Railways and Industry in the Tondu Valleys (Hardback)
Bridgend to Treherbert
Imprint: Pen & Sword Transport
Series: South Wales Valleys
Pages: 260
ISBN: 9781526727251
Published: 30th September 2019
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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 which 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 will appear soon.
There is no shortage of pictures in the book to help back up the text, and these provide a great historical insight into the history of the railways in the area, sadly many of which do not survive today.
Rail Advent
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Featured by
6024 Preservation Society
Review by Gerry Nichols
The Stephenson Locomotive Society
This book is commended as a valuable addition to the documentation of South Wales railways.
A remarkable and unique book.
West Somerset Railway Association
A very complete study.
Miniaturas JM
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As featured in
Great Western Society
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Friends of the National Railway Museum
As featured in
Great Western Society
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Friends of the National Railway Museum
This book describes each valley including the Llynfi, Garw, Ogmore and Cymmer Afan, even reaching to Glyncorrwg. Photographs are excellent and presented with informative captions.
Welsh Railways Research Circle
As local men with considerable railway management experience they were able to bring both to good use writing this book.
Detailed Appendices of operating statistics completes this very comprehensive account, making "Railways and Industry in the Tondu Valleys: Bridgend to Treherbert" the fullest illustrated account ever produced of this part of the South Wales scene and is a must for all British railway history buffs interested in either the railway or mining activities (or both) in this part of South Wales. While very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library British Railway History collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
Midwest Book Review
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In fact, the whole production is excellent; the book having a real 'quality' feel to it. Of course, anyone seeking information for making models of the area will find it invaluable.
BRM, January 2020 – reviewed by Tony Wright
About Stuart Davies
Stuart Davies is a native of the Ogmore Valley and spent much of his formative years observing the operations at Tondu depot and its associated railway environs. This inspired him to pursue a railway career based initially in South Wales, then Carlisle, Bristol, East Anglia and the West Midlands, finally becoming a Senior Operations Executive.
About John Hodge
The late John Hodge was a former railwayman, who started his working life on the Western Region in South Wales in 1961, later transferring to London Paddington and British Railways Board. He was brought up in Barry, a port town west of Cardiff, which has strong railway connections, once being an important port for coal traffic and later being famous for Woodham Brothers scrap yard, and which held over 200 locomotives that are now mostly preserved on heritage lines. John was a lifelong railway enthusiast and historian, with many railway histories published.
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