Cwmbargoed Branch
The steeply graded seven mile branch to the bleak outpost of Cwmbargoed diverges from the Rhymney line at Ystrad Mynach.
In this view, taken on 21 August 1991, the Cwmbargoed line is on the right of the picture, as
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This picture was taken about twenty minutes later and shows 37 800 arriving at Cwmbargoed with its rake of empty mgr
hoppers. The train was then loaded with opencast coal by means of mechanical excavator.
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37 800 is pictured at Cwmbargoed while its train is loaded.
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Later, the same afternoon, the loaded train is seen on its way back down the branch near the village of Bedlinog.
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In the summer of 1996, trains operated on the Cwmbargoed branch on Sundays. 37 702(leading) and 37 889 are
seen near the village of Trelewis on 21 July 1996. The train is bound for Aberthaw power station.
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This loaded train is seen shortly after leaving Cwmbargoed and is begining the descent back to Ystrad Mynach. I didn't
record a date for this picture but I do remember the long walk as this section of line is very remote, with no roads nearby.
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