Brecon & Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway

Relevant Acts

20th May 1825	'Old Rumney' incorporated as 4'2'' Tramroad from Pwll-y-Llaca, Abertysswg to Pye Corner (below Bassaleg) connected with the Nine Mile Point Tramroad of the Monmouthshire Canal Co. The extension from Pwll-y-Llaca to Rhymney Ironworks was constructed by the Iron Company.
9th November 1858	The Company's Bill published.
1st August 1859	Talybont to Pant (Dowlais) and junction with Dowlais Railway authorised
15th May 1860	Brecon - Talybont authorised (along Hay Tramroad from Talyllyn), plus Talyllyn East Loop and West junction with Mid Wales Railway at Talyllyn.
1st August 1861	'Old Rumney' Tramroad reincorporated as Rumney Railway Company with powers to convert to a Railway. Machen to Caerphilly authorised.
6th August 1861	Brecon & Merthyr (Extension) Act Pant to Deri. Act also covered Rhymney Railway portion Deri to Bargoed North Jn and to secure possession of the Hay Railway.
1862	Abandonment of Dowlais Railway Connection and making of line to Merthyr substituted.
28th July 1862	Pontsticill Jn to Rhydycar Jn authorised - Joint with London & North Western Railway from Morlais Jn after 1875. (L&NWR into Merthyr June 1879).
28th July 1863	B&MR purchases the Rumney Railway (the 'Old Rumney'), which also gave them running powers (by 1861 Act) over GWR (Monmouthshire Railway) from Bassaleg Jn to Newport - also gave powers north of Maesycwmmer to the West Midlands Railway Act also authorised connection from Rumney Railway at Gilfach Jn to Rhymney Railway at Bargoed South Jn. and the Junction between Rhymney and B&M Railways at Deri (with abandonment of part of Railway authorised by Act of 06.08.1861). Act gave running powers over the intervening portion of Rhymney Railway (Deri to Bargoed Sth Jn).
4th June 1864	Act gave B&MR running powers to Caerphilly and Cardiff (never used) and powers to build a 'short' connection from Bedwas to the Newport, Abergavenny & Hereford Railway (Never built), with running powers up to Middle Duffryn in the Aberdare Valley.
5th July 1865	Pant to Dowlais (Lloyd Street) authorised. Act to amalgamate B&MR and Hereford, Hay and Brecon Railway (Effective 25.08.1865).
1866	Agreement that B&MR should join the 'Vale of Neath' Railway at Rhydycar Jn and run into Merthyr High St.
15th July 1867	Ratification of agreement with L&NW and B&M re junctions at Dowlais Top and Ivor Junction.
13 July 1868	B&MR Amalgamation Act. Hereford Hay & Brecon reconstituted (B&MR and H,H and B resumed separate status)
18th May 1874	Agreement with LNWR that Morlais Jn to Rhydycar Jn become a Joint Line.)
19th July 1875	LNWR Act giving powers to extend from Dowlais (Penywern Jn) to B&MR at Morlais Jn and to make the section Morlais Jn to Rhydycar Jn Joint line.
1887	The Machen Loop Act gives the PC&NR the right to double track the Caerphilly branch, with the separate route from Gwaunybara to Machen.
19th August 1921	The Railways Act 1921 under which the B&MR becomes absorbed into the enlarged GWR.

Significant Dates

c. June 1815	Brinore Tramroad opened Talybont on Usk - Trevil - Bryn Oer Patch (on the Common north of Rhymney Hill) 3'6'' Gauge. Horse worked.
7th July 1816	Hay Tramroad Hay to Brecon opened for Goods Traffic Horse Worked.
1826	'Old Rumney' Tramroad opened with horse traction Rumney Iron Works to Bassaleg. (NB Railway & Canal Historical Society say 1831)
1854	Steam locos on 'Old Rumney' (Traders locos introduced during the 1840's)
December 1858	Agreement with Breconshire Railway & Canal Co to use their Talybont - Brecon Section. (The Canal Co had proposed to turn itself into a Railway thus saving the B&MR going to Parliament for this portion)
18th January 1860	First sod cut at Torpantau (Pedolau Farm)
6th August 1860	Talyllyn Jn to Brecon bought from Hereford, Hay & Brecon.
August 1860	Agreement with Davies and Savin to work the line.
17th December 1861	Contractors loco reached 'Dowlais' - which was in effect Pant.
Summer 1862	First train through Torpantau Tunnel (Pant to Talybont)
28th August 1862	Directors Special Pant to Talybont (Canal bridge not completed. Train ran from temporary platform near Canal bridge at Pennorth)
By 4th Nov 1862	Rails laid Talybont to Pennorth (4½ miles from Brecon)
6th October 1862	Special train for members of the Board of Health to official opening of Dolygaer Reservoir.
1st January 1863	Ballast train reached Brecon.
20th January 1863	Trials run Brecon to Pant (outward with passengers, returned with passengers and 17 wagons of coal)
By 30th Jan 1863	Goods Traffic 'in operation' Pant to Brecon.
12th February 1863	Talybont to Pant failed Inspecting Officer.
14th March 1863	Talybont to Pant inspected and approved. Horse bus connection then provided Pant to Merthyr.
19th March 1863	Passenger trains Talybont to Pant with 'coach' connections to Brecon and to Merthyr. Original Stations were Talybont, Dolygaer and Pant.
19th March 1863	Special train ran Pant to Brecon carrying a Judge commissioned to hold the Lent Assizes at Brecon.
21st April 1863	Talybont to Brecon inspected and approved.
23rd April 1863	First official passenger train from Brecon (Watton). Brecon to Pant opened for goods.
1st May 1863	Normal service commenced from Brecon to Pant (Passenger and Goods)
28th December 1863	Connecting spur into use by GWR. Maesycwmmer Jn (GW) to Maesycwmmer Jn (B&MR) -( 58 chains long)
1864	Caerphilly Branch opened as a Mineral Line - connected with Rhymney Railway which was a Mineral line to Wernddu from 1859.
19th September 1864	Hereford, Hay & Brecon services into Brecon.
21st September 1864	Mid Wales services into Brecon. Talyllyn East Loop Opened.
7th June 1865	Board of Trade Inspection Bassaleg Jn to Pengam (The third in six months)
By 1865	Bryn Oer Tramway ceased to be used.
14th June 1865	Tramroad (Old Rumney) converted to Railway by this date and passenger service started Pengam to Newport (Dock Street) - Possible that mineral traffic continued during conversion.
25th August 1865	B&MR took over the HH&B (but invalid as shareholders not consulted)
16th April 1866	Passenger and Goods service commenced Pengam (Mon) to Rhymney - with horse bus connection to Dowlais. Inspected 25.04.1866
6th February 1866	Receiver appointed after the failure of Thomas Savin.
c. 1866	High level track laid Brecon Jn (Heol Lladron) to Free St (Heol Rhydd)
1867	B&MR allowed to work coal traffic to Newport.
1st August 1867	Opened Pant to Dowlais Top (Passenger and Goods). Opened (Pass) Pontsticill Jn to Cefn (Horse Bus Cefn to Merthyr)
1st June 1868	Opened (Pass and Goods) Cefn to Merthyr - Running powers over the Vale of Neath from Rhydycar Jn. B&MR was third company into Merthyr (TVR and Vale of Neath were first and second)
1st Aug 1868 (?)	Llwyncelyn Jn to Cyfarthfa Ironworks opened, 23 chains.
1st Aug 1868 (?)	12ch West of Rhydycar Jn to Ynysfach Ironworks opened (may have been opened by 01.08.1867)
1st September 1868	Opened Dowlais Top to Pengam. Brecon - Newport (Dock Street) services now commenced.
1868	HH&B reconstituted. B&MR and HH&B resumed separate status.
1st October 1868	Mid Wales Railway ran Brecon - Hereford Trains.
22nd October 1868	Mid Wales used Mount Street as terminus - Later reverted to Watton (01.03.1871 ?)
23rd June 1869	Opened Pant to Dowlais Lloyd St (Pass and Goods)
1st October 1869	Midland Railway took over the HH&B (used Watton until 01.03.1871, then Free Street)
1st March 1871	Free Street Station opened - used by B.& M and Midland.
13th March 1871	GWR commenced use of Maesycwmmer Jn to Rhymney (Via B& M Route)
1st May 1871	Mid Wales services moved from Watton to Free Street.
6th March 1872	N&B trains first used Free Street (Extract from letter to N&B Directors dated 06.03.1872)
1st June 1879	Through service LNWR Abergavenny Line to Merthyr High Street commenced (09.06.1879 also quoted)
1880	B&M passenger services transferred from Newport Dock Street to High street station.
4th May 1885	LNWR Passenger service to Dowlais Lloyd St via Penywern Jn and Ivor Jn terminated; Dowlais High St LNWR Station opened on through line to Merthyr.
1887	Connection opened Ynysfach Jn to Cyfarthfa Works.
28th December 1887	PC&N starts working passenger service Newport - Pontypridd via Machen.
14th September 1891	PC&N opens line from Machen to Gwaunybara Jn and transfers ownership to the B&M in return for 50% of the net earnings of the Caerphilly branch.
1st January 1899	GWR takes over working service Newport - Pontypridd services from the PC&Ns successor, the ADR.
1904	RR starts Railmotor service between Senghenydd and Machen via Caerphilly.
1st January 1917	GWR withdraws Newport - Pontypridd service and ADR extends service from Caerphilly to Machen to compensate; RR Railmotor service reduced.
5th May 1919	RR withdraws Railmotor service between Caerphilly to Machen.
1st July 1922	B&M Railway absorbed by Great Western Railway.

Note: The Plaque that existed on Talyllyn Junction Station commemorating the Tunnel construction referred to enlargement and re-opening by the B&MR Railway on 1 May 1863. This was the date 'normal' service Brecon to Pant commenced but the first official passenger train had passed on 23 04.1863.

Brecon & Merthyr Map

Lines Doubled

1st April 1884	Bassaleg - Machen
1885	Elliot Pit Jn - Whiterose (Insp 30.05.1885)
By 2nd Oct 1896	Machen - Bedwas c 10.1896
By 7th Dec 1896	Bedwas - Maesycwmmer
By 11th Jan 1901	Aberbargoed - Elliot Pit Jn
14th Nov 1904	Whiterose - McLaren No 1

Lines Singled

8th - 9th April 1934	New Tredegar (Nth of 18.60 to 15.40)
June 1935	Aberbargoed Jn (Nth of) 15.40 to 16.18
11th Dec 1964	Pengam - Tredegar Jn Lower (Retaining wall at Fleur de Lis collapsed - Layout revised 04.07.1965)
4th July 1965	Bargoed - Pengam
15th Aug 1965	Machen - Trethomas
20th Nov 1967	Bassaleg - Machen

Lines closed to Passenger Services

28th June 1952	Ordinary Services Pant (Excl) - Dowlais Central (Workmen's Trains continued)
17th September 1956	Caerphilly (Excl) - Machen (Excl) - Except Caerphilly Works workmen's trains.
2nd May 1960 Official	Workmen's services Pant - Dowlais Central. Last trains 06.05.1960
13th November 1961	Pontsticill Jn (Excl - Merthyr (Excl)
31st December 1962	Brecon - Newport (Excl)
31st December 1962	Aberbargoed Jn - New Tredegar
1st July 1963	Caerphilly Works Trains Caerphilly - Machen - Newport
2nd May 1964	Last Special Passenger Train Cardiff - Brecon

Lines closed completely

14th April 1930	Due to landslip 11th April 1930. New Tredegar Colliery - New Tredegar (Excl). Taken out of use 19.09.1930.
1st March 1933	Rhymney Lower - McLarens (Excl)
31st December 1962	New Tredegar - Aberbargoed Junction (Excl)
31st December 1962	Fleur de lis - Bedwas (T.O.U. 18.08.1963)
31st December 1962	Brecon (Mount St) - Brecon Yard GF
5th August 1963	Deri Junction - Pant Junction
4th May 1964	Brecon (Watton Goods) - Dowlais
4th may 1964	Pontsticill Jn - Vaynor Quarry (Excl)
23rd August 1965	Ogilvie Colliery Branch Jn - Deri Junction
3rd October 1966	Vaynor Quarry - Rhydycar Junction
4th September 1967	Pengam Colliery Sth - Fleur de lis - Tredegar Lower Jn (Last train 16.08.1967)
9th August 1971	Britannia Colliery - Pengam Colliery Sth
12th November 1976	McLaren - New Tredegar Colliery
9th January 1977	Bargoed South Junction - Aberbargoed Junction
9th January 1977	Aberbargoed Jn - Britannia Colliery
8th April 1978	Bedwas - Machen Quarry (Excl)
3rd September 1978	Ogilvie Colliery - Bargoed Nth Junction (R. R. Section)

Locomotives

The earliest locomotives used by the B&M had been ordered by Savin and were supplied by Sharp, Stewart and Co. These were predominantly tender locos of 0-6-0 and 2-4-0 types. Subsequent acquisitions included saddle tanks of both 0-6-0 and 0-6-2 configurations and, following trials with a 2-4-0 Metro Tank borrowed from the GWR, a series of 2-4-0 side tanks with significantly increased boiler dimensions, which proved the mainstay of passenger services until the end of the company's life. Tank engines proved more practical and well before the end of the nineteenth century the company had disposed of all its tender locos. In the twentieth century the B&M entered the second-hand market purchasing locos that had originated on the GWR, LSWR and the Inland Dock and Waterways Board. In its final dozen or so years the company purchased a two series of modern 0-6-2 side tanks based on designs employed by the Rhymney Railway.

Rolling Stock

Passenger coaches followed a similar pattern to the locomotives with the company acquiring new stock in the nineteenth century - all four-wheelers, and second-hand in the twentieth with acquisitions, comprising both four- and six-wheel stock coming from the Mersey, Metropolitan and LSWR.
Goods vehicles were procured from a variety of sources, both new and second-hand, with the B&M works at Machen also rebuilding wagons. One ex-B&MR wagon, a four-plank open No 197 built by Renshaw in 1902, is preserved on the Severn Valley Railway.

WRRC Line Superintendent

Contact details for the line superintendent are available in the Members Section >>

WRRC Information Resource files

For the Brecon and Merthyr Railway.
For the Brecon and Merthyr & LNWR Joint.

Locomotive And Rolling Stock totals for selected dates between 1904 and 1921.

For the Brecon and Merthyr Railway.

Selected Reading

Railways and Industry on the Brecon & Merthyr, Bassaleg to Bargoed and New Tredegar/Rhymney B & M. John Hodge, Ray Caston, Pen & Sword Transport, ISBN: 9781399096058
Railways and Industry on the Brecon & Merthyr Bargoed to Pontsticill Jct., Pant to Dowlais Central. John Hodge, Ray Caston, Pen & Sword Transport, ISBN: 9781399070768
Railways and Industry on the Brecon & Merthyr Railway, Merthyr to Pontsicill Junction-Brecon. John Hodge, Ray Caston, Pen & Sword Transport, ISBN: 978139904108
A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain Vol 12 South Wales. D.S.M. Barrie, David & Charles, 2nd edition 1994. ISBN 0946537-69-0
Six Railways to Merthyr. John Hodge. WRRC, 2014. ISBN 978-09527267-7-7.
The Brecon and Merthyr Railway, Second Edition. DSM Barrie, revised RW Kidner, Oakwood Press 1991, ISBN 0853614105
South Wales Branch Lines. H Morgan, Ian Allan Ltd, 1984. ISBN 0711013217
Brecon and Merthyr Railway. V J Parry, Brecon, 1970.
A Register of GWR Absorbed Coaching Stock, 1922-1923. Eric Mountford, Oakwood Press, Dorset, 1978
Locomotives of the GWR, Volume 10 Absorbed Companies 1922-1947. RCTS

Railway Magazine, 1950, page 376-377. Talyllyn A Rural Welsh Junction. T.B. Sands.
Railway Magazine, 1950. page 491 and 568. Talyllyn A Rural Welsh Junction. T.B. Sands.
Railway Magazine, September 1938 page 219. Six Railways In 30 Miles. D.S. Barrie.
Railway Magazine, December 1938 page 489. Six Railways In 30 Miles. D.S. Barrie.
Railway Magazine, September 1938 page 203-208. Railways In The Wye Valley. T.R. Perkins.
Railway Magazine, November 1938 pages 355-360. Railways In The Wye Valley. T.R. Perkins.
Railway Magazine, December 1938 pages 435-438. Railways In The Wye Valley. T.R. Perkins.
Railway Magazine, August 1918 pages 73-84. The Brecon and Merthyr Railway: Its History and Locomotives. H.L Hopqood.
Railway Magazine, 1952 pages 719-726. Caerphilly. A Railway Crossroads. T.B. Sands.
Railway Archive, 38(2013) 38-46. The Hopwood Collections: The B & M and N & B Railways.
Railway Archive, 29(2013) 89-91. The Hopwood Collections: The B & M and N & B Railways.
Railway Modeller October 1977 page 309. Brecon & Merthyr Railway 8 ton low drop side wagon drawing.
Railway Modeller, March 1993. Brecon & Merthyr Railway Stephenson 2-4-0T drawing. Ian Beattie.
Steam Days, June 2004 pages 337-359. The Brecon & Merthyr Railway. Stanley Jenkins.

Notes prepared by Bryan Wilson with additions and minor edits by Ray Caston and Rodney Hall.