http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ BlackMountainSite Forum » Recent Posts en Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:48:18 +0000 http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1944 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:36:31 +0000 mike aldron 1944@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>more info on the building within the tunnel. According to a local historian, it was built to house important documents etc , in connection with the local council during world war 2 .No doubt the tunnel itself(which would have been easily accessible at the time), would also have been used as an air raid shelter,Swansea which is only about 8 miles away suffered serious damage from the Luftwaffe, so no doubt the people of Pontardawe were fearful of their own safety </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1937 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:14:50 +0000 cunningcorgi 1937@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Was wondering where that had got to and was racking my brains !!! Keep a hold of it for me Mike as am away this weekend (off to the rugby in Dublin tomorrow) but will arrange collection at some point in the future.</p> <p>Cheers for noticing it and picking it up ! </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1936 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:40:41 +0000 mike aldron 1936@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>fao cunning corgi, matt went back today as my friend john wanted to see the tunnel.....came across a familiar wooden object near the tunnel. The hurling stick...it,s in safe hands. so i,ll probably catch up with you some time this year...all the best mike </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1930 Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:25:12 +0000 mike aldron 1930@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>huw, it,s a bit different now. It appears as if a lot of the trees in the cutting leading to the tunnel have been deliberately felled to discourage people going to the tunnel . One of the locals mentioned tramps sleeping in the brick/concrete structure just inside the west end, which is remarkably clean inside, with not a bit of graffiti.Am i right in saying that the line which served Abernant from G-C-G is where the track ended? There is suprisingly little rock fall in the tunnel, but then again nothing other than animals and humans have passed through. Also the bridge at the entrance to the quarry on the west side has been demolished The GWR boundary markers bear the date 1920 </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1929 Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:48:39 +0000 HuwRhys 1929@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Sorry for a late reply but I only just found this fascinating site.<br /> We, as youths, regularly visited this tunnel which, many years ago was easily accesible from the Cwmdu end and provided an easy escape route for those school pupils taking an early, unauthorised half day. It was easy to walk the length of the line all the way from Ponty to Clydach.<br /> The line was to be built to link Swansea to Gwaun Cae Gurwen and then Ammanford on the north side of the River Tawe.<br /> The easiest way to get to the tunnel entrance (Trebanos side)is by turning left before the traffic lights then sharp left into Heol Uchdir (Uplands). Halfway up the hill a south facing house has a foot path in front that leads almost directly to the railway and tunnel entrance.<br /> Great memories.<br /> Huw </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1927 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:20:44 +0000 cunningcorgi 1927@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>And there we are, the interior. Full set on rattys website</p> <p><img src="//i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb473/cunningcorgi/P1010289-1-1.jpg" /> </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1926 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:53:35 +0000 cunningcorgi 1926@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>And the Clydach twins after getting rudely interrupted the last time ! </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1925 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:25:44 +0000 cunningcorgi 1925@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Merthyr still open and Byrn (Cwmcerwyn) would appear to be open.</p> <p>Anyone fancy a wander to have a look at either ? </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1924 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:04:00 +0000 cunningcorgi 1924@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Cheers Mike - turned out better than I expected.</p> <p>Will get some up here once I have re-sized them. </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1923 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:09:32 +0000 mike aldron 1923@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>thanks matt, all images received and filed, and excellent shots as well, thanks, mike </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1922 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:54:04 +0000 cunningcorgi 1922@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Email sent Mike </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1917 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:13:03 +0000 mike aldron 1917@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>to anyone following this thread, my original "embankment" was actually one side of a cutting. This cutting seems to be where the planned line earthworks ended, but if anyone has any further info, it would be welcomed </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1915 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:08:47 +0000 mike aldron 1915@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>thanks, matt(and brandy) i,m glad i was proved wrong about getting to and through the tunnel.I,m still a bit puzzled about the explosives store in the tunnel, did the adjacent quarry use the tunnel (after it,s abandonment) as a suitable secure place , close enough but not actually in the quarry, to store explosives? <a href="mailto:mike.aldron@googlemail.com">mike.aldron@googlemail.com</a> </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1913 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:37:29 +0000 cunningcorgi 1913@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Mike</p> <p>Thanks a million for a great day today - thoroughly enjoyed it (as did the dog !) and the icing on the cake was actually getting to the bore and going through (even if getting to it was like going through a jungle !).</p> <p>Pop your email up and I'll send you the pics and details of where to get the BRB(R) database and I'll pop a few of the photos on here too when I get them uploaded. </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1902 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:18:03 +0000 mike aldron 1902@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>thanks for the call, matt. I,ll take my car on friday, i can bring some scrapbooks with photos, that should interest you, e.g. both ends of the rhondda tunnel in 1973, plus other bits and pieces. I,ll park in Herbert street car park (free).As you get to the roundabout at the end of the by-pass, there is a left turn for tesco, then another left, but if you go straight over , you are on a mini town by-pass.On the right is a lay-by, where the buses pull in. Soon after there is a short filter lane into HERBERT STREET car park...i,ll be in a blue peugeot 106, i should have my mobile with me 07866 276604....mike </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1901 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:24:45 +0000 cunningcorgi 1901@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Indeed and fully appreciate that. Looking at the maps, it seems to be a quiet residental area with some secluded houses lurking under the trees.</p> <p>Definatly not the sort of place to go wading in to try and find it because I have a feeling you could end upin somebodies back garden or at least very close to it if you took the wrong turn !</p> <p>Am going to get the OS maps onto a Word doc so I can print it out and will give you a call tonight. </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1888 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:12:44 +0000 mike aldron 1888@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>the problem with this one is that it,s in a quiet residential area , and people these days are understandably suspicious of strangers wandering around close to and maybe on their property. I asked a few people about the exact location of the tunnel apertures, and they were quite friendly, but i think it would be wise to adopt a softly , softly approach when in the area. The obvious starting point would be to try to access the trackbed from the small quarry on the trebanos side, but i have a feeling that it might be hopelessly overgrown </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1887 Sat, 14 Jan 2012 10:29:40 +0000 cunningcorgi 1887@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Thanks Mike.</p> <p>Don't have a mobile but will get hold of the wife's and give you a call. I am going down for a look next week as have leave to take from work so decided what better reason to take it than look at this.</p> <p>You could well be right about the inspection process. I initially thought it did come under the process because I got hold of the British Railways Board (Residuary) listing of Burdensome Estates and that is how I found the Pontardawe tunnel. However, on closer inspection of the listing, BRB(R) seem to have got rid of their responsibility for the tunnel so I think you are right re. inspection.</p> <p>I have the online OS mapping software at work and that gives a good outline of the area. The best I can find online is - </p> <p><a href="http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm" rel="nofollow">http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm</a></p> <p>If you put Pontardawe in to the search, the split screens bring up the OS map on the left and the sat view on the right. If you zoom in on the OS side, you can see the tunnel / bore clearly marked. </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1886 Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:12:11 +0000 mike aldron 1886@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>i don,t think this tunnel comes under the inspection process, as it is not a finished tunnel. It does go end to end, but is not lined, does not have portals etc... very much a trial bore..on .the other side heading towards Gwaun cae gurwen, there is an embankment, very steep either side, but only the width of a narrow gauge tramway, in other words a contractors working route, to be expanded as the intended line progressed... i live about 8 miles away, and if you wanted a bit of local knowledge, i could meet up with you . I,m retired, so time is open ended, give me a call on 01792 771092, and we can work something out. I don,t think that access will be possible/easy....mike </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1885 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:43:38 +0000 cunningcorgi 1885@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>I know that there has to be some sort of access as the tunnel has to be inspected, at least visually, once a year. </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1884 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:34:33 +0000 cunningcorgi 1884@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Thanks for the info Mike.</p> <p>I have the latest OS map of the area and the tunnel is clearly marked on that and still there. You are right about the overgrowth (from Google maps) and the houses (again Google maps). Have had a word with a few people from Pontardawe though and they reckon that it can be done from the other other portal from the Uplands side.</p> <p>I'm going down very soon to have a look to see what exactly the access is like. Have a feeling it could be something like a scene from Platoon. </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1883 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:31:03 +0000 mike aldron 1883@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>further info....line to Darren colliery opened 1923.....tunnel length 103 yds...there were also a viaduct at Gwaun cae Gurwen that was never used, and a station at Cwmgorse, never used </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1882 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:05:39 +0000 mike aldron 1882@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>i forgot to mention, this line would have linked up to the existing gwr network at Gwaun cae gurwen. In later years a new pit was sunk at Abernant, and this was on the same route which would have reached pontardawe </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1881 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:13 +0000 mike aldron 1881@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>the tunnel was never fully opened out. There were also bridges ,fencing , and gwr marker posts(still visible) dated 1920, so post Great War If my memory serves me well, there was a brick shed built in the tunnel, as i believe one end was on private property, It was the extension from the gwr branch which served the nickel works in clydach(works still thriving)It went as far as Darren colliery in Trebanos. Oddly enough i was looking for the tunnel today(i took photos in 1973)The locals reckon it,s almost impossible to access due to overgrowth, and one end is on private property You can get to where it is by going to a road called UPLANDS not far from the main crossroads in Pontardawe...but it is not a practical proposition to do too much rooting about, as it,s close to houses </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/could-this-exist#post-1841 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:14:38 +0000 cunningcorgi 1841@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>A train tunnel in Pontardawe to be exact. </p> <p>But not any old train tunnel but one that appears to have been built but the line never opened due to a little skirmish in Europe called World War 1. </p> <p>Now, there is definatly something there as the OS street view map shows it. It also happens to be on BRBR's Burdensome Estates database. I can only find one reference to it on Google and even that is just a rumour. </p> <p>But wouldn't it be epic to get into this one seeing as it would appear to have been forgotten about by just about everyone !?!?!? </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1753 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:15:42 +0000 Ratty 1753@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>You have my sympathy ;-) </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1752 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:00:55 +0000 cunningcorgi 1752@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Go past Glyncoch most days ! </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1751 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:59:06 +0000 Ratty 1751@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Ah, thought you may have been down my way, above Glyncoch </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1750 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:08:46 +0000 cunningcorgi 1750@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>North - up past Fiddlers Elbow towards Quakers Yard. </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1749 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:49:32 +0000 Ratty 1749@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>I've still never been to the boys village. Go past it all the time but I'm always working or on my way home.<br /> Cunning, when you say near Abersignon do you mean south or North? </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1748 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:52:40 +0000 cunningcorgi 1748@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>It can be a bit of a pain in the arse these days. Access opens up and closes down a lot quicker than it used to. </p> <p>Was at Merthyr / Abernant, Merthyr portal in mid September and there was no access. There was access at Abernant though. Back at Merthyr portal in mid October and there was access again. End of November and there was still access at both portals but will have to do another reccy this weekend to see that this is still the case. Wouldn't surprise me if it has changed again though.</p> <p>Pennar is another one. Village side portal opens up and closes with alarming regularity but the other end is always shut and never appears to open.</p> <p>Cefn Glas hasn't been closed for years but must now be the most dangerous tunnel in South Wales, so much so that I won't even go through it now. Had a ramble down to that one in October and despite relatively dry weather for weeks before, the Quakers Yard portal was badly flooded with water seeping in through the roof and walls for a good 50 - 60 yards. You couldn't even see the Abercynon portal in the distance and it was a bright sunny day. I think that one has breached or semi breached somewhere in the middle.</p> <p>At least with buildings there is usually more than one way in but with tunnels you're screwed if the portals are shut. </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1745 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:13:29 +0000 jimmy 1745@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>i think ur right </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1744 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:49:22 +0000 cunningcorgi 1744@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>Been to the Boys Village a few times but it is in real shit now. The lead pikeys have taken just about everything and most of the buildings have been kicked apart. Someone even had had a go at the memorial the last time I was there. Heard that security has been stepped up there lately though so maybe the owner actually intends to do something with it.</p> <p>Have a few non tunnels that I want to do including Penderyn Rectory, Merthyr Synagogue and Tower Collery. It's just trying to fit them all in between tunnels really as I spend far too much time exploring tunnels.</p> <p>Would like to do Merthyr / Abernant just after Christmas as it will be 49 years to the day that the last train went through. Have done it before but love going back to it. Have to go back to Clydach Gorge as well as there is so much there apart from the tunnels.</p> <p>Any tunnels that have been bricked and have an access door are now probably not worth the effort to be honest as you'd spend more time trying to figure out the combination than doing anything else ! </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1743 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:35:58 +0000 jimmy 1743@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>have u done boys village in aberthaw </p> http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/topic/explore-anyone#post-1742 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:26:12 +0000 jimmy 1742@http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/bbpress/ <p>let me know if ur coming over </p>