25th October 1986

Monmouthshire Railway Society
The Cynheidre Curler

DMUs Used class 117 sets L402+L414

Route :

DMU Route
as listed

Newport – Gaer Jn – Cardiff Central – Pontyclun – Bridgend – Neath – Landore – Llanelli – Cynheidre
as listed Cynheidre – Llanelli – Llandeilo Jn – Morlais Jn – Felin Fran
as listed Felin Fran – Clydach on Tawe
as listed Clydach on Tawe – Felin Fran – Jersey Marine Jn South
as listed Jersey Marine Jn South – Neath & Brecon Jn – Onllwyn
as listed Onllwyn – Neath & Brecon Jn – Jersey Marine Jn South
as listed Jersey Marine Jcn – Briton Ferry UFL Jn – Margam Abbey West – Margam Moors West – Newlands Loop Jn – Newlands Jn – Tondu – (1) Pontycymmer (2)
as listed Pontycymmer – Tondu
as listed Tondu – Ogmore Vale Washery - Caedu LC (3)
as listed Caedu LC – Tondu - Bridgend – Barry – Cogan Jn – Cardiff Central – Newport

Notes :
 (1) booked to go to Nantyffyllon but missed out due to late running (caused by excessive wheelslip on the climb from Blaenant).
(2) Andrew Phillips comments: On the Blaengarw line, if I remember rightly, the tour was due to reverse at Pontycymmer loop but as we had already lost the Maesteg branch, it ran to the very end of the line about half a mile further up the valley to a path crossing at Gavreg. The line continued further but the track had already been lifted (I think that section was owned by the NCB), and the end was marked by a sleeper across the line.
(3) Booked to Ogmore Vale but stopped at Caedu LC, reason not known.

Tour was originally advertised to cover the Fords Siding at Bridgend as well, but this had to be omitted from the final tour due to to time constraints.

Sources : Janet Cottrell (Joined at Newport/left at Cardiff Central) & Andrew Phillips

Photo Review


The DMU seen during a photo-stop on the Clydach Branch (photo: Andrew Phillips)


Gavreg Crossing (end of line) on the Garw Branch (photo: Andrew Phillips)


Caedu Crossing (end of line) on the Ogmore Vale Branch (photo: Andrew Phillips)


John Broderick's ticket.


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Janet Cottrell)

Location Booked Actual
Newport 09.45d 09.58
Cardiff Central 10.00a ~ 10.03d 10.12 ~ 10.17
Bridgend 10.24a ~ 10.24d 10.40 ~ 10.41
Port Talbot Parkway 10.36a ~ 10.38d 10.55 ~ 10.57
Neath 10/46 11/05
Landore 10/55 11/19
Swansea Loop West 10/57 11/22
Gowerton 11/04 11/33
Llanelli 11.10a ~ 11.12d 11.42 ~ 11.44
Cynheidre 11.40a ~ 11.45d 12.14 ~ 12.17
Llanelli 12.13a ~ 12.15d 12.50 ~ 12.52
Llandeilo Jn 12/18 12/55
Morlais Jn 12/24 13/00
Felin Fran 12.37a ~ 12.40d 13.14 ~ 13.17
Clydach on Tawe 12p46a ~ 12p56d 13.24 ~ 13.34
Felin Fran 13.02a ~ 13.05d 13.39 ~ 13.43
Jersey Marine Jn North 13/10 13/51
Jersey Marine Jn South 13.13a ~ 13.16d 13.54 ~ 13.57
Neath & Brecon Jn 13.24a ~ 13.25d 14/04
Bleanant GF 13.32a ~ 13.33d 14/18
Onllwyn 13.45a ~ 13.50d 14.58a ~ 15.05d
Seven Sisters 13p53a ~ 14p03d 15/08
Bleanant GF 14.12a ~ 14.13d 15/23
Neath & Brecon Jn 14.20a ~ 14.21d 15/32
Jersey Marine Jn South 14.27a ~ 14.30d 15.40 ~ 15.43
Dynevor Jn 14/34 15/47
Briton Ferry UFL Jn 14/37 15.51a ~ 15.52d
Port Talbot Parkway 14.42a ~ 14.44d 15.59 ~ 16.02
Margam Abbey West 14/48 16/06
Margam Moors West 14/49 16/08
Newlands Loop Jn 14/51 ?
Newlands Jn 14.53a ~ 14.55d 16/13
Tondu 15.16a ~ 15.17d 16/31
Nantyffyllon 15.40a ~ 15.45d DIV
Maesteg 15p50a ~ 16p00d DIV
Tondu 16.18a ~ 16.21d DIV
Pontycwmmer 16.36a ~ 16.40d 17.07 ~ 17.11
Tondu 16.55a ~ 16.59d 17.37 ~ 17.46
Caedu LC 17.20a ~ 17.21d 18.02
Ogmore Vale 17.26a ~ 17.30d DIV
Caedu LC 17p35a ~ 17p45d 18.07d
Tondu 18p06a ~ 18p16d 18/23
Bridgend 18.22a ~ 18.24d 18.32 ~ 18.34
Barry 18/50 19/18
Cogan Jn 19/00 19/32
Cardiff Central 19.06a ~ 19.09d 19.39a ~ ??.??
Newport 19.22a ?


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