B&M Bargoed to Dowlais Top service 1962

[Sedge]

There were two services on this line, the Newport to Brecon and the Bargoed to Dowlais Top. The Newport to Brecon used 57XX, 2251 and towards the end Ivatt 2MTs. The Bargoed to Dowlais Top service used only 56XX stabled, I believe, at Rhymney and overnight at Dowlais Central. However, there are several photographs that I have seen which were taken during the last few years of the line, which show the Bargoed to Dowlais Top service in charge of a 57XX travelling bunker first on the UP journey and also bunker first on the DOWN journey which does not seem to make sense since it would have run around the carriages at Dowlais Top thus being boiler first on the return DOWN journey. Does anyone know the reason for this and at which sheds the engines were from. Brecon had a turntable which ensured that all engines on that service always travelled boiler first. I would have added photos but have not yet found out how to. Should anyone like to view the photos please let me know and I will email them to you.

[Sedge]

I have just noticed that one of the photographs shows a two carriage train headed by a bunker first 57XX (3634) on the DOWN journey at Dowlais Top which is dated 14 August 1957 !!!!