DMU Operations: Western Region
Newport-Blaenavon Low Level
South Wales had its first British Railway's DMUs introduced to local services on Monday 2nd December 1957 when they began operating three services: Newport-Pontypool (Crane Street)-Blaenavon (Low Level); Newport-Aberbeeg-Brynmawr; and Aberbeeg-Ebbw Vale (Low Level).
A handbill was issued for the new services, the rear side being a map of the two main routes (Eastern Valley and Western Valley) and the branch to Ebbw Vale Low Level.
The DMUs used seem to always be Cardiff allocated Derby suburban triple DMUs (Class 116s) with second class only.
Sample Timetables
The timetable was a booklet that also covered the Newport-Brynmawr and Aberbeeg-Ebbw Vale services.
9th June to 14th September, 1958
Cover only shown.
15th September to 14th June 1959
Cover only shown.
15th June to 12th September 1959
A leaflet that showed departure times for Newport trains from eight of the stations on the line.
The introduction of the DMUs was not enough to make the line remunerative, and the section from Blaenavon to Pontypool was closed on 30 April 1962 after just 4 1/2 years of DMU operation.
Images
1959
A Derby suburban triple set at Blaenavon Low Level Railway Station in 1959. Image by Norman Hurford. Peter Brabham Collection.
9th April 1962
A Derby suburban triple diesel unit (later known as a Class 116) at Blaenavon LL on 9th April 1962. Photograph by John Wiltshire. Peter Brabham Collection.
23rd April 1962
A Derby suburban triple DMU is seen just south of Pontypool Crane Street on 23 April 1962. It displays Blaenavon via Newport on the destination blind. Michael Mensing.
23rd April 1962
A Derby suburban triple DMU is seen to the north of Pontypool Crane Street station. Motor second W50131 is closest, displaying "Newport" on the destination blind - this is likely a Blaenavon to Newport service. The Blaenavon line would close to passengers that year and the set would be transferred to Laira by June. Michael Mensing.
23rd April 1962
The 10.40am ex-Newport service is seen after terminating at Blaenavon Low Level on 23 April 1962. The Derby suburban triple DMU set with DMS W51152 closest will begin the return journey at 11.45am. Michael Mensing.
28th April 1962
A Derby suburban DMU passes Blaenavon cwmavon brewery on 28th April 1962. Photograph by John Wiltshire. This is the kind of image that inspires you to make a model railway. I pass over that bridge every time I go to Blaenavon and look down at the derelict trackbed. The GWR "lower line", which ran along the valley floor from Blaenavon Low Level, to Pontypool closed on 30 April 1962 just 2 days after this shot was taken. In the background is Cwmavon Brewery a five storey tower brewery built in 1900 alongside the Afon Llwyd to take advantage of the water supply. The whole complex was sympathetically restored externally in recent years. The former brewery is currently in use as a plastics factory and it is listed as a scarce surviving example of a grand Victorian brewery in Wales. Unfortunately it was destroyed by fire in April 2012. Peter Brabham Collection.
28th April 1962
A Derby suburban DMU at Blaenavon Low Level Station on April 28th 1962. Photograph taken by John Wiltshire, this was two days before the Pontypool to Blaenavon Low Level line closed to passenger traffic. Peter Brabham Collection.
28th April 1962
A Derby built suburban DMU at Cwmffrwd Halt on 28th April 1962. This was taken 2 days before the Pontypool to Blaenavon Low Level line closed to passenger traffic. Photograph by John Wiltshire. Peter Brabham Collection.
28th April 1962
A Derby suburban DMU arriving at Cwmffrwd Halt on 28th April 1962, two days before the Pontypool to Blaenavon Low Level line closed to passenger traffic. Photograph by John Wiltshire. Peter Brabham Collection.