Parallel Lines: Lost Railways by Air: Brecon Merthyr

[@kennethausten]

This is brilliant. Lived by Merthyr for 16 years after moving from Sittingbourne in Kent. Learnt plenty of history in that time , but this video has filled in those big gaps I had

[@julesdingle]

Really glad you enjoyed it, every time I go out to film I get some new interesting take on a place.. people are chatty and often really well informed on local history. As the holiday spots are getting crowded I decided to switch from Castles and sites [see my previous videos] to less tourist [ places like Merthyr. up coming is Welsh rebellion stories, and world breaking bridges including the oldest rail iron bridge that happens to be in in Merthyr.

[@kennethausten]

@@julesdingle Thanks for reply. Yes merthyr has a unique history I have found. I always took visitors to us around Cyfartha Castle Museum as it provided a good deal of history. Even the Spoons pub is named after a past historic event. I looked it up originally and all was revealed. Look forward to the next videos. Thanks for your time and enthusiasm.

[@vinceturner3863]

Thanks for your work on this comprehensive aerial view of these railways and a splendid narrative.

[@peterdite6725]

Very good, I've cycled from Cardiff to Brecon

[@allisontyler-howells5239]

Another fantastic video thank you

[@michaelpilling9659]

Absolutley marvellous. What a brilliant film. It must have taken you ages to make, edit and publish. The finished article is outstanding. Thaank you

[@andrewjohnfox]

Excellent. Many thanks for all the work in making such an engaging video, Packed with information and explained the historical significance of the line. And a lovely laid back commentary.

[@jermainelong1843]

Excellent quality footage!! I just got back from Merthyr today but due to the flu wasn't able to explore as much as I wanted. Your video filled in a lot of the blanks.

[@julesdingle]

for more history on Merthyr and the surrounding area check out my Raising Steam video

[@tinab3364]

Stunning

[@martinkeepin3943]

Interesting to see your video thanks, I've walked (or cycled) a lot of that area including the full length of the Pant ('miler') tunnel, we did take a look at the site of the original Torpantau station and the southern entrance of the Torpantau tunnel but that's definitely not the end to enter it from, will walk it from the other end at some point.

[@PhillipWalkley]

Nice video. Note the tunnel under Morlais near Pontsarn is the LNWR main line to Dowlais High Street, Rhymney Bridge, Brynmawr and Abergavenny. Closed Jan 1958. That too would make a great film

[@julesdingle]

the rail network around Merthyr is quite the plate of spaghetti and certainly some interesting routes.

[@PhillipWalkley]

@@julesdingle certainly Jules, your filming idea is great! Cheered up a cold winter evening in Germany and my enthusiast son (37) in Dorset loved it too. Do Brynmawr down to Abergavenny Junction next....spectacular and lots if tunnels, bridges and cliffs! Thank you

[@julesdingle]

@@PhillipWalkley this route has been mentioned before and its on the to do list come spring. After I finish filming the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line, closed only in the 70s but there is talk of reopening the line

[@PhillipWalkley]

@@julesdingle Yes. Let us hope When Beeching closed the B and M and Cambrian systems on 31 Dec 1962 some activists proposed a High Speed Diesel service from Aberystwth to Moat Lane, Builth Talyllyn, Merthyr and Cardiff. If only we had had a Welsh Assembly back then! PS.Just flown with you from Bala Jcnt to Blaenau....fab!

[@pointofviewgr]

Nice 👍

[@breeze1472]

Which episode covers the brecon station as mentioned in this great video?

[@julesdingle]

This winter [even autumn] has been exceptionally wet and windy.. and curtailing filming.. but the next episode will be the fabulous Brecon to Moat Lane route although it is 40 miles long so will take days of filming.. hopefully by April. thanks for watching.

[@rhobatbrynjones7374]

Where the hell is Torpantooh?

[@julesdingle]

Hi Rhobat, how would you pronounce it? thanks.

[@rhobatbrynjones7374]

@@julesdingle TorPANTeh. The emphasis is on Pant and 'au' is colloquially pronounced as a short eh.

[@spunkyhoovertutu8313]

Presentation and commentary rubbish. Insufficient written words as could not understand names when spoken. Insufficient visual overlays of where the railway actually ran and therefore viewers soon get lost . With the background steam train noise on constantly you should at least superimpose the tracks !

[@julesdingle]

thanks for your contribution I shall take that on board.. as for my speech that is pretty well fixed although I endeavour to improve each video.