Updated with new bus times 13 April 2008
Updated 29 July 09

Updated 28 September 2009

Updated 5 Feb 2010

Updated 3 Mar 2010

Updated 27 May 2010

How to find us

The railway is situated just off the B4248 between Blaenavon and Brynmawr, and is well signposted as you approach Blaenavon. Use Junction 25a if you are coming on the M4 from the east, or Junction 26 if you are coming from the west, (both junctions are clearly signposted}. Head for Cwmbran and pick up the signs for Pontypool or Big Pit

From the Midlands use M50, then A40, and A465 to Brynmawr. If you are travelling from North and West Wales consider using the "Heads of the Valley's" A465 to Brynmawr. As you approach us, just look out for the old colliery water tower, and you can't miss us!

This is a fairly old view of the north end of our yard site where we keep the engines and coaches. We include this image mainly to show you the old colliery water tower, which is easily recognisable from the road by which you reach us. The B4248 road is in the background.

How to get there by public transport

The railway is served by the following main line railway stations: ABERGAVENNY, PONTYPOOL & NEW INN, CWMBRAN, and NEWPORT.
Of these four, Newport is the most distant, but is served by the most frequent interconnecting bus services. Notwithstanding, most rail passengers will arrive via Newport. There are some other rather roundabout services you could use, but those below are the only ones we would recommend.

Bus services from Newport

To get to the bus station from Newport railway station, come out of the station, walk broadly forward and left for about five minutes and any number of routes will get you to the bus station. The adjoining map shows the details. The bus station is a lively place during the day, with a modern shopping centre attached, and a good fish and chip restaurant next door. If you have an hour to kill, try wandering round Newport Market on weekdays. On the other hand, if the weather is nice and it’s a Sunday, sit down on the embankment of the River Usk and eat your sandwiches!

Buses from Newport go to Blaenavon town centre (either High Street or Lion Street). To get to the railway on foot, walk to Big Pit, by following the brown tourist signs, ignore the railway signs – these are for motorists. Go through Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate and under one of our bridges. The walk will take about twenty minutes. From Big Pit car park, look north to gate starting the Coity Trail and look at our timetable posted nearby for details. It’s a five-minute - and very interesting - walk along the trail to the railway. Wait for any approaching trains to stop at the station and crossover to the far platform

Mondays to Saturdays– Service X24

This service leaves stand 10 from 0815 at 10 minute intervals till 2230. The journey time is just over 50 minutes

Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays – Service 24

This service leaves stand 10 from 1140 at hourly intervals. Again, the journey time is just over 50 minutes.

Mondays to Saturdays – Service 30

This useful service leaves stand 9 at hourly intervals from 0745 till 1745. The journey time is 40 minutes.

It is useful because the 0845,1045, 1245 and 1445 service extend their journey to Big Pit, which adds 5 minutes to the journey time, it also passes our entrance at Garn yr Erw, (locals call it Garner-roo, which is a bit easier to say) but you may need to ask the driver to stop.

All of these services are operated by Stagecoach, and it may be worth confirming the above details on their website at:

www.stagecoachbus.com.

You will however need an Acrobat Reader to read the file which is presented as a PDF file.

Bus services from Abergavenny and other local towns

Services are, at best, sporadic. Beacons Bus has run a service during the tourist season and it may be worth looking for details HERE.

Bus Services around Blaenavon from Brecon via Crickhowell and Brynmawr

For 2010 Beacons Bus have started a service, service B15, into Blaenavon from Brecon via Crickhowell and Brynmawr. This service connects directly with the railway at Furnace Sidings. The timetable for the B15 service is shown below :

For the full Beacons Bus timetable, click on the link above, then go to ‘Getting around the park – transport’ (top of page). then go to ‘Beacons bus – timetables’ (left of new page), and the full timetable is downloadable as a PDF file.

Remember, in all cases to ask the driver for details of the return journey.