A Second World War tank training range on Sennybridge Training Area (NPRN 401496), comprising the remains of two inclined narrow-gauge railways with engines and cable runs at each end, dug into inclined cuttings flanked by linear earthworks, upon which moving targets would be pulled. Tanks and mobile artillery stationed on the opposite hill to the east would fire upon these targets.

The lower (east) track target runs for c. 270m; the upper (west) track target runs for 520m.

A field visit in August 2024 with Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) staff and military historian Mark Kahn confirmed good preservation of the lower (east) target infrastructure on the ground, including the narrow-gauge railway, in-situ sleepers, remains of a target carriage made by 'R.HUDSON ltd, Leeds', and remains of at least one sheet-metal cut-out tank silhouette for target practice.

Alongside and to the west of the lower target track, at SN 9915 4353, Mark Kahn has identified dumped remains of several armoured vehicles and tanks once used for target practice, now eroding out of the hillside.

Dr Toby Driver, March 2025

Site Record

Pentre Dolau Honddu tank training range, Sennybridge Training Area