Query on a line connection between Brynamman West and Brynamman East stations

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Brynamman West closed in 1958 and Brynamman East closed in 1950. The former one was accessed by services of the Amman Valley Line and the later one was accessed by branch services of the Swansea Vale Railway. Has anyone any knowledge of any physical running line connection between these two stations that would have allowed through running and if so, what type of services would they have been.

Also from Ystalfera station on the Swansea Vale Railway, the branch passed through the stations of Gwys and Cwmllynfell (both also closed in 1950) towards the Brynamman East station and I need to know if there were any other halts ever constructed in addition to these on this particular branch line.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Brynamman West closed in 1958 and Brynamman East closed in 1950. The former one was accessed by services of the Amman Valley Line and the later one was accessed by branch services of the Swansea Vale Railway.

Has anyone any knowledge of any physical running line connection between these two stations that would have allowed through running and if so, what type of services would they have been.

Very much home territory ! - the physical connection was used only by freight or goods) trains - passenger stock was banned due to the very tight clearances in the "tunnel" on the link line between the GWR and LMS stations.(the A4067)

Passenger services from Brynamman West to Llanelli via Ammanford ceased in August 1958 - and the ex LMS route to Swansea via Pontardawe in 1950. Both routes hung on until 1964 - though due to the catastrophic industrial decline - traffic was very low at the end. Both stations were supervised by the GWR Station Master from the 1920's. .

As far as I know - the only through workings were a goods train from Pantyffynon to Pontardawe over this connection, - effectively linking South West Wales locations and the Swansea Valley - a shortcut avoiding the slog via the main line. Odd to think of 2 goods yards seperated by the road - and operated by 2 companies. Should have been rationalised much earlier.

 

[Greenback]

The historical background to the two Brynamman stations is very interesting and worht looking into if you are interested in such thins, Paul. I've read quite a lot about the local lines around Llanelli, Swansea and Ammanfrod, often sourcing books from libraries in these parts.

ChiefPlanner is, of course right about the connection between Brynamman East and West. A rather unique survivor of the Victorian development of railway services by different companies, which used to be so common but which was often lost when institutions like the GWR took over smaller competing companies.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Brynamman was quite a hotbed of iron making / tinplate works and collieries by 1890 - such that a third railway - the Neath , Pontardawe and Brynamman was promoted (by of all companies the Barry railway - with running rights over the GWR !) - to counter this the GWR promoted a Felin Fran - GCG line via Pontardawe - which was never completed beyond Trebanos (with an intriguing disused tunnel and a never used viaduct at GCG) - I have an idea on doing a book on this - and the GWR investment in West Wales. My retirement project. (or one anyway)

Though the GWR / LMS co-operated - with the former SM looking after the latter. Hard to imagine passenger loadings on the Midland section to Swansea exceeded commuter flows into St Pancras by 1910. Large profits were made in the Edwardian era.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It is indeed quite an interesting area in terms of railway research and the information contained in these postings, plus the PM that were kindly sent to me, have been a great help.

 

[Greenback]

I find that the Llanelli area is fascinating in terms of the railways that were planned and built, and I was surprised to discover that places I'd considered relatively rural, such as Kidwelly, were also subject to all sorts of plans by various companies who wanted a share of the profits that were anticipated from accessing all the minerals that were thought to be in the area.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

I find that the Llanelli area is fascinating in terms of the railways that were planned and built, and I was surprised to discover that places I'd considered relatively rural, such as Kidwelly, were also subject to all sorts of plans by various companies who wanted a share of the profits that were anticipated from accessing all the minerals that were thought to be in the area.

Quite - unlike today's economy - South Wales was a massive powerhouse of industry and commerce in the 19th and early 20thC.

Some of my own ancestors - from Holland and London (had to be near Paddington did it not !) - migrated to the Swansea hinterland for work opportunities....(and did well enough)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I find that the Llanelli area is fascinating in terms of the railways that were planned and built, and I was surprised to discover that places I'd considered relatively rural, such as Kidwelly, were also subject to all sorts of plans by various companies who wanted a share of the profits that were anticipated from accessing all the minerals that were thought to be in the area.

Of course, the tinplate industry of the Llanelli area was seen to be the place to base these works.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Of course, the tinplate industry of the Llanelli area was seen to be the place to base these works.

"Tinopolis"

 

[AndrewE]

"Tinopolis"

Could be the cue for a visit to this place:
http://kidwellyindustrialmuseum.org.uk/?page_id=87
A

 

[Greenback]

Llanelli = Tinopolis, Swansea = Copperopolis

There was quite a network of lines where my father in law lives. There was a big GWR shed just down the road which closed back in the early 1960's I think, and now replaced by housing. He says he grew up with the noise of trains as an ever present background, along with the clanking of machinery from the local works and factories, all now vanished.

It's easy to follow the alignment of many of the lines, as they have been turned into footpaths. even where there is no footpath, traces of bridge abutments and such things remain. There's even a stretch of rail left in an old level crossing, though that is on the old Cynheidre line which didn't close until the early 1990's.

Going back to the 1950's and beyond, there were lots of lines running along the roads hereabouts. The next street to me had one! It's hard to believe today that people used to leave their house through the front door and be just metres from a totally unfenced railway line, albeit a low speed one, and the locomotives and wagons that used to use it!