Pant Jct. - Dowlais (Central)
Date Closed to Passenger Services
2 May 1960
Mileage Closed
1m 32c
Stations Closed
Pantysgallog Halt (High Level); Dowlais (Central)
Services Operated
Bargoed - Dowlais (Central)
Timetable Reference
BR (WR) 15 Jun - 13 Sep 59 Tables 121 & 122
Cobb Atlas Reference
139 05 09 - 06 08
Map
RCH South Wales 1926
Further Notes
"Service suspended" Oct 1939; resumed Dec 1940; from 30/06/1952 service advertised as workmens' trains but, in practice, used by general public - RPSGB.
OCD - Mon 02/05/1960 - PNM 1980p37. Trains actually ran until LTR Fri 06/05/1960, "by local arrangement" according to PNM. However, RM Jul 1960 p514 states "all the trains ran as usual (but without passengers) on that day and throughout the week" and RPSGB states "‘clo’ 2 May 1960 but continued unadvertised until last, Friday 6 May 1960", which suggests nobody knew about it or, sadly, nobody used the service anyway!
The junction station at Pant comprised two higher level platforms on the "main" line between Dowlais Top and Pontsticill and a lower level platform serving the Dowlais Central branch. RM Jul 1960 p514 states "Trains from Dowlais ran past the platform on the branch at Pant, and stopped beyond the junction. The coaches were then pushed back to the main station where the engine ran round, and then proceeded to Bargoed. The procedure was similar in the reverse direction". As the latter-day timetables show all trains to/from Dowlais Central running to/from Bargoed (there were no trains running north towards Pontsticill Junction), this would suggest the lower, branch platform was not normally used.
See 'Old Merthyr Tydfil' website (http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/dowlaiscentralstation.htm) for some interesting photos of this and other stations in the area.
Page updated: 01/05/2022