23rd September 1990

Hertfordshire Rail Tours
The Llynfi Merryman

Locos Used 37690, 37699 & 47830
Stock Used 4854+4875+4866+35317+13329+7232+4929+5211+4891

Route : 1Z14 throughout

Loco(s) Route
47830 London Paddington - Slough - Twyford - Reading - Ddcot Parkway - Swindon - Westerleigh Jn - Bristol Parkway - Pilning - Severn Tunnel Junction - Newport
37699 (1) Newport - Uskmouth
37690 (2) Uskmouth - Maindee East Jn - Maindee North Jn - Little Mill Jn - Glascoed
37699 (1) Glascoed - Newport - Gaer Jct - Machen Quarry
37690 (2) Machen Quarry - Park Jn - Ebbw Jn - Cardiff Central - Barry - Bridgend - Tondu - Maesteg (3) - Llynfi Jn (3) (4)
37699 (1) Llynfi Jn - Tondu - Newlands Jn - Margam Yard
47830 Margam Yard - Bridgend - Cardiff Central - Newport - (reverse of outward route) - London Paddington

Notes :
(1) 37690 on rear.
(2) 37699 on rear.
(3) Train stood at the former Maesteg Castle Street station for 62mins awaiting staff arriving with points clips. A further delay at Llynfi Jn was due to a problem creating vacuum on 37699, then waiting for points to be clipped before passage over them.
(4) A difference of opinion over the reversal point which is given as Lynfi Jn;
 Nick Bartlett comments: According to my notes the train went through to Maesteg, which in those days did not have a passenger service. We were allowed off the train to take phots at Machen Quarry and at the disused Maesteg platform. Andy Pullar responds: I was puzzled by the note from one of your contributors that states the train didn’t reverse at Llynfi Jn but continued on to Maesteg. I didn’t travel on this train but I do know that Llynfi Jn (8m 55c from zero at Bridgend L&O Jn) was situated north of Maesteg Castle Street (8m 22c) having travelled on a few trains on that line. Back in 1983 to the north of Llynfi Jn signal box, the trailing line from Maesteg Central Washery and the run round loop was the physical end of the line at the site of Nantyffyllon station (9m 11ch). Was the track from Llynfi Jn to Nantyffyllon still there in 1991 and is this what your contributor confused with Maesteg? Webmasters comment: I am in agreement with Andy Pullar on this one i.e. to reach Llynfi Jn from Tondu you have to pass through the former Castle Street station in Maesteg. The confusion may arise because older Baker Rail Atlas's when this was a freight branch show Llynfi Jn but with Maesteg written above it i.e. implying that Maesteg [station] was north of Llynfi Jn.

Sources : Richard Hughes (on train throughout), Nick Bartlett & David Morgan

Photo Review


37699 & 47830 at Newport (photo: Jon Cassey)


37690 at Uskmouth (photo: Jon Cassey)


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from David Morgan & John Cassey)

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Paddington 08.35d 08.35   21.29a 22.26
Ealing Broadway 08/42 08/44   21/18 22/18½
Southall 08/50 08/49   21/16 22/16
Slough 09.00a ~ 09.02 08.57½ ~ 09.02   21.07a ~ 21.08d 22.04½ ~ 22.05½
Maidenhead 09/08 ?   21/01 21/58
Twyford 09/14 09/14   20/55 21/53½
Reading 09.19a ~ 09.21d 09.21 ~ 09.23½   20.47a ~ 20.48d 21.46 ~ 21.47½
Didcot Parkway 09/35 09/38   20/27 21/28
Challow 09/43 ?   20/20 ?
Swindon 09.54a ~ 09.56d 09.56 ~ 09.57½   19.58a ~ 20.07d 21.06 ~ 21.08
Wootton Bassett Jn 10/03 10/04   19/51 21/00
Westeleigh Jn 10/22 10/22   19/35 20/43½
Bristol Parkway 10/25 10/27   19/30 20/38½
Patchway 10/26 10/28½   19/24 ?
Pilning 10/29 10/31½   19/20 ?
Severn Tunnel Junction 10/35 10/37½   19/09 20/25½
Newport 10L45a ~ 11L05d 11.48½ ~ 11.17   18.56a ~ 18.58d 20.13 ~ 20.15

 

Location Booked Actual
Uskmouth (BR Limit) 11.30 ~ 11.45 11.36 ~ 11.44½
Maindee North Jn 12/1 012/05
Pontypool 12/21 12/19
Little Mill Jn 12/31 12/23½
Glascoed (to stop board) 12.41 ~ 12.56 12.31 ~ 12.36
Little Mill Jn 13/06 12/45½
Pontypool 13/23 13/01
Newport 13.25 ~ 13.27 13.04 ~ 13.10
Gaer Jn 13/30 13/14
Park Jn 13/32 13/17
Machen Quarry 13/52 13/34
End of Line 13.57 ~ 14.12 13.37½ ~ 13.59
Machen Quarry 14/17 14/03
Park Jn 14/37 14/27
Ebbw Jn 14/39 14/32½
Cardiff Central 15.00 ~ 15.03 14.53 ~ 15.04
Penarth Curve South Jn 15/12 15/07
Cogan Jn 15/16 15/11
Barry 15/27 15/21½
Aberthaw 15/35 15/30
Bridgend 15/53 15.54½ ~ 15.56
Tondu 16/08 16/08½
Maesteg 16/23 16.29 ~ 17.31
Llynfi Jn 16.28 ~ 16.38 17.37 ~ 18.03
Maesteg 16.43 ~ 17.03 18/16
Tondu 17/18 18.34 ~ 18.35
Newlands Jn 17/38 18/54
Margam Yard 17L48 ~ 18L08 19.00 ~ 19.21
Bridgend 18/19 19/33
Cardiff Central 18.39 ~ 18.43 19.27 ~ 19.58½

Timings continue in first table.

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