RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted February 23, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2011 Today we have travelled back to 1979(ish) and are standing at the foot of Tynant Hill, Beddau looking toward Llantwit Fardre, at a point now known as 'Codger's Corner' opposite the turning into Cwm Colliery & Coke Works. . It's about 3.30pm in the afternoon, and three Pontypridd UDC busses are taking local schoolkids home. . However, we're interested in the Brush Bagnall 0-6-0DE No.2 (BBT3074/55) lifting a rake of empty MDV wagons from the exchange sidings toward the colliery. These had arrived earlier behind a Canton Cl.37 outstationed at Llantrisant. . The landsale yard is behind the bushes on the right, and proved an excellent place to exercise my Border Collie 'Ninian' ! . At the time, there was a social club hidden behind the bridge, which, due to the Friday night dances held there, rejoiced locally in the name of 'the cracker factory' . . Brian R I used to travel under that bridge twice a day, when I attended Bryn Celynnog. I can remember the ruins of the farmhouse, which were just behind the trees on the right of the photo. Cwm had a transfer yard, alongside the landsale, which had around 6 roads. The point of transfer was at the concrete bridge, on the A473 between Llantwit Fardre & Cross Inn. By this time, (1969-73) the Creigau traffic ran around at Common Branch. I can't remember if it was propelled back, though. Brian might have more info. CBJ had 2 groundframes by this time, as the box had gone in 64-65. I cant remember any locomotive at Creigau, but I might be wrong about that. Creigau Quarry was protected from the branch by a ground frame, and the connection was trailing towards Waterhall Junction. The only CBJ traffic I can remember is either Cwm or Creigau, and it was all class 3 hauled, no industrial haulage. There is a pretty good Oakfield book about the Llantrisant branches, usually on Amazon for well under the going rate. Beware of the Taff Vale Misc book, as it incorrectly shows Common Junction signalbox (on the Penygraig branch) as Common Branch Junction signal box. In addition, there is a Silver Link book 'The Taff Vale Railway ' Vol 3, that deals with the Common, Treferig, & Railway No1 branches. Richard, good luck with CBJ. I had dreams of building it in 4mm, in Taff Vale days. Regards, Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted February 23, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2011 I used to travel under that bridge twice a day, when I attended Bryn Celynnog. I can remember the ruins of the farmhouse, which were just behind the trees on the right of the photo. Cwm had a transfer yard, alongside the landsale, which had around 6 roads. The point of transfer was at the concrete bridge, on the A473 between Llantwit Fardre & Cross Inn. By this time, (1969-73) the Creigau traffic ran around at Common Branch. I can't remember if it was propelled back, though. Brian might have more info. CBJ had 2 groundframes by this time, as the box had gone in 64-65. I cant remember any locomotive at Creigau, but I might be wrong about that. Creigau Quarry was protected from the branch by a ground frame, and the connection was trailing towards Waterhall Junction. The only CBJ traffic I can remember is either Cwm or Creigau, and it was all class 3 hauled, no industrial haulage. There is a pretty good Oakfield book about the Llantrisant branches, usually on Amazon for well under the going rate. Beware of the Taff Vale Misc book, as it incorrectly shows Common Junction signalbox (on the Penygraig branch) as Common Branch Junction signal box. In addition, there is a Silver Link book 'The Taff Vale Railway ' Vol 3, that deals with the Common, Treferig, & Railway No1 branches. Richard, good luck with CBJ. I had dreams of building it in 4mm, in Taff Vale days. Regards, Ian Ian, Thank you for this information, especially about the books. Brian has PM'd me with more info as well so it is bringing a lot of loose threads together. I'll pm you when I'm a little less busy about how I'm progressing, because I don't want to foul up Brian's thread with non industrial stuff. CBJ in Taff Vale days? A proper triangular junction with sidings and engine shed to boot. And there is me fussing about a trackplan consisting on 4 turnouts! Before I forget, my thanks to Paul for the lik to his wagons pages....brilliant stuff Regards Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Adept as they were, considering they were rebuilding steam locos into the late 1970s, the staff of the NCB Central Workshop, Mountain Ash, had no idea how to fit a sound chip into a loco, as the following photos show ! . Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Dear All I have posted collections which show Cwm Coke works in action here http://paulbartlettsotherrailwayphotos.fotopic.net/c1945580.html NEW http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/cwmcokeworks And of the internal user mineral wagons here http://gallery6801.fotopic.net/c1945577.html NEW http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/cwmcokeworksinternalwagons I have had some of the tank wagons on the site for a long time, but intend to add a lot of detail photographs to these in the next few days. http://gallery6801.fotopic.net/show_collection.php?id=18513 NEW http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/ncbtankwagons A quick Google shows a lot of interest in this site from those who visit derelict industrial sites - and several show one of the tank wagons apparently in not too bad a condition still there. Paul Bartlett Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon A Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 br2975, I would be interested if you have a clearer picture of the 5 ton (?) crane in the background of picture 2 of the disemboweld diesels at Mountain Ash. Gordon A Bristol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Gordon, Unfortunately, these are the best I can do for you, as far as the crane is concerned. No.1 - EES 8426/63 from Abercynon Colliery had occupied the space left by 'The Earl' by 1976. No.2 - 'The Earl' a Peckett 0-6-0ST awaits the inevitable, alongside the diesel shed in the early 1970s (pre-1974) . Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixie Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 My grandfather originally worked for the Cardiff Gas Light & Coke Co. opposite where the CIA is now, before moving down to Grangetown. http://www.rcts.info/features/mysteryphotos/show.htm?srch=cardiff&page=2&serial=42&img=B-62-06A I'm guessing this is the site in question gents? Not sure if these have come up before but thewhole collection of photos is well worth a rummage around for anyone with a South Wales interest! Pix Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon A Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 br2975, Thank-you for the pictures of the crane. I dont think it is the one we have at Bitton that was reputed to have come from Mountain Ash. Gordon A Bristol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danemouth Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 http://www.rcts.info...42&img=B-62-06A I'm guessing this is the site in question gents? Not sure if these have come up before but thewhole collection of photos is well worth a rummage around for anyone with a South Wales interest! Pix Correct Pix, I worked there in Snelling House the HQ of Wales Gas Board! Cardiff Undertaking was immediately behind the building from the viewpoint shown in the photo and had a gas holder which was demolished in 1966/67. As a matter of interest when they had demolished the holder there was a hole about 30 feet deep to fill in - as the first lorry load was about to be tipped the cashiers dumped God knows how many bags of clipped coins collected from coin gas meters into the hole - I can imaging archaeologists in the next millennium debating this rare find of debased coinage Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 ................. Cardiff Undertaking was immediately behind the building from the viewpoint shown in the photo and had a gas holder which was demolished in 1966/67. As a matter of interest when they had demolished the holder there was a hole about 30 feet deep to fill in ....................... That place eventually killed my grandfather. . He was responsible for lagging pipes, with a form of liquid asbestos paste, applied with bare hands. . Sadly, my abiding memory is of him coughing into paper cups, and BOC delivering oxygen bottles to his bedside each week. . A sad end to an outstanding (untrained) tenor, and a man who could debate (or argue ?) on any subject (that's where I got it from). Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 Eight years after steam ended on BR, the NCB Central Workshop at Mountain Ash was rebuilding 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST RSH 7139/44. . This picture was taken in March, 1976 and it would be another two years before No.8 returned to steam, resplendent in a new green livery. . Also in the works that Saturday were 0-6-0DH AB497/64 and WB 3161/61 . Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Dear All I have posted collections which show Cwm Coke works in action here http://paulbartlettsotherrailwayphotos.fotopic.net/c1945580.html And of the internal user mineral wagons here http://gallery6801.fotopic.net/c1945577.html I have had some of the tank wagons on the site for a long time, but intend to add a lot of detail photographs to these in the next few days. http://gallery6801.fotopic.net/show_collection.php?id=18513 A quick Google shows a lot of interest in this site from those who visit derelict industrial sites - and several show one of the tank wagons apparently in not too bad a condition still there. Paul Bartlett Dear All As promised I have posted a lot more photographs of the Tar Tanks registered on TOPS and used in South Wales at NCB South Wales TOPS registered tar tank wagons – 93 photographs http://gallery6801.fotopic.net/show_collection.php?id=18513 Also a general collection of colliery views at http://paulbartlettsotherrailwayphotos.fotopic.net/c1946900.html These include a number at Onllwyn, and others at Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, a few at Thomas Ness tar works at Caerphilly, and singles of the Cwmmawr loading point and MDO unloading in Newport Docks. Paul Bartlett Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 Also a general collection of colliery views at http://paulbartlettsotherrailwayphotos.fotopic.net/c1946900.html These include a number at Onllwyn, and others at Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, a few at Thomas Ness tar works at Caerphilly, and singles of the Cwmmawr loading point and MDO unloading in Newport Docks. Paul, In your fotopic collection of Cynheidre photos - there are a number of 20 ton mineral rebuilds, that bear a striking resemblance to those rebuilt for Mountain Ash. When Mountain Ash closed, similar wagons were relocated to both Mardy Colliery, Maerdy and Cwm Colliery, Beddau. The Cynheidre wagons 'could' be Mountain Ash wagons with the 'MA' prefix overpainted, and the original numbers retained - are you in a position to confirm if this was the case ? Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 Just south of the South Wales main line near Llantrisant were the Glamorgan Haemetite mines, which were fed by a siding off the Llantrisant - Cowbridge branch. . This section remained open after the remainder of the branch to Cowbridge was closed. . The mine was served by trip workings from Llantrisant yard, in later years it was Cl.08 worked, with a Cl.37 working the train forward to the GKIS later BSC 'East Moors Works' in Cardiff. . Underground, the mine operated a 3'0" gauge system using Greenwood & Batley battery electric locos, and following closure, only one survived - unfortunately it's correct identity has not been established. . The loco was saved for the Wales Industrial & Maritime Museum and put on display at the then new WIMM in Cardiff's docklands. . This was before greed overcame a devotion to our heritage, and the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation were allowed to demolish the museum and build pubs, clubs and a Tesco supermarket on the site and the BBC allowed to establish 'Torchwood' HQ in the same location. . Since then a new museum has been built in the Swansea Maritime Quarter, much to my disgust - not because it's in Swansea, but because this should never have been allowed to happen. . To this day I refuse to shop/socialise at Cardiff's Mermaid Quay (shades of 'Grumpy Old Men'). . Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Paul, In your fotopic collection of Cynheidre photos - there are a number of 20 ton mineral rebuilds, that bear a striking resemblance to those rebuilt for Mountain Ash. When Mountain Ash closed, similar wagons were relocated to both Mardy Colliery, Maerdy and Cwm Colliery, Beddau. The Cynheidre wagons 'could' be Mountain Ash wagons with the 'MA' prefix overpainted, and the original numbers retained - are you in a position to confirm if this was the case ? Brian R Brian No sorry, I took the photographs and recorded what I could. I am pretty sure that those with the large CY are original, a WH Davis build such as http://gallery6801.fotopic.net/p69153599.html - The coal size being painted on later. The others certainly have the appearance of having the number area painted over, so could have come from anywhere - this one clearly had a much larger cross in an earlier incarnation http://gallery6801.fotopic.net/p69153575.html Interesting about the newly built Museum at Cardiff. I have some general pictures of the bay with the museum in it - I had not realised they were historical! Mind they had some extremely strange representations of freight rolling stock on display. Paul Bartlett Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 Mind they had some extremely strange representations of freight rolling stock on display. Thanks Paul, I presume you refer to the 'rustic' wooden mineral wagons painted in 'Private Owner' liveries e.g. "BUTE" that languished on a section of track behind what is now "Harry Ramsden's". Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Brian, I wholeheartedly agree that they should not have been allowed to destroy (there is no other word for it!) the maritime museum... I mean, Cardiffs' industrial heritage is the only reason the city is as it is today! Could you imagine the outcry, should the central museum decide "we don't want all those Celtic Standing Stones anymore" "they don't fit in with our future plans" Whilst at college, studying photography, a fellow student had a temp job at the maritime, sorting out and printing / cataloging old photos + negatives I recall he brought a couple of prints to show me... I think there was some cracking historical stuff in that collection (it was so large, no one had really got to grips with it!) I wonder what happened to all that? I went in to central library years back to look at their historical collection They had rather a lot of stuff from all over Cardiff then, but they seemed to leave all the industrial collection to the Maritime museum..... This thread really has been a cracking read, I hope others will share their memories / photos Marc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 Mind they had some extremely strange representations of freight rolling stock on display. Paul, . Are these what you were referring to ? Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Paul, . Are these what you were referring to ? Brian Brian No, there was a very strange rectangular tank - I have photos somewhere, but very difficult in my system to find! And I wouldn't like to reproduce as someone might model it. Paul Bartlett Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 No, there was a very strange rectangular tank - I have photos somewhere, but very difficult in my system to find! And I wouldn't like to reproduce as someone might model it. Paul, Watch this space ......... Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Mark, This may sound a daft question but where is the Cynheidre tippler preserved? Is it all together and in working order? Gordon A Bristol. This is the link to the Vintage Carriage trust with a picture of the wagon. http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=2793 the below is its preserved website http://lmmrcoltd.com/stocklist.html Mark Saunders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Watch this space ......... Paul Is this the tank you are thinking of ? "I know nothing" (of its provenance) or its current whereabouts. Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Paul Is this the tank you are thinking of ? "I know nothing" (of its provenance) or its current whereabouts. Brian Brian - looks like it is at "Big Pit" (wherever that is!) http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=2382 The steel frame, longer than the body, suggests to me that it is probably an internal rebuild using a tank from a wagon where the wooden frame rotted and it was placed on a mineral wagon underframe. But I do acknowledge that there were a lot of differences between rectangular tank wagons. Paul Bartlett Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 2, 2011 Author Share Posted March 2, 2011 Brian - looks like it is at "Big Pit" (wherever that is!) http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=2382 Paul, "Big Pit" is the Welsh Mining Museum at Blaenavon, alongside the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway - combine them both for an excellent day out (Museum entry in Wales is free ! and here you get to go underground). . Last time I was there, visibility was down to about 50yds. and as I was entertaining visitors from the Dominions, didn't pay much attention to the wagons which are clearly visible, but don't appear to be publicly accessible. . Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Paul, "Big Pit" is the Welsh Mining Museum at Blaenavon, alongside the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway - combine them both for an excellent day out (Museum entry in Wales is free ! and here you get to go underground). . . Brian R Yes, highly recommended, it's well worth a visit and the tour down the pit is excellent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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