Walnut Tree Viaduct

A look at the Llanbradach branch of the Barry Railway at Taffs Wells. Featuring the remains of Garth Tunnel and Walnut Tree viaduct. One error, the hut I was convinced of in the movie IS Walnut Tree West Signal Box! You can see the fire grate on the chimney, so not a single story hut.

[@BegudMaximan-zp2tc]

Was another magnificent structure in the UK, I used to see it in my childhood, my grandmother used to walk across it in the 1920s and go dancing when she was courting my grandfather at weekends, she said it was amazing, like walking in the sky! Served a good purpose, I saw diesel hauled trains towards its final years. Sad these structures no longer exist.

[@bobsrailrelics]

It was and I really wish I could have seen it intact.

[@197878BOB]

Great info many thanks

[@vivianthomas9128]

Loved the video can’t wait until the next one is ready

[@gazzasmudge]

Hello great video I just subscribed in going to the viaduct today

[@bobsrailrelics]

Enjoy. It's a strange bit of history up there.

[@bobsrailrelics]

@That Cardiff City Fan I'll have a look.

[@RainhamRailEnthusiast]

Another fantastic insight. Thankyou.

[@grangetowncardiff6935]

Isn't St Fagans "west" of Cardiff? Lovely video again though.

[@bobsrailrelics]

Yep. Good spot. I really need to stick to my scripts and stop improvising.

[@welshboy4840]

Great video. Thank you. After walking past the southern entrance last year, I discovered the northern entrance and more on the weekend. 😍

[@crewkerne40]

Interesting video,surprising whats laying around in the undergrowth.The passenger train on the viaduct is the Rambling 56 railtour headed by 6643,it ran on 31/7/65.As an 18 year old growing up in Cardiff Dad and I tried to get on this tour,it was,however, all booked up,We did chase it though and managed a couple of photos of the train.

[@bobsrailrelics]

It must have been an interesting ride over that viaduct, the views would have been amazing. Thanks for watching. Any photos you are able to share would be very interesting to see.

[@ioeffgwincein]

I believe there was a siding to the dolomite(?) works between the tunnel and the viaduct - a later addition, which can be seen on one of the photos at the end. So the need for a signal box to control shunting would seem likely. And it does look like the base of a small signal box.

[@bobsrailrelics]

I found out after the video went live that what you say is totally correct. I am planning another visit as part of a look at Taffs Well (four railways and a canal) and will correct myself then. Thanks.

[@turquoisecat761]

Today I walked the "other" side of the viaduct, along the track bed which ran north easterly; was very interesting, a few old bridges, even found an old sleeper! Basically drive along Cemetery road, then take a right up Abbey Close, park up, then join the Taff Trail. After an hour or so I ended up at Penrhos Cutting by the old viaduct remains.

[@bobsrailrelics]

I need to have an explore. Thanks for the tip

[@davidhayward1062]

hey do you havd any videos of the other side

[@tonychick8787]

Good Bob.

[@tonyusher4598]

Used to play on the viaduct and in the tunnel after the rails were lifted in the mid 60s

[@bobsrailrelics]

Seen photos taken from up there, it's a long way down, a sign of those times that it wasn't blocked off! Thanks for watching.

[@turquoisecat761]

Thanks, Interesting video, will have to check it out.

[@bobsrailrelics]

I need to revisit as there are a couple of errors on that video plus I have found a load of new pictures of the viaduct. Thanks 👍

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Really informative video, love seeing all the little bits of ruined railway infrastructure along the line.. Given you a sub and look forward to seeing more of your videos in the future 😊👍

[@bobsrailrelics]

Many Thanks. More to come when the whether warms up and a few short ones to get us through the winter ❄️

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

@@bobsrailrelics We are planning a few more railway walks soon, sometimes we prefer doing them in the winter when all the nettles and brambles have died down as you can find so much more.. 😊

[@bobsrailrelics]

@@ExploringWithEmAndStuI do agree when it's fine but it can a bit wet as well. There is some ruins I want to explore and couldn't get near them due to nettles etc so might have a wander. However I do not like the cold 😁

[@laurenceskinnerton73]

Interesting.

[@MervynPartin]

The valley never looked the same after the viaduct was demolished. I thought it looked beautiful and it was always a pleasure to see it there. The single pillar that remains doesn't look right.

[@bobsrailrelics]

It always looked amazing in the photos, I wish I could remember it.

[@bashtherich5372]

Taffs WELL,Well-not wells.

[@bobsrailrelics]

I know I have always got that wrong despite the fact there is a well there!

[@bashtherich5372]

@@bobsrailrelics Ok,your forgiven.Its a good vid anyway👏

[@femcymoedd535]

Unless anyone fancies delving down to find a second well....? ;) It seems such a waste not to do anything with the existing well. Many years ago there was a swimming pool there, but - ironically - it flooded when the Taff burst its banks.

[@rhobatbrynjones7374]

Taff's Wells? It's not a spa town, for God's sake!

[@bobsrailrelics]

Yeh I have had that pointed out. It's Taffs Well and as you can see in a later video, I do actually look at the well itself.

[@jonnybroden]

Hi Bob could you tell me how to find this tunnel cheers

[@bobsrailrelics]

I used a path in Gwaelod Y Garth by the bus stop between Heol Berry and River Glade. There is a sign saying its private but I thunk that is for cars as it is marked as a footpath on the maps. It is off, but you climb up to get the the viaduct remains and then the tunnle is a littl on from that. Its is very unsafe to enter as a quarry has cut it in two which is why it is so blocked off.

[@jonnybroden]

@@bobsrailrelics thanks

[@rogerdavid3297]

it is called taffs well, not taffs wells. i know because i was born in the village 1950

[@bobsrailrelics]

Yep, I have corrected myself in later videos. One actually is about the Well in Taffs Well.