GWR Ogwr Fach (Ogmore Vale) and Gilfach Branch.

Opened:  

Closed: 1930 (passengers) 1957 (freight)


Engineering code : OGM, GIL (Gilfach Branch) DBZ (Dimbath Branch)

The western end of the line, from Brynmemyn Junction to Tondu still has track in situ, however this is mothballed and not in use. 

The eastern section was construced as the Gilfach Branch off the Ely Valley Railway.  The Ely Valley Railway Company incorporated under Ely Valley Railway Act 13th July 1857.
It was leased to Great Western Railway Company as from 1st January 1861 by Great Western, Hereford Ross & Gloucester, and Ely Valley Railways' Act 29th July 1862.
Company was amalgamated with Great Western Railway Company as from 1st July 1903 by Great Western Railway Act 11th August 1903.
map Much of the trackbed between Hendreforgan Junction and the Ely Valley Railway has been lost to development and the Tonyrefail A4093 bypass.
The northern half of the Gilfach Branch has been lost to colliery reclamation.  The terrace carrying the trackbed to the west of Hendreforgan is extant and the trackbed can be followed as far as the A4093 bridge.  A hous has been built in the cutting to the south of the bridge. The remainder of the branch towards Gilfach Junction is extant.
The trackbed can be followed through farmland from Gilfach Junction as far as Old Parish Road at Blackmill.  There are plans to turn this into a cycleway at some stage in the future.  The bridge over the Ogwr fach has been partly demolished but otherwise most structres are intact, although the line is rather overgrown. The bridge at Old Parish Road was removed in 2006.
It is not possible to follow the trackbed through Blackmill, The teackbed can be picked up again at Blackmill Station and followed through to Brynmenyn.  This section was abandoned in 1984 and has been turned into a recreational route. Interestingly some of the signage remains. 
The platforms of Brynmenyn Station remain, with track of the Garw Branch joining the Ogmore route.  This track is mothballed.  The trackbed continues to Tondu Junction. Track signage remains in situ, although trains have not passed in a considerable amount of time. 




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Gilfach Garden Village

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Gilfach Garden Village

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Gilfach Garden Village

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Nant Hendreforgan

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North from A 4093 Bridge

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A 4093 Bridge

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South end of Gilfach Branch

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Towards Hendreforgan station and Gilfach junction
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Near Gilfach Junction

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South end of Gilfach Branch

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Tynewydd

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Tynewydd
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Tynewydd

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Tynewydd bridge

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Tynewydd bridge

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Craig Las lane
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West of Craig Las

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East of Llwyn Helig

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Culvert near Llwyn Helig Bridge

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Llwyn Helig Bridge
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Glanogwr area

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Glanogwr area

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Glanogwr area

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Old Parish Road, Blackmill
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Blackmill

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Site of Blackmill Station

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Site of Blackmill Station

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Site of Blackmill Station
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Between Blackmill and Abergarw

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Gradient marker

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Between Blackmill and Abergarw

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Between Blackmill and Abergarw
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Between Blackmill and Abergarw

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Between Blackmill and Abergarw

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Between Blackmill and Abergarw

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A 4065 Abergarw Road
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Between Blackmill and Abergarw

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Garw River (lower bridge)
Garw River (upper bridge)
Garw River (upper bridge)

Bryn Road level crossing
Bryn Road level crossing
Bryn Road level crossing
Brynmenyn Station

Brynmenyn Station
'Distant' signal warning
Overgrown track, Brynmenyn
Brynmenyn

Brynmenyn
Brynmenyn
Chainage marker
Bryn Road

Bryn Road bridge
Llynfi River bridge
Towards Tondu Junction
Towards Tondu Junction

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