The Port Talbot Railway Company From Port Talbot To Cwmcerwyn Tunnel Wales Abandoned

The Port Talbot Railway Company - Port Talbot to the abandoned Cwmcerwyn Tunnel in Wales
In this video i follow a large section of the former Port Talbot Railway Company line from Port Talbot towards cwmcerwyn tunnel.
Built almost entirly on an upwards gradient, this railway passes through some lovely scenary on its way up the vallies rowards Bryn, where there was a station, and eventually arriving at cwmcerwyn tunnel just before Maesteg.
The Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company (PTR&D) was formed in 1894 to secure the means of bringing minerals, chiefly coal, to the harbour in South Wales. It took over the docks at Port Talbot that had been operated by the Port Talbot Company. It opened its main line in 1897 and reached a connection with the Great Western Railway Garw Valley line the following year. A branch line to collieries near Tonmawr also opened in 1898. The lines were extremely steeply graded and operation was difficult and expensive, but the company was successful. Passenger operation on the main line started in 1898, but this was never a principal part of the business.
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#wales #abandoned #closed #railway #port #talbot #tunnel #disused #Cwmcerwyn

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Great video with some superb aerial photography. Looks like the area is a treasure trove of abandoned railway relics and certainly worth further exploration.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Malcolm. I'll go back later this year 😊

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for this days video. Always a great travel back in time. See you on the next! Cheers Ant! 🇬🇧👍🙂🇺🇸

[@TrekkingExploration]

I hope you enjoy it Martin

[@maesteg]

Loved your commentary, worked that line on the steam engines, through the tunnel you described to Treherbet, which serviced collieries on the line.

[@markkilley2683]

Wales is one of my favourite places on the planet.

[@jessgerrard2792]

Thanks again Ant for producing and sharing. The old industrial history is so interesting. Cheers mate

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Jess thank you

[@stuart3383]

Brilliant

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you 😊

[@mickd6942]

Before going down an incline the train would stop and the guard would pin down the brakes on every few wagons, failure to do this caused runaways an example being in 1911 on the great central rockingham dovecliff wombwell line , when a train ran away and ploughed into a colliery shunter , the guard jumped clear as did the shunter crew but the driver and fireman of the run away were both killed .

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for answering that. Such a sad story too

[@mickd6942]

@@TrekkingExploration it was December 1911 only a few days before Christmas

[@Peter-MH]

Great region for old railway exploration here! Loads of old industry, and loads of railway engineering works required to navigate the terrain, so this must be a treasure trove of old relics!

[@TrekkingExploration]

There's so much isn't there? I'll be back soon. Thanks very much 😊

[@2010ditta]

Crazy that the tunnel is still there miles from any where. Thank you for showing us the tunnel and the route the railway took. All the best.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Tim. Much appreciated

[@gwynrandall7255]

A regular walk for me, family and friends. Nice to see it on film. Well done.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching I'll be back in Wales soon

[@maestromanification]

Interesting video Ant. Nice to see other parts of UK. You mentioned trains braking on lines like that. Back in those days and the train in the tunnel picture is one had no train braking controlled by the locomotive. Basically you had to stop before a severe gradient and the guard would pin down enough hand brakes on the wagons so the loco had to apply a small amount of power to move the train and the locomotive brake and the guard in the brake van could regulate speed and bring the train to a stop if necessary Those lines were worked by big tank locomotives like the one in the picture and later Class 37s which both had good brake force. Some areas like the North East and East Midlands had brake tenders which supplied added brake force for locos like 25s which didn't have good brake force. Unfitted working as it was known didn't end completely until the early 90s Cheers Russ

[@ste.h9825]

Cheers Ant,stunning scenery & a great journey along that track bed.😊

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you as always

[@simonballard6413]

Marvellous, as usual. I so agree with you about the tunnel - in such a remote place, why close it off at all? So many of these disused tunnels have been adapted for walking and cycling. Absolutely beautiful scenery all the way on this walk. Thanks so much. P.S. I have looked up how to pronounce the tunnel - it is, apparently Cun-Sir-Win !

[@neilsheppard6673]

I live not far from here! Maesteg is pronounced My-stayg and Cwmcerwyn as Coom-cerr-win (you have to roll the 'r'). Already looking forward to your next visit to South Wales Ant, as has been mentioned there are probably as many former colliery rail lines around here as in the East Midlands. Great video, many thanks!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Neil. I'm looking forward to getting back once I've done another trip to Whitby first

[@746laurie]

Some interesting locomotives in the black and white photos at the beginning. Although they were carrying GWR lettering they would have been originally built for the independent lines of South Wales and when the companies were absorbed into the GWR many of them would be "Swindonised" with standard GWR boilers, cabs etc.

[@746laurie]

Re the b/w photos at the start of the video. For me the most interesting is the large 0-8-2T with outside cylinders at 0.34 seconds. Looking at one of my numerous railway books it appears to be number 1358 which was built for the Port Talbot Railway in 1901 by Sharp Stewart (works number 4794). Originally number 17 in PTR stock, it is shown in the photo with a standard GWR tapered boiler which it would have received when rebuilt by the GWR after the PTR was absorbed by the GWR in 1922. It was scrapped in 1948.

[@bobsrailrelics]

That wasn't a signal post, it was an electrification mast 😁 It is amazing how many lines I walk in the area which are uphill with quite a gradient. BTW some of those streams will possibly be mine levels draining out. Your drone work is amazing, makes the place look as beautiful as it is.

[@mriggst]

Well done for trying to keep in touch with the old days. I live in the Midlands and have always loved South Wales. In the late 1890s I did 27 day trips in those days having to rely on books. I covered nearly all the railways from Aberdare to Newport on foot all in all about 400 miles and have illustrated the walks in book form. Sadly I was doing another project at the time and had to abandon this one.

[@keithbowdler2741]

Wonderful video, the photo of the tunnel construction was especially interesting. looking forward to more from South Wales.

[@maxthecat14]

Thanks for another stunning video. Shame the tunnel was closed.I do love your tunnel photographs.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Sheila. I'll find another one soon I can do inside

[@phillipthebigj8971]

Thanks Ant another great railway walk, shame about the tunnel as that could of been the high light of that walk, l do believe there is some abandoned railways in and around Afan as lve been there a few times at the bike park so may be something to look at thanks again👍

[@iancaveney7464]

Welsh railways and their inclines are surprisingly deceptive, made the mistake of deciding to cycle from Newport to Blaenavon along the old railway line from Pontypool, took me around three hours and nearly killed me going up that thing! 😂 The ride back down was a breeze, though! 👍

[@paulbaker4746]

I policed the Port Talbot, Bryn and the valley area upto Maesteg for 8yrs, so knew the area well. Port Talbot steel works had the biggest railway system in Europe I believe at one point. I've located and rescued a few people on or near to the Owen Jones bridge. There's some beautiful scenery and nature that way, quite a few deer too. If you had taken another route it would have led you along the Richard Burton trail across the old railway viaducts and towards Cymmer tunnel where in 1876 13 people lost their lives in an explosion.

[@jetsons101]

If I had a house next to a river like that, I would never have trouble falling asleep..... Ant, your Drone work with all the birdseye shots in this vid really helped tell the story. Again, "So much history --- So little time."

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Mike. There's a lot to go back for as long as people want to see them

[@jetsons101]

When you pick a subject for a vid it seems the two basic rules are: 1 Follow the comments. 2 Follow your passion. mike@@TrekkingExploration

[@Unitedgaming2230]

There's a few Diss used lines in Mid wales. There's a branch line from Abermule to Kerry, an old line that went from Llanidloes to the Elan Valley dams and a branch line from Caersws to Y Van used to serve an old mine up there. Not sure how accessible they are

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

I think you could hike in Wales for years and still not see it all. Another beautiful section, yes, a pity that the tunnel is closed. I really enjoyed this one Ant. Thank you for sharing.

[@TrekkingExploration]

If I disappear for a year Chris you know where to find me 😂

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

@@TrekkingExploration that made me laugh out loud 😂

[@dsj672]

Thanks for a super video. Friends and I walked much of the Afan Valley lines that provided an alternative route to Maesteg. Worth a look.

[@carolpostle5886]

Another great video, Husband looking forward to walking the line himself in the future 😀

[@TrekkingExploration]

Awww brilliant thank you

[@DiverPants]

As an Englishman living not far from this video location, it was great to see some 'local' stuff being done (born in Mansfield, so a lot of the other videos are 'local' too)! The pronunciations are tricky though, especially for any non Welsh - Port Talbot is pronounced Portalbot, and Maesteg is My-Stegg :) South Wales is a beautiful area to live, and there are so many places to walk and explore too! Keep up the great videos, love watching them :)

[@TrekkingExploration]

Awwww brilliant I live not too far from Mansfield. I'll be back over to Wales very soon. Thank you for watching

[@WelshLad.]

I'm from Pontycymer the next valley over from Maesteg. We had several coal mines and a railway track that linked up to Port Talbot but the mines have now been demolished many years ago. It was a pleasure to watch the history of the Welsh railway's.

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'll be back later this year to do more 🙂

[@davebuckley1760]

The line from Maesteg to Pontycymer has a fantastic viaduct on it

[@WelshLad.]

@@TrekkingExploration Cool I can't wait

[@WelshLad.]

@@davebuckley1760 It does look fantastic I was going to film it with my drone last year.

[@lordstiffupperlip3095]

Hello Ant , thanks for a great video , Its a pity you couldn't of got into that tunnel as I know how much you love a railway tunnel . The area of the Crumlin Viaduct would be good to visit .

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it. I'm looking into doing more in Wales soon

[@trainsinkansas576]

Great video. Wonderful narration. Great scenery. Drone footage very nice. Love the old pictures.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much indeed 😌

[@waynejones8988]

I managed to walk from Bryn to the Tunnel, Would love to find the other end, Thanks so much enjoyed that video

[@chrisbayly5457]

Thanks Ant, great walk and exploration

[@MatthewJones-mp9vw]

I really enjoyed the film I cycled down the track about 3 years ago I visited the Brick works and the tunnel last summer there is loads of history in the local area and the wider region. Blaengarw and Pontycymmer would be an interesting walk for you as Pontycymmer has a Steam Railway Tourist Attraction Called Garw Valley Railway it isnt fully operational yet but there is an engine shed with 2 diesel shunters a DMU and a steam engine to my knowledge the line stops and Pontycymmer but did continue on to Bleangarw there is now a footpath where the railway was to Blaengarw and once at the top you will be where Ocean Collery once stood it is now landscaped with a lake from Pontycymmer down you will walk alongside the GVR to a country park called Bryngarw Park. Not far from the park entrance is a cycle track that starts at Sarn and goes all the way to Nant-y-Moel this is a former railway line which ran from Tondu a very nice route it is. The viaduct in Maesteg Llangynwyd is called Pontrhydycyff Viaduct and again I visited it last year it is in great condition unfortunetely you will not be able to walk along it as its fenced off being from Maesteg myself I as a child spent many hours wondering the woods by the viaduct and playing on the viaduct. There is so much history just around Bridgend and its Valleys is a shame that most of it has gone but nothing can take memories away.

[@jontaylor1652]

Another wonderful adventure with the usual great coverage. Thanks Ant.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Jon 🤠

[@sarahwinfield3989]

Excellent video. Lots of old railway routes for you to explore. Many thanks for posting

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Sarah I'll be back soon

[@keefr22]

Enjoyed that! I live about 8 miles away and knew nothing about this railway! Need to start reading up on my local railway history! 😉

[@TrekkingExploration]

Awwww brilliant thank you for watching 😊

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Excellent video so fascinating and interesting to watch.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much 😊

[@barneypaws4883]

There are SO many lines like this in South Wales. Great video

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'll be back later this year. Thank you for watching

[@shirleylynch7529]

Great filming. Beautiful views and countryside. So enthusiastic Ant. Very high trackbed. It’s such a pity they didn’t keep it open. Nowadays holiday makers would have loved a train ride all,over the area you explored. Well done. Great video.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Shirley. I'll be back for more

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

NOT THE ENDING EXPECTED BUT STILL A GOOD WATCH. THANK YOU

[@janetdods71]

what a beautiful walk some amazing history here and amazing views also thanks for sharing ant

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Jan 😌

[@Jimyjames73]

Hello Ant - @ 9:25 - there is something similar along the M. T. (Monsal Trail) next to the remains (Just a Platform really & old siding) of the old Monsal Dale Station!!! Also @ 15:38 There are 2 Kilns either side of Millers Dales Station (the biggest Station) on the M. T. @ 23:40 - Why can't they do what happen to the M. T. - there used to be 3 or 4 closed Tunnels along the M. T. - but quite a few years ago - they open them up & now you can walk / cycle the entire 8 miles of the the M. T. !!! 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@mickd6942]

Stunning quality video of this hidden gem

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much 😊

[@andrewmizon2339]

Great stuff. I love the old photos !

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Andrew

[@lilchris26]

Nice video again Ant, your getting around a bit nowadays, North Yorkshire now in Wales. Thanks again very informative has usual. Chris

[@TrekkingExploration]

Back to Yorkshire soon. Thanks Chris

[@glt48]

Really enjoyed the video and the information ..... I walked through the Cwmcerwyn Tunnel en route to Maesteg in 1966 using the Tunnel as shelter during a blizzard which had stopped all road traffic in the area

[@TrekkingExploration]

Oh my goodness that must have been quite an adventure

[@MikeEdmunds-cw9us]

Enjoyed the video as I walked the line about eight years ago. It wasn't quite as muddy then walking up to the tunnel. I tried walking to the tunnel mouth from the Maesteg end, starting off from Station Road. The footpath soon became very overgrown so I never made it to the portal. Pity you didn't end video at Station Road, which is quite a height from the town. Maesteg is actually pronounced "Mice-teg". Mike Edmunds

[@152clive]

once again another great video taking us back to the past .thank you ant.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Clive

[@20PhantoM07]

I like that you’ve come around ‘down by ere’

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'll be back soon enough 😊

[@20PhantoM07]

May want to check out Duffryn, LLynfi & Porthcawl Railway 1823, Maesteg - Porthcawl. A real old gem for you that one.

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@20PhantoM07 I'll give this a screenshot and look tomorrow thank you 😊

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

it looked very muddy well done finding the tunnel i can't see the point in closing it both ends what a steep incline to get to it all nice to see some of the buildings still intact

[@sianlloyd2928]

I've lived in Port Talbot most of my life and I didn't know that path existed but I do know of another which goes through Cwmafan and Pontrhydyfen

[@thewhiteroom23]

Stunning filmwork and narration again. The Ystwyth ( pronounced Ustwith) trail from Aberystwyth to Strata Florida and southwards would be a good walk. Quite long though. Platforms are still there at Llanilar too.

[@steviez110]

Excellent as usual and your choice of music is superb

[@welshhibby]

You were VERY lucky with the weather ! Its usually pissing down in Port Talbot !!

[@TrekkingExploration]

The next day it did not stop. Very heavy. Thankfully that was the journey home. Thankyou for watching

[@adrianevans7252]

You should start a walk in Jersey Park, Briton Ferry, which will take you up an incline of the former South Wales Mineral Railway, the last line Brunel built in south Wales .In fact He died before it was completed. It ran from Briton Ferry dock (another Brunel project) up the Afan valley to Glyncorrwg.

[@stephensaines7100]

Quite a few comments below adding to yours as to why the tunnel would be closed. No answers from me, but there are explores of the tunnel on KZbin! I'm about to watch one now, I was left acutely curious after watching this excellent vid.

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'm glad you enjoyed it Stephen thank you. I think there was a month or so in 2022 it was accessable

[@stephensaines7100]

@@TrekkingExploration Yeah, I didn't link the video I watched, and it was from that time, and other than puddled water, the tunnel appeared to be in remarkably good shape, at least superficially. The video I watched was very unsettling though. I had to fast forward some of it. Not the material, which can be viewed with the sound off, but the errr...mental disposition of the videographer. Your videos have a serenity to them, with wonderful spaces wafting between the scenes. Not everyone does!

[@angelaknisely-marpole7679]

Excellent, thanks!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Angela

[@alankennedy3398]

Another enjoyable watch keep up the great work !!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Alan 🙂

[@andrewmatley7688]

more great railway info awesum video as always keep em coming.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Andrew thank you

[@chrismccartney8668]

Great Video and music..lots of relics

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Chris ☺️

[@cableguy6275]

03/09/24 Really enjoyed this video. I love further up from Maesteg but you encapsulated good history here. Have you ever done any videos of the Afan valley?. Keep uo the excellent work!!

[@imcleod20]

Top class

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Ian

[@steadycamman1]

Thank you for the video Ant, AMAZING as always

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much 😊

[@user-he5ns5ph1d]

brilliant 😃

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you 😊

[@StuBonham]

Cool video, love the drone work!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much 😊

[@michaelmiller641]

A fascinating video, and beautiful scenery! I don't think we would regret the passing of this railway if it leaves such lovely scenery and walks. Thanks Ant.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Michael. I'll be back to do more

[@levelcrossing150]

Great video and interesting walk.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much 😄

[@Carolb66]

Brilliant video as slways Ant Wales has so much to offer regarding railways North & South. Stunning scenery & a lovely walk along the old trackbed. Such a pity the tunnel wasn't open as it looked so eerie inside would have been great to walk through. ❤😊👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Carol I think I could easily spend a year up here 🤣

[@butchknapman3939]

Great fo follow old railway tracks, you always take us on a grand walk. How do your walks work, someone drops you off and meets you at the other end ?

[@davebuckley1760]

The whole of the South Wales Valleys have multiple railways companies and lines……You’ve picked a picturesque line to walk which crosses past Maesteg into the valley beyond

[@TrekkingExploration]

I absolutely can't wait to go back and really get stuck into this area

[@davebuckley1760]

I have never seen the Maesteg end of the tunnel……golf course in the way

[@davebuckley1760]

A good walk with a lot of history is up from Port Talbot on the Rhondda and Swansea Bay railway through the Afan Valley

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@davebuckley1760 yes I didn't climb down to one end it wasn't worth it

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@davebuckley1760 I'll add it to the list 😉

[@c.o.m.ewithme9000]

Last summer, I went down to South Wales for my silver birthday and I'm looking at making it into a blog, which I wonder if you can help me out with. Now this wasn't a trail I was aware of until now, but did go on a bit of the Taff Trail in Merthyr Tydfil. But maybe some day, I will try this trail out in the future!

[@a11csc]

sch a lovely place ant

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching

[@billywhizz6965]

Roughly 8 mins in you ask what did they do to stop the trains running away down the gradient. As you probably know the loaded trains ran down to Port Talbot , while empties were brought back to Maesteg. I am not dead sure how it was done but they used to apply the brakes manually on the coal trucks. but at what point on the route I am not sure. The line used to climb out of Maesteg to the Red Cow pub on Alma road. Then it was down hill all the way to Port Talbot. I am not sure if they ever did use the vacumn brakes. The NCB shunting locos were never fitted with air brakes to my knowledge not during the time the PTR was open.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for the information. It was rather steep I imagine there's some around there even steeper

[@billywhizz6965]

The times gone by and the things that happened and changed. Most people would not believe it and I still can't figure out how it worked. I was told but I cannot guarantee it that the steepest gradient in the country was Nantyffylon. It is part of the old Marsteg to Treorchy line . After the PT&DR closed, the coal from the Maesteg collieries used to go down to this line. What always fascinated me was the fact that the empties would be hauled up the incline to a bridge that crossed over the Maesteg to Caurau road, The engine would detach itself from the empties and the trucks would roll up onto the PT&DR railway with the train backing them up once the end of the trucks past the points. The thing that amazed me was that part of the PT&DR was an incline up hill assuming the Maesteg rugby field is level. There are two parts really the tail end of the trucks appeared to be on a down hill section of the track and it always seemed that there were more trucks on the down hill bit, It was a thing to see especiallly when the engine caught up with the trucks and unlleashed its full power to push these empty trucks..That exhaust blast rung around the valley. Some would call it a miss spent youth watching these engines work, I was lucky enough to ride on the footplate of an Austerity tank a few times. They are very powerful engines. The Praire engines that used to haul the coal on the PT&DR were gorgeous things to watch. It was nothing for them to haul 47, 16 ton wagons on the line you walked. (If my counting and rembering of it was right I was just 9 or 10 years old then). Maesteg end of the railway has gone now as well as the collieries.

[@bobingram6912]

Looks like you'll be needing some new treads with all those green lines to explore, could this be the follow up to your Derwent series, hope so👍👍👍👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

I think I'll be back a few times Bob as long as people want to see them. I just get back to Whitby first though

[@bobingram6912]

@@TrekkingExploration Oh yes, we want to see 'em!!!!

[@derekdavies8882]

Never new there was a railway from port Talbot to Maesteg, and I'm a local from Glyncorrwg

[@mikewoodman7700]

Mae is pronounced My, if your doing more in Wales bring your wellies! its very wet here.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Ha ha ha I can imagine. Thank you for watching

[@ZX600E7]

Possibly from a prefab platelayers hut

[@TrekkingExploration]

Yeah I think it could be, that post

[@minisareus]

Brecon to Merthyr railway and Merthyr to Abergavenny

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'll add that to the list 🙂

[@mickd6942]

The plate layers air b&b lol

[@TrekkingExploration]

Good plan 😃

[@R118GSiVVC]

Would you consider doing the afan valley lines please?

[@clwydian1]

Maesteg is pronounced "Mysteg". Not surprised that Bryn is at the top of the climb as Bryn means hill in Welsh.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Ahhhh thank you 🙂

[@StuBonham]

Maesteg: "My-steg" Cwmcerwyn "Koom-ker-win"

[@TheShowgirl25]

Cwmcerwyn is pronounced Coomsirwin. Maesteg you got right!

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'm so going to say that tunnel name in a video when I go back 😂

[@TheShowgirl25]

That's what comes of spending time in Wales and watching Welsh tv with English subtitles.@@TrekkingExploration

[@22whizzo56]

Hi Ant, the tunnel is pronounced coom-kerr- win.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks 🙏 Thank you for watching