Blaenavon Heritage Railway – Wales

The Blaenavon Heritage Railway is a popular volunteer-run heritage railway in South Wales. It runs both steam and diesel trains every weekend between Spring and Autumn. It also runs a timetable of special weekends throughout the year including a Steampunk Special, Halloween Celebration and Steam Santa Special. The line is the highest preserved standard-gauge line in the UK and has been used as a location for the BBC series The Indian Doctor.

Prices from: £9
Departing from: Furnace Sidings
Journey length: 3.5 miles

Blaenavon Heritage Railway route

The railway runs between Furnace Sidings, a halt platform opposite the Whistle Inn
(which is well known for its collection of vintage miners’ lamps), via a two-platform
station at the site of the Big Pit National Coal Museum and on southwards to the
town of Blaenavon. Parts of the town and the surrounding countryside form a
UNESCO world heritage site due to their historic significance in Welsh coal mining.

Blaenavon Heritage Railway train

The railway uses a mixture of fully restored steam and diesel locomotives to haul
the trains along the rails. Ranging in age from 1914 to 1971, these wonderful
machines are a delight to see and ride on.

Why we love it

This super popular railway (be sure to book ahead) offers travellers to the chance to
see and understand the history of South Wales’ mining communities. Your return
ticket is valid all day and you can ride on the train as many times as you like. We
also love the fact that they cater for train lovers as well as tourists. If you’re looking
for a great present for the train lover in your life, look on their website for details of
their Railway Experience which offers the ticket holder the chance to travel for an
hour with the driver on the footplate, a further full round trip assisting the Guard and a complimentary ticket for a friend to ride on the train on the same day. The
experience costs £50.