Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Newport Railway
It was a little over 5 miles (8 km) in length, running from Pontypridd to a junction near Caerphilly; from there to Newport existing allied railways conveyed the mineral trains.The co-existence of these minerals encouraged the production of iron, but both that industry and the distribution of coal was limited by the very poor transport network, itself constrained by the valleys and intervening ridges.[1][2] Throughout this period, mineral products were transferred from canal boats, and later from tramroad wagons, to ships for export of coastal transport at wharves on the River Usk at Newport.[3] The volume of transported materials at Cardiff docks resulted in increasing congestion there, and it was reported that the masters of ships had to stand off for several days waiting for a berth to load their cargo.[3] Lord Tredegar was involved in the discussion, and for him the enhanced traffic which would pass the Park Mile on his lands would bring in substantial extra toll charges.Many of the directors and principal investors in the new company were involved in similar capacities with the Alexandra, and relations between the PC&NR and the A(N&SW)D&R were cordial.[1] The line was duly constructed, but an intended opening at the beginning of 1884 was delayed: owing to a defect in one of the abutments of the bridge crossing the River Taff at Pontypridd, men are pulling it down and propping the girders with timber, so that many months must now elapse before the reconstruction will be completed.[4]Even at the last minute there were problems which might have been foreseen: For some little time past, hopes and expectations have been entertained that the new Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Newport Railway would be opened for goods and mineral traffic today (Tuesday), but up to Monday evening [30 June 1884], the owners of the line, although they had made strenuous efforts with that object, had failed to remove all the difficulties which stood in the way, and in all probability the opening will not take place for several days to come.[5]Those difficulties were resolved, but there was worse to come: Attempt to Open the Line: Obstructive Attitude of the Great Western Railway Company.The train was moved to the limit of the boundary and left there, while most of the company proceeded to Newport to wait the result of a telegraphic dispatch to the head-office [of the GWR].Until that section was opened, the Pontypridd to Newport coal trains passed over the track of six railway companies in a journey of 19 miles (31 km).A passenger service of three trains a day over the line was started on 28 December 1887; they ran from Pontypridd (TVR station) to Newport.There were no stops on the PC&NR line itself; by this time the Gaer Loop at Newport was open, and the trains could run direct to the Great Western Railway's High Street station.[7] The Taff Vale Railway had been working the mineral trains between Pontypridd and Newport since the outset, but gave notice that at they wished to cease doing so in 1903.[8] There had not been any intermediate stations on the PC&NR line, but in the first few years of the twentieth century, railway managers were considering how low-cost provision of passenger stops in lightly trafficked areas might be achieved.It was decided to duplicate the worst part of the route on an easier gradient, and this was authorised by the Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Newport Railway Act 1887 (50 & 51 Vict.[1] There was an obvious reliance by the PC&NR on the Alexandra (Newport & South Wales) Dock and Railway, and the latter was a much larger undertaking.
AberdareRhonddaAlexandra DocksNewportPontypriddCaerphillyrailmotorMonmouthshire Railway and Canal CompanyMonmouthshire Canal NavigationPontnewynyddPontypoolCrumlinMonmouthshire Canal Navigation Act 179232 Geo. 3Newport DocksRiver Usktidal rangeAlexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and RailwaySirhowy ValleyTaff ValleyCynon ValleyTaff Vale RailwayRhymney RailwayBrecon and Merthyr RailwayJames SzlumperGreat Western RailwayBassalegWorld War IMerthyrWorld War IIMersey Railwayrailmotorsclerestory50 & 51 Vict.MachenRailways Act 1921Cardiff RailwayBritish RailwaysUpper BoatRhydyfelinPenrhoscyclewayAbercynonPontypridd CentralPontypridd Tram RoadGlyntaff HaltTreforest HaltRhydyfelin (High Level) HaltDynea HaltUpper Boat HaltGroeswen HaltNantgarw (High Level) HaltBarry RailwayLlanbradachCardiff CentralMonmouthshire RailwayEbbw ValeSouth Wales RailwayNewport, Abergavenny and Hereford RailwayMerthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny RailwayPontypool, Caerleon and Newport RailwayAberdare RailwayAberdare Valley RailwayAberystwith and Welsh Coast RailwayAlexandra Docks and RailwayBala and Dolgelly RailwayBala and Festiniog RailwayBlaenavon TramroadBrecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction RailwayBridgend RailwayBristol and South Wales Union RailwayBurry Port and Gwendraeth Valley RailwayCambrian RailwaysCarmarthen and Cardigan RailwayCarmarthenshire Railway or TramroadClarbeston Road and Letterston RailwayColeford, Monmouth, Usk and Pontypool RailwayCorris RailwayCorwen and Bala RailwayDenbigh, Ruthin and Corwen RailwayEly and Clydach Valleys RailwayEly Valley RailwayEly Valley Extension RailwayGwendraeth Valleys RailwayHereford, Hay and Brecon RailwayKington TramwayLampeter, Aberayron and New Quay Light RailwayLlancaiach BranchLlanelly and Mynydd Mawr RailwayLlanidloes and Newtown RailwayLlangollen and Corwen RailwayLlangurig branchLlantrisant and Taff Vale Junction RailwayLlynvi and Ogmore RailwayMaerdy BranchManchester and Milford RailwayMawddwy RailwayMid-Wales RailwayMonmouth and Hereford Railway Narberth Road and Maenclochog RailwayNeath and Brecon RailwayNewtown and Machynlleth RailwayNorth Pembrokeshire and Fishguard RailwayNorth Wales Mineral RailwayOswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch RailwayOswestry and Newtown RailwayPembroke and Tenby RailwayPort Talbot RailwayRhondda and Swansea Bay RailwayRumney RailwayRoss and Monmouth RailwayShrewsbury and Chester RailwayShrewsbury, Oswestry and Chester Junction RailwayTanat Valley Light RailwayVale of Glamorgan RailwayVale of Llangollen RailwayVale of Neath RailwayVale of Rheidol RailwayWelshpool and Llanfair Light RailwayWest Midland RailwayWhitland and Cardigan RailwayWye Valley RailwayWrexham and Ellesmere RailwayLondon and North Western RailwayAnglesey Central RailwayBangor and Carnarvon Railway