PBR bridge lift

Hello GW,

Yes, the railway is 'split'. There is a token for Furnace Sidings-Whistle, and another for Furnace sidings-Blaenavon High Level.

The culvert damage has happened many times over the years. When the Ironworks was in full swing, they had a storage pond located above the railway. Not sure how deep it is, but we are talking about 1-2 million gallons in stock..... When the excess water goes into the overflow, its going some... We get our loco water off this pond, as the 'head' is about 100 feet.

The possible northern extension is a major key in developing the railway. Its in cutting, for most of the way up, and is pretty well drained. I took a walk up there this christmas, the first time in 15 years. The ground standard is pretty good. However, what it gives is a railhead at a major road, as well as one of the highest staions in the UK.

Regards,
Ian.

 

Waenavon was the highest standard gauge station in England and Wales and we hope it will be again.

 

Popped in this Saturday to get some shots of current progress

work on the bridge is going on as planned
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p69028070.html
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p69028074.html

track clearance has also started on the section south of the bridge
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p69028076.html
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p69028077.html

although there is still plenty to do
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p69028079.html
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p69028081.html

also called in at Furnace Sidings
Sleepers in Platform 2 are being replaced and the footings for the new station building are being laid
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p69028083.html

the extension to the Top Shed is almost complete - enough room for 3 Mk1s under cover when complete!
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p69028085.html

 

Excellent pictures, especially the ones from the south end past the bridge. How far down does the actual track extend? I assume most if not all will need to be renewed or at least sleeper replacement.

When i saw the picture of the North end of furness Station i thought it was High Level and got all excited ! (Im very easy to please ! ). Are there plans in the short term to rebuild the 2nd platform at High level or at least rebuild the loop to enable to run rounds at both ends? Once the bridge has been overhauled of course.

Do you plan to clear as much as poss. south or just enough to permit a loco run round.

Once again excellent progress guys!!

Great Western.

 

Hi GW,

there's about another 300 - 400 yards south of the road bridge (I can't remember the exact figure) and we will be clearing right the way to the end where the cycle track takes over for the run down the valley. You are correct in that it will need totally resleepering, which we will be doing with concrete's, much like the rest of the running line. We will then move the buffer stop and sand drag from their position just before the road bridge right to the end of the line. Thus anyone standing at Blaenavon High Level (BHL) will only see track running in either direction as the buffer stops will be round the corner out of sight.

Of course the next step to work out is how are we going to make use of this extra track, whether it be for everyday running or just special events and how we use it. Do trains stop at BHL, then carrying onto the end of the line before returning back north non stop. Do they pass straight through BHL and then stop on the return or do they stop in both directions - decisions, decisions, decisions (and nice ones to have).

As for the track at BHL itself we will be setting up a run round loop there which will make life a whole lot easier and eventually platform 2 will be rebuilt. It's not needed at the moment but when we start down the valley it will become a passing loop and so a 2nd platform will be essential. In the not to distant future the waste on platform 2 will be removed so it will look somewhat more presentable.

regards
Alistair

 

400yds is quite a nice little extension to the current line, is any of it viable to the public ie, on a embankment or in general view?

One thing that could be improved is the signage to the actual railway, big pit is signed from the M4 but if you only follow these you get lost en route! Ive done it!. And then I dont recall seeing any signs for the railway until your well up the valley to Bleanavon.

With regards to train operation I would say keep the 'extension' as a special events thing, running non stop through HL either way is only going to cause problems I think. Better to keep it for theme days etc with a brake van special or something maybe?

With regards to the cycle path along the trackbed, who will remove and then replace that? The council or railway and more importantly who will pay for it

Great Western.

 

It's visible to the towns folk as that side is open, on the other side the land is higher up but anyone on the cycle track will be able to look down on the trains.

Signage is a council issue as they are brown tourist signs, if you get lost following the Big Pit signs what chance do we have! Mind you a lot of signs in the local area were upgraded a couple of years ago and now point to the railway and the next door garn lakes. Sadly with Big Pit being the major attraction they will always get top billing, but we're getting there, step by step, sleeper by sleeper.

As to who does what on the cycle track, that will be a matter of discussion and who pays for it as well! At the moment I've no idea - of course if the lottery win came along :0)

regards
Alistair

 

Hi all

just to bring you all up to date progress on the bridge work at Blaenavon can be seen here

http://aligrieve.smugmug.com/PontypoolandBlaenavonRailway/2011-Preseason-Work

Also included is work on the track clearance south of the bridge, the Top Shed Extension, Big Pit Branch and new station building at Furnace Sidings.

regards
Alistair

 

Excellent progress, cant wait until the summer when we can come down/up see the new works.
The new shed is really taking shape. Are there any plans to introduce a signalling operation, comple with cabin etc?

Great Western.

 

Nice to see the M and M coach having some major surgery, are you going to replace the lower panels with steel or wood?
Good to see all the work going on, that's going to be a pretty big station building!
Regards
Matt

 

Hi Matt

as far as I am aware the M&M will be clad in wood as it was originally.

The station building should have everything under one roof, ticket off, waiting room, tea room, toilets and shop!

regards
Alistair