Running along a 5.5m stretch of the abandoned Brecon and Merthyr Railway, the railway currently operates from Pant along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir past Pontsticill and on to Dolygaer.
The original line opened in 1859, climbing through the steep gradients of the Brecon Beacons and puffing through Torpantau tunnel, which at 1313-ft above sea level is the highest railway tunnel in Great Britain.
Although passenger numbers were never particularly high, the line carried large amounts of freight, particularly between 1913-1918 with coal trains servicing the British Fleet at Scappa Flow.
The line finally closed in 1964, depriving this beautiful area of a valuable community and tourist resource.
The connection to the south Wales ports may be long gone, but the Brecon Mountain Railway has ambitious expansion plans, and hopes to extend their service to a new station at Torpantau shortly.
The main terminus is at Pant, three miles north of Merthyr Tydfil. To the right of the building can be seen one of three ventilation shafts built to service the old L & NWR railway tunnel 80 foot below, which closed in 1958.
Opposite the station is the remains of the disused Morlais Quarries which supplied limestone to the many iron works nearby.
Inside the workshops at Pant station.
The platform at Pant station.
View from the platform.
On the move.
Entering the Brecon Beacons national park.
Approaching the Taf Fechan (Ponsticill) reservoir, which was constructed in 1927.
Inside the carriage. The best bit is that you can stand on open platforms at the end of each carriage, Western style.
A short video clip taken from the front carriage as we headed towards Dolygaer.
The train goes straight through Pontsticill Station on the outbound leg, and with no station at the current northern terminus at Dolygaer, the locomotive runs around the train on a passing loop.
The construction of the reservoir flooded eight farms, some cottages and small holdings.
Under the reservoir now lies scattered houses, the vicarage, Capel Taf Fechan, the 15th century Dolygaer church and a Congregational chapel.
The train stops briefly at Pontsticill Station, giving us time to grab some of the lovely Welsh cakes from the cafe.
This auld fella was fascinated by the points at Pontsticill.
The old signal box and station building at Pontsticill.
Archive photo from the 1950s showing a freight train passing through the station.
The old signalbox.
Station view.
We stood on the open platform on the rear carriage for the journey back to Pant and enjoyed some great views.
Heading back to Pant. In the distance you cam see the three peaks of the Brecon Beacons, with the middle one being Pen-Y-Fan, which at 2906-ft is the highest peak in South Wales.
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