The Black Mountains

2 Responses to “Gyfylchi tunnel”

1. 1 Rhys Davies
   December 8, 2010 at 10:31 am

   Hi guys – I noted in your report on Gyfylchi that you suspect a branchline diverged from the SWMR just east of the tunnel.

   Well you’re absolutely right. I checked Old-Maps.co.uk and the branch is clearly shown following the route you suspected, connecting with the Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway at Pont-rhyd-y-fen station, just down the valley. The maps mark the branch as belonging to the R&SBR, and not the SWMR.

   It seems to have had a very short life – it is not shown on a map dated 1900 but has appeared by 1918. Conversely, a 1940 map shows it as being closed and the track lifted. Possibly when the GWR took over both concerns it decided this chord was superfluous, the South Wales Mineral line already having connections to the rest of its network at Tonmawr and Cymer.

   Just thought that would interest you

2. 2 David Jones
   April 12, 2011 at 6:28 pm

   Hi – The branch line referred to was authorised by the R&SB Rly No. 8 Act 1892 and the junction made on or about 10 June 1899. The line was never opened for traffic but was maintained by the contractor for about a year, being inspected by the R&SB directors on June 26 1900. The R&SB was asked to remove the junction in December 1915 (probably because the SWMR traffic it was intended to tap from the Corrwg valley was diverted instead to the Port Talbot Railway by a junction at Tonmawr)and this was authorised by the R&SB Board later that month. The line was removed about 1926 and abandoned by the GWR Act No 10 of 1929. Hope this helps.