the original cost of construction of that line. This was agreed, but the LNWR had to build an expensive connecting line from a new junction, Penywern Junction, on its line to the B&MR Dowlais (Central) station, running northward in tunnel to a westward junction with the B&MR line at Morlais Junction. The line took four years to construct, but the LNWR took formal joint ownership of the relevant part of the B&MR line in 1875, ensuring that it retained access in the event of the B&MR negotiating with rivals. The LNWR line opened on 1 June 1879, when the LNWR trains were able to run to Merthyr High Street station. Hereford, Hay and Brecon Railway The Brecon and Merthyr Railway had opened its first main line between Brecon and Pant on 1 May 1863. Trains of the Hereford, Hay and Brecon Railway, worked by the Mid Wales Railway, started working in to Brecon from 19 September 1864 An east loop was built at Talyllyn, forming a triangular junction there, enabling goods trains from Merthyr to the north to run direct; this opened on 21 September 1864. The original partitioning of the Hay Railway had been a negotiated compromise, and led to an arrangement that was less than ideal; the Hereford, Hay and Brecon Railway agreed to amalgamate with the Brecon and Merthyr Railway, and this was ratified by Act of 5 July 1865. This appeared to be satisfactory, but it emerged in 1867 that the preference shareholders had not been agreed by the preference shareholders, and the amalgamation was held to be void. An Act of 1868 confirmed the separation of the two companies once again and the HH&BR was reincorporated by Act of 26 July 1869. It needed a company to work its trains for it, and after a false start the Midland Railway performed this task, from 1 October 1869. The Midland Railway had a presence at Hereford using running powers, and had long sought an entry into South Wales. The working arrangement was converted into a lease (of the HH&BR by the Midland) from 1874 and acquired the Swansea Vale Railway in the same year. When it negotiated an arrangement to run its trains over the Neath and Brecon Railway from 1877, it had achieved its goal of reaching Swansea. This brought a considerable volume of additional traffic to the route, and proved lucrative for the Brecon