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John Hodge

Stuart Davies

A photo-filled history of this part of Welsh coal country and its freight and passenger service.
 
 Following the first volume dealing with the Llynfi Valley, this book provides details on individual aspects of railways operation focusing on the Ogmore, Garw, and Porthcawl branches in this area of South Wales. The books give a history of the railway, coal mining, and other industrial aspects of each Valley that combine to make up the Tondu Valleys, with detailed comments on the operation of the railway, passenger and freight, and details of each colliery within the area and their place within the South Wales coalfield. The study of Porthcawl traces its development from a dock to a seaside resort with supporting photographs of both aspects. Each location is studied in detail with abundant photographs of railway and colliery activity. This is the first time such a study of this area has been undertaken in such detail.

Pen & Sword Transport

South Wales Valleys

Railways and Industry in the Tondu Valleys: Ogmore, Garw & Porthcawl Branches

A work “which must rank as one of the finest railway history books of 2020” from the author of Llanelly West to Carmarthen (West Somerset Railway Association).

Railways and Industry in the Sirhowy Valley is the first full history of the railways that served this important area of Welsh industry, covering all aspects of its rail transport and manufacturing history. It is the latest volume in an ongoing series of books, covering the history and development of rail transport in the South Wales valleys.

 The area once boasted some very important industrial manufacturers, including the Tredegar Iron Works and numerous other iron smelting companies.

 This volume covers the industrial, economic and social history of this fascinating area of the South Wales valleys and the railway that once served the area.

“A welcome addition to the literature, placing the line in a more appropriate context than previous volumes about the valley railways . . . John Hodge’s very attractive book presents a wealth of detail in a very readable form.” —Books on the Line

“The photographic section is tremendous, with 36 road maps and a collection of 530 black and white photographs that offer us an interesting portrait of the area studied.” —Miniaturas JM

Railways and Industry in the Sirhowy Valley: Newport to Tredegar & Nantybwch, including Hall's Road

A photo-filled history of this part of Welsh coal country and its freight and passenger service.

Following the first volume dealing with the Llynfi Valley, this book provides details on individual aspects of railways operation focusing on the Ogmore, Garw, and Porthcawl branches in this area of South Wales. The books give a history of the railway, coal mining, and other industrial aspects of each Valley that combine to make up the Tondu Valleys, with detailed comments on the operation of the railway, passenger and freight, and details of each colliery within the area and their place within the South Wales coalfield.

The study of Porthcawl traces its development from a dock to a seaside resort with supporting photographs of both aspects. Each location is studied in detail with abundant photographs of railway and colliery activity. This is the first time such a study of this area has been undertaken in such detail.

Stuart V Davies

A comprehensive history of a Welsh railway hub and the coal companies and passengers it has served.

The book begins with a history of the industrial development of the Tondu Valleys, including the succession of great industrialists who led the way in the area. This is followed by a chapter on the position of the Tondu Valleys in the South Wales Coalfield with colliery and colliery company details. Railway passenger services are next covered, followed by railway coal services. Then follows a detailed account of the sole railway depot that covered all the operations in the Tondu Valleys.

A location-specific account then follows of Llynfi Valley detailing both railway and colliery aspects, following the line from Bridgend, through Tondu, and all locations to Cymmer Afan and on to the original terminus at Abergwynfi, then from Blaengwynfi through the Rhondda Tunnel to Treherbert. The north end of the South Wales Mineral Railway became an adjunct to the Tondu Valley with the closure of the former Rhondda & Swansea Bay line and this is also included in similar detail. 

The closure of the passenger service in 1970 and renaissance of a new service from Maesteg to Cardiff in 1992 concludes the account. Detailed appendices of operating statistics completes this very comprehensive account. The book is the fullest account ever produced of this part of the South Wales scene and is a must for anyone interested in either the railway or mining activities (or both) in this part of South Wales. A further volume covering the Ogmore & Garw Valleys (and associated lines) and the Porthcawl branch is also available.

Railways and Industry in the Tondu Valleys: Bridgend to Treherbert

This is the second in a new series on the South Wales Valleys by John Hodge, author of the South Wales Main Line series and North and West series, each of four volumes. The South Wales Valleys were famous for coal mining, iron and steel, tinplate works and the railways that served both industries, between them accounting for a very high percentage of employment in the area.A detailed, widely illustrated series on the valleys such as this, is long overdue and this is the second book in the series. The first book covering the area as far as Aberbeeg and the second continuing to the heads of the Valley at Ebbw Vale and Brynmawr.

Railways and Industry in the Western Valley: Aberbeeg to Brynmawr and EBBW Vale

This is the first in a new series on the South Wales Valleys by John Hodge, author of the South Wales Main Line series and North and West series, each of four volumes. The South Wales Valleys were famous for coal mining, iron and steel, tinplate works and the railways that served both industries, between them accounting for a very high percentage of employment in the area. This book relates the history of the early years of each industry and follows this through the railway steam and diesel age to the present day. The book traces the original Newport stations of Courtybella and Dock Street for the Valleys services and how this changed to High Street from 1880. Individual sections are presented on each main railway activity, accounts of each location along the route with sections on the railway layout, collieries and other industrial concerns, all illustrated by an abundant supply of photographs of the railway steam and diesel era, with accounts of the many collieries from the early years of the nineteenth century, to the end of coal mining in the Western Valley in 1989. A detailed, widely illustrated series on the valleys such as this, is long overdue and this first book in the series. The book is divided into two parts, the first covering the area as far as Aberbeeg and the second continuing to the heads of the Valley at Ebbw Vale and Brynmawr, as well as an account of the Halls Road line.