NEWS 2006

SANTA OVERWHELMED! (added 27 December 2006)

Children of all shapes and ages descended upon Santa at the Whistle Inn during the railway’s Santa Season this December, eager to chat with the man in the red robe and to receive their presents. Such were their number that poor old Santa was quite overwhelmed. The weather was variable, to put it mildly, and with the proceedings during the last day so blanketted in fog that several passengers had to be given directions from the new car park to the station platform. Sadly, the Santa Season was a victim of its own success with all trains fully booked, well before the booking period had come to an end. Perhaps particularly unlucky, were the 'turn-up-and-ride' passengers, many of whom were local, and who had been coming back year upon year, who were unable to get a place on the train. Over 1600 passengers were carried during December - more than 40% up on last year - as a result of which the railway is planning radical steps to accommodate the overcrowding issue arising from this increasingly popular event in the next year or so.

One little girl cuddles up to Santa as she receives her present.

Don dispenses mince pies and festive cheer in the Restaurant Car buffet

It's well after dark as the last train of the day waits at Whistle Inn Halt for happy passengers, ready for the journey down to Furnace Sidings.

Passengers make their way through the murk towards their waiting Santa Special train for a ride up to the Whistle Inn, on the last day of the season Photo: Alistair Grieve

WATER AT LAST (added 15 November 2006, updated 20 December 2006)

After two decades of lugging containers of drinking water onto site, for the benefit of both passengers and volunteers, the tearoom and other buildings on site are finally to get permanently installed drinking water supplies. Funding for the work derives from a grant from Torfaen County Borough Council's 'Rural Key Fund' initiative. The site's remote position has meant that a pipe of over 700m length has had to be laid. The vertical rise from its connection point with the mains is an estimated at 23m. Work stated on Thursday 9 November, and, despite the rocky and awkward terrain, the pipelaying was completed by Friday 24 November. Connection to the mains is planned to start on Monday 8 January 2007 with water flowing by Thursday 11th. In view of the prolonged cold during the winter months the pipe is being laid deeper than normal, but at least our visitors can be assured of a decent cuppa - whatever the weather. Left: The meandering course of the pipeline is seen from Bridge 6 - the Old Pit Road Bridge. The abandoned and blocked concrete road has been cut through and the pipeline begins its climb up to the south end of Furnace Sidings yard.

A LNWR FOOTBRIDGE (added 15 November 2006)
It's a rare thing indeed to see a genuine London North Western Railway (LNWR) footbridge, it's even more unusual when, out of the blue, one becomes available for sale, the more so when the PBR's line was, indeed, built by the LNWR. Under the circumstances, no time was lost in running around, securing the services of a bridge engineer, and making the trip to Northamptonshire to inspect the beast. Having satisfied ourselves that it was the real thing, wheels were literally put in motion to get cranes and lorries sorted out, as arrangements were made to lift the seven different parts onto the backs of various lorries for the long trek from the East Midlands to South Wales. The bridge was recovered from Hinckley (Leics) over fifteen years ago, and has lain in the yard of a preservation group in Rushden (Northants) since then. Its condition, as one might be expect from a bridge at least eighty years old, is not specially good, and things have been made worse by lack of maintenance during its period in storage. The PBR intends to embark on a two year restoration program, which will necessitate the removal and replacement of a large number of rivets. The cost of the restoration is expected to approach a five figure sum, and the railway will be seeking funding to advance the project. As it is, the chance opportunity to secure such an important artefact has already stretched the railway's funds, and the railway will be launching an immediate appeal to its membership for help in meeting the costs of purchase and transport. The appearance of the footbridge came, coincidentally, at just the time when the railway was seriously planning the construction of a second platform at Furnace Sidings. Although a single platform is sufficient for normal running days, special events are seriously taxing a single platform, especially when several trains are operating. Although there is no doubt that the footbridge will come as the answer to a maiden's prayer, the platform and footbridge work are expected to put our already overstretched volunteers under further strain on this growing railway. Accordingly, if you live more or less locally and are employed in the building or construction industry - or just fancy 'having a go', please turn up any Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and make yourself known - you'll be sure of a very warm welcome.

Left: Twenty past nine on a dark and dismal Wednesday, 15th November and the main span of the footbridge arrives. The main span sits on a pair of towers, access to which is by means of a single flight of stairs. Within minutes of arrival the heavens opened and it didn't really stop all day. A four hour session of complex manoeuvrings and craning in limited space and increasing mud saw the seven components of the bridge all on terra firma four hours later. Thanks are due to the boys (and dog) of Penry Morgan Transport who laboured cheerfully in quite atrocious weather

RESTAURANT BUFFET 1954 FINALLY DEPARTS (added 7 November 2006) After several years, agonising over the future of this vehicle, it was finally sold a few months ago, and left yesterday, at 5.40pm on 6th November, en route we understand for the Weardale Railway. The vehicle was built as a Restaurant Buffet (RB) but was refurbished in the sixties as a Restaurant Buffet (Refurbished) (RBr). It was purchased by the PBR in 1995. It had an almost completely original kitchen on arrival, which, sadly, would not meet the strict food hygiene standards in place today. It was fitted with air-brakes only. The need to fit vacuum brakes, and the cost of modifying the kitchen was beyond PBR's means. , and although considered for use as a static catering facility, it was finally decided to dispose of it. Right: After a beautifully clear day, a sudden mist travelled rapidly up the valley and blanketed operations as 1954 was winched onto the back of Allely's road transport for the long journey to the north of England. The mist disappeared as quickly as it had come, as soon as the vehicle had departed - an omen , perhaps?

PASSENGER NUMBERS UP YET AGAIN (added 8 October 2006)

As the summer season comes to an end we can report an increase of 11.98% in tickets issued - from 3422 in 2005, to 3832 this year. This figure was aided by a day of extra 'Jazz and Blues' charter trains, supported by Torfaen County Borough Council. This service , and which was run after the 'official' season had come to an end, and which featured music and real ale, was the second to be held, and will be timetabled officially for 2007. We now confidently expect passenger numbers to break the 5000 barrier this year, with improved booking arrangements for Santa Specials now in place

TIME FOR A NAP (added 2 October 2006)

Sleeper First (SLF) M378M arrived on site on Tuesday 19 September from the Churnet Valley Railway. This very stately twelve wheel first class sleeper was built by the newly nationalized British Railways in 1950 at Wolverton to an LMS design. It is carried on long (12ft 6ins) wheelbase, six wheel bogies, and is just short of seventy feet long. Uniquely for the PBR, this vehicle was not acquired with operation as its long term aim, but as much needed accommodation for volunteers who travel some distance away and who would prefer to stay overnight. Although some restoration will be needed, she is, in many ways, largely prepared for such a role. She is mains powered and lit, and is fitted with a shower cubicle with facilities for accepting mains water. The attendant's cabin remains essentially intact so, with fresh water on tap, overnighters can enjoy a decent cuppa.

Sleeper first M378M shortly after arrival

TRANSPORT RALLY 2006 (added 5 September 2006)

August Bank Holiday saw the fourth and largest Transport Rally the railway has held to date. The two day event was held on Sunday and Monday and attracted well over 800 passengers. With distinctly breezy weather and the threat of heavy showers, we might have been nervous about the number of both exhibitors and passengers attending, but there was no more than 30 seconds of rain and with over 150 exhibitors, we saw over 800 passengers – over 80% up on last years total. What we have learnt is that the our informal and friendly approach is just what exhibitors are looking for. Many turned it into a social event, and many have threatened to bring their colleagues along next year – we can’t wait!

Above: A attractive lineup of single deckers arrived on Sunday to complement Saturdays display of double deckers . Now identifying buses is not for the faint-hearted – we’ll leave that to the road experts – after all, we want them to come back next year Right: A splendid display of classic cars allowed us to arrange cars according to make. Here we see a super display of MGs with Triumphs and other sports cars in the distance. Below: Here we see a rather large Scammell, who had decided to stall on the crossing. Not only was this outrage preventing trains from returning to the yard, it was also, and more importantly, making crews late for an overdue visit to the tearooms for a cuppa. Fortunately steam had returned, albeit briefly, to the PBR and effortlessly removed the interloper All photos: Alistair Grieve

DIESEL GALA 2006 (added 4 August 2006)

The last weekend of July saw the PBR’s first diesel gala since September 2002. Although the flexibility of operations was a little hampered by engineering works further down the line, an impressive two day service was timetabled, with trains running down to twenty minute intervals. The lineup included appearances by a blue and grey Class 108 DMU, Class 205 ‘Thumper’ DEMU newly outshopped (ie still being painted at 10 o’clock that morning!) in Southern Region green, Class 73 No.73133 (once named the ‘Bluebell Railway’) working a three-coach rake of Mark 1s, the appearance of a pair of industrial diesels (English Electric and Hudswell Clarke) double-heading the heavy train up the bank, and finally some demonstration freight runs as an après ski.. The Mark 1s have all received more or less attention in the last year, and a flurry of painting over the last few months saw the set, consisting of (loco), BG, RMB, and SK looking particularly smart. Some early rain on Saturday saw some loss of adhesion, especially by the Thumper, which has only two powered axles for its 90 tons weight, performing some interesting manoeuvres on the rail, with even the 73 briefly suffering a similar fate. Sunday was warm and sunny, and with dry rail, some spirited departures from Furnace Sidings were performed. On the day, the motive power performed faultlessly, and a very substantially increased number of passengers were treated to an unusual collection of diesel power. Definitely an event to be repeated – look out for it next year!

Above: A distinctly Southern Region look comes to South Wales as ‘Thumper’ 1118 lays over in the loop, with electrodiesel 73133 waiting for the ‘rightaway’ to propel its train up the bank to the Whistle Inn. A smart rake of Mark 1s is hidden by the Thumper, which started the day with its green paint still wet, and the yellow warning square not even painted. Right:Viewed over the lower Garn Lake, Class 108 is dwarfed by the flanks of Coity mountain as it trundles down from the Whistle Inn. On an early train, rain threatens in the hills – downpour started minutes later Photos by Alistair Grieve

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A first for the PBR and unusual for any railway, a pair of industrial diesels propel the three car train from a standing start up the 1 in 37 from Furnace Sidings. The train engine was 104 ‘Llanwern’ which had made its first trial run since a six-month engine overhaul only the night before. The assisting engine is Hudswell Clarke D1387 looking more than a little odd working a passenger train with its cabside emblazoned ‘NCB-North Derbyshire Area’

THE ORDER IS MADE! (added 28 June 2006)

The Pontypool Blaenavon Railway Company has finally been granted an Order under the Transport and Works Act to extend and operate its line from the Whistle Inn in the north to Blaenavon (High Level) some two miles to the south. The Order - believed to be only the second granted in Wales (after the Bridgend Valley Railway) – was prepared by Stephen Wiggs of parliamentary agents Winckworth Sherwood. Orders granted in Wales have to be both applied for, and granted in both English and Welsh and such a requirement adds considerably to the work involved.

Work, which started in December 2004, was initially complicated by difficulty in determining who built the railway. The order allowing most of the initial construction was the Brynmawr and Blaenavon Act of 1866, but a short section in the south was built under the LNWR (Wales &c) Act of 1875. Once the two months spent on this research was complete matters progressed rapidly so that a formal application to the Welsh Assembly was made on 3 May 2005. By the end of June 2005 the application became public with a two month subsequent period allowed for formal objection. Fortunately there were none, and by 28 November 2005, the inspector appointed by the National Assembly for Wales, one Stuart B Wild, MRTPI, MCMI reported in as glowing terms as parliamentary speech would permit. Subsequently a full meeting of the planning Decision Committee of the National Assembly for Wales, chaired by Carwyn Jones, the Assembly minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside, approved the application on 24 January 2006. The minister in turn wrote to Winckworth Sherwood on 31 January. After further delays and frustration, doubtless caused by the assembly moving into its new home, the Order, called the Pontypool and Blaenavon (Phase 1) Order 2006 was finally Made on 20 June 2006 and Came into Force on the 21 June 2006. In response to the news, the railway will now be concentrating all its efforts to extend the line southwards a further 1 ¼ miles from its existing main station at Furnace Sidings to Blaenavon (High Level). The route southwards is made difficult by the need to refurbish a number of bridges en route. A substantial report which has just been issued by the Company to Torfaen County Borough Council, the successor to the Welsh Development Agency, and other interested parties, estimates the lowest for the extension and the provision of a minimal station at High Level at between £235K and £395K, with cost of the bridges lying between £162K and £323K – by far the dominant item in the total cost. The Company is now actively seeking partners to help raise funds to meet the refurbishment costs. Blaenavon (High Level) station is close to the centre of Blaenavon town, and, as a result a substantial increase in passenger numbers is confidently expected. Blaenavon is the epicentre of the World Heritage Site of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, a landscape which includes Big Pit and the famous Blaenavon Ironworks. The presence of the railway there is expected to significantly add to the visitor experience and tourist potential of the town. The ‘front page’ of the Order is shown above, but if you wish to see the complete Order 'in the flesh' the following URL will direct you to the National Assembly’s website, where the complete document can be viewed - in either English or Welsh http://new.wales.gov.uk/legislation/legislationinforce/localstat/476830/PontypoolBlaenavonOrder2006e?lang=en

NEVER IN THE HISTORY…. (added 16 June 2006)

Never in the history of the railway has so much gold and silver chain been seen, as the best part of 50 dignitaries and VIPs from the County Borough of Torfaen, from the major funding providers in Wales, and from the Welsh Assembly, gathered at Furnace Sidings. The occasion was the formal opening, on 14 June, of the railway’s ‘environmental improvements’, to wit, a very expensive car park, and an upmarket information point whose design details were inspired by the ubiquitous GWR pagoda hut. After short speeches by the railway’s John Down, Cllr Neil Lewis (Torfaen County Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration), and Lynne Neagle (Torfaen’s Assembly Member at the Welsh Assembly), the information panel was formally unveiled by Lynne Neagle.

John Down spoke of the reduction in vandalism and anti-social behaviour that had been largely suppressed by such a high-quality investment, and spoke of the railways plans for the future. Detailed plans for the extension to Blaenavon (High Level) had received an encouraging welcome from both the local authority and various funding agencies. He was also able to announce that the making of the Transport and Works Act Order was imminent and was expected to come into force on 21 June. Neil Lewis spoke of the opportunity the car park would provide for visitors to enjoy the landscape and the attractions that the World Heritage Site could offer. He noted the exciting part the extension southwards would bring to the town of Blaenavon and also announced that the car park had been entered for an award by the British Association of Landscape Industries. Lynne Neagle echoed Neil Lewis’s sentiments and spoke of how much she and her family had enjoyed travelling on the train on earlier visits, both officially and unofficially. As for the information point ‘gazebo’, the Welsh Language Board was sufficiently impressed by the welsh translation on the information panel to award a Commendation to the local authority’s Regeneration Department who were largely responsible for instigating and managing the project.

After the formal part of the event was completed, visitors were invited to a ride on the train, and tea and biscuits in the railway’s tearooms. The event was enlivened by the recent arrival of ED Class 73 No.73133, which propelled its three coach train, consisting of BG 81453, RMB 1854 and SK 25444. All the vehicles have received more or less cosmetic attention this year, with the BG completing its repaint only days before the event. For the BG, 14 June was its first run in passenger operation following its first proving runs two days earlier.

Much of the work was funded through the Welsh Development Agency (now the Assembly Government’s ‘Department of Enterprise, Innovation and Networks (DEIN)’), the European ‘Boundless Parks – Naturally!’ scheme (a joint initiative between the UK, Belgian and Dutch governments through the, so-called, Inter-reg3 scheme), and the Welsh Assembly Governments ‘Heads of the Valleys’ initiative.

Lynne Neagle, assisted by John Down unveil the bilingual information point, which only hours before had been recognised by a Commendation from the Welsh Language Board for the excellence of its bilingual translation

The great and the good assemble in front of the ‘gazebo’ information point, prior to boarding the train.

The Mayor of Torfaen, Cllr Mary Barnett is ushered onto the train by railway volunteer Roger Mileman.

We’re not sure whether such a congregation of chain bearing individuals is a ‘clutch’ or a ‘chain gang’, on the left sits the mayor’s consort, whilst on the right is the Mayor of Monmouthshire

Railway volunteer Mervyn Price, the rostered guard for the day, gives the ‘right away’ from the Whistle Inn for the journey back down the bank to Furnace Sidings

Cllr Neil Lewis, Cllr Mary Barnett (Mayor of Torfaen), the Mayoress of Monmouthshire Mrs Breeze, the Mayor of Monmouthshire,Cllr Eddie Gulliford (Mayor of Blaenavon) pose in front 73133 following its return from Whistle Inn. All photos by Bill Hart / Pontypool Free Press

Taken a few months earlier, in early April, one wing wall of the newly completed entrance gate, bears a cast iron sign proclaiming the name of the railway in true GWR style lettering. Photo: John Down

THE SOUTHERN INVASION (added 12 June 2006)

The Southern invasion continues with the arrival of Class 73 No.73133, an electro-diesel locomotive built for service on electrified and non-electrified line on British Railways (Southern Region). The loco is on hire for six-months and is normally resident at the Vale of Glamorgan Railway at Barry. It previously worked at the East Lancs railway. It is expected to work the majority of trains for the remainder of the season. No.73133 originally carried nameplates ‘The Bluebell Railway’, and is finished in Mainline blue livery, but no longer carries Mainline’s insignia. Changes in passenger vehicle availability this season, due to maintenance requirements, means that 73133 will be working three (rather than two) coach trains up the bank this season, and this should provide an impressive sight for our visitors.

Electro-diesel (ED) No.73133 takes its first tentative steps onto PBR territory as it unloads from its road transport on the balmy evening of 12 June.

ANOTHER ARRIVAL (added 4 May 2006)

The PBR seems to have a ‘thing’ about gathering coaches from the south of England. Today saw the arrival of an elderly veteran in the shape of 1923 built Brake Third – Gangwayed (called a ‘BTK’). She was originally numbered 1357, but renumbered 3193 within a year. She spent most of her time on the Waterloo- Bournemouth trains, until 1959, when all the passenger accommodation was ripped out, and she was converted to a Breakdown Train support vehicle carrying tools and equipment. In 1981 she was declared ‘spare’ from Wimbledon and never worked again. For a variety of very odd reasons she escaped scrapping for 25 years, and has finally arrived at Furnace Sidings looking very, very battle weary. We hope to get her roof covered in a few weeks, and a new floor in before the winter comes, and then we’ll see if we can make something half decent out of this venerable old lady.

‘What’s this strange place up here in mountains they’re bringing me too? I’m a little afraid’ thinks a tired and elderly BTK (almost certainly to be dubbed Madame Cholet Womble), as she approaches a strange new home with GWR spear fencing, high in Welsh moorlands, after the long journey from Warwickshire.

‘ ‘It doesn’t look too bad, I hope they’re friendly down here in Wales, and can look after me’. Madame Cholet enters the yard, late on a pleasantly warm May afternoon.

EASTER EGGS AND RABBITS (added 20 April 2006)

The new season got off to a traditional start with fun, games and any number of eggs for both children and mums’n’dads. The Easter Rabbit was a nuisance to everyone, but children were delighted to see Idris the Dragon, Griff the Egg, and Megan the cuddly Bunny sitting alongside the line. Sadly Idris, disgraced himself by falling into the Avon Llwyd, and thereby extinguished his fire. He’s being dried out as we speak, but re-igniting his dampened spirits may take a little longer.

The first day of the new season, Saturday, was shakedown day. Nice clean train after an extended freshen up of the exterior paintwork (and of similar freshening up inside!). Class 108 DMU stands on track which has also seen considerable attention during the bitter winter months

The first day is almost over as Class 108 DMU rasps up the bank under a threatening sky, heralding a wet and windy night ahead.

But it was all sweetness and light the following day, with mercifully, not a rabbit in sight, and good crowds to get things under way

Oh, but we spoke too soon! The pesky rabbit was on the train before you could say ‘knife’. We’re not even sure he had a ticket! This passenger tried sitting alone at the far end of the carriage, but it was no good, he’s here again, accosting yet another innocent passenger All photos: Alistair Grieve