The line runs along part of the trackbed of the northern section of the former standard gauge Brecon and Merthyr Railway from Pant to Pontsticill and then to Dolygaer. The purpose of the line is to take tourists into the Brecon Beacons National Park in preference to them entering with their cars. Plans exist for the line to be extended as far as Torpantau, at the southern entrance to the tunnel that carried the line through the hills, along the side of Glyn Colwen and as far as Brecon.