Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway, The LMMR, earlier known as the Carmarthenshire Tramroad was established in 1802 by Act of Parliament. It began running trains in 1803, the initial line being a tramway, with motive power provided by a pair of horses. This distribution line allowed for coal extraction in the hinterland to be connected to the Sandy area and Llanelly Docks and in 1798 the Stradey Iron Works established by Alexander Raby had begun trading and later received his coal, ironstone and limestone for its furnaces via the Carmarthenshire line.
By 1844 the company ceased trading and it was to take over 30 years for the line to reopen. At a meeting in Llanelly Town Hall chaired by C.N.Neville Esq. M.P., it was resolved to reopen the line and to extend it to Cross Hands. In 1880 Mr Waddell the contractor stated that he was pushing ahead with vigour.
The railway reopened in 1883 operated by the newly formed Llanelly and Mynydd Mawr Railway Co. That company disappeared in 1922 on being absorbed into the Great Western Railway which was in turn of course absorbed into British Railways in 1947. Throughout the twentieth century the line continued as a main artery for coal distribution from the Gwendraeth Valley, until the closure of Cynheidre Colliery in 1989.
In the early years the LMMR had a fleet of its own steam locos to work the line but following absorption to the Great Western Railway pannier tanks were in common use on the line until phasing out of steam in the 1960s. In 1965 0-6-0 PT 1607 of Llanelly shed 87F was purchased by the National Coal Board and worked at Cynheidre Colliery until 1969 when it was condemned with a cracked frame, and was subsequently scrapped on site. In the later years of the line Class 37 diesel locos were the staple diet as well as Class 08 diesel shunting locos (up until the closure of the Cynheidre North section).
Following a campaign lasting almost ten years from the Llanelli and District Railway Society (L&DRS) to save the intact, but derelict line the hopes were dashed in the mid-90's when the railway was sold by British Rail property board to the local authorities as part of a scheme to transform the track bed into a cycle way. This path is now a well recognised part of the National Cycle Network.
It is mentioned in many quarters that the Llanelly and Mynydd Mawr Railway is the Oldest Public Railway in the World, although this is open to much debate.
Present and Future - Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway Company Limited
Whilst the L&DRS's efforts were thwarted, a new charitable company was incorporated on the 15 April 1999 as a non-profit making company limited by guarantee (with no remuneration paid to its Directors). The company was to be named The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway Company Ltd, therefore reviving the name of the former operator albeit with the later Llanelli spelling. The primary objective of the registered charity is to reinstate a railway on the historic line. A heritage centre will also interpret the history of coal mining in the area and in particular the industry which the railway served.
The charity's scheme will utilise derelict land on the site of the former colliery which is now owned by the LMMR outright as of 2005. In the long-term the railway which closed to rail traffic in 1989 will be re-instated where possible. Work at the site at Cynheidre near Llanelli, South Wales is currently progressing at a steady pace. The first phase will include the placing of a loco shed on site as well as making the site available to the public. The primary objective is to achieve a running line of one mile consisting of a platform, loco shed, heritage centre, gift shop and c�fe.
The project is intended to be a vital educational resource for future generations and will keep this historical site in the minds of people of all ages.
Rolling Stock
The LMMR Co. Ltd. own's the following rolling stock for use at Cynheidre. Steam: - 1498 Avonside Engine Company 0-4-0 Locomotive named 'Desmond' Built 1906 - Currently located at the Llangollen Railway, North Wales pending restoration.
Diesel: - 10222 0-4-0 Sentinel Waggon Works (Rolls Royce) Diesel Shunter Locomotive - Stored at Defence Storage Distribution Centre, Llangennech, Llanelli.
- 27654 0-4-0 North British Locomotive Company Shunter Locomotive - Stored at Defence Storage Distribution Centre, Llangennech, Llanelli.
Multiple Unit: - 51354 British Rail Class 117 Diesel Multiple Unit Built 1960 1-Car Unit - Stored at Defence Storage Distribution Centre, Llangennech, Llanelli.
- 51396 British Rail Class 117 Diesel Multiple Unit Built 1960 1-Car Unit - Stored at Defence Storage Distribution Centre, Llangennech, Llanelli.
- 52029 British Rail Class 107 Diesel Multiple Unit Built 1961 1-Car Unit - Stored at Defence Storage Distribution Centre, Llangennech, Llanelli.
Coaching Stock: - 1206 British Rail Mark 2 RFB 1st Class BR Buffet Car Built 1973 - Stored at Defence Storage Distribution Centre, Llangennech, Llanelli.
- 8597 Great Western Railway Pre-1900 6 Wheel Luggage Composite Carriage (Minus Wheel Frame) - Stored at Owen's Transport Distribution Yard, Llangennech, Llanelli.
- No. Unknown Great Western Railway Pre-1900 6 Wheel Lavatory Composite Carriage (Minus Wheel Frame) - Stored at Owen's Transport Distribution Yard, Llangennech, Llanelli.
Wagons - 35377 Great Western Railway 'Toad' Brake van - Stored at Defence Storage Distribution Centre, Llangennech, Llanelli.
- British Rail Tar Wagon (Circa 1959) - Stored at Defence Storage Distribution Centre, Llangennech, Llanelli.
- British Rail Tippler Wagon - Stored at Defence Storage Distribution Centre, Llangennech, Llanelli.
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