Garw Valley Railway
| Garw Valley Railway | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Bridgend, Wales |
| Terminus | Pontycymer and Brynmenyn |
| Connections | Network Rail Tondu Station |
| Commercial operations | |
| Built by | Great Western Railway |
| Preserved operations | |
| Owned by | Bridgend Valleys Railway Company Limited |
| Stations | 5 (currently not operational) |
| Length | 5 miles (8.0 km) |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1876 |
| Closed | March 6, 1997 |
| Preservation history | |
| 1988 | Preservation group formed. |
| 1994 | Bridgend Valleys Railway Company incorporated. |
| March 23, 2001 | National Assembly for Wales Transport & Works Act order secured. |
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Legend
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The Garw Valley Railway (formerly Bridgend Valleys Railway) is a standard gauge heritage railway located in South Wales. It is hoped that, in the near future, there will be brakevan rides between Pontycymer and Pant-y-Gog, a distance of about half-a-mile. The line was formerly used for freight and passenger services, and the track is still in place between Brynmenyn and Pontycymer.
On 4 March 2006, the Society changed its name from Bridgend Valleys Railway to Garw Valley Railway.[1]
Progress
Land engineering has been commenced to prepare for the building of a new platform at Pontycymer. The Train Shed facilities have been modernised. Planet 4006 is now fully operational and upgraded (rewired electrically). An internal archive store has been built. Following the lease of the Barry Island Railway in December 2008 by owners the Vale of Glamorgan Council to Cambrian Transport, the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Society relocated their headquarters and some stock to the Garw Valley.[2] They are at present working with the Bridgend Valleys Railway Company (trading as Garw Valley Railway)-: This is the correct name - to rebuild the line, and have relocated some stock to Pontycymer.
Access to the Public
The BVRC is currently unable to hold open days. But visitors are most welcome to visit the Train Shed and see current progress.
List of Stations along the Garw Valley Line
BVRC stations planned to date.
- Pontycymmer
- Further halts will be intended once the line replacement is undertaken. The current end of the line is most likely to be at Bryngarw Country Park - a distance of some 4 miles from Pontycymer. However, this depends upon significant bridge repairs.
Stock
- Planet 0-4-0 Diesel hydraulic No 3890, built 1958
- Planet 0-4-0 Diesel hydraulic No 4006, built 1963
- Flat wagon
- BR "Shark" class Brake van No DB993721 fitted with ballast ploughs
- British Rail Class 108 BR Blue, former Barry Island Railway
- RSH 0-4-0ST 7705, built 1952 has now arrived at Pontycymer. The loco, owned by the 7705 locomotive group (a group of VGR/GVR members) is to be restored for use on the line. The locomotive was originally used at the Ely Paper Mills, Cardiff.
- Hunslett Austerity 0-6-0 Saddle Tank 68070.
References
External links
- Map sources for Garw Valley Railway
- Official Garw Valley Railway website
- page at Wales Rails
- Cardiff and Ogmore Valley Railway
- Ogmore Valley Railways
- Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company
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Coordinates: 51°32′45″N 3°35′52″W / 51.54580°N 3.59780°W