The Route
The car park is built on the site of the former railway branch into Dowlais and 80 foot below is the old L & NWR railway tunnel which was closed in 1958 - its 3 ventilation shafts (pepper pots) can still be seen lined across the back of the car park. Across the road are the disused Morlais Quarries which supplied limestone to the great iron works - again connected by rail. In fact there were railways everywhere - all built to serve the intense industrial activity generated by the iron works and mines in the area.
On the crest of the quarry is a much older ruin - Morlais Castle built around 1270 by Gilbert De Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Lord of Glamorgan.
Pant Station
The main station at Pant was built and expanded between 1982 and 1996 to provide visitor facilities as well as a workshop and rolling stock storage. In addition to a Restaurant, Shop, Toilets and Booking Office there are facilities for disabled visitors including a ramp up to the platform where they can board a railway carriage designed to carry wheelchairs.
For the first 600 yards the line which is built to the narrow gauge of 1' 11 3/4" follows a totally new alignment some of which was cut through solid rock.
The original line joins from the right, whilst to the left far below may be seen the river Taf Fechan, the track bed of the branch from Pontsticill to Merthyr Tydfil and the spoil heap of material excavated from the London and North Western Railways Morlais tunnel. On the hills beyond the gorge can be seen Vaynor Quarry from which most of the track ballast for the Brecon Mountain Railway was obtained.
Taf Fechan Reservoir
Across the valley, forward of the train as it passes a disused quarry can be seen the village of Pontsticill. The train now enters a wooded cutting crossing several streams which tumble down the rocky hillside. On leaving the cutting the Taf Fechan Reservoir comes into view for the first time with as a backdrop the three peaks of the Brecon Beacons. The middle Peak is Pen-Y-Fan which at 2906-ft is the highest peak in South Wales. To the left is Corn Du and to the right Y Cribyn. At the boundary marker where the line enters the Brecon Beacons National Park are the remains of a felt works. The original standard gauge siding is still under the turf.
The Dam
As the train approaches Pontsticill Station the Reservoir Dam can be seen. The Reservoir was completed in 1927 and can hold 3,400 million gallons of water. The water flooded the vicarage and 15th Century Capel Taf Fechan, Bethlehem Congregational Chapel, some cottages, small holdings and land belonging to eight farms. In times of drought the remains of some of these buildings appear above water level. On the valley floor below the dam a new water treatment works has been completed.
Soon the train passes without stopping through Pontsticill station. The original signal box can be seen alongside Station House. The grassed area to the right of the signal box was the site of the old turntable.
The journey now continues along the banks of the Taf Fechan Reservoir. On the left will be seen the Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club with its adjacent boat-park and at this point a deviation to the original railway alignment has been constructed to avoid the car park.
Journey's End
The journey ends at the Northern end of the Reservoir and the locomotive runs round to the opposite end of the train for the return journey. It is not possible for passengers to alight at this temporary terminus.
On the return journey the train will stop at Pontsticill Station where passengers may alight and return to Pant by a later train. The area is ideal for walking or for simply spending some time taking in the marvellous scenery. A temporary lakeside snack-bar and toilets are provided in three converted ex-British Rail covered carriage trucks.
