'The Cwm & Glo' - Saturday 9th March 2024

THE LAST PASSENGER TRAIN TO CWMBARGOED?
Early in 2024 centuries of large scale coal mining in Wales finished.
(Welsh word for coal is Glo)
The last train transporting coal from Cwmbargoed Disposal Point to Port Talbot was on February 23.
It travelled down the Taff Bargoed Valley and through Ystrad Mynach, carrying a load from the UK’s last opencast mine, Ffos y Fran, which closed in November 2023.
This brings the end of rail traffic on one of the longest non-passenger branch lines in Britain, the Cwmbargoed branch.
(approx.over 10 Miles)
A very sad day indeed, for most of my life these coal trains have passed close to my home in Caerphilly every weekday. Now they are gone forever!
Given the high (1200ft+) and remote location, with no habitation, further use for the line seems unlikely.
This railtour, may well have been the very last chance for passengers to visit the upper parts of this wild valley, which has no roads, and little even in the way of tracks or footpaths.
The South Wales Valleys have a rich history of coal production that dates back to the 18th century.
Coal helped to fuel production as the local iron and steel industries boomed.
By 1913, the Welsh mines produced 36 million tonnes of coal - more than any other time in the country’s industrial history.
Was this the last train to Cwmbargoed?
With most of the line inaccessible I decided on the village of Bedlinog for my first location & the continual climb to Cwmbargoed of between 1:40 & 1:49.
As it was on my last visit exactly 12 months ago when I videoed a railtour on this branch it rained!
For my return location I chose Ystrad Mynach station on the Rhymney Valley line.
Its at Ystrad Mynach where the Cwmbargoed branch begins.
I videoed the Railtour arriving at the junction & after a 40 min wait ‘The Cwm & Glo’ departed on its long journey back to Burton-on-Trent.
While waiting I videoed new TfW service trains Stadler Flirt Class 231s.

[@robertmasterman3364]

Great coverage of this tour Ger, Di and I were on it in the coach in front of the choc and cream coach on the way up and behind it coming back down. You can see me in the first window after the choc and cream coach as it left the Nelson Branch at Ystrad. We had a wonderful day.

[@caerphillycastle]

Wonderful Bob, glad you had a great day. I did wonder if you were around! I missed the last coal train two weeks ago which Im annoyed about. Plus I forgot my second mic on Saturday & left it at home. Hence sound from left speaker only! Nevermind glad I videoed the train. Hope your keeping well, Geraint

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I caught that tour too geraint at stoke works junction and I didn’t know that this is the last tour to ever traverse this section of the line to CWMBARGOED

[@caerphillycastle]

A long day for the passengers but rewarding

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@caerphillycastlereally rewarding geraint

[@tom_tractor_trailerscotrai2809]

Seat K12. The first place you show at Bedlinog and going up has a lovely rough rock cutting that I filmed out of the window. It reminded me of a narrow gauge steam line, maybe if it closes it could become that. By the way no criticism (this is my favourite video of those posted) you only have sound on the left channel.

[@caerphillycastle]

Thank you very much for your kind comments. The reason the sound is only through one channel, I forgot my second mic! I had left it at home & didnt have time to return to get it! Geraint

[@SimonTog]

Very great video :)

[@caerphillycastle]

Thank you very much

[@_RabbitLeader]

Great to see a rake of Mark2 coaches again but honestly, Why use Class 66 locomotive? There are so many interesting locomotives that could be used such as Class 56 coal merry go round. The network is stuffed with Class 66. Is it because this is a steep climb to its destination?? I note that there are two class 66s on this special which is unusual for a class 66 when hauling freight?

[@_RabbitLeader]

Or is there no passing loop at the end of the line?