Climbing to Whistle Inn II

I spent a few hours at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway on Sunday 20th May.   This is my nearest standard gauge preserved line, some thirty five miles away and high up in the hills near Brynmawr.   Only one locomotive was in steam, Bagnall built 0-4-0ST Devonport Dockyard No. 19, with former GER saloon No.3 providing sufficient capacity for passengers.   It amazes me that the fare for an adult day rover was an absoute bargain at a mere £4.00.

The P&BR has grown considerably in the last couple of years.   When I first saw it, nearly ten years ago, it was a half mile of track from nowhere to nowhere, but in the last two years it has opened a 1.5 mile extension down the valley to Blaenavon High Level and a half mile branch line to Big Pit Halt.  If their ambitious expansion plans are fully realised, the line will ultimately reach Pontypool in the south and Brynmawr in the north.