Rhymney branch, Gwent

The Rhymney branch, one of a number of remaining passenger branches in the Welsh valleys, became a hot-spot of real and exciting train action during the "noughties", when loco-hauled passenger trains were an everyday occurrence, thanks to a shortage of DMUs. I visited a few times to record the sight of Class 37s growling uphill on these punishing schedules. If only I had recorded their sound too!