DMU Operations: Western Region
Aberdare - Abercynon / Cardiff / Penarth etc.
DMUs were gradually introduced to services from 13th January 1958, using Class 116s. Services were mix of the 7 ¾ mile branch trains to Aberynon on the Merthyr line, and through services to Barry, Barry Island, Pontypridd, Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bute Road etc.
The rear of the Improved Services leaflet was a map.
The Aberdare - Abercynon section closed to passengers in June 1964.
Services started to be resumed in the mid-1980s, with the line formally re-opening in October 1988.
Sample Timetables
9 September 1963 to 14 June 1964
In the Passenger Services Western Region timetable it was Table 127 (0.3 mb pdf).
Images
12th May 1963
A Derby suburban triple DMU in Aberdare Low Level station on 12 May 1963. W50864 is closest looking recently repainted and is missing its destination blind. The vehicle spent its whole career allocated to Cardiff, initially at Cathays then moving to Canton late in 1964. Stuart Mackay Collection.
4th June 1964
Llantwit Major on 4th June 1964 with the 4.2pm Bridgend - Aberdare Low Level a week before the service was withdrawn. Robert Thomas.
4th June 1964
A unit waiting to leave Bridgend on the 4.2 to Aberdare Low Level on 4th June 1964 a week before the Vale of Glamorgan line service was withdrawn. Robert Thomas.
16th February 1985
Class 116 DMU set C301 (53126 + 59373 + 53084) at Aberdare on 16 February 1985. Rob Paterson.
16th February 1985
Class 116 DMS W53126 of set C301 in Aberdare station on 16 February 1985. Rob Paterson.
16th February 1985
Class 116 DMU set C301 (53084 + 59373 + 53126) at Aberdare on 16 February 1985. Rob Paterson.
13th November 1987
Is that two staff member standing looking at the engine? This is believed to be 53061, seen at Aberdare on 13 November 1987. It was allocated to Tyseley at the time and displays set number TS627 in the left cab window. M53092 is on the rear, the centre car is presumably Class 127 TSL 59596. Stuart Mackay Collection.
13th November 1987
A Tyseley suburban DMU set in Aberdare station on 13 November 1987. Closest is Class 116 DMS M53092. The set number in the left cab window has been turned over and "Express To " chalked on with no destination mentioned. The other two vehicles are presumably Class 127 TSL M59596 and Class 116 DMBS M53061 (see image 23529). Stuart Mackay Collection.
12th November 1988
Class 116 DMS 53122 from set C360 at Aberdare station with the 12:05 SO to Penarth on 12 November 1988. Robert Thomas.
1989
51147 is seen on the rear of Class 116 DMU set C392 departing from Aberdare circa summer 1989. Brian Ward.
28th January 1989
A recent exile at the time from the West Midlands caused by the arrival of newer class 156 Sprinter DMU's (hence no destination blind) is ex Tyseley set T312 comprising vehicles 51380+59504+51338. The train is seen passing Abercynon South station on January 28, 1989 while working the 12.00 Cardiff Central to Aberdare. It will shortly call at Abercynon North station which opened on 03.10.1988 and was built when the Aberdare branch was reopened to passenger traffic. Adrian Nicholls.
25th February 1989
Class 116 Set C392 (presumably 51134 + 51147) with the 1403 Penarth - Aberdare arrived at Aberdare (at 1600) on Saturday 25th February 1989. Colin Brooks.
25th February 1989
Class 116 set C392 (presumably 51147 + 51134) with the 1608 Aberdare - Cardiff Central awaits time at Aberdare on Saturday 25th February 1989. Colin Brooks.
15th April 1989
The 14.00 Cardiff - Aberdare, in the form of Class 116 power twin no C374, 53848 leading presumably with 53887, arrives at Taffs Well on 15 April 1989. Robert28194.
15th April 1989
The 14.00 Cardiff - Aberdare after arrival at its terminus on 15 April 1989. Class 116 power twin C374 contains DMBS 53848 and the DMS closest is presumably 53887. Robert28194.
6th May 1989
53053 with the Tyseley set number T324 is working the 13.08 Aberdare to Penarth service on 06/05/1989. The train is passing the large Abercwmboi Phuracite plant which is happily pumping smoke into the atmosphere. The plant has 2 ex-BR 08 shunters at work in the yard and a mix of different coal wagons can be seen in the background. Geoff Dowling.
30th May 1989
Carrying an improvised set number, Cardiff Class 101 set 992 (53325 and 53303) is seen in Cardiff Central on 30 May 1989 while working the 17:27 (SX) from Aberdare. Robert Thomas.
30th June 1989
Met-Camm Class 101 set C986 (51513 + 51222) at Aberdare on June 30, 1989. John Carter.
30th June 1989
C986 (DMS 51513 + DMBS 51222) in Aberdare station on June 30, 1989. John Carter.
17th July 1989
Two-car Class 116 set C392 (presumably 51147 + 51134) seen just N. of Penrhiwceiber working 14:03 Penarth to Aberdare on the 17th July 1989. Michael Mensing.
21st August 1989
53224 running as C984 - a 2-car hybrid with a Class 108 (presumably 53635) - at Abercynon where it regains the Taff Vale main line to Pontypridd and Cardiff while operating the Aberdare service on 21/8/89. Mac Winfield.
25th September 1989
On 25/09/89 2-Car Class 116 DMU set C375 (53855+53908) heads north west up the Cynon Valley with the 14.03 Penarth to Aberdare service while 08 660 hired to National Smokeless Fuels Ltd at Aberaman Coke Works stands in the yard. The class 08 was a vacuum braked only example and was withdrawn on 30.07.1991 before being broken up by Gwent Demolition Ltd at Margam in January 1994. Adrian Nicholls.
1991
Two-car Class 116 set C395 working on the Aberdare line in 1991, presumably 51140 + 51153. Michael Mensing.
1991
Two-car Class 116 set C395 working on the Aberdare line in 1991, presumably 51153 + 51140. Michael Mensing.