very good bob i went over that line many times as a fireman in the 60s,i remember a couple of sheep on the skew bridge and my driver opened the drain cocks on the engine and the sheep jumped off the bridge and onto the merthyr rd (prob to their death,it is strange how i remember that some 60 years ago.
Excellent as usual Bob, makes me want to come back home and take some strolls in the drizzle around these places! Taffs Well and environs has to have one of the most interesting railway histories in the UK, such a pity more people don’t know about it.
Great video. I came across the skew bridge a few years ago by chance and stopped to look closer. I didn't know which railway it was, but was impressed by the excellent stonework.
Absolutely fascinating, thank you for doing this one Bob. The center balance junction signal at 08:59 is rare, these were generally used where the clearance was very tight, why one was used here is a bit of a mystery. As usual you have researched this really well, the old photographs telling a story of their own. Looking forward to the next installment and the short that you're popping in before then. Andrew.
Thanks for the interesting well-researched video. I did a walk nearby last year, I parked up a street off cemetry road and ended up the top of Big Hill. One section also came out part way up Nantgarw Hill.
Thanks, it was a maze of lines around there and teh paths in now link them in wasy they never did. I have still to walk the bit that would have linked Walnut Tree viaduct and Pehrohs Junction, ther are a few bridges up there.
Would love to see that short! I would also love for you to look at the existing Coryton line for some of its historic features (old platforms and whatnot) and where the old line used to run at Heath Junction (I reckon it might've been a better design to reduce delays - especially when a coryton train has to wait on the Rhymney line to get onto the coryton line, seems silly making them block the line up to Caerphilly!). Additionally you could look at the possibility of introducing double track on the line to increase frequency/connect round to Radyr (something South Wales Metro brainchild Prof Mark Barry is strongly fighting for at the moment). From what I've seen, along most of the line, they have placed the new pylons for the electrification works where the existing 2nd track ran, however I believe there is a section around Rhiwbina where they have left space for a potential double track loop to allow for increased frequencies? I have no actual proof of this of course - just an assumption I have made from what I've seen - but maybe you have better insights into that possibility. Hope you find time to do an extra part on this but I'm sure you've got enough on your plate given the immense industrial heritage of south Wales 😂
I remember them moving the track at Heath as the model engineering society that is now at Heath Park were there. I visited them before they moved. The video I have made which is due out next is about the potential of a loop, but I am not convinced it's feasible. I agree putting masts up on what could have been a passing loop at Rhiwbina was a bit short sighted but let's see how that all works out.
@@bobsrailrelics fantastic I can't wait! Just read today on twitter that there was originally a passing loop in the plans for Rhiwbina but it was taken off the table. Wonder if they have given it passive provision or completely cancelled it?
@@bobsrailrelics such a shame! Seems an unnecessary barrier to prevent a future loop, can't imagine putting the pylons a little further out or on the other side of the track would've cost that much more!
Thank you for the walking video into the railways past. The graffitied relics from the past is disgusting to look at. These people have no respect to past history of the area. Cheers Bob! 🏴🙂👍🇺🇸
Great work and reporting. I'm replicating most of these lines (Bute Rd/Cardiff General > Quakers Yard, Coryton Branch, Senghenydd, all lines through Penhros Jcn) for a route in diesel railcar simulator as of 1961 so it makes for good viewing having researched it. One tricky aspect I found is uncovering the timing of when things got changed or track lifted. Nantgarw low level sometimes can be seen on aerial photos of Treforest Estate.
@@bobsrailrelics Yes, I found that the Windor colliery had very few photos taken from the North side, nor of the trackwork and engine sheds at the Senghenydd side. It's a challenge! Ditto for what the old site of the Universal colliery looked like in the early 1960s. I'll publish something once it's modelled. It's very interesting to see you retracing lines and seeing there's still so many relics such as bridges and abutments left.
The ramp down from Nantgarw Low-level was made to make it easier for walking and cycling after they Removed the Bridge over the Road! I'm going to see if I can find my photos I took! I'm sure others have of the Under Bridge
![ILLSLICK X YOUNGOHM - We're The same [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yUJNkobYR0E/mqdefault.jpg)
Another great video. i worked in lock cottage many moons ago they had exposed the old lock ,it looked in pretty good condition ( stonework)
I'm very much enjoying this series. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Bob, for another fascinating and informative video. I feel inspired to get out there and walk this for myself.
I do enjoy these videos. Long may you continue Bob.
Another excellent video, Bob. A big THANK YOU!
Thanks, enjoyed this and looking forward to your next outing.
very good bob i went over that line many times as a fireman in the 60s,i remember a couple of sheep on the skew bridge and my driver opened the drain cocks on the engine and the sheep jumped off the bridge and onto the merthyr rd (prob to their death,it is strange how i remember that some 60 years ago.
A lot of people have memories of that bit of the line. Hope they were OK, sheep are stupid animals but resilient
Very good Bob. Thank you.
Great video as ever - thank you. Someone is going to regret planting all that Cherry Laurel - its a beast!
Good video, I travelled on that line on the coal and coke trains when I worked on BR
Lovely. Reminds me of a home I left many years ago. But still home!
We're r u now
Excellent as usual Bob, makes me want to come back home and take some strolls in the drizzle around these places! Taffs Well and environs has to have one of the most interesting railway histories in the UK, such a pity more people don’t know about it.
I agree, five railways, a canal and the Taff all through one tight gap. It is a very underrated railway centre.
Great video. I came across the skew bridge a few years ago by chance and stopped to look closer. I didn't know which railway it was, but was impressed by the excellent stonework.
It is very impressive. They built with a lot of style.
Absolutely fascinating, thank you for doing this one Bob. The center balance junction signal at 08:59 is rare, these were generally used where the clearance was very tight, why one was used here is a bit of a mystery. As usual you have researched this really well, the old photographs telling a story of their own. Looking forward to the next installment and the short that you're popping in before then. Andrew.
Thanks. Part 4 will be coming but I have just been sent a load of new images so may be a bit delayed
Thanks for the interesting well-researched video. I did a walk nearby last year, I parked up a street off cemetry road and ended up the top of Big Hill. One section also came out part way up Nantgarw Hill.
Thanks, it was a maze of lines around there and teh paths in now link them in wasy they never did. I have still to walk the bit that would have linked Walnut Tree viaduct and Pehrohs Junction, ther are a few bridges up there.
I would be keen to see a vid of the Radyr line with some past photos.
Would love to see that short!
I would also love for you to look at the existing Coryton line for some of its historic features (old platforms and whatnot) and where the old line used to run at Heath Junction (I reckon it might've been a better design to reduce delays - especially when a coryton train has to wait on the Rhymney line to get onto the coryton line, seems silly making them block the line up to Caerphilly!).
Additionally you could look at the possibility of introducing double track on the line to increase frequency/connect round to Radyr (something South Wales Metro brainchild Prof Mark Barry is strongly fighting for at the moment).
From what I've seen, along most of the line, they have placed the new pylons for the electrification works where the existing 2nd track ran, however I believe there is a section around Rhiwbina where they have left space for a potential double track loop to allow for increased frequencies? I have no actual proof of this of course - just an assumption I have made from what I've seen - but maybe you have better insights into that possibility.
Hope you find time to do an extra part on this but I'm sure you've got enough on your plate given the immense industrial heritage of south Wales 😂
I remember them moving the track at Heath as the model engineering society that is now at Heath Park were there. I visited them before they moved. The video I have made which is due out next is about the potential of a loop, but I am not convinced it's feasible. I agree putting masts up on what could have been a passing loop at Rhiwbina was a bit short sighted but let's see how that all works out.
@@bobsrailrelics fantastic I can't wait!
Just read today on twitter that there was originally a passing loop in the plans for Rhiwbina but it was taken off the table. Wonder if they have given it passive provision or completely cancelled it?
There is no passive provision there. If they do put one in then it will need a bit of rewiring to be done.
@@bobsrailrelics such a shame! Seems an unnecessary barrier to prevent a future loop, can't imagine putting the pylons a little further out or on the other side of the track would've cost that much more!
The history in your videos is amazing. Thank you so much for doing them so well. Have just messaged you re your website re a possible future video? 🤞
Thanks you, I will get a reply over to you
Thank you for the walking video into the railways past. The graffitied relics from the past is disgusting to look at. These people have no respect to past history of the area. Cheers Bob! 🏴🙂👍🇺🇸
Where the Rugby pitch is now was a feeder reservoir for the Cannal
Thanks, I will delve into the maps and have a look.
Great work and reporting. I'm replicating most of these lines (Bute Rd/Cardiff General > Quakers Yard, Coryton Branch, Senghenydd, all lines through Penhros Jcn) for a route in diesel railcar simulator as of 1961 so it makes for good viewing having researched it. One tricky aspect I found is uncovering the timing of when things got changed or track lifted.
Nantgarw low level sometimes can be seen on aerial photos of Treforest Estate.
Thank you, would be interesting to see those, especially as the line above Abertridwr and the colliery has now been sold for redevelopment
@@bobsrailrelics Yes, I found that the Windor colliery had very few photos taken from the North side, nor of the trackwork and engine sheds at the Senghenydd side. It's a challenge! Ditto for what the old site of the Universal colliery looked like in the early 1960s. I'll publish something once it's modelled.
It's very interesting to see you retracing lines and seeing there's still so many relics such as bridges and abutments left.
The ramp down from Nantgarw Low-level was made to make it easier for walking and cycling after they Removed the Bridge over the Road! I'm going to see if I can find my photos I took! I'm sure others have of the Under Bridge
Thanks. I have one from the RCT digital library with the old Caerfour advert. If you have any others they will be very useful
awesome videos , ive been to a few areas after seeing your vids , but can you look at the camera , not the screen :) :)
It's because I film with my phone. The camera is at the top and I don't always line up well. I'll treat myself to a vlogging camera one day.
wonderful vids.. im in north cardiff.. so go past the cardiff railway route all the time on the way to caerphilly @@bobsrailrelics
I work near the old Penrhos cutting and passing by as well. Looking at what was there compared with now is fascinating.