DMU Operations: Western Region
Newport - Brynmawr
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.
The introduction of the DMUs was not enough to make the line remunerative, passenger services were withdrawn on 30 April 1962 after just 4½ years of DMU operation.
Sample Timetables
The timetable was a booklet that also covered the Newport-Blaenavon (Low Level) and Aberbeeg-Ebbw Vale services.
9th June to 14th September 1958
Cover only shown.
15th September 1958 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.
Images
April 1962
The view from a Brynmawr bound DMU approaching Newport tunnels in April 1962. Stuart Mackay Collection.
April 1962
The view from a Brynmawr bound DMU approaching Newport tunnels in April 1962. Stuart Mackay Collection.
April 1962
Something a little different. Posters at Brynmawr in April 1962, the first three featuring DMUs. Why Queue? Why park your car? Why endure congestion? Diesel Rail Services are quicker - says the first. Despite all the diesel publicity, the DMUs didn't invigorate the passenger figures, and the fifth poster, on top of another railcar poster, seems to be the closure notice, the passenger services ended on the 30th of that month. A Derby suburban set can be seen through the fence. Stuart Mackay Collection.
April 1962
A Derby suburban triple, W50088 closest, at Brynmawr in April 1962, the final month of passenger services. Stuart Mackay Collection.
23rd April 1962
The 3.15pm Newport-Brynmawr service is seen south of Bournville Halt on 23 April 1962 (Easter Monday). It is formed of a Derby suburban triple DMU, the DMS being W50127. Passenger services here would we withdrawn at the end of the month, and the W50127 would be transferred to Tyseley. Michael Mensing.