Author: John Hodge and Ray Caston
Publisher: Pen and Sword Books
ISBN: 9781399070768
Price: RRP £25.00 (but available at a lower price)
Publication Date: 27th April 2022
Number of pages: 120
Format: Hardcover
How Obtained: Purchased
The section of Brecon and Merthyr Railway between Bargoed and Pontsticill was one of contrast. From a steep sided mining valley it emerged onto the barren wind swept heads of the valleys area scarred by quarrying, finally to dive into the picturesque Brecon Beacons.
Railways and Industry on the Brecon and Merthyr: Bargoed to Pontsticill Jct., Pant to Dowlais Central is Book 2 of a three part profile of the railway. Written by John Hodge and Ray Caston it was published in August 2022 by Pen and Sword books as a volume in their South Wales Valleys series.
However, unlike Book 1, this work contains little content other than location analyses about sites on or served by the B&M. A two-page introduction provides an overview of the railway between Bargoed and Pontsticill at the edge of the Brecon Beacons. The authors give a flavour of the passenger and freight services following takeover by the GWR in 1923, based on the published 1924 timetable. Furthermore, there is also some indication of services provided over 30 years later in 1958 and 1959.
Bargoed to Pontsticill; from coal mining to the Beacons
The overwhelming part of the book, comprising 100 pages, deals with descriptions, photographs and maps of stations and industries along the line. Allocated its own separate chapter is the branch line from Pant to Dowlais Central including the ironworks.
While many South Wales railways operated in diverse environments the contrast confronting the Brecon and Merthyr may have been most extreme. Travelling north following an enforced use via running powers of the Rhymney Railway track and station at Bargoed the line occupied a narrow steep sided valley, inevitably populated by coal mines.
After that it emerged onto the Heads of the Valleys near Dowlais, an area frequently prey to blustery winds and generally poor weather conditions and characterised by a landscape damaged by heavy limestone quarrying. Finally, north of Pant the railway starts to enter the Brecon Beacons with broad picturesque valleys.
What do you miss by not buying the first book?
For such an important north-south route in east Wales, which provided an alternative to the railway through Abergavenny and Hereford, the B&M was mostly single track with passing loops in the stations. This persisted until the end of its existence.
Hodge and Caston’s book illustrates the changing characteristics of this section of the B&M very well. That said, what will the reader miss by not purchasing Book 1 (we review that volume here)? Firstly there is an overall history of the Brecon and Merthyr Railway from the beginning in 1858 to grouping in 1923 and finally closure in 1962. Secondly, although there are a number of charming pictures of the early B&M locomotives, mostly saddle tanks, full coverage of motive power deployed on the line can only be found in Book 1.
In Summary
An engaging portrait of the locations to be found in the middle section of the Brecon and Merthyr Railway, mainly during the 1950s and 1960s. But beware that you miss out on some material which can only be found in the first book.
The Good
- Images are chosen to present a profile of the line as it passes through different environments
- Each location on the line is generously illustrated with photographs and maps
- Photograph annotations are informative, giving details of train services, locomotives employed and characteristics of the location
The Not So Good
- For much historical and motive power information relevant to the railway you will need to buy Book 1
- Some railway abbreviations and acronyms are not explained
- No subject index
Outline Contents
- Introduction
- Services after the Grouping based on 1924 Service Timetable
- Location Analyses
Bargoed
Groesfaen
Darran & Deri
Ogilvie Village Halt/Ogilvie Colliery
Fochriw
Pantywaun Halt
Dowais Top
Pant
Pontsticill Junction - Pant to Dowlais Central
Pant
Pantyscallog
Dowlais (Lloyd Street)/Dowlais Central
Passenger & Freight Working
Dowlais Iron Works
About the Authors – John Hodge and Ray Caston
John Hodge is a former railway manager in South Wales during the 1960s, who since retirement in 1992 has produced many articles and books on South Wales railways.
Ray Caston is a former chemist, working for Monsanto’s at Newport. He has lifelong association with the B&M where his father and grandfather were both employed. He has lived all his life at Bassaleg where he is a local councillor. Since 1970 he has maintained a continuous interest in the operation and history of the B&M line, Bassaleg being its southern terminus. He has a wide knowledge of the South Wales railway scene and is a valued member of local railway societies.
(From Pen and Sword Books)
Related reviews
Brecon to Newport by Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith
Railways and Industry on the Brecon and Merthyr: Bassaleg to Bargoed by John Hodge and Ray Caston
Railways and Industry on the Brecon and Mertyr: Merthyr to Pontsticill & Brecon by John Hodge and Ray Caston
South Wales Branch Lines by Harold Morgan