THE world’s oldest non-mining rail tunnel has steamed into life, 200 years after it was built to carry goods from Brecon to Hay-on-Wye and Eardisley.

The 674-yard long tunnel at Talyllyn opened on May 7, 1816 as part of the Brecon to Hay tramway. This was the longest tunnel in the country at the time it was constructed. The tramway carried goods from Brecon canal basin and ran for 36 miles. The tramway was widened to take trains in the 1860s. The tunnel as constructed would have been similar to the canal tunnels of their time, such as Ashford Tunnel, high enough to take a horse pulling the trams, and wide enough for the 3ft 6 inch gauge tramway track. The project was led by engineer John Hodgkinson.

When the line closed in May, 1964 the tunnel was the oldest in regular use.

An event was held in May at Talyllyn station in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the tunnel.

Adrian Humpage, a member of the history group, said: "The railway was an important link to many members of the community for generations. My interest is mainly in tunnels so I was keen to raise awareness about what is going on with this fascinating old tunnel."

One hundred members of Llyn Syfaddan History Group marked the re-opening of the tunnel 200 years and one day after the first horse-drawn tram was pulled through it.

A spokesman for the group said: “The Hay Rail Company constructed the horse-worked tramway from the canal basin in The Watton, Brecon to Hay and to Eardisley to a gauge of 3ft 6ins. The tramway was converted by Brecon and Merthyr Rail in 1860 to take trains and the tunnel was widened and deepened in May, 1863 to allow passage of standard gauge 4ft 8ins trains.

The spokesman said: “It has an interesting history. The line, and tunnel carried coal from the south Wales coalfields to the British Navy at Scapa Flow in the First World War, the train is being dubbed ’Jellicoe Specials’. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh spent a night in a carriage at the tunnel in August, 1955 before she opened Brecon Agricultural Show on its 200th anniversary.”

This is one of the oldest tunnels in existence and in the 1950s the tunnel was adorned with a commemorative plaque, given by Brecon Chamber of Trade. This plaque is withheld by Brecon museum and is currently on display in Brecon library.

The final passenger train ran through the tunnel in 1962 and the last freight train in 1964.

New members to Brecon history group are always welcome and for further details contact Roger Reese on [email protected]

More details on the tramway can be found in the book “The Hay and Kington Railways” by Gordon Rattenbury and Ray Cook. Published in 1996 and now out of print, copies can be found in local second hand bookshops.