial branch built to serve the Blaenavon iron and coal industry. The Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Company was formed in 1980 and the first preserved trains ran in 1983. The location at the heart of the Blaenavon UNESCO World Heritage Site (recognised for its industrial archaeology) makes it a particularly important industrial heritage operation.
History
The Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Company was formed in 1980 to preserve part of the closed BR/GWR Pontypool–Blaenavon line. The first preserved trains ran in 1983 from Furnace Sidings, with extensions southwards to Big Pit Halt (1990s) and northwards to Whistle Inn (2010). The line is integrated with the Blaenavon World Heritage Site and benefits from joint marketing with Big Pit National Coal Museum.
Original line history
The line was a GWR / Pontypool, Caerleon & Newport Railway industrial branch developed from the early 19th century to serve the Blaenavon ironworks and coal pits. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1941 and the line continued as a coal-freight branch into the late 1970s, with full closure in 1980 following the cessation of Big Pit's coal production.
Stations and infrastructure
Furnace Sidings is the headquarters and operating base, with engine shed and works. Whistle Inn is the spectacular northern terminus on open moorland. Big Pit Halt serves the National Coal Museum.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Regular events include steam galas, beer festivals, 1940s weekends, and Santa Specials. The line participates jointly with Big Pit in special events highlighting Blaenavon's industrial heritage.
Visitor information
Furnace Sidings is signposted from the A4043 at Blaenavon. The line operates weekends in summer with daily services in school holidays.