The Highest Railway Tunnel in the UK - Torpantau aka The Devils Tunnel

[@BreconMountainRailwayLtd]

Thanks for featuring us and the tunnel, it does feature in our future plans.....!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Excellent news! I'll be back for a ride and would love to document any future tunnel development for reopening

[@TheValleyCross]

Hi @BreconMountainRailway. I had the privilege of driving the first passenger train since 1962 to Torpantau station: 1st April 2014 when I worked for the BMR. I really do hope that one day you will get the line through the Torpantau tunnel. That was Tony Hills vision , in his words "it would provide the final climax to the journey". I hope that the project would come around quickly. it would be great to travel through this piece of railway history. all the best for the future, kind Regards, Stephen Cross, ex BMR employee.

[@ericdurber3448]

Great news!

[@geoffreyford7288]

When I was 10ish the family had a holiday in South Wales, the first week we stayed at St Athan and I wanted to have a ride on the trains. We found out that you could get a child day ticket for the Cardiff suburban lines for the day. I took train to Merthyr and found I could take local to Pontsticil and change trains to Brecon. On the return it was a pannier tank bunker first, I had forgotten about the tunnel and all of a sudden it all went black! Smoke everywhere! As that's obviously 65 years ago I don't remember too much else about the trip.

[@stephendavies6949]

Wow. So jealous!

[@Andydroid336]

Absolutely fabulous video. I agree, it would be great if it could be reopened safely. Too many of our great tunnels have been lost and we must try and save and reuse them. Keep up the great work matey 👍

[@jetsons101]

How many man hours that must have taken, I tip my hat to the workers and their skill for what they have accomplished. Just imagine what they would think if they could see that their tunnel is still around after all these years, job well done. Thanks to Ant for his time, work and posting......

[@James-gf9jl]

I would reckon this is the most impressive tunnel in the UK. Curve, gradiant and variance of lining.

[@MarkPulford-p7i]

Would be awesome to have the heritage railway through the tunnel to join the valleys. Maybe tidy the floor and add a bit of lighting in the interim. Reminds me of a walk through the canal tunnel at Chirk. Never tire of walking in the footsteps of the heros who built such tunnels and gave us the infrastructure to give their future generations a better life - thanks ancestors, you are not forgotten.

[@Jimyjames73]

Hello Ant @ 6:16 Some of the Tunnels along the Monsal Trail are like that - Brick and then stone!!! - Sad to think that there were once Steam Locos thundering through these Tunnels but sadly no more 🙁 Thanks for sharing 😊🚂🚂🚂

[@nickboden5866]

What a wonderful evocative video, and the mosaic of brickwork. Your choice of music is divine.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind indeed Nick thanks very much

[@Peter-MH]

Had no idea the Brecon Mountain Railway was so scenic!! Amazing scenery! 😮

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's a very picturesque place

[@shirleylynch7529]

What a brilliant tunnel. Fab explore. Would be great if they opened it up again. So much history we don’t know anything about. Thank you for bringing this tunnel alive again but for a moment. Very enjoyable. Thank you Ant. Amazing video and filming.

[@neildaniel8232]

I grew up in the area and have walked through it many times. Been lucky enough to go through it when there's been a severe drought and it's been bone dry inside, the last one was a few years ago.

[@stephendavies6949]

I was born & bred in Aberfan and walked through the Merthyr Aberdare tunnel a couple of times, but never this one. Been over the Cefn Viaduct, though: another amazing structure.

[@johnlaw3323]

Another brilliant video Ant in that amazing tunnel. As you say what a waste, many thanks for making and sharing.

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Wonderful video. You can just imagine a train going through the tunnel.

[@seany84uk]

Its good to see these forgotten railway relics being shown!

[@TrekkingExploration]

It was tough to walk to but worth it

[@mcmarky1985]

What an ace tunnel and as always so well documented! Thanks for the video!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it thank you

[@Peter_S_]

That far portal is absolutely picturesque and the entry/exit portal is rather beautiful as well.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It really is other worldly

[@TheValleyCross]

A fantastic video! thanks for uploading it. I walked through the tunnel about 15 years ago with just my mobile phone torch to light my way, not good! when I was a driver on the brecon mountain railway I met an elderly gentleman on Pontsticill Station, it turns out he was an ex British railways train driver who used to work the Brecon to Newport line, he told me that one winters day whilst approaching the tunnel from "Newport end", there was a massive snow drift in front of the portal, after much discussion among the crew they decided to ram into the snow tender first which ended badly! the tender derailed & they had to take shelter in Torpantau signal box with just a small turtle stove to keep them warm until the railway rescue crews turned up to re-rail them in the harsh wintry conditions of the Brecon beacons. the ex British Railways driver was Mr Caradog Lewis of Balaclarva Road, Dowlais - what a charactor! now sadly passed.

[@andrewmaurerandrew6801]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos top man perfect Sunday night 👍👍🍦

[@bobingram6912]

That was a joy, a real bitsa of a tunnel. It gives the impression of being almost too narrow for standard guage especially with all those various additions at ground level and on quite a tight curve. Ideal for the BMR though, but perhaps a puddle too far🤔 Thanks Ant👍👍👍👍

[@enchantededition6879]

I think it would be great to reopen it.

[@billmmckelvie5188]

Regarding the square holes in the brickwork, you must see if an old railway parafin lamp would fit into them. What I am surprised at is the amount of drainage work that will have to be done slong with a tunnel surveyor.

[@JulianCarter-ul9oc]

Shugborough Tunnel on the current West Coast Main Line is 666yds long too.

[@billyruss]

One of my favourite tunnels. First visited in the 80s, and then revisited in the 90s during the wintertime, in deep snow - so deep in fact that we had to leave the car a few hundred yards down the hill as we couldn't get closer. I didn't have a camera with me at the time, which was a shame, as the eastern end of the tunnel had a number of huge icicles and ice pillars, where the icicles had grown down to the floor of the tunnel - absolutely spectacular sight.

[@alistairkewish651]

The idea of extending the MR through Torpantau Tunnel is a very worthy one. Pity to see it not being used. Roll on this idea.

[@bgsmantaproductions933]

I went on a school outward bounds holiday in 1990 and we walked through that - we had to find a stick and feel our way along the wall (no torches). In those days the Torpantau end was dry (a collapse in the cutting has since caused water to pool). The far (lower) end was flooded knee deep and also bricked up but the door was not locked. Nice to see what it actually looked like inside!

[@rubybrown3905]

Thank you for this video, it's very interesting. The BMR narrow gauge has recently been taken over by a new company which runs the Vale of Rheidol Railway in Aberystwyth and I can tell you that there are plans to reopen the tunnel at some point in the future, so something to look forward to!

[@dilwyn1]

Great Vid Ant. Fascinating insight to yet another long lost railway relic. Those still shots too were stunning, great job

[@TrekkingExploration]

I was very happy with the photographs. It's been over a year since I did one. Thanks very much

[@2010ditta]

Also known as Lonely Torpantau by GWR enginemen. Crazy to see all the different brickwork inside it. Makes you wonder if it was done after the track was taken up. Seeing as its a listed tunnel. Very enjoyable, all the best.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's very much a mixed bag inside there. Thank you for watching

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Oh I do hope she gets fixed up. What a beaut tunnel she is. Best I’ve seen I do believe. The brickwork and stonework are gorgeous. Thanks for taking me along. Please take care

[@bobsrailrelics]

Great work, an amazing tunnel. I am planning series on the Brecon and Merthyr railway at some point, its history is fascinating. I've shared this around a couple of Welsh Facebook groups as well. Really good video

[@TrekkingExploration]

Aaww thanks very much Bob that's very kind. It does look interesting. I think if I was down there like you are I'd do the same

[@peterbrameld696]

The square holes in the wall will have been when they put beams in when they are repairing the roof to form a trestle.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Makes sense Peter thanks for the information 🙂

[@Jamez130]

They are called putlog holes, you can see them in a lot of medieval churches and church ruins

[@nigelkthomas9501]

I was led to believe the BMR wants to extend through that tunnel, and more than double the length of their line.

[@paulfrench3586]

Great video - thanks. Me and the family took the train up to (the new) Torpantau Station a few years ago and I then discovered this tunnel on Google Maps. I also hope the BMR manage to fund getting it re-opened. The drainage will certainly be a challenge, but the tunnel itself looks structurally sound. I don't know what's beyond it to act as a new terminus for the railway, unless they just take the trains up and then push them back again and swap the engine around, back at the new station.

[@MelanieRuck-dq5uo]

Another wonderful piece, with astonishing video footage and photography. I had a thought that we have sent people to planets (well, to our moon anyway), yet here we have Ant exploring a strange alien world in the form of an old abandoned but man made railway tunnel.

[@maestromanification]

Excellent video Ant, that would be fantastic if the BMR went through it. The highest tunnel in UK but also longest tunnel on a preserved railway

[@TrekkingExploration]

Yes that would be two fantastic crowd pulling selling points

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Great video with some splendid aeriel and tunnel shots. Apart from drainage issues, the tunnel itself doesn't seem like it would require very much restoration work. So, let's hope it does get reopened, as you suggest.

[@TrekkingExploration]

I hope it does. The longest and highest tunnel on a heritage railway would be a real crowd puller

[@derekfletcher-r8o]

the pocket holes could be from building .a batten would be inserted into one side then slid into the opposite side for workers to build a platform for working on

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for the information and also for watching 😄

[@derekfletcher-r8o]

@@TrekkingExploration good to watch thanks for posting .we did similar in the coal mines heavy battens across the roadway and a frame built across to stand on when working at height

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

GREAT PHOTOGAPHY. Soooooooo interesting again. Cheers

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind indeed thanks so much

[@gwynrandall7255]

Very enjoyable. Was in the area only last week. The old barn tea rooms nearby highly recommended for their home made scones.

[@rodsmith3911]

Went nearly up to the tunnel in 2004 with my youngest son then aged 5 on his tag along trailer tandem. Cycled up from the railway car park whilst my wife went for a ride on the train! Too muddy to go through the cutting to the tunnel so thanks for the video showing us what we missed. Much enjoyed Ant!

[@onchnc3546]

Very interesting video. The amazing engineering in these tunnels.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching. It's a lovely structure

[@jontaylor1652]

Great work again Ant, thanks. I've heard of it many times but this is the first time I've ever actually seen it.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Jon thanks very much. It was a long hot day getting to it too

[@robdogwalker]

Having watched your video Ant, I think as you do that the tunnel in its present state is a terrible waste! Yes the drainage would need to be sorted out,but either as a railway extension or a cylce/footpath would be a great asset for the area.

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

magnificent tunnel it looks in quite good condition hope they do extend the line through the tunnel

[@chrisbayly5457]

What a great tunnel walk, i do hope BMR open it for traffic...

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

Thank you for sharing Ant. A great find and a lovely video.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Chris thank you

[@alexcharlesworth7580]

Lovely video. At 1:27 it almost looks like a canal tunnel! Beautiful structure and it looks in very good condition. Would be great if they do reopen it. I'd definitely go and ride the train through it.

[@stephendavies6949]

A great watch! I'm surprised the place doesn't make more appearances on YT. The B&M's goals were to a) reach Merthyr Tydil, which was the iron making capital of the world (not to mention its importance to the coal industry) in the late 18th/early 19th centuries, which is why 6 or 7 railway companies converged on the town, & b) to reach the Bristol Channel in order to grab a slice of the South Wales coal export market. Did you manage to explore the Merthyr to Aberdare tunnel, or the wonderful Cefn Coed viaduct (also part of rhw B&M) whilst you were in the area? The remnats of the old Midland route from Abergavenny to Merthyr (Heads of the Valleys Line) is a sight to behold too. Having said that, and due to the areas industrial history, the entire region is crissed-crossed by fomer railway routes. As you may have gathered, I grew up in the Merthyr (Taff) Valley! As a small boy, I knew a few elderly people who had worked on the B&M. They echoed your (and others, such as Don Gatehouse, Geoff Dowling & James Page, that it was an under-used line where every penny mattered, and on which the small locos were used & abused to carry out duties way beyond their design limits. I've never seen that photo of the diesel in the tunnel mouth before: excellent scoop! BTW: despite appearances to the contrary, Tydfil/Tudful is pronunouned "tid-fill", in both Welsh & English. Keep up the good work, sir.

[@alanmusson8710]

That tunnel is structurally sound, so all it needs is the base to be sorted, what an asset to the area! It sadly all the council planners can think or do to these beautiful structures is,Fill in! Tear down!

[@michaelmiller641]

Strange, the way it has been patched up like that! And very picturesque portal at the far end! I hope the railway manages to get there, although it's wonderfully mysterious as it is! Great video Ant! Thanks

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's a lovely little place. I hope it gets used too

[@itsonlyme9938]

The square section in the brick work maybe for some planking was put across for the bricklayers to stand on ??

[@peterbrameld696]

A really great video, thank you so much!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching Peter

[@petercollyer9783]

Great video, very informative 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Peter thank you

[@UKAbandonedMineExplores]

Interesting thanks, beautiful tunnel, I love them in remote locations like that :)

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks for watching

[@mtgcardzandreview2756]

I wonder if those holes were for expansion/contraction or sweeping of water. Maybe a place to hang lanterns.

[@ernestbailey9194]

What a lovely video. Gorgeous tunnel, the colour of the red stone near the end is beautiful. It is a shame that they don't make it a proper footpath through it, as it would be a really nice walk especially from the preserved railway station.

[@Richard-zk6ed]

Superb Ant. Really appreciate your effort with these videos.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Richard thank you

[@stevenstopford9847]

Brilliant video many thanks 👍🏻

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching Steven 😊

[@marilynbalderstone696]

Fascinating journey today. Very brave of you to walk through. It’s in such good condition I wonder if the steam railway will ever push through. What an accolade that would be to have the highest railway tunnel in the country on your railway line. I’m sure they could do it and deal with the water. It’s nothing to clever civil engineers. 🤞Thank you.

[@angelaknisely-marpole7679]

nice one again. Thank you!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thanks very much 😌

[@mikewoodman7700]

The Swansea to Pontarddulais line would be good as the Mumbles Railway (worlds 1st) ran alongside it - Two birds 1 track bed!

[@andrewmatley7688]

cheers ant another great find mate

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching Andrew

[@robtyman4281]

I always thought the Woodhead Tunnel was the highest railway tunnel in the UK. Shows how wrong I am! Have to confess I'd not heard of this tunnel before. Fascinating video 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching Rob 😀

[@ste.h9825]

Great video.Thanks Ant.😊

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you 🙂

[@chaddamp2894]

I always note the beautiful architecture from that era wether it be tunnels,platforms or more so the buildings on any of the network ,what have we now...??

[@stephenharper4956]

Awesome video buddy . Thankyou

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Stephen very kind

[@stevemarshall_uk]

The devils tunnel sums it up, great video/information/presentation as always matey #devilsTunnel

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Steve ☺️ I hope you are well

[@simonballard6413]

So good to see a tunnel without the wretched fence, brick or metal at each entrance. What a lovely old tunnel! I wonder if it's possible to get into the Merthyr tunnel, which is over a mile long? Is there a way to find out?

[@RobH.]

Excellent!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much 😊

[@mikelxw4593]

Really loved this one

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thankyou, i'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@lostinhistory_uk]

Great video as usual mate. Great old pics too to go with it. Support always from LOST PILGRIM MEDIA

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers mate thank you

[@drdoolittle5724]

You earned a thumbs-up but I couldn't travel through with you, terrifying!

[@TrekkingExploration]

It was a slog getting to it as well. Thank you very much for watching

[@MalcolmBrown-z5o]

Brill Video.just wondered why a tunnel of that length didnt have ventilation shafts.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you 😊 Yes it does make you wander....

[@macstyle2012]

Sounds high in feet, but when converted to metres it is only 400, which is not that high when you look around Europe at other tunnels.

[@leejones9726]

I used ride my motorcycle through there 30 plus years ago when nobody cared and the last time I went through was about 10 years ago on foot. I live in the area and have never heard it called the Devil’s tunnel?

[@22whizzo56]

It looks like the tunnel has had a lot of recent repairs - let's hope the Brecon Mountain Railway do run trains through it.

[@TrekkingExploration]

I hope so too. I agree it's being looked after

[@BecsterDotCom]

Oooo I enjoyed that! Thank you for sharing. Is that open to anyone to explore then? I just find it odd that it's not been closed up. Glad it isn't and agree that having the Brecon Mountain Railway go through it would be amazing... get them to their namesake would be fab! As for suggestions, the one that would be great for you if you've not done it already is the old Bangor - Bethesda line in North Wales. Between Tregarth and Bethesda there's deep cuttings, a long tunnel which opens out directly onto a bridge crossing a river. I might have a video of it on my channel come to think of it. It's been refurbished as part of Lon Las Ogwen.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you very much for watching. One portal is easier than the other but yes you can walk up to it. I'd like to do a bit in North Wales. I've only been once. Let me have a look at your channel....

[@BecsterDotCom]

@@TrekkingExploration ah cool! I’d love to see it one day. There are two videos of Lôn Las Ogwen up there but from 3 years ago! Lon Las Ogwen - Tregarth i Bethesda kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKuiKCcrMiao8U

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@BecsterDotCom I've found you 🙂

[@dodgydruid]

Called by its nickname like a lot of things but in this case being 666ft long the triple six being synonymous with the devil.

[@cyberdonblue4413]

Coincidentally, Kilsby Tunnel on the West Coast Mainline just south of Rugby is 1 mile 666 yards long.

[@trainsinkansas576]

How many vent holes did this tunnel have ?

[@TrekkingExploration]

There didn't appear to have been any

[@macstyle2012]

Would that have been the highest UK station, must be higher than Dent ( which is 350m) as the highest current station.

[@alistairkewish651]

Can’t think of a railway line built in a more remote part of Cymru. Why?

[@damiendye6623]

Move goods I suppose

[@a11csc]

❤❤👍👍😊😊

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much 😊

[@alcatel4539]

Does "Torpantau" mean "the cut holes"?

[@StephenForster-z3m]

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching

[@cerij4242]

Morlais tunnel and Cefn Glas next?

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's scary how you know that, in that order too! 😮

[@cerij4242]

@@TrekkingExploration Closest first Morlais can be very misty on humid days, it did for my camera once all steamed up inside the lens. P.S Cefn Glas has always looked dangerous, but a lot of the bricks on the floor have been there for 30 odd years and some are builders waste dumped also many years ago.

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@cerij4242 i was fortunate not to have any mist. The viaduct is lovely as is the smaller one nearby

[@davidfalconer8913]

The ( UK ) should respect the US and Mexico railroad tunnels .. these can allow ( double height ! ) trains .. for example watch [ RanoutonaRail ] videos [ Feather river route ] ... ( MUCH fun in the 1970's ) ..... DAVE™🛑

[@longbar2344]

'tid vil'

[@paulbennett772]

I have to disagree with you. Without knowing more about it, I'd be inclined to leave it as is. Perhaps the drainage issue is insurmountable. In any case, there appears to be no compelling reason to reopen it to rail traffic

[@TrekkingExploration]

Okay

[@whetstonelad]

You didn't feel inclined to even acknowledge the amount of effort the Welshmen that would have had to hack their way through that mountain with nothing more than pickaxes. And what about the skill of the brickies. You're clearly a man with a working-class background yet you didn't for one moment research the men that put in the sweat and effort required to create that tunnel. Do better next time to show what our ancestors, the working and exploited men, did to create our long-lost railways.

[@jetsons101]

I just left this comment shortly before I read yours: How many man hours that must have taken, I tip my hat to the workers and their skill for what they have accomplished. Just imagine what they would think if they could see that their tunnel is still around after all these years, job well done. Thanks to Ant for his time, work and posting......

[@TrekkingExploration]

If I said that in every single video I did it would get a little bit boring. Should I have mentioned those that kilned the bricks? There wives that did their dinners when at home? No. I'll do my videos and walks my way. You can go watch BBC 2 for higher quality productions

[@jetsons101]

@@TrekkingExploration Ant, you're the man..... I think it's up to us, the viewer, to add that information in the comments. For me the comments is a way for us to add to the narrative started by you, the narrator.

[@janettetaylor8760]

Make it into a cycling jogging walking doggies walkers trail track.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Yes that would also be an amazing outcome

[@bazra19]

Absolutely stunning. Please turn off the music and let's just hear the countryside. We didn't ask for music. If someone likes music, then let them switch the radio on in the background. I would rather be able to hear your uninterrupted voice. Music is too much, what a shame, I'm gone.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Bye then! I'm not sure what countryside sounds you get inside a tunnel 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@nigelbarker4135]

Any sign of construction shaft ant? Another fantastic find Ant👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@alexcharlesworth7580]

Lovely video. At 1:27 it almost looks like a canal tunnel! Beautiful structure and it looks in very good condition. Would be great if they do reopen it. I'd definitely go and ride the train through it.