First Ever Coal Train Weekend at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway (Part 1) 26/05/2019.
On a wet and wild day, I went up to the P&BR to see the very first runs of their Coal Train along the section of the line between Furnace and Blaenavon HL. In this First Part, the duties were shared by three of their locos, Class 31 D5627 Steve Organ G.M., Hunslet 'Jessie' and Barclay 'Rosyth No 1'.
The three locos also hauled passenger services throughout the day. The Railway will also be open Bank Holiday Monday the 27th of May 2019.
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway GHOST TRAIN EVENT 2019
Total was the first day of the Best event in the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway's Annual Calendar..their ever popular Ghost Train Event celebrating Halloween 2019.
Congratulations to all the Volunteers for working so hard to put on this marvelous show, and to all the Customers Old and New, that make this four day event such a success each year.
Please note, that full permission was granted for all clips that included children.
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Halloween Event 28/10/2017
This small Preserved Railway high in the Mountains in South East Wales, will hold its Halloween Event for 2017 over the 28th 29th and 31st October 2017 between 16.00 and 21.00.
This footage was captured on Saturday 28th October, and it was truly amazing to see the results of this incredible event. The visitors queued up non stop to ride on the train, and to be scared by the wonderfully dressed up staff and volunteers on the Railway.
The attention to details was phenomenal, and the power was provided by the Railway's own Austerity 71515 Mech Navvies Ltd.hauling trains from Furnace Sidings to Whistle Inn and return.
A big thank you to Alex Hinshelwood and his colleagues for looking after Mrs M and me during the visit, and to all the wonderful visitors who allowed me to video them.
Why not come along with the Family, Dress up and have an unforgettable day our at the P&BR...You'll Love it!
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway's Ghost Trains October 2018.
Today was the first of four days of the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway's biggest event of the year ~ Ghost Trains, celebrating Halloween.
All families featured gave their full consent to be included in this production, and I would also like to thank all the staff and Volunteers once again for making Mrs M and my visit such a pleasure.
It was a wild, windy day with the odd snow shower, but everyone enjoyed themselves despite some of the incredible costumes worn by the volunteers....So why not come along over the remainder event, bring your Family and have a frighteningly fantastic time.
Check the Railway's Web Page for full details.
Pontypool & Blaenavon Vintage Weekend 18 ~ 19/05/2019.
This weekend the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway held a Vintage train weekend, featuring newly restored loco 'Jessie'.
UK Railtours also ran an excursion from Stevenage to Cardiff, and brought a coach full of passengers up to the Railway from Newport., and they all had an enjoyable time.
It was also a thrill to meet Richard and Jan Lawson who I haven't seen for nearly thirty years.
I would also like to thank the Staff and Volunteers for making the day such an enjoyable one, so why not bring your family up and enjoy a ride on the trains tomorrow, Sunday the 19th of May 2019.
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway's Class 31 Cab ride on The Coal Train event 26/05/2019 (Part 2)
Following on from Part 1, in this part I was able to capture footage from the cab of D5627 whilst working the Coal Train between Furnace and Blaenavon HL. Jon Goss and Hugh Rees Driving in each direction, and a big thanks to them for looking after me during the journey.
South Wales Industrial Steam Gala at The Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway 17/09/2011
On a wild and blustery day over 1,300 feet above sea level, the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway celebrated the opening of the Big Pit Branch, by holding a South Wales Industrial Stam Gala, which featured are the following locos
* RSH 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST No 71515 'Mech Navvies Ltd'
* Bagnall 0-4-0ST No 19 'HM Dockyard Devonport'
* Peckett 0-4-0ST No 1163 'Whitehead'
* Peckett 0-6-0ST No 2150 'Mardy Monster'
* Peckett 0-6-0ST No 1859 'Sir Gomer'
For me the star of the show was the mighty 1954 built Peckett 0-6-0 ' Mardy Monster' This impressive loco has a tractive effort of over 29,000 lbs, which is more than many larger main line locos, and makes a terrific sound when working hard.
Congratulations for all the staff and volunteers at the P&BR for putting on such a tremendous show.
The Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway's Steam Gala 14th - 16th September 2012
On a wild and windy day, I visited the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway, who were putting on their popular Autumn Steam Gala on Friday Saturday and Sunday, 14-16/09/2012. Five steam locos were show...Port of Par Twins 'Alfred' and 'Judy', RSH 7169 0f 1944 71515 'Mech Navvies Ltd', Bagnal 2962 of 1950 No19 'HM Devonport Dockyard' and Dennis Howell's marvelous 9466, and what an amazing show they put on over the steep inclines on this desolate railway. The new Big Pit Halt was officially opened on Friday 14th September.
1 Judy & Alfred Furnace to Whistle Inn
2 9466 & 19 Furnace to Whistle Inn
3 9466 & 71515 Furnace to Whistle Inn
4 71515, Alfred & Judy, Furnace to Blaenavon HL
5 Judy, Alfred and 71515 Blaenavon Hl to Whistle Inn
6 9466 Furnace to Big Pit
7 9466 Freight Furnace to Whistle Inn
(Part 2) ~ Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway, Autumn Gala 11~13/09/2015.P&BR 2 x264
Some more footage taken during today's visit for the Autumn Steam Gala. Packed with non stop action, and the wonderful sights and sounds of steam working up to over a 1,000 ft above sea level.
Well done to all the Staff and Volunteers, who have put in so much to provide such a wonderful spectacle.
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Steam Gala 13/09/19
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Steam Gala 13/09/19
Visiting engines
Brooke’s no.1
Illingworth/Mitchell
Supported by home based No.18 Jessie
Friday of the gala featuring the two visitors and Jessie. All three will be joined by Rosyth and Empress on the weekend so why not go and enjoy some steep gradients and great engines in the glorious forecast weather!
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway - Summer Steam Gala - Part One - 25/06/16
Part One - Saturday 25th June, 2016
The Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway had a fantastic summer steam gala, with five steam engines running all day on the weekend. The weather was a mix of sunshine, clouds and rain, but it was a great weekend overall.
The engines included:
BR Black Pannier Tank 1501
BR Black Pannier Tank 1369
Andrew Barclay 1219 'Caledonia Works'
Andrew Barclay 'Rosyth' No. 1
Austerity 0-6-0 'Mech Navvies' 71515
This video also includes a new intro sequence, which will be featured in future vidoes.
My First Photographic Charter held at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway 16/09/2019.
Today I attended my first ever Photographic Charter which was run at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway by 30742 Charters. All captured Hand held.
The man in charge was well known photographer Alistair Grieve.
This video includes some of the highlights of the day and shows some stunning clips captured throughout the day.
A big thank you to Alistair, and all the Staff and Volunteers for doing whatever was asked of them during this wonderful day.
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway & Welsh Borders 17.04.2014
On a gorgeous sunny day went to Pontypool & Blaenavon to see running of Saddle Tank 71515 with to Vintage Inspection Saloons taken at different locations around the railway. Then decided to go to Cwmbran to catch Braunton flying through with the Welsh Borders on the return from Worcester - Bristol.
Thanks for watching (C&A)
Class 37 Loco weekend at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway 2010
50th Anniversary of the Class 37 Loco,celebrated at the PBR October 2010.The train is captured departing Blaenavon (High Level) and arriving at The Whistle Inn,travelling straight through Furnace Sidings.
An excellent day,with the damp,misty weather really adding the the atmposphere.
The sights and sounds of these awesome machines was fantastic,a big thank you to all the staff at the PBR.
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway: The Shunter Express
The first running event at the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway on Saturday 5th April 2014. Two shunters were taking the train up to Big Pit Halt, Furnace Sidings and Blaenavon High Level while the line to the Whistle Inn was closed off for track maintenance.
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway's Autumn Steam Gala 2012
Featuring the Par twins, here is a day at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway's autumn steam gala with both lines in operation.
Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway. Barclay Day. 30th April 2016
Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway. Barclay Day. 30th April 2016
1219s first day in service, and first ever passenger trains.
0-4-0ST Rosyth No1
0-4-0ST 1219
Seen from onboard trains and at stations
Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway 9.10.10 More 73 Driving
This was my funniest part of the day. This was my first cab ride in 73128 with turkeygeorge401 making us all laugh. Reub was completely crazy with the horn!
Enjoy and laugh!
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway
Preserved Railway at Furnace Sidings Station Near Blaenavon South Wales uk
also Calling at Big Pit, Blaenavon High Leve,l Whistle Holt
Ghost Trains - Pontypool an Blaenavon Railwayy
5 mins from my home