BLAENOVON’S Heritage Railway may celebrate the past, but it is now steaming confidently towards a greener future.
A visionary team of volunteers at the railway have secured grant funding for a major solar energy installation that will dramatically reduce the railway’s carbon footprint. The project will see 58 new solar panels and battery storage installed, replacing an estimated 73% of the railway’s electricity usage with clean, sun-powered energy.
The environmental impact is significant. The annual saving is equivalent to using 1,865 fewer litres of petrol, avoiding the burning of 2,120kg of coal, or planting 112 trees every year.
While we are deeply committed to sustainability, the volunteers acknowledge that there is currently no viable alternative to coal for operating heritage steam locomotives (though research is ongoing). In response, the railway is actively working to offset its environmental impact through a wide-ranging sustainability programme.
Planned and ongoing initiatives include:
- Exploring wind power generation
- Planning a green-roof, eco-built Heritage Centre
- A site-wide re-use and recycling strategy
- A “Local is Best” policy guiding purchasing and planning decisions • Creating wildlife habitats across the site
- Water conservation measures
- Eco-friendly transport links and walking trails between key Blaenavon heritage sites
- Installation of an electric car charging point
- A café using sustainable and locally sourced food
The first major “green step” — the solar installation — has been made possible through grants from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (Energy Efficiency Grants) and the National Lottery Community Fund.
The Solar Energy Efficiency Project has received £22,058 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Mark Langman, Chairman of our Development Committee said the following: “We are incredibly proud to be protecting our industrial heritage while taking meaningful action to protect the environment.
“As a volunteer-run railway, sustainability is not just about reducing costs — it’s about ensuring this railway can be enjoyed by future generations.
“This solar project is an important milestone, and it’s only the beginning of our journey towards a greener future. We would like to personally thank the team at Evolve Commercial Energy Solutions for their support and work to undertake the project.”
Blaenavon Heritage Railway is particularly impressive for being entirely volunteer-run, from train drivers to trustees. Located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the railway is a vibrant testament to Torfaen’s industrial and steam heritage. It attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year and brings significant economic and cultural benefits to the area on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.
In addition to restoring and operating much-loved heritage steam and diesel locomotives and carriages, the railway preserves historic buildings and artefacts, serving as an important reservoir of railway history in South Wales.
Full details of Blaenavon Heritage Railway’s activities and attractions can be found on Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway website or by following them on social media.
For further enquiries, click here.
