Vale of Rheidol Railway

Gradually an alternative scheme was planned using a narrow gauge line to serve the Rheidol Valley was developed.Construction was overseen by the chief engineer, Sir James Szlumper, although he left day-to-day affairs in the hands of the main contractor employed.In the Daily News of 9 August 1901 it was reported that the line was expected to be completed by March 1902[4] and the directors were hopeful for a free grant from the Treasury for the Aberayron Extension.[6] The original stations were Aberystwyth (located adjacent to Maesyrafon and Park Avenue), Llanbadarn, Capel Bangor, Nantyronen and Devil's Bridge (Pontarfynach).[8] The line was moderately successful as a tourist railway although local passenger and freight traffic remained limited, to the extent that the harbour branch was very little used throughout its existence.[8] In 1912, plans for the use of electric power from the river were considered, but never likely to have taken place due to lack of capital, and were abandoned when the line was absorbed by the Cambrian Railways on 1 July 1913.[8] The onset of war in 1914 closed the lead mine and passenger services were reduced, which put the final nail in the coffin of any planned improvements.[12] The reduction in passenger services and the need for timber for the war effort meant that freight became the principal revenue source for a short while.A question mark hung over the VoR's future for some time, until the Minister for Transport, Barbara Castle, confirmed that it would remain open and in British Rail's hands.This, together with occasional visits by Mountaineer of the Ffestiniog Railway and special trains such as Santa specials and even simulated Wild-West style Indian attacks, helped to keep the line's attraction fresh to the public, despite declining investment which resulted in insufficient maintenance – which culminated in a derailment near Aberffrwd in 1986.In 1989, the line was privatised and sold to Peter Rampton and Tony Hills (the late owner and General Manager of the Brecon Mountain Railway).Leaving Capel Bangor the line passes the Rheidol Riding Centre before it begins to climb steeply through the woods at Tanyrallt.The track sits on a ledge known as Pant Mawr and follows the contours of the terrain, passing through two request stops at Rheidol Falls and Rhiwfron before reaching Devil's Bridge.[24] During the summer months, the railway offers a Driver for a Fiver experience on a short demonstration line at Devil's Bridge station.The railway is single track with passing loops at Capel Bangor and Aberffrwd which are operated by the train crew.