Railways and Industry in the Tondu Valleys

Book excerpt: A comprehensive history of a Welsh railway hub and the coal companies and passengers it has served. The book begins with a history of the industrial development of the Tondu Valleys, including the succession of great industrialists who led the way in the area. This is followed by a chapter on the position of the Tondu Valleys in the South Wales Coalfield with colliery and colliery company details. Railway passenger services are next covered, followed by railway coal services. Then follows a detailed account of the sole railway depot that covered all the operations in the Tondu Valleys. A location-specific account then follows of Llynfi Valley detailing both railway and colliery aspects, following the line from Bridgend, through Tondu, and all locations to Cymmer Afan and on to the original terminus at Abergwynfi, then from Blaengwynfi through the Rhondda Tunnel to Treherbert. The north end of the South Wales Mineral Railway became an adjunct to the Tondu Valley with the closure of the former Rhondda & Swansea Bay line and this is also included in similar detail. The closure of the passenger service in 1970 and renaissance of a new service from Maesteg to Cardiff in 1992 concludes the account. Detailed appendices of operating statistics completes this very comprehensive account. The book is the fullest account ever produced of this part of the South Wales scene and is a must for anyone interested in either the railway or mining activities (or both) in this part of South Wales. A further volume covering the Ogmore & Garw Valleys (and associated lines) and the Porthcawl branch is also available.