This line linked up with the TVR line at Pontypridd and the GWR
Newport to
Neath via Aberdare route.
More details on the dates of construction and abandonment can be found
here
(RAILSCOT
website). Much of this route has disappeared under the A470, but
both
bridges over the Taff remain. T. The table on the right details the
current
state of the line. There is a photogallery at the bottom of the page.
The northern part of the line was originally constructed in 1841,
between Stormstown Junction on the Taff Vale Mainline and Llancaiach
Colliery. Due to the difference in elevation between Stormstown
Junction (by the river Taff) and Llancaiach, and the steepness of the
floor of the Mafon Valley, running down from Nelson to the Taff, the
line was constructed as two relatively level sections,with a single
rope-worked incline running up the eastern side of the Taff Valley.
Later, a lower level track was constructed, bypassing the incline in
1873. This was joined up in 1900 with the extended Cilfynydd
branch (built1885) that originally only ran between Pontypridd and
Cilfynydd.
 |
Nelson and Llancaiach station is somewhat overgrown although
the platforms are extant. The section of trackbed from Llancaiach
Junction towards Nelson has been partially redeveloped . The rest of
the trackbed and the triangle in the junction is unused. The eastern
side of the juction is heavily overgrown. The whole area is
boggy.
Nelson Station originally lay in a cutting. This has now been filled in, with the bus station and police station on the site. The northen parapet of Commercial Street bridge remains by the roadside |
| The section between Nelson Station and Llanfabon Road Station has been extensively built upon. | |
| The trackbed can be followed almost entirely between Llanfabon Road and the base of the incline. Where the old route and the newer cut run parallel, just to the north of Travellers Rest, only the lower newer route is passable due to vegetation. | |
| The lower section of the old line is present as an embankment
running between the River taff and the A470, where it is cut off.
Part of the structure of the Taff bridge (converted as a pipeline
bridge) and a bridge over a track are extant and accessible from the
southern end of Navigation Park. |
|
| The trackbed of the newer lower route between Travellers Rest
and Trallwng (total 5km) has been lost to redevlopment |
|
| A short section of the trackbed (200m) is now used as the Taff Trail just to the north of Francis Lane. | |
| The rail line runs between the back of houses (Bonvilston Road) and some allotments. It is generally inaccessible and overgrown. A short section is accessible just to the east of Berw Taff Bridge. The Taff Bridge itself is hard to gain access to. Nowadays, all this imposing bridge carries is a water pipeline. The pillar tops, made form steel are emblazoned with 'TVR' and '1885'. Foundry badges show that components were made by Finch and Co.. The section between Berw Rd bridge and the junction with the main line is now a motor repair yard. |
