Maesteg Line

The Maesteg Line is the descriptive name given to the services in South Wales from Cardiff to Bridgend and Maesteg. The line follows the South Wales Main Line as far as Bridgend, where it then diverges to continue to Maesteg.

History

The lines over which this service operates are in two sections:

• The South Wales Railway, between Cardiff and Bridgend. The line between Chepstow and Swansea opened on 18 June1850; it later became the GWR main line.
• From Bridgend, the Llynfi & Ogmore Valley Railway (L&OVR) was formed on 28 June1866 (itself the amalgamation of earlier lines); a standard gauge line as opposed to the main line. When the L&OVR threatened to build a competing line to the GWR, it forced the latter to change the gauge over its whole line from Didcot. On 1 July1873 the GWR took over the L&OVR.

The line from Bridgend originally operated beyond Maesteg through Caerau and the Cymmer Tunnel to Abergwynfi; and to Glyncorrwg, to collieries near both places. Junctions at both Tondu and Cymmer connected with east-west routes across the Welsh valleys.

The Maesteg branch was closed in 1970, however following a long campaign in the late 1980s and early 90s, the line reopened in 1992. The new stations and line were officially opened by Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and a plaque was unveiled at Maesteg station.

Today the line is operated by Arriva Trains Wales on services from Gloucester to Maesteg via Cardiff Central and Bridgend, and repeated from Maesteg to Gloucester.

Places served

The places served by the line are listed below.

• Cardiff Central
• Pontyclun
• Pencoed
• Bridgend
  • South Wales Main Line continues to Port Talbot and Swansea
  • Connections with Vale of Glamorgan Line to Llantwit Major, Rhoose and Barry
• Wildmill
• Sarn
• Tondu
• Garth
• Maesteg (Ewenny Road)
• Maesteg

The line is currently operated by Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) as part of the Valley Lines network. ATW replaced the previous franchise, Wales & Borders Trains in December 2003.

Reference

Historical notes are taken from The Railway Magazine July 1955, pp 445-454

Railway lines in Wales:
Main lines:	Gloucester-Newport Line   North Wales Coast Line   Shrewsbury-Chester Line   South Wales Main Line   Welsh Marches Line
Valley lines:		Butetown Branch		City Line		Coryton Line		Ebbw Valley Line		Maesteg Line
		Merthyr Line		Rhondda Line		Rhymney Line		Vale of Glamorgan Line
Rural lines:	Borderlands Line   Cambrian Line   Conwy Valley Line   Heart of Wales Line   West Wales Line