Collecting the Token
The driver of 66096 collects the token at Pantyfynnon signal box for its journey to Gwaen -Cae - Gurwen open cast coal mine on the 6B15 service, having originated at Swansea Burrows. The train will return loaded with coal for the wash processing plant facility at Onllwyn. Once processed, the coal will be shipped by rail to Aberthaw power station via Neath and Brecon Junction - www.flickr.com/photos/99220921@N03/12677445814/
I was really pleased to capture this rare working, which runs about two times a week, if that. By the time it appears on RTT, there is not enough time for me to make the journey to Pantyfynnon. To turn up on the chance that the working might run would be pretty risky. Today, however, the train went via Margam and was flagged up on RTT early on, which allowed me sufficient time to make the journey.
Pantyffynnon was the junction for the Brynamman branch along the Amman Valley, which was closed to passengers in 1958, well before the Beaching Act. Considerable coal traffic used the line (to the left) until the demise of coal mining in the valley. However, in 2009, the line was reopened for trains to Gwaun Cae Gurwen open cast coal mine, operated by Celtic Energy.
Collecting the Token
The driver of 66096 collects the token at Pantyfynnon signal box for its journey to Gwaen -Cae - Gurwen open cast coal mine on the 6B15 service, having originated at Swansea Burrows. The train will return loaded with coal for the wash processing plant facility at Onllwyn. Once processed, the coal will be shipped by rail to Aberthaw power station via Neath and Brecon Junction - www.flickr.com/photos/99220921@N03/12677445814/
I was really pleased to capture this rare working, which runs about two times a week, if that. By the time it appears on RTT, there is not enough time for me to make the journey to Pantyfynnon. To turn up on the chance that the working might run would be pretty risky. Today, however, the train went via Margam and was flagged up on RTT early on, which allowed me sufficient time to make the journey.
Pantyffynnon was the junction for the Brynamman branch along the Amman Valley, which was closed to passengers in 1958, well before the Beaching Act. Considerable coal traffic used the line (to the left) until the demise of coal mining in the valley. However, in 2009, the line was reopened for trains to Gwaun Cae Gurwen open cast coal mine, operated by Celtic Energy.