Brecon Mountain Railway - A Heritage Attraction?

AFAIK it basically reflects the owners interest in American 2ft lines.

What did amuse me though was a timetable leaflet featuring the Baldwin Pacific - with a small boy riding in the cab!

 

I seem to recall that it is supported by the Brecon Beacons National Park authorities in the hope of diverting visitors from their cars to alternative public transport. This is possibly one of the reasons that it does not define itself as a "heritage" line.

 

A fair point and the same could be said of the Bala Lake Railway which I visited on Saturday, although the Quarry Hunslet locos are certainly vintage. Quite a friendly outfit though and it was OK to walk round the loco shed.

 

Not visited yet but haulage by a 2ft gauge Pacific certainly appeals.

 

Just because it doesn't portray the heritage of the line it's built on doesn't necessarily preclude it from being a heritage railway, although I understand the arguments against the idea

 

I'm waiting until they finish "Sandy River" before I go again as that will be a recreation of the full size version of AER No 24 "Bruce". ("Bruce" is 1/3 scale on 10.25".)

 

I don't know what they advertise themselves as, but if they are using heritage equipment (i.e. rolling stock) then that's good enough for inclusion on my website.
I do also stretch the point for new build locomotives being included in the Locos Database (They are 'new' but to a heritage design).

 

Had a Great Day at the Brecon Mountain Railway this Summer, Nice relaxed atmosphere everyone was friendly and Baldwin was quite a Joy to travel upon.
Did Baldwin spend some time in South Africa?
Photo: Brecon Mountain Railway Torpantau Station - Baldwin 61269 - 01.08.18

 

I understand that No.2 spent its working life there. From the BMR website;

 

I think that's a very fair comment. For us enthusiasts, the American locomotives really are the BMR's unique selling point (at least this side of the pond!). So if I were to have a WIBN moment I might say yes, wouldn't it be wonderful to capitalise on that with American stations and coaches, perhaps based on the 2' gauge railways of Maine!

But then again...the locos are the only genuinely historic element of the equipment. In a sense, it is dishonest to try to present things as "heritage" when they are not. There is a danger that you will just end up with a pastiche that feels like a Disney theme park. (This is also why I support the F&WHR's decision to build a modern station building in Caernarfon.)

In any case, the line needs to keep its costs down, and is marketed mostly for the scenery (which I remember as being quite good - and that was before the latest extension opened). If they can make a success of it, then good luck to them, and let's just enjoy it for what it is.

 

This is a successful commercial operation operating for nearly 40 years without any fake American depots, the alternate loco is actually German, it doesn't suck volunteers, rolling stock or finance from the heritage sector, enjoy it for what it is, when restored 20 years ago the pacific stood comparison with any same gauge operational locos over the pond, we should be very grateful for Tony Hills legacy.

 

I don't think anyone's saying they're not...

 

Absolutely, variety is the spice of life!