8th February, 2026
New building at Welsh railway’s terminus is first in over 100 years
Train on the Brecon Mountain Railway
For the first time in over 100 years, a new building has been constructed at the station at Torpantau in Powys, on the narrow-gauge Brecon Mountain Railway.
The station was originally built for the standard gauge Brecon and Merthyr Railway, and was its highest station at 1,313 feet above sea level, but after the railway line between Brecon and Merthyr closed, the original structures disappeared in the 1970s.
In 2014, the Brecon Mountain Railway reopened Torpantau station as a terminus, but without any facilities or passenger shelter.
The railway’s headquarters and its main station is at Pant, near Merthyr Tydfil.
A passenger shelter at Torpantau station was clearly needed, both because of its elevation and because the weather at the site can often deteriorate rapidly.
Built from oak beams and traditional materials, a new shelter has been constructed and has been designed to blend in with its exposed mountain setting.
It now provides a welcome respite for passengers who use Torpantau as a stopping off point to explore the surrounding spectacular landscape of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, formerly the Brecon Beacons.
Since the shelter was built, the railway has needed to make a small modification by adding removable fence panels to prevent the local Welsh mountain sheep from claiming it for themselves.
Support towards provision of the shelter was provided by a Weatherproofing grant from Visit Wales.
Originally operating independently, the Brecon Mountain Railway is now operated by the Vale of Rheidol Railway.
The railway has several special events planned for 2026, starting with a Winter Diesel Week this month.