Brecon Mountain Railway - extension?

Was there any sign of the Baldwin 2-6-2T?

 

Are there any steep bits to make the loco really work?

 

It appeared to be a consistant climb from Pentywyn Reservoir onwards and the loco had to work, but was not as vocal as other engines I have travelled on in the last week ( 5322 and 31806 on WSR and 7820 on GWSR).

I drove up the valley after to 2nd train to try and photograph the 3rd train and it was noticable how much the line had climbed at a parking area the North end of Pentywyn Reservoir where the hillside had been cleared of trees, but not an attractive spot to photograph the train.

Further to my previous post : -

I think further tree clearance is required some on railway land and some not, and in particular

Both sides of curved embankment at Dolygaer - deciduous trees

Where the railway runs parrallel to Pentywyn Reservoir there are some very tall conifers for approx 200m.

Some tree clearance has taken place adjacent the Reservoir just north of Pontsticill, and a large area has been cleared the North end of Pentywyn Reservoir.

 

In mountain areas you can get plateaux, a plateau tends to be flat(ish).

 

The gradient profile for standard gauge was quite a challenge but not 'difficult', however for 2' the gradients would not seem to be so steep.
My book on the line under it's original owner is stored in the UK so I can't give any actual figures.

 

The big Soviet diesel had its cab off in the works, the 'Santa Teresa' 2-6-2 Baldwin was in much the same condition as can be seen on the website, behind the diesel. Essentially just a boiler missing. Here's a photo:

 

Ooh you little tease.

 

Apparently it's too steep for the Jung, but I'm not sure how steep it actually is. I'm going on it tomorrow so I can see for myself.

Was the museum at Ponsticill open during anyone's visits?

 

It was open on Tuesday. There is a 2 page handout detailing what they have in there in a tray on the righthand side.

 

The Baldwin made a decent sound going uphill . I have a recollection that the gradient there is around 1 in 50 though could be as steep as 1 in 45/42 according to narrator on the 'Four Ways to Brecon' B&R DVD. The museum was open on Tuesday, Sybil was being steamed and the two verticals plus a fair few small stationary engines were on display

 

I had an excellent wet day on the BMR today and can confirm that the Baldwin really has to work. Almost straight after leaving Dolygaer loop, the line climbs at (according to the driver) 1in45 for about two miles. At some points the loco was in full forward gear with the regulator wide open and in the wet conditions was often struggling for grip. Chatting to the diver afterwards he said that the loco is really at its limit with load 5 on that section and seemed dubious that it would survive the hammering it is now getting.

The very friendly crew also talked about the exciting plans the railway has with the prospect of extending over the road at Topantau and following the reservoir contractors railway towards Pen y Fan, given their track record though I'm not sure how long that will take.

At Ponsticill the steam museum was open with three working locos on view but not in steam and an array of stationary steam engines.

All in all a very enjoyable visit and one I would thoroughly recommend. In my view this extension has turned a rather boring railway into one you must travel on.

 

Shame they got rid of the Garratt they used to have then

I had no idea they had another extension in mind - sounds exciting though!

Did anybody manage to get any photos of the smaller locos? I still haven't seen any really good shots of the vertical boiler locos since restoration!

 

My photos from last Tuesday can be found at http://paulsimpson.zenfolio.com/p565280702

 

Very attractive railway ,certainly on my to do list in summer when I come over to Wales

 

hi
last time I was there last year I spoke to a member of the staff who was telling of the future expansion plans that include the tunnel which they were trying to get the use of the tack as some has mention has gone almost the highest point and it been laid for years, its goes a little further up the side of the reservoir than it used too nice in the summer

 

Exmoor Steam Railway, about a decade ago. (http://freespace.virgin.net/hanson.mike/Exmoor.htm and search for 77). I don't know if it went for work or if a change of ownership was involved.