Narrow Gauge
THE BRECON Mountain and Vale of Rheidol railways will once again be under shared ownership from next year, after a proposed merger takes place.
Built on the standard gauge trackbed of the former Brecon & Merthyr Railway between Pant and Torpantau, the 1ft 11¾in ‐gauge BMR was the brainchild of business partners Tony Hills and Peter Rampton, opening in 1980. The American narrow gauge-themed line then acquired the Vale of Rheidol in 1988, when the Aberystwyth-Devil’s Bridge line was put up for sale by British Rail. Both railways operated under shared management until 1996 when it was decided to run them as separate entities, with Hills taking charge of the BMR and Rampton the VoR.
Following the deaths of Hills and Rampton in 2015 and 2019 respectively, the VoR said the merger will allow for shared resources, increased operational efficiency and cost savings, and investment in enhanced visitor attraction at both railways.
Vale of Rheidol Managing Director Llŷr ap Iolo said: “This proposed acquisition seems the natural progression for the Vale of Rheidol to carry on the legacy of both Tony Hills and Peter Rampton. Having worked with them for over 30 years, it will be a privilege for us to continue Tony’s work with the American two-foot gauge theme of the BMR.”
Brecon Mountain Railway managing director Matthew Hills added: “Bringing the two railways back together will not only guarantee the future of BMR but also the development of the railway. I and my fellow directo
