DEVELOPMENT – TRACKWORK – Page 1

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DEFOLIATION (uploaded 2 November 2008)

By PBR standards, it’s a long way from Furnace Sidings down the line to Blaenavon (High Level) station, and although we had harboured fantasies about making it down the line to the next station ever since we started over twenty five years ago, a moment’s sober thought soon pricked the balloon of fantasy, when thoughts of the bridge repairs and how we were going to raise sufficient funds to pay for this work was considered. Even if we could sort out the bridges, there was still the problem of relaying the track, which, whilst it might have been recoverable a quarter of a century ago, would be an entirely different kettle of fish with drains and culverts blocked by years of neglect, ballast choked with grass and weeds, and sizeable trees not only sprouting from between the sleepers, but growing rapidly in size. However all that changed several years ago, when it seemed that our pleas for help were no longer falling on deaf ears. As soon as it seemed we had a good chance of getting the bridges repaired, we started to think earnestly about the track. For the most part, the track had long since disappeared into a weed infested morass or out-and-out jungle. But we knew we were on the brink of something big, and so a small team, armed with a few hand tools and a very modest chain saw attacked the matto grosso.

These images, all by member Andy Knock tell the story of the clearance during September of 2007

Near the site of Tyre Mill Sidings signal box, volunteer Dave P. looks southwards towards the thickest part of the thicket.

Consigned to the pyre much of the relatively sparse (but not that sparse) undergrowth goes up in smoke

On an already hot day, working on bonfires is exhausting work. Volunteer Pete D sits on a low embankment just north of Forgeside bridge.


These could be Dr Livingstone and his apprentice for all we know. It difficult for them even to see each other	Hi-viz vests are discarded as the mercury climbs, but looking south it is obvious that massive progress is being made	Here’s a view from Forgeside Road bridge looking north before the defoliation team start in earnest ...


....and here we are again, a few days later to witness the transformation.	Andy P. looks wistfully southwards under Forgeside Road bridge and ponders on the task ahead.	Before studying this image, look to the bottom of the page at the tall image on the left, to how things were before the transformation.


Andy P’s fears are unfounded, as, a few weeks later, south of Forgeside Road bridge, we look further south from the 4 ½ mile post (on the right). This is the distance from Brynmawr.	Looking north from almost the same point we see dead grass. Over the next six months, winter weather and natural decay sees this area almost cleared.	...and similarly in the opposite direction. The undergrowth that leads to Blaenavon (High Level) station is now clear to see – and the end of the work.

Here is the view just about half way up the platform.

... and here is the view from the south end of the platform. Here the vegetation is more scrubby – but only because the trackbed has been regularly trampled by people fly-tipping.

But amongst the dereliction, rosebay willowherb, and stones, an important find – the 4 ¾ mile milepost. This has now been restored to its original position

forgeside bridge to blaenavon before

Left: From Forgeside bridge looking south we see the forbidding mass of vegetation over the track on the left. On the right the cyclepath stretches featureless into the distance, whilst yet further to the right we see its recently mown verge.

Right: The north end of Platform 1 at Blaenavon (High Level) is just about passable, and a narrow path maintained – thanks to countless dog walkers,over the years. As can be seen,though, the track bed is completely choked. In the distance the Thumper has brought the lads some tea – a slight indulgence methinks!

workers tea train

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DEVELOPMENT – TRACKWORK – Page 1

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Main development page

HOME

DEFOLIATION (uploaded 2 November 2008)

These images, all by member Andy Knock tell the story of the clearance during September of 2007

Near the site of Tyre Mill Sidings signal box, volunteer Dave P. looks southwards towards the thickest part of the thicket.

Consigned to the pyre much of the relatively sparse (but not that sparse) undergrowth goes up in smoke

On an already hot day, working on bonfires is exhausting work. Volunteer Pete D sits on a low embankment just north of Forgeside bridge.

These could be Dr Livingstone and his apprentice for all we know. It difficult for them even to see each other

Hi-viz vests are discarded as the mercury climbs, but looking south it is obvious that massive progress is being made

Here’s a view from Forgeside Road bridge looking north before the defoliation team start in earnest ...

....and here we are again, a few days later to witness the transformation.

Andy P. looks wistfully southwards under Forgeside Road bridge and ponders on the task ahead.

Before studying this image, look to the bottom of the page at the tall image on the left, to how things were before the transformation.

Andy P’s fears are unfounded, as, a few weeks later, south of Forgeside Road bridge, we look further south from the 4 ½ mile post (on the right). This is the distance from Brynmawr.

Looking north from almost the same point we see dead grass. Over the next six months, winter weather and natural decay sees this area almost cleared.

...and similarly in the opposite direction. The undergrowth that leads to Blaenavon (High Level) station is now clear to see – and the end of the work.