Opened : 1905
Closed - 1963
Engineering Code: CTD?
Garth tunnel was constructed in 1900 to take the Barry Railway branch to Llanbradach through the limestone ediface of Lesser Garth Hill. In total the tunnel is 450m long, built to take double tracks. The Llanbradach branch was built primarily for freight transportation. The closure of the Treforest branch in 1962 and the fire in the Tynycaeau signalbox forced the closure of this branch in the mid 1960's. As with most abandoned tunnels it was gated off.
More recently the central portion of the tunnel has been breached by expansion of the Taff's Well quarry. The south portal has been partially opened, allowing access into the tunnel. Where the tunnel has been breached, it is blocked by scree slope, although there is a 30cm squeeze into the quarry. The tunnel roof at the breach looks unstable. Taff's Well quarry is active Monday to Saturday. The north portal is securely locked. Again the northern section is blocked by quarry debris but there appears to be debris in the tunnel between the breach and the gate, suggesting that the tunnel has started to collapse. The trackbed heads northwards in a cutting, then on the side of the hill for about 400m before reaching the south abutment of the Walnut Tree Viaduct.
Concrete footbridge by south portal |
Concrete footbridge by south portal |
South Portal |
South portal close view |
Railwayman's refuge by scree slope |
Railwayman's refuge |
Tunnel brickwork |
Tunnel brickwork |
Inside north section |
North portal doors |
North portal |
Cutting at north portal |