SATURDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2022 – THE CWMBARGOED COLLIER

A VISIT TO FREIGHT LINES IN SOUTH WALES, INCLUDING ONE OF THE LAST CHANCES TO TRAVERSE THE LINE TO CWMBARGOED COLLIERY.

A classic railtour featuring a lengthy freight only branch, freight loops, spurs and sidings, with freight power throughout. 

From joining points Banbury to Newport in the care of a Class 66, the requested route is via the Leckwith Loop. A Class 60 will then attach at the rear. The route is then via the scenic Vale of Glamorgan line to Barry, back through Cardiff and onto the Rhymney Valley line through Caerphilly to Ystrad Mynach. 

Long stretches of 1 in 40 grades lead up the Cwmbargoed branch, where the only traffic is from the loading point for the Ffos-y-Fran Opencast coal site, whose extraction license ends in October this year to leave the line then redundant. Back down at sea level we visit the Barry Docks branch, with other snippets of ‘rare’ track before (and after!) the Class 60 is detached in the Cardiff area. 

REQUESTED ROUTE (Subject to availability): As per the joining stations to Cheltenham Spa, then Gloucester Up Main – Lydney Down Goods Loop – Severn Tunnel Junction Down Relief – Newport – Cardff Central Line D – Bridgend (optional set-down 11:32) – Margam Moors Jn – OVE – Briton Ferry East – Bridgend (pick-up 14:08) Aberthaw –  Up Cogan Loop – Cardiff Central – Caerphilly – Ystrad Mynach – Cwmbargoed branch (19m 35ch) – Ystrad Mynach Down Rhymney Loop – Cardiff Central – Cadoxton – Barry Docks Low Level Line No.1 (NR Limit) – Penarth Curve South Jn – Ninian Park – Cardiff Central Line C – Pengam Sidings – Newport – Lydney Up Goods Loop – Gloucester Up Relief – Gloucester Up Goods – Cheltenham Spa. 

CONFIRMED TIMINGS
Due to an engineering possession taking place between Banbury and Leamington, the train will terminate on the return journey at Leamington Spa. Road coach transport will be provided at Leamington Spa to take the short trip back to Banbury in the evening only. The engineering works will not affect the outward journey from Banbury. 

Table for Two seats are available at a supplement of £35 per person in First Class.

Standard Class – Fully Booked
First Class – Fully Booked

Motive power is expected to be a DB Cargo class 66 hauling a rake of MK1 carriages, with a class 60 locomotive assisting in South Wales.