I live locally in South Wales and I am in some local South Wales facebook railway groups. When the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth topic comes up, I consistently hear that the money could be spent better on other ideas in Wales.
My idea's are all based in and around South Wales but I am excited to see other peoples ideas about the whole country.
This topic is just a speculative idea as to where.
A couple of my ideas:
Maesteg to Swansea - The track is all in place, although as discussed on here a few years ago there is a bus service that is quicker without line speed improvement on the current diversionary only route between Tondu and Margam. Although new stops could be introduced at Cefn Cribwr, Kenfig Hill & Kenfig Industrial Estate.
Neath Valley Lines - They would require a reversal at Jersey Marine Junction to the new Swansea Parkway station being built, but Services to both Ollnwyn & Glynneath (potential reconnection to Tower Colliery and down to Cardiff via Aberdare (only 4 miles or so of track not in place).
Services Swansea (Fabian Way P&R) to Glynneath could then call at Llandarcy, Jersey Marine, Neath Abbey, Neath Riverside, Clyne, Resolven, Cwmgrach and Glynneath.
Bridgend Valley Lines - Services from Bridgend (Terminating at the little used bay Platform 3 or joinning/splitting with a maesteg service at Tondu etc) Could then travel to Ogmore Vale (the whole trackbed is a cycle path the whole way up in to the old station). and Pontycymmer (track in place but will need to be replaced). Pontycymmer services calling at Brynmennyn, Llangeinor and Pontycymmer. Ogmore Vale services calling at Brynmennyn, Blackmill, Lewistown&Pantyarwel and Ogmore Vale. (potentially on to Nantymoel via Wyndham although a bit more tricky).
New stations at Landore (for Liberty Stadium) & Reinstating the station at Cockett in Swansea.
Pontyclun to Beddau - Trackbed now a cycle track in locations and requires the reinstating of the level crossing on the main road near the retail park but stops at Talbot Green, Cross Inn & Beddau.
I look forward to seeing other hypothetical idea's and contributions to why mine would/wouldn't work.
My idea's are all based in and around South Wales but I am excited to see other peoples ideas about the whole country.
This topic is just a speculative idea as to where.
A couple of my ideas:
Maesteg to Swansea - The track is all in place, although as discussed on here a few years ago there is a bus service that is quicker without line speed improvement on the current diversionary only route between Tondu and Margam. Although new stops could be introduced at Cefn Cribwr, Kenfig Hill & Kenfig Industrial Estate.
Neath Valley Lines - They would require a reversal at Jersey Marine Junction to the new Swansea Parkway station being built, but Services to both Ollnwyn & Glynneath (potential reconnection to Tower Colliery and down to Cardiff via Aberdare (only 4 miles or so of track not in place).
Services Swansea (Fabian Way P&R) to Glynneath could then call at Llandarcy, Jersey Marine, Neath Abbey, Neath Riverside, Clyne, Resolven, Cwmgrach and Glynneath.
Bridgend Valley Lines - Services from Bridgend (Terminating at the little used bay Platform 3 or joinning/splitting with a maesteg service at Tondu etc) Could then travel to Ogmore Vale (the whole trackbed is a cycle path the whole way up in to the old station). and Pontycymmer (track in place but will need to be replaced). Pontycymmer services calling at Brynmennyn, Llangeinor and Pontycymmer. Ogmore Vale services calling at Brynmennyn, Blackmill, Lewistown&Pantyarwel and Ogmore Vale. (potentially on to Nantymoel via Wyndham although a bit more tricky).
New stations at Landore (for Liberty Stadium) & Reinstating the station at Cockett in Swansea.
Pontyclun to Beddau - Trackbed now a cycle track in locations and requires the reinstating of the level crossing on the main road near the retail park but stops at Talbot Green, Cross Inn & Beddau.
I look forward to seeing other hypothetical idea's and contributions to why mine would/wouldn't work.
Last edited:
