Ely Valley Railway
Encyclopedia
The Ely Valley Railway was a small railway in south Wales
, which was originally operated as part of the Great Western Railway
(GWR) system and later absorbed by that company. Associated with it were the Ely Valley Extension Railway and the Ely and Clydach Valleys Railway, which were separate companies but operated by the GWR as extensions to the EVR.
(SWR), a broad gauge
line allied to the Great Western Railway
(GWR), opened its first section between and on 18 June 1850. This line ran through Llantrisant railway station, which is now known as Pontyclun. To the north of the line were rich coalfields, and a number of independent railway companies were formed in order to exploit the mines that were being sunk.
The Ely Valley Railway (EVR) was a mineral line authorised on 13 July 1857 to serve the collieries of the Ely Valley. The first section of the line, between Llantrisant and Tonyrefail, opened on 2 August 1860. It was 4 miles (6.43736 km) long, and was worked by the GWR. At Tonyrefail was the Cilely Colliery, which was purchased by the GWR to supply coal for its locomotives.
The EVR was built to the broad gauge, but in 1860 it sought powers to convert the line to standard gauge, for which it would also need a standard gauge route to the docks at Cardiff. Initially intending to build their own line from Llantrisant to Cardiff, which would thus be in competition with the SWR, the plans were changed when the SWR offered to alter its line between Cardiff and Llantrisant to mixed gauge, so that trains of both gauges could run on the same line. The GWR, which had a large investment in the SWR and operated all of its trains, refused to allow this, and so the EVR gauge conversion plans fell through. The GWR took out a 999-year lease of the EVR in July 1861, and the SWR amalgamated with the GWR on 1 January 1862. A week later on 8 January, the EVR opened some branches: the branch from Mwyndy Junction to Brofiskin was 2 miles (3.21868 km) long; and the branch to Gellyrhaidd was 1 mi (1.60934 km). In December that year, the EVR line was extended 2 mi (3.21868 km) from Tonyrefail to Penygraig.
All the EVR lines had been built to the broad gauge to suit the SWR with which it connected at Llantrisant, and the GWR which operated the trains. The Llantrisant and Taff Vale Junction Railway
(L&TVJ), which opened in December 1863, connected to the Brofiskin branch at Maesaraul Junction; in order for the L&TVJ to reach Llantrisant, the 3 miles (4.82802 km) of line between Llantrisant and Brofiskin was altered to mixed gauge on 5 December 1864.
Over the weekend of 11–13 May 1872, the EVR was converted to standard gauge; the necessary powers had been obtained on their behalf by the GWR a few years earlier. In addition to the mixed-gauge section to Brofiskin, there were 7 miles (11.26538 km) of purely broad-gauge line to convert; the small EVR system thus totalling 11 mi (17.70274 km) of route, all single track. The former SWR line through Llantrisant was converted to standard gauge at the same time.
The section between Llantrisant and Penygraig was opened for passenger trains on 1 May 1901. There were stations at and .
The EVR was absorbed by the GWR in 1903; the EVR shareholders received £120 of GWR 5% Guaranteed stock for every £100 of EVR Consolidated stock that they held.
A third passenger station, at , was opened on 13 July 1925.
The passenger service was withdrawn by British Railways on 9 May 1958. Goods services continued until 12 October 1964.
roof, and contained three tracks for the stabling of locomotives. Alongside this were the depot offices, measuring 15 ×, and the stores, measuring 15 ×. The coal stage measured 30 × and also carried a water tank with a capacity of 22500 gallons (102,287 l). There was also a turntable, a sand drier and some sidings. Access to the depot complex was provided at both ends, although locomotives could not run direct from the station to Mwyndy Junction via the depot without a double reversal.
Like Tondu depot to the west, Llantrisant depot was within the Newport division, so locomotives requiring attention which was beyond the capabilities of their equipment would be sent to Ebbw Junction depot at Newport, which was the main shed for the division. In the 1910s, the GWR introduced depot codes, and Llantrisant was coded "LTS"; these letters were painted on the locomotives, at first inside the cab, but later on towards the front of the locomotive on the framing. A separate code for accountancy purposes was introduced in 1932, and under this system, Llantrisant depot was no. 86; the last digit "6" denoting the Newport division. In February 1950, British Railways decided to use the depot coding method of the former London, Midland and Scottish Railway
, and so Llantrisant was allocated code 86D, the figures 86 denoting the Newport division. This was altered to 88G in October 1960, the figures 88 denoting the Cardiff division; the main depot for the division becoming Cardiff (Canton) at the same time.
In January 1938, there were 23 locomotives allocated to Llantrisant; at the end of 1947, 15 steam locomotives were allocated there, plus one Diesel railcar
; there were 19 in 1950, and 16 in 1959. Locomotive classes allocated to the shed included members of the 455 class (2-4-0T)
, the 1400 class (0-4-2T)
, the 4200 class (2-8-0T)
and the 5700 class (0-6-0PT)
. In addition to these, there was no. 1205, a former Alexandra Docks & Railway 2-6-2T built in 1920, which was used as the Llantrisant shed pilot. The depot closed in October 1964.
(L&OR).
The EVEx line was converted to standard gauge between 11 and 13 May 1872. The L&OR was absorbed by the GWR on 1 July 1873, and the GWR built the connecting line between the former OVR system at and the EVEx at ; it opened on 1 September 1875, and was 3 miles (4.82802 km) long.
The passenger service was suspended between 5 March and 26 March 1928, and withdrawn permanently on 22 September 1930. Goods services continued until 5 June 1961.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, which was originally operated as part of 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...
(GWR) system and later absorbed by that company. Associated with it were the Ely Valley Extension Railway and the Ely and Clydach Valleys Railway, which were separate companies but operated by the GWR as extensions to the EVR.
History
The South Wales RailwaySouth 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...
(SWR), a broad gauge
Broad gauge
Broad-gauge railways use a track gauge greater than the standard gauge of .- List :For list see: List of broad gauges, by gauge and country- History :...
line allied to 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...
(GWR), opened its first section between and on 18 June 1850. This line ran through Llantrisant railway station, which is now known as Pontyclun. To the north of the line were rich coalfields, and a number of independent railway companies were formed in order to exploit the mines that were being sunk.
The Ely Valley Railway (EVR) was a mineral line authorised on 13 July 1857 to serve the collieries of the Ely Valley. The first section of the line, between Llantrisant and Tonyrefail, opened on 2 August 1860. It was 4 miles (6.43736 km) long, and was worked by the GWR. At Tonyrefail was the Cilely Colliery, which was purchased by the GWR to supply coal for its locomotives.
The EVR was built to the broad gauge, but in 1860 it sought powers to convert the line to standard gauge, for which it would also need a standard gauge route to the docks at Cardiff. Initially intending to build their own line from Llantrisant to Cardiff, which would thus be in competition with the SWR, the plans were changed when the SWR offered to alter its line between Cardiff and Llantrisant to mixed gauge, so that trains of both gauges could run on the same line. The GWR, which had a large investment in the SWR and operated all of its trains, refused to allow this, and so the EVR gauge conversion plans fell through. The GWR took out a 999-year lease of the EVR in July 1861, and the SWR amalgamated with the GWR on 1 January 1862. A week later on 8 January, the EVR opened some branches: the branch from Mwyndy Junction to Brofiskin was 2 miles (3.21868 km) long; and the branch to Gellyrhaidd was 1 mi (1.60934 km). In December that year, the EVR line was extended 2 mi (3.21868 km) from Tonyrefail to Penygraig.
All the EVR lines had been built to the broad gauge to suit the SWR with which it connected at Llantrisant, and the GWR which operated the trains. The Llantrisant and Taff Vale Junction Railway
Llantrisant and Taff Vale Junction Railway
The Llantrisant and Taff Vale Junction Railway was a railway located in south Wales which broadly ran between Pontypridd and Llantrisant. It opened to freight traffic in 1863 and to passenger traffic in 1875...
(L&TVJ), which opened in December 1863, connected to the Brofiskin branch at Maesaraul Junction; in order for the L&TVJ to reach Llantrisant, the 3 miles (4.82802 km) of line between Llantrisant and Brofiskin was altered to mixed gauge on 5 December 1864.
Over the weekend of 11–13 May 1872, the EVR was converted to standard gauge; the necessary powers had been obtained on their behalf by the GWR a few years earlier. In addition to the mixed-gauge section to Brofiskin, there were 7 miles (11.26538 km) of purely broad-gauge line to convert; the small EVR system thus totalling 11 mi (17.70274 km) of route, all single track. The former SWR line through Llantrisant was converted to standard gauge at the same time.
The section between Llantrisant and Penygraig was opened for passenger trains on 1 May 1901. There were stations at and .
The EVR was absorbed by the GWR in 1903; the EVR shareholders received £120 of GWR 5% Guaranteed stock for every £100 of EVR Consolidated stock that they held.
A third passenger station, at , was opened on 13 July 1925.
The passenger service was withdrawn by British Railways on 9 May 1958. Goods services continued until 12 October 1964.
Llantrisant locomotive depot
There was a locomotive depot at Llantrisant. The original EVR depot was close to the station, but in 1900 this was replaced by a new depot on the eastern side of the line between the station and Mwyndy Junction; this was built to the specifications of William Dean, the GWR Locomotive Superintendent. The stone-built locomotive shed measured 50 ×; it had a northlightNorth light (architecture)
North light is natural light coming from the north. It is preferred and considered ideal by architects. It is also preferred natural light by artists as well....
roof, and contained three tracks for the stabling of locomotives. Alongside this were the depot offices, measuring 15 ×, and the stores, measuring 15 ×. The coal stage measured 30 × and also carried a water tank with a capacity of 22500 gallons (102,287 l). There was also a turntable, a sand drier and some sidings. Access to the depot complex was provided at both ends, although locomotives could not run direct from the station to Mwyndy Junction via the depot without a double reversal.
Like Tondu depot to the west, Llantrisant depot was within the Newport division, so locomotives requiring attention which was beyond the capabilities of their equipment would be sent to Ebbw Junction depot at Newport, which was the main shed for the division. In the 1910s, the GWR introduced depot codes, and Llantrisant was coded "LTS"; these letters were painted on the locomotives, at first inside the cab, but later on towards the front of the locomotive on the framing. A separate code for accountancy purposes was introduced in 1932, and under this system, Llantrisant depot was no. 86; the last digit "6" denoting the Newport division. In February 1950, British Railways decided to use the depot coding method of the former London, Midland and Scottish Railway
London, Midland and Scottish Railway
The London Midland and Scottish Railway was a British railway company. It was formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921, which required the grouping of over 120 separate railway companies into just four...
, and so Llantrisant was allocated code 86D, the figures 86 denoting the Newport division. This was altered to 88G in October 1960, the figures 88 denoting the Cardiff division; the main depot for the division becoming Cardiff (Canton) at the same time.
In January 1938, there were 23 locomotives allocated to Llantrisant; at the end of 1947, 15 steam locomotives were allocated there, plus one Diesel railcar
Railcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
; there were 19 in 1950, and 16 in 1959. Locomotive classes allocated to the shed included members of the 455 class (2-4-0T)
GWR 455 Class
The GWR 455 Class, also called the "Metropolitan" or "Metro" Tanks, was a series of 140 2-4-0T tank locomotives built for the Great Western Railway, originally for their London suburban services, including running on the underground section of the Metropolitan Railway, the source of their nickname....
, the 1400 class (0-4-2T)
GWR 1400 Class
The GWR 1400 Class is a class of steam locomotive designed by the Great Western Railway for branch line passenger work. It was originally classified as the 4800 Class when introduced in 1932, and renumbered in 1946....
, the 4200 class (2-8-0T)
GWR 4200 Class
The Great Western Railway 4200 Class is a class of 2-8-0T steam locomotives. They were designed for short-haul coal trips from coal mines to ports in South Wales. The principal role of the class was working the 1000+ ton coal trains up through the Welsh valleys. A job which needed much tractive...
and the 5700 class (0-6-0PT)
GWR 5700 Class
The Great Western Railway 5700 Class is a class of 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotive, built between 1929 and 1950. 863 were built, making them the second most-produced British class of steam locomotive.- Overview :...
. In addition to these, there was no. 1205, a former Alexandra Docks & Railway 2-6-2T built in 1920, which was used as the Llantrisant shed pilot. The depot closed in October 1964.
Ely Valley Extension Railway
The EVR branch to Gellyrhaidd was extended to Gilfach Goch by a separate company, the Ely Valley Extension Railway (EVEx), another mineral line, which was authorised on 28 July 1863. It was 2 miles (3.21868 km) long, built to the broad gauge, and it opened on 16 October 1865. There were two passenger stations on the line, at and . Prior to opening, the EVEx amalgamated with the Ogmore Valley Railway (OVR), a standard gauge line between Nantymoel and , which opened on 1 August 1865. There was no physical connection between the EVEx and the OVR at first; the GWR worked the EVEx line as part of the EVR. The OVR amalgamated with the Llynvi Valley Railway on 1 July 1866 to form the Llynvi and Ogmore RailwayLlynvi and Ogmore Railway
* Ada * Una The railway owned two 0-6-0STs for goods traffic. Built by Slaughter, Grunning and Company, they were similar to the South Devon Railway Dido class built at around the same time....
(L&OR).
The EVEx line was converted to standard gauge between 11 and 13 May 1872. The L&OR was absorbed by the GWR on 1 July 1873, and the GWR built the connecting line between the former OVR system at and the EVEx at ; it opened on 1 September 1875, and was 3 miles (4.82802 km) long.
The passenger service was suspended between 5 March and 26 March 1928, and withdrawn permanently on 22 September 1930. Goods services continued until 5 June 1961.