In June, the Brecon Mountain Railway will hold a weekend of celebrations to mark 45 years since it started running passenger trains over the former Great Western Railway line through the Brecon Beacons between Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil.

On 8th June 1980, Tony Hills, the founder of the Brecon Mountain Railway, saw his vision become reality when the railway operated its very first service, leading the way for decades of heritage steam running through the Brecon Beacons.

For the first time since the railway opened, the sight of double-heading passenger trains will grace the line between Pant and Torpantau, with two Baldwin steam locomotives, No. 1 Santa Teresa and No. 2, providing unforgettable sights and sounds as they work in harmony to Torpantau.

Also appearing during the weekend will be the quarry Hunslet steam locomotive Margaret, making a guest appearance from the Brecon Mountain Railway’s sister railway, the Vale of Rheidol Railway.

Margaret will be in steam, and available for visitors to experience the sensation of driving it around the yard.

Other attractions during the weekend will be:

• Tours of the workshop to view progress on building a new 2-4-4 Forney-type tank locomotive based on one that ran on the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad in Maine, USA.
• A chance for a close-up view of TU7, a diesel-hydraulic locomotive built by Kambarka Engineering in Russia and originally used on a Peat Railway in Latvia.
• De Winton vertical boiler locomotive Pendyffryn, which Tony Hills restored and is making a welcome return to service.

Tickets for the weekend are now available with no premium pricing and can be purchased online at www.bmr.wales

More details about other special activities during the weekend and driving experiences on Margaret will be announced soon.

The railway suffered damage last November when Storm Bert caused a landslip that led to a temporary suspension of train services.