HISTORY UPDATED…

A Fresh Look at the History of the Brecon Mountain Railway – 45 Years in the Making

As we celebrate our 45th anniversary, we’ve been taking a fresh look back at the fascinating story behind the Brecon Mountain Railway — from the area’s rich industrial past to the transformation into the heritage railway you know and love today.

With the help of Swansea University history graduate Tom, who joined us for a work placement, our history webpage has been completely reworked. Tom’s research has brought new depth, detail, and clarity to the BMR’s story — from the days when steam trains carried iron, coal, and limestone through the valleys, to the vision that brought our line back to life in the late 20th century.

You can explore the newly updated history page here: www.bmr.wales/history

To accompany the update, we welcomed the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s historian, Ioan Lord, to the BMR for a special filming day with local historian Huw Williams. Together, they recorded a “deep dive” video exploring:

• The industrial heritage of Merthyr and its role in shaping Wales’ rail network

• The story of the original Newport to Brecon railway

• The early days of the Brecon Mountain Railway, and how it grew into one of Wales’ top heritage attractions

It’s a must-watch for anyone with an interest in railways, Welsh history, or the story of how a disused trackbed became a thriving tourist railway.

🎥 Watch the video here  and discover the fascinating history behind the BMR.