Cardiff (Parade) to Aberystwyth passnger train in the 1920s

[wokmad]

Can anyone provide any details of the passenger train that ran in the 1920s from Cardiff (Parade) via Caerphilly, Pontypridd, Treherbert, Briton Ferry, Llanelli and Carmarthen to Aberystwyth, and was notable for the number of pre-grouping lines it ran over? Also if possible a photograph showing the distinctive roof boards it was said to carry.

[Penrhos1920]

There have been three articles in Welsh Railways Archive that might help you:

WRA Vol II p231ff
WRA Vol III p35ff
WRA Vol III p72ff

My interest being Penrhos junctions, I'm interested in the trains that ran between Caerphilly and Pontypridd in 1920. My conclusion was that no Cambrian through coaches used that route. The only GWR train was from Newport.

Kidner in The Rhymney Rly p 40 mentions the latter train and says it ran over: Rhondda and Swansea Bay, Taff Vale, Alexandra (Newport & South Wales) Docks & Railway, Rhymney, B&M, Cambrian.

[wokmad]

Many thanks for the suggestions. I’m particularly interested in the through trains as mentioned in Vol. III pp. 38 and 72ff.

[0083]

The service inaugurated on 21st Aug 1920 was operated Fridays Saturdays and Mondays by the GW. It started at Newport at 12.45pm and took 5hrs 20mins with the return service leaving Aberystwyth at 1.10pm taking 5hrs 50mins. Usually hauled by a Dean Goods or occasionally an Aberdare, the Cardiff section was attached/detached at Caerphilly.
Congestion on the SW Mainlines was given as the reason for this diverse route.
Roof Boards were labelled Newport Caerphilly Treherbert Carmarthen & Aberystwyth
Cardiff (Parade) Caerphilly Treherbert Carmarthen & Aberystwyth
The following route and respective ownership was observed;
GW Newport to Bassaleg Jct (2m 62ch)
B&MR to Caerphilly South
or
RR Cardiff Parade to Caerphilly and Penrhos Jct
then
A(N&SW)D&RC to Pontypridd
TVR to Treherbert
R&SBR to Dynevor Jct
GW SDL Dynevor Jct to Morlais Jct
SWML Morlais Jct to Carmarthen
Carm & Card to Pencader Jct
M&MR to Aberystwyth Jct
Cam Rys to Aberystwyth Station (18ch)
Recorded as running upto September 1938 but by this time the Cardiff section originated from Bute Road as Parade was closed in 1928.

Another interesting fact were the 3 trains per day from Newport to Merthyr over 5 separate railway companies for a 30 mile journey averaging 80 minutes.
GW Newport to Bassaleg Jct (2m 62ch)
B&MR to Caerphilly South
RR to Penrhos Jct
A(N&SW)D&R to south of Pontypridd Station
Taff Vale for the remaining 11¾ miles to Merthyr except two short sections each of about half a mile long;
GW&TV Jt Brandy Bridge Jct to Mardy Jct and
GW Mardy Jct to Merthyr High Street

[Penrhos1920]

The service inaugurated on 21st Aug 1920 was operated Fridays Saturdays and Mondays by the GW. It started at Newport at 12.45pm and took 5hrs 20mins with the return service leaving Aberystwyth at 1.10pm taking 5hrs 50mins. Usually hauled by a Dean Goods or occasionally an Aberdare, the Cardiff section was attached/detached at Caerphilly.

Are there any photos of Dean Goods or Aberdares on this train? The only two photos I've seen show a TVR A class on the Treherbert portion and a pair of panniers.

[s.w.johnson]

I recently acquired some copies of LMS timetables from Sandy Croall - he was have a clearout. In the July 8th to September 29th 1935 timetables, there are two GWR trains which are listed in the Brecon Hereford timetable. Both trains are Saturdays only.

Train no 1 is the 11.15 am Barry to Llandrindod Wells. This gets to Talyllyn at 1.47 pm and Three Cocks at 2.10. It must run via the sidings at Builth Road.

Train no. 2 is the 9.55 am from Treherbert to Moat Lane, 12.35 pm at Talyllyn and 12.50 at Three Cocks.

I presume these are remnants of the pre-grouping services, especially the Treherbert working which would be aimed at people travelling to Aberystwyth (begs the question would it not be faster to go via the R&SB to Swansea, then to Carmarthen and the M&M?