Video: Last trains to Aber Valley / Senghenydd

[woodenhead]

Interesting bit of Cine from 1976 when the Aber Valley Colliery was closing.

 

The fly shunting of the brake vans including a brake van chasing the train down an incline to couple up brings back a forgotten time of everyday work on the railways of old.

 

@The Johnster this may be of interest to you

 

[br2975]

The pit was called "Windsor Colliery" and was located at Abertridwr, in the Aber Valley...at the head of which is Senghenydd, but the branch was cut back from Senghenydd to Abertrdwr when passenger services were withdrawn circa 1963/1964..

.

The branch joined the former Rhymney Railway mainline at Aber Junction, just above Caerphilly.

.

Windsor Colliery was joined underground with Nantgarw Colliery, where a lot of its produce ended up, in the coke ovens; moved by rail, via 'The Big Hill' at Penrhos, to Taffs Well, with a reversal at Radyr.

.

As these two undated (circa 1971-1972) images show (photographer unknown), the shunting at Windsor didn't always go according to plan.

9C79 was a Radyr turn

05:40 Radyr Junction  - Furnace Top

08:00 Dowlais - Cwmbargoed

08:50 Cwmbargoed - Radyr Quarry

12:15 Radyr Quarry - Windsor Colliery

13:57 Windsor Colliery - Radyr

 

 

 

Brian R

Edited February 17, 2021 by br2975

[Andy Kirkham]

Was there a purpose to the manoeuvre with the brake van chasing the train, or was it just for fun?

[br2975]

Just now, Andy Kirkham said:

Was there a purpose to the manoeuvre with the brake van chasing the train, or was it just for fun?

I can't remember the reason, or the track layout at the end.

.

'operational expedience' is probably as good explanation as we'd receive.

.

Brian R

[br2975]

Abertridwr, circa 1963, looking 'up' the valley. (photographer unknown)

.

Windsor Colliery is in the distance,

.

Abertridwr should be pronounced "Aber - trid - ooer"

.

But, as is often the case, South Walians 'b@stardise' Welsh place names, and the locals call it "Abertridder"

Edited February 17, 2021 by br2975

[corneliuslundie]

How do you do that on a model?

But great for giving a feel for valleys scenery. I shall grab a few scenes to give me some clues for my layout.

Jonathan

[billbedford]

On 17/02/2021 at 20:20, Andy Kirkham said:

Was there a purpose to the manoeuvre with the brake van chasing the train, or was it just for fun?

 

It was to get the van into the kip siding. Usually these sidings were on a slope so that when the outgoing trains were ready to leave the guard would take the brakes off the van an let it run down the gradient and onto the read of the train. 

 

I've watched a similar procedure at Orgreave Cokeworks sidings many times. 

[SouthernBlue80s]

Thanks for posting that Woodenhead. Really interesting footage.