Neath and Brecon Railway - Chronology

Chronology

• 29 July 1862 - authorised as the Dulas Valley Mineral Railway
• July 1863 - Company changes name from Dulas Valley Mineral Railway to Neath and Brecon Railway. Powers to extend to Brecon granted
• July 1864 - Swansea Vale and Neath and Brecon Junction Railway incorporated to link Swansea Vale Railway Ynisygeinon Junction to the Colbren Junction, on the Neath and Brecon Railway. Swansea Vale Railway has access over all lines to Brecon under access agreement
• 2 October 1864 - opened from Neath to Onllwyn
• January 1867 - Swansea Vale and Neath and Brecon Junction Railway leased by the Neath and Brecon Railway for 999 years
• June 1867 - Aberbran and Abercamlais opened. Extension from Onllwyn to Brecon opened
• 26 July 1869 - merger of: Swansea Vale and Neath and Brecon Junction Railway; Neath and Brecon Railway
• 1874 - merged railways leased to the Midland Railway
• 2 July 1877 - operations taken over by the Midland Railway. The Midland wanted access directly to Swansea docks
• 1889 - Sir Edward Watkin becomes chairman
• December 1892 - commencement of services from Neath Low Level station
• 1 July 1922 - as a result of the Railways Act 1921, the line becomes part of the Great Western Railway (GWR)
• 1930 - London Midland and Scottish Railway cease passenger services from Swansea/Neath/Brecon to the Midlands
• 1 January 1948, Nationalization of railways, the line becomes part of British Railways
• October 1962 - local services from Neath to Brecon withdrawn
• Present - the line remains open to Onllwyn for goods services only