Hereford.2C Hay and Brecon Railway Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway

east end of brecon station in 1949

the brecon , merthyr railway had opened first main line between brecon , pant on 1 may 1863. trains of hereford, hay , brecon railway, worked mid wales railway, started working in brecon 19 september 1864

an east loop built @ talyllyn, forming triangular junction there, enabling goods trains merthyr north run direct; opened on 21 september 1864.

the original partitioning of hay railway had been negotiated compromise, , led arrangement less ideal; hereford, hay , brecon railway agreed amalgamate brecon , merthyr railway, , ratified act of 5 july 1865.

this appeared satisfactory, emerged in 1867 preference shareholders had not been agreed preference shareholders, , amalgamation held void. act of 1868 confirmed separation of 2 companies once again , hh&br reincorporated act of 26 july 1869. needed company work trains it, , after false start midland railway performed task, 1 october 1869. midland railway had presence @ hereford using running powers, , had long sought entry south wales.

the working arrangement converted lease (of hh&br midland) 1874 , acquired swansea vale railway in same year. when negotiated arrangement run trains on neath , brecon railway 1877, had achieved goal of reaching swansea. brought considerable volume of additional traffic route, , proved lucrative brecon , merthyr, line formed part of chain hereford swansea.