History
Torpantau - also known as Beacons or Beacon Summit Tunnel - claimed the record for the highest tunnel on the UK's standard gauge network - 1,313 feet above sea level. Reached by a three-mile climb from the south at 1:47 and 1:55, trains passed through it curving sharply to the right on a radius of around 20 chains before emerging onto the notorious Seven Mile Bank, a falling gradient of 1:37 towards Brecon.
Torpantau Tunnel (Sometimes known as Devils Tunnel) is 666 yards in length and features a masonry arch springing either off shelves cut high into the rock face or lengths of brick or stone sidewall which were added incrementally over time as the need arose. Refuges are incorporated throughout.
Closed on 4th May 1964, the line was only carrying freight. Passengers services across the B&MJR system has ended by January 1963.
Thanks for looking
Torpantau - also known as Beacons or Beacon Summit Tunnel - claimed the record for the highest tunnel on the UK's standard gauge network - 1,313 feet above sea level. Reached by a three-mile climb from the south at 1:47 and 1:55, trains passed through it curving sharply to the right on a radius of around 20 chains before emerging onto the notorious Seven Mile Bank, a falling gradient of 1:37 towards Brecon.
Torpantau Tunnel (Sometimes known as Devils Tunnel) is 666 yards in length and features a masonry arch springing either off shelves cut high into the rock face or lengths of brick or stone sidewall which were added incrementally over time as the need arose. Refuges are incorporated throughout.
Closed on 4th May 1964, the line was only carrying freight. Passengers services across the B&MJR system has ended by January 1963.
Thanks for looking
