South Wales Valleys in the 50s (2)

[Andy Kirkham]

Apologies to The Johnster for nicking his title, but it also seems apt for my topic, and it's not about Cwmdimbath.

 

I would just like to commend the British Transport Film Every Valley, that I watched on the BFI Playerhttps://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-every-valley-1957-online .

 

It's not primarily about trains but rather a "day in the life" of the Valleys in 1957 showing the various trades that were then flourishing in addition to coal (glove-making, laboratory glassware) and leisure activities.  It's a vivid portrait of a way of life that has completely vanished. It's beautifully filmed and emphasises the classic "look" that we expect of the Valleys - precipitous slopes and terraces seemingly stacked vertically one above the other. I was a bit disappointed when I first explored the Cardiff valley lines to find the valleys generally much broader than I expected and only occasionally conforming to that image - I think the Rhondda Fach and the Tondu valleys probably look more like the The Valleys are suppposed to.

 

The railway sequences (about half way through) are fairly brief but well worth seeing. The highlight for me was the 4575 and two antique auto coaches, presumably on a Maerdy service.

 

There is also just as much emphasis on buses in what must surely be considered the golden age of buses

 

 

[88D]

My old school is on it, the castle built for iron masters. Good view of Quakers Yard trains, and I wonder if the ganger overlooking the Penydarren tram road is the one who spotted the ballast disappearing from the neighbouring viaduct - this caused the closure of the Quakers Yard (HL) line to Merthyr. There’s also a very good DVD by a band called Public Service Broadcast who specialise in putting films like these to music, whilst keeping most of the commentary.

[88D]

25 minutes ago, Andy Kirkham said:

Apologies to The Johnster for nicking his title, but it also seems apt for my topic, and it's not about Cwmdimbath.

 

I would just like to commend the British Transport Film Every Valley, that I watched on the BFI Playerhttps://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-every-valley-1957-online .

 

It's not primarily about trains but rather a "day in the life" of the Valleys in 1957 showing the various trades that were then flourishing in addition to coal (glove-making, laboratory glassware) and leisure activities.  It's a vivid portrait of a way of life that has completely vanished. It's beautifully filmed and emphasises the classic "look" that we expect of the Valleys - precipitous slopes and terraces seemingly stacked vertically one above the other. I was a bit disappointed when I first explored the Cardiff valley lines to find the valleys generally much broader than I expected and only occasionally conforming to that image - I think the Rhondda Fach and the Tondu valleys probably look more like the The Valleys are suppposed to.

 

The railway sequences (about half way through) are fairly brief but well worth seeing. The highlight for me was the 4575 and two antique auto coaches, presumably on a Maerdy service.

 

There is also just as much emphasis on buses in what must surely be considered the golden age of buses

 

 

I stand to be corrected, but I think this is the Gwynfi valley service. Never been there as most kept to their own valley in the  50s! BTW, Aberdare valley was known as Queen of the Valleys because it was so wide. As a Merthyr boy, we used to riposte that we were King of the Valleys! Gosh, those were the days

[chrisf]

FWIW I think that Andy is right and it's the Maerdy auto.  There is footage of what was then the new Maerdy colliery.  I also wonder whether it is quite as late as 1957.

 

Chris

[corneliuslundie]

Is the autocoach nearest the loco an ex-TVR vehicle?

Jonathan

[chrisf]

I would say not but I'l scour John Lewis's books when I get a mo.

 

Chris