Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway
Encyclopedia
The Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway connected the coal mines of the Rhondda Valley
to the Swansea Bay ports
.
Connecting with the Taff Vale Railway
at Treherbert
, it had branches to Aberavon
and Port Talbot
docks. It was later extended to Swansea
and a branch to Neath
was added, bringing the total length to 31 miles. Commercially a poor route, it was operated by the Great Western Railway
from 1907, and fully incorporated from 1922.
Under the Beeching Axe
, as a loss making concern the railway was an early closure opportunity, being closed from 1962 and completely shut in 1970. Its Neath industrial branch survived until 1983.
and Bute Docks could provide. In 1874 the total coal and coke exported from Cardiff and Penarth was 2,886,000 tons, which had risen to 7,774,828 tons by 1882. By 1880 a train typically took 23 hours to travel from the Ocean Colliery to Bute Dock, and 27 hours for the empty wagons to return. This slowed production, as no additional railway capacity had been built, and only the Roath Basin provided additional dock capacity.
Two attempts were made to break the monopoly of the Marquess of Bute
. The Barry Railway and Docks
built at a cost of £2 million a new dock at Barry Island
with a railway connecting with Rhondda above the narrow Tongwynlais
gorge. The first coal was shipped on 18 July 1889, with a second dock opened in 1898, and a third in 1914. On 16 March 1896 the main line between Porth and Barry was opened for passenger traffic, to connect with the paddle steamers of P and A Campbell
.
had wanted to tap into the coal fields of the Rhondda Fawr for some time, but proposals brought to them until that point had all required massive construction in the Afan Valley
, and steep gradients into Treherbert
restricting train loads.
Eventually a proposal was made to cut a tunnel from Blaengwynfi
to Treherbert
, which would allow easier access to Rhondda Fawr.
, the GWR had built the Abergwynfi
branch in the easier route. The construction of the R&SBR necessitated the construction of the 160 metres (525 ft) long Gelli tunnel.
On 2 July 1890 the Rhondda Tunnel, a distance of 3443 yards (3,148 m) (the longest railway tunnel in Wales, and the seventh longest in the United Kingdom
), was completed. The single-line
tunnel split into double track
on emerging from Rhondda reaching Blaenrhondda, the RSBR's only station in the Rhondda. From there, the line continued to the Taff Vale Railway
at Treherbert. After the completion of the Briton Ferry to Swansea link on 14 December 1894 Treherbert
was connected to Swansea docks
.
, Newport
and Barry Island
. Resultantly, these railway companies and docks expanded at a far greater rate than the R&SBR.
However, the opening of the line brought strain on Swansea's docks, so necessitated the opening of the larger capacity Prince of Wales Dock. Cymmer in the Afan Valley
at one time boasted three railway stations - Cymmer General (amalgamated with Cymmer Afan), Cymmer Corrwyg (closed 1930).
, and absorbed on the 1 January 1922.
The section along the Afan Valley is now the route of the Afan Valley Cycleway, while the former Cymmer station is now a public house
, known locally as "The Refresh".
Rhondda
Rhondda , or the Rhondda Valley , is a former coal mining valley in Wales, formerly a local government district, consisting of 16 communities built around the River Rhondda. The valley is made up of two valleys, the larger Rhondda Fawr valley and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley...
to the Swansea Bay ports
Swansea docks
Swansea Docks is the collective name for several docks in Swansea, Wales. The Swansea docks are located immediately south east of Swansea city centre. In the mid-19th century the port was exporting 60% of the world's copper from factories situated in the Tawe valley...
.
Connecting with the Taff Vale Railway
Taff Vale Railway
The Taff Vale Railway is a railway in Glamorgan, South Wales, and is one of the oldest in Wales. It operated as an independent company from 1836 until 1922, when it became a constituent company of the Great Western Railway...
at Treherbert
Treherbert
Treherbert is a village and community situated at the head of the Rhondda Fawr valley in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. Treherbert is a former industrial coal mining village which was at its economic peak between 1850 and 1920...
, it had branches to Aberavon
Aberavon
Aberavon is a settlement in Neath Port Talbot county borough, Wales. The town derived its name from being near the mouth of the river Afan, which also gave its name to a medieval lordship. Today it is essentially a district of Port Talbot, covering the central and south western part of the town...
and Port Talbot
Port Talbot
Port Talbot is a town in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It had a population of 35,633 in 2001.-History:Port Talbot grew out of the original small port and market town of Aberafan , which belonged to the medieval Lords of Afan. The area of the parish of Margam lying on the west bank of the lower Afan...
docks. It was later extended to Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
and a branch to Neath
Neath
Neath is a town and community situated in the principal area of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK with a population of approximately 45,898 in 2001...
was added, bringing the total length to 31 miles. Commercially a poor route, it was operated by the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
from 1907, and fully incorporated from 1922.
Under the Beeching Axe
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
, as a loss making concern the railway was an early closure opportunity, being closed from 1962 and completely shut in 1970. Its Neath industrial branch survived until 1983.
Background
From 1870 onwards, the demand for Rhondda steam coal was expanding quicker than the infrastructure of the Taff Vale RailwayTaff Vale Railway
The Taff Vale Railway is a railway in Glamorgan, South Wales, and is one of the oldest in Wales. It operated as an independent company from 1836 until 1922, when it became a constituent company of the Great Western Railway...
and Bute Docks could provide. In 1874 the total coal and coke exported from Cardiff and Penarth was 2,886,000 tons, which had risen to 7,774,828 tons by 1882. By 1880 a train typically took 23 hours to travel from the Ocean Colliery to Bute Dock, and 27 hours for the empty wagons to return. This slowed production, as no additional railway capacity had been built, and only the Roath Basin provided additional dock capacity.
Two attempts were made to break the monopoly of the Marquess of Bute
Marquess of Bute
Marquess of the County of Bute, shortened in general usage to Marquess of Bute, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1796 for John Stuart, 4th Earl of Bute.-Family history:...
. The Barry Railway and Docks
Barry Railway Company
The Barry Railway Company was a coal pit owner developed and owned railway company, formed to provide an alternate route for the sea export of coal mined in the South Wales valleys to the existing monopoly of the Taff Vale Railway and Cardiff Docks...
built at a cost of £2 million a new dock at Barry Island
Barry Island
Barry Island may refer to:*Barry Island , Wales*Barry Island , Antarctica...
with a railway connecting with Rhondda above the narrow Tongwynlais
Tongwynlais
Tongwynlais is a village in the north of Cardiff, capital of Wales, in the Taff Valley.- Overview :Tongwynlais lies in the River Taff Valley. Its population is 1946 people....
gorge. The first coal was shipped on 18 July 1889, with a second dock opened in 1898, and a third in 1914. On 16 March 1896 the main line between Porth and Barry was opened for passenger traffic, to connect with the paddle steamers of P and A Campbell
P and A Campbell
P & A Campbell Ltd of Bristol with its White Funnel Fleet became the dominant excursion-steamer operator in the Bristol Channel by the 1890s; and along the South Coast of England in the first half of the twentieth century.-The White Funnel fleet:...
.
R&SBR
The merchants of SwanseaSwansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
had wanted to tap into the coal fields of the Rhondda Fawr for some time, but proposals brought to them until that point had all required massive construction in the Afan Valley
River Afan
The River Afan is a river in southwest Wales whose river valley formed the territory of the medieval Lords of Afan. The town of Aberavon grew up on the banks of the river, and was later subsumed by the larger centre of population known as Port Talbot...
, and steep gradients into Treherbert
Treherbert
Treherbert is a village and community situated at the head of the Rhondda Fawr valley in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. Treherbert is a former industrial coal mining village which was at its economic peak between 1850 and 1920...
restricting train loads.
Eventually a proposal was made to cut a tunnel from Blaengwynfi
Blaengwynfi
Blaengwynfi is a village in the Neath Port Talbot area of South Wales.It is a part of the "Upper Afan Valleys". It used to be a coal mining village, and is directly below the village of "Abergwynfi"...
to Treherbert
Treherbert
Treherbert is a village and community situated at the head of the Rhondda Fawr valley in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. Treherbert is a former industrial coal mining village which was at its economic peak between 1850 and 1920...
, which would allow easier access to Rhondda Fawr.
Construction
Incorporated in 10 August 1882, the line connected the coalfields of the Rhondda Valley to the Swansea Bay ports. It connected with the Taff Valley Railway at Treherbert and had branches to Aberavon and Porth Talbot docks. It was later extended to Swansea and a branch to Neath was added, bringing the total length to 31 miles (50 km). By the time the R&SBR arrived in the Afan ValleyRiver Afan
The River Afan is a river in southwest Wales whose river valley formed the territory of the medieval Lords of Afan. The town of Aberavon grew up on the banks of the river, and was later subsumed by the larger centre of population known as Port Talbot...
, the GWR had built the Abergwynfi
Abergwynfi
Abergwynfi is a village in the Welsh county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Glamorgan, South Wales.Abergwynfi is the first half of a village of two parts, the other being Blaengwynfi...
branch in the easier route. The construction of the R&SBR necessitated the construction of the 160 metres (525 ft) long Gelli tunnel.
On 2 July 1890 the Rhondda Tunnel, a distance of 3443 yards (3,148 m) (the longest railway tunnel in Wales, and the seventh longest in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
), was completed. The single-line
Single track (rail)
A single track railway is where trains in both directions share the same track. Single track is normally used on lesser used rail lines, often branch lines, where the traffic density is not high enough to justify the cost of building double tracks....
tunnel split into double track
Double track
A double track railway usually involves running one track in each direction, compared to a single track railway where trains in both directions share the same track.- Overview :...
on emerging from Rhondda reaching Blaenrhondda, the RSBR's only station in the Rhondda. From there, the line continued to the Taff Vale Railway
Taff Vale Railway
The Taff Vale Railway is a railway in Glamorgan, South Wales, and is one of the oldest in Wales. It operated as an independent company from 1836 until 1922, when it became a constituent company of the Great Western Railway...
at Treherbert. After the completion of the Briton Ferry to Swansea link on 14 December 1894 Treherbert
Treherbert
Treherbert is a village and community situated at the head of the Rhondda Fawr valley in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. Treherbert is a former industrial coal mining village which was at its economic peak between 1850 and 1920...
was connected to Swansea docks
Swansea docks
Swansea Docks is the collective name for several docks in Swansea, Wales. The Swansea docks are located immediately south east of Swansea city centre. In the mid-19th century the port was exporting 60% of the world's copper from factories situated in the Tawe valley...
.
Non-commercial route
However, the combination of the length of the line and the tortuous route taken meant that there was an up gradient through the Rhondda tunnel from Treherbert, meaning that the weight of full trains was restricted. Resultantly, traffic on opening was effectively commercially restricted to serve only those collieries at the top of the Rhondda Fawr, furthest away from the down slope lines of the opposing companies serving the docks at CardiffCardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
and Barry Island
Barry Island
Barry Island may refer to:*Barry Island , Wales*Barry Island , Antarctica...
. Resultantly, these railway companies and docks expanded at a far greater rate than the R&SBR.
However, the opening of the line brought strain on Swansea's docks, so necessitated the opening of the larger capacity Prince of Wales Dock. Cymmer in the Afan Valley
River Afan
The River Afan is a river in southwest Wales whose river valley formed the territory of the medieval Lords of Afan. The town of Aberavon grew up on the banks of the river, and was later subsumed by the larger centre of population known as Port Talbot...
at one time boasted three railway stations - Cymmer General (amalgamated with Cymmer Afan), Cymmer Corrwyg (closed 1930).
Decline
Due to its lack of commercial provision of its route, and its late entry into the Rhondda Valley, the company struggled to survive and operations were taken over by the Great Western Railway less than 15 years after opening in 1907, the peak of coal exports from Rhondda Fawr. Worked independently, the railway was fully incorporated into the GWR under the terms of the Railways Act 1921Railways Act 1921
The Railways Act 1921, also known as the Grouping Act, was an enactment by the British government of David Lloyd George intended to stem the losses being made by many of the country's 120 railway companies, move the railways away from internal competition, and to retain some of the benefits which...
, and absorbed on the 1 January 1922.
Closure
The line closed from 1962 onwards with the closure of Rhondda Tunnel. Passenger services on the western section from Aberavon ceased in late 1963, and on the northern section from 1970.The section along the Afan Valley is now the route of the Afan Valley Cycleway, while the former Cymmer station is now a public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
, known locally as "The Refresh".
Chronology
The chronology for the line is as follows:| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10 August 1882 | Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway incorporated |
| 2 November 1885 | Aberavon Aberavon Aberavon is a settlement in Neath Port Talbot county borough, Wales. The town derived its name from being near the mouth of the river Afan, which also gave its name to a medieval lordship. Today it is essentially a district of Port Talbot, covering the central and south western part of the town... opened |
| 2 July 1890 | On opening of the Rhondda Tunnel, the railway commences operations from Treherbert to Aberavon |
| 27 June 1892 | Act of Parliament Act of Parliament An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow... approved for extension to Swansea's Prince of Wales Dock |
| 30 December 1893 | Line extended to Briton Ferry Dock Briton Ferry Briton Ferry is a town and community in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales. The town encompasses the electoral wards of Briton Ferry East and Briton Ferry West.... |
| 14 December 1894 | Line extended from Briton Ferry Dock over the Neath Swing Bridge to Swansea. Opened freight services to Swansea docks Swansea docks Swansea Docks is the collective name for several docks in Swansea, Wales. The Swansea docks are located immediately south east of Swansea city centre. In the mid-19th century the port was exporting 60% of the world's copper from factories situated in the Tawe valley... |
| 14 March 1895 | Passengers services to Swansea Riverside station Swansea Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands... . Neath branch from Court Sart opened to a new Canal Side station Neath Neath is a town and community situated in the principal area of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK with a population of approximately 45,898 in 2001... . Aberavon Seaside opened |
| 1896 | Works and engine shed opened a mile east of Danygraig |
| 7 May 1899 | R&SBR ceases to use the Swansea Harbour Trustees Railway between Danygraig and Swansea Riverside |
| 1907 | Great Western Railway Great Western Railway The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838... takes over operations, and is operated independently |
| 1 January 1922 | As a result of the Railways Act 1921 Railways Act 1921 The Railways Act 1921, also known as the Grouping Act, was an enactment by the British government of David Lloyd George intended to stem the losses being made by many of the country's 120 railway companies, move the railways away from internal competition, and to retain some of the benefits which... , the R&BSR is fully incorporated into the GWR |
| 11 September 1933 | All passenger trains now terminate at Swansea East Dock Swansea Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands... . Swansea Riverside closed |
| 1935 | Passenger traffic from Aberavon to Court Sart, and Jersey Marine South to Swansea closed. All passenger traffic diverted onto the South Wales Railway South Wales Railway The South Wales Railway was a broad gauge railway that linked the Gloucester and Dean Forest Railway with Neyland in Wales.-History:The need for the railway was created by the need to ship coal from the South Wales Valleys to London, and secondly to complete Brunel's vision of linking London with... lines |
| 16 September 1935 | Neath Canal Side closed to passengers |
| 20 September 1935 | All passenger trains now terminate at Swansea High Street Swansea railway station Swansea railway station is a railway station that serves Swansea, Wales. The station is one of four in the City and County of Swansea and is the fourth busiest in Wales after Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street and Newport.-History:... , terminus of the South Wales Railway |
| December 1962 | All remaining passenger services between Aberavon and Swansea transferred to the South Wales Railway lines, except Neath Canal Side. Rhondda Tunnel closes, terminating all freight services north of Blaenrhondda |
| December 1964 | Works and engine shed at Danygraig closed |
| 6 September 1965 | Neath Canal Side branch closed to passengers, and all freight except for private sidings |
| December 1967 | Jersey Marine to Danygraig (excluded) closed. |
| 24 February 1969 | Carriage shed at Danygraig becomes the Swansea Freightliner Terminal Freightliner (UK) Freightliner Group Limited is a rail freight and logistics company, founded in 1995 and now operating in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Australia. It is the second largest rail freight operator in the UK, after DB Schenker Rail .- History :... |
| 15 July 1970 | Passenger and freight services from Aberavon to Blaenrhondda closed to passengers, tracks subsequently lifted |
| 30 November 1983 | Neath Canal Side branch completely closed |
Stations
From East to West:- TreherbertTreherbert railway stationTreherbert railway station is a railway station serving the village of Treherbert in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It is the northern terminus of the Rhondda Line north west of Cardiff Central....
- owned by the Taff Vale RailwayTaff Vale RailwayThe Taff Vale Railway is a railway in Glamorgan, South Wales, and is one of the oldest in Wales. It operated as an independent company from 1836 until 1922, when it became a constituent company of the Great Western Railway... - Blaen Rhondda
- Blaengwynfy
- Cymmer
- Dyffryn Rhondda haltDyffrynDyffryn may refer to one of these places in Wales:*Dyffryn, Bridgend*Dyffryn Cennen, Carmarthenshire*Dyffryn, Ceredigion*Dyffryn, Neath Port Talbot *Dyffryn, Pembrokeshire*Dyffryn Gardens...
- Cynonville halt
- PontrhydyfenPontrhydyfenPontrhydyfen is a small village in the Afan Valley, in Neath Port Talbot county borough in Wales.-Location:It is situated in the Afan Valley at , at the confluence of the River Afan and the smaller Afon Pelenna, 1.8 miles north of the larger village of Cwmafan and not far from the towns of Port...
- Cwm Avon
- Aberavon TownAberavonAberavon is a settlement in Neath Port Talbot county borough, Wales. The town derived its name from being near the mouth of the river Afan, which also gave its name to a medieval lordship. Today it is essentially a district of Port Talbot, covering the central and south western part of the town...
- Junction to Aberavon Dock, later renamed Port TalbotPort TalbotPort Talbot is a town in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It had a population of 35,633 in 2001.-History:Port Talbot grew out of the original small port and market town of Aberafan , which belonged to the medieval Lords of Afan. The area of the parish of Margam lying on the west bank of the lower Afan...
- Junction to Aberavon Dock, later renamed Port Talbot
- Aberavon SeasideAberavonAberavon is a settlement in Neath Port Talbot county borough, Wales. The town derived its name from being near the mouth of the river Afan, which also gave its name to a medieval lordship. Today it is essentially a district of Port Talbot, covering the central and south western part of the town...
- Baglan Sands halt
- Briton Ferry (East)Briton FerryBriton Ferry is a town and community in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales. The town encompasses the electoral wards of Briton Ferry East and Briton Ferry West....
- Junction to Briton Ferry dock
- Court Sart
- Junction to Canal SideNeathNeath is a town and community situated in the principal area of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK with a population of approximately 45,898 in 2001...
located in NeathNeathNeath is a town and community situated in the principal area of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK with a population of approximately 45,898 in 2001...
- Junction to Canal Side
- Cape Platform
- Jersey MarineJersey MarineJersey Marine is a village in Neath Port Talbot county borough, Wales, UK located about east of Swansea. It falls within the Coedffranc West ward....
- Baldwins halt
- Junction to Swansea docksSwansea docksSwansea Docks is the collective name for several docks in Swansea, Wales. The Swansea docks are located immediately south east of Swansea city centre. In the mid-19th century the port was exporting 60% of the world's copper from factories situated in the Tawe valley...
- Junction to Swansea High Street (GWR)Swansea railway stationSwansea railway station is a railway station that serves Swansea, Wales. The station is one of four in the City and County of Swansea and is the fourth busiest in Wales after Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street and Newport.-History:...
- Junction to Swansea docks
- Danygraig
- Swansea Riverside
External links
Walks
- A walk along the R&SBR using the Afan ValleyRiver AfanThe River Afan is a river in southwest Wales whose river valley formed the territory of the medieval Lords of Afan. The town of Aberavon grew up on the banks of the river, and was later subsumed by the larger centre of population known as Port Talbot...
Cycleway - A walk along the R&SBR from TynewyddTynewyddTynewydd is a village located in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, south Wales. With Treherbert, Blaencwm, Blaenrhondda and Pen-yr-englyn it is part of a community of former industrial coal mining villages at the head of Rhondda Fawr, the larger of the Rhondda Valleys.The village is...
to BlaencwmBlaencwmBlaencwm is a village in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, lying at the head the Rhondda Fawr valley. Blaencwm is very small village and is part of the community of Treherbert.- History :...