WRRC Forum

I’m posting this on behalf of a new member.

I am requesting information on certain very occasional passenger services which may have been operated on the Blaenavon to Mill Street Station line, Newport. These services were in the winter, probably a feature of the Christmastide period of the year.
I am certain I travelled several times on such a service between 1944 and 1951, but have been unable to identify any such trains to date. In my memory it appears that the service may have been offered in connection with the annual pantomime at the Lyceum Theatre, Newport. On each occasion I travelled from Cwmffrwd Halt to the old terminus at Millstreet, Newport, with the return part of the journey using the same rails.
Any information on this matter would be most welcome!

Hi,

I had a look online and found a post and a link on a forum that was helpful. It appears that there are many timetables that appear to have been digitised on line. Here are a couple of links to a website where it appears to be possible to purchase the same.

Big Four:
https://timetableworld.com/big-four-1923-47/

The same site has some for BR western region, although the Blaenavon - Newport route appears to be covered in the 1950s on and slightly later than your period of interest.

BR Western Region:
https://timetableworld.com/wtt-wr/

I haven't tried to buy these timetables although they don't look to be too expensive so might be worthwhile trying.

One proviso - not sure if the trains you are interested in would be on the winter timetables if they were specials in connection with pantomimes at the Lyceum in Newport as you remember?

Hope this helps. Good luck with finding an answer.

Regards,

Joe RLVW

R.A. Cooke's track plans section 38 page 64 shows the details of the layout in 1902 with the site of the old platforms (in use till 1880) covered by sidings so it seems very unlikely that even an excursion passenger train would stop there.
However Cooke notes an emergency passenger service 29th May to 1st June 1931: I wonder if a search of local papers might throw up information on this.

An aerial photo taken in 1947 is unfortunately not clear enough to provide evidence (https://maps.nls.uk/view/238922398). It may be worthwhile seeking similar but better images.

The 25" map (https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=1 ... World&o=82) also does not show any platforms at the site of the old station.

So were temporary facilities provided? Or something else?