We are a volunteer-run heritage railway set within the stunning Blaenavon World Heritage Site on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

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Founded in 1983 by enthusiasts who wanted to preserve the Brynmawr to Pontypool line for future generations, since then we’ve grown and developed to welcome thousands of passengers every year. Today our volunteers operate steam and heritage diesel services on weekends and bank holidays throughout the spring and summer, allowing visitors to take a trip back in time through the heritage landscape.

 

We also run on selected Wednesdays during the school summer holidays and have an exciting year-round programme of special events, including our popular Halloween Ghost Trains and Christmas Steam Santa Specials.

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Our main station at Furnace Sidings, located close to the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road, has ample free car and coach parking, together with refreshments, toilet, and gift-shopping facilities.  Our friendly volunteers will always help you make the most of your visit.

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The Journey:

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Our railway and its four stations are the ideal way to explore the stunning UNESCO-listed World Heritage landscape in style.

 

A round trip on the railway lasts approximately fifty five minutes and on standard running days, we usually operate to the following service pattern:

Trains first head South from Furnace Sidings along a short branch line to Big Pit Halt. Situated next to the Big Pit National Coal Museum, the station is always popular with those combining their trip with a visit to the museum.

 

Trains then travel North, passing through Furnace Sidings to Whistle Inn Halt where passengers can visit the adjacent Whistle Inn public house, or explore the Garn Lakes, which have been beautifully reclaimed from their mining past.

Your train then heads South again through Furnace Sidings station along the former mainline towards Blaenavon.

 

After passing through Blaenavon High Level on the way, the train reaches our current end of the line at Coed Avon. Passengers cannot alight here, you will then return the short distance to Blaenavon High Level. Located above Blaenavon town centre with its many attractions and local businesses, the station makes an ideal place to alight – though please be aware that some may find the climb back up slightly challenging.

Here the locomotive will run around, before returning to Furnace Sidings, where the train will terminate. With the crew and engine working extremely hard up some of the steepest gradients in the country, this part of the journey is always popular with passengers.

Your ticket is valid all day and we strongly advise that you make a day of your visit by combining a trip on the railway with a visit to another attraction in the area.  

 

Please Note:

With the exception of The Railway Shop, all other attractions across Blaenavon are owned and operated independently of Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway.  During certain special events and on selected running days, our services may also be altered to meet operational requirements and ensure visitor safety. Trains may not serve all stations, and tickets may have validity restrictions. Please check the timetable and fare information in advance of your visit.

 

The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway (1983) Company Ltd./Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway also reserves the right to alter services without notice where circumstances dictate.