DMU Operations: Western Region
Rhymney - Cardiff / Penarth
DMUs were gradually introduced to services from 13th January 1958.
Class 116s were the main DMUs used for many years.
The rear of the Improved Services leaflet was a map.
Sample Timetables
4 May 1970 to 2 May 1971
2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded
Images
circa mid-1960s
Derby suburban triple DMUs at Rhymney circa mid-1960s. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa 1971
A Class 116 set at Rhymney circa 1971. John Law.
31st March 1972
A view of Rhymney Station and the DMU stabling point seen on the the 31st of March 1972. The KDH Archive.
27th February 1974
Class 116 DMU set C313 in Penarth station with the 09:14 service to Rhymney on 27 February 1974. Robert Thomas.
27th April 1974
Two Class 116 DMU sets in Rhymney station on 27 April 1974 with the 12.42 to Penarth. Note the collection of tail lamps hung underneath the footbridge. Tom Burnham.
January 1975
Penarth Station, 01/75, with a BR (Derby) Suburban 3-car dmu (Class 116) No.C351 (presumably 50917 + 59369 + 50864) plus another set on a Rhymney service. Hugh Llewelyn.
January 1975
Penarth Station, 01/75, with a BR (Derby) Suburban 3-car dmu (Class 116) No.C351 (presumably 50917 + 59369 + 50864) plus another set on a Rhymney service Hugh Llewelyn.
February 1975
BR (Derby) Suburban 3-car dmu (Class 116) No.C354 (consisting of Class 116/1, 175 & 116/2 cars) in BR Rail Blue with all yellow front end, nearing Llanishen, Cardiff with a Penarth - Rhymney service, 02/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
February 1975
A Class 116 DMU (with it seems W50130 closest) in Rhymney Station, 02/75. Built 1858 by the Rhymney Railway to their standard station design a simple single storey building constructed of stone. Note the contemporary fashion of the day! Hugh Llewelyn.
February 1975
BR (Derby) Suburban 3-car dmu (Class 116) No.C317 in BR Rail Blue with all yellow front end, approaching Heath (High Level) on a Rhymney - Penarth service, 02/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
February 1975
A Class 116 DMU in Rhymney Station, 02/75. Built 1858 by the Rhymney Railway to their standard station design a simple single storey building constructed of stone. Hugh Llewelyn.
May 1975
BR (Derby) Suburban 3-car dmu (Class 116) No.C323 (50843 and presaumably 59355 + 50896) in BR Rail Blue with all yellow front end, leaving Cardiff (Central) with a Penarth - Rhymney service, 05/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
June 1975
BR (Swindon) Cross Country 3-car dmu (Class 120) No.C507 (consisting of Class 120/1, 179 & 120/2 cars) in BR Rail Blue & Grey with all yellow front end, coupled to a BR (Derby) 3-car suburban dmu's (Class 116) at Cardiff (Central) unusually on a Rhymney service. Hugh Llewelyn.
5th June 1976
Two Class 116 DMUs at Cardiff Central with what is thought to be the 10:42 (SO) Rhymney-Penarth service on 5 June 1976. Closest is refurbished C311, presumably 50895 + 59350 + 50842. Robert Thomas.
circa 1978
A Western Region publicity image (negative T88-228-17) - sadly a little water damaged - showing refurbished Class 116 DMU set C335 (presumably 51153 + 59032 + 51140) at Llanishen, circa mid-to-late 1978, heading to Rhymney. Image courtesy of Diesel Unit Preservation Associates. British Rail.
2nd May 1979
South Wales valleys line bashing - Maytime and it's snowing quite heavily! This is set C451 (presumably 51380 + 59371 + 51338) at Rhymney on 2 May 1979. This pic was taken less than an hour after I had been at Coryton in 70 degree heat. Alistair Ness.
12th August 1979
Class 116 DMU set C305 (Presumably 50131 + 59039 + 50089) passes under the Highfield Road bridge, just south of Heath stations at Heath Junction in Cardiff. With Rhymney on the destination blind, this is likely a Rhymney - Cardiff service. Undated, the unpainted cab window surround dates it to around autumn 1979, and, given the two photographers, possibly on the 12th August 1979 as the RPPR Welsh Warrior railtour would pass this way. Stuart Mackay Collection.
16th September 1979
The final port of call on the 16th September 1979 NREA 'shed bash' was to bag the DMU sets stabled at Rhymney. Viewed from the now demolished island platform, disused for many years, refurbished Derby Works class 116 high density suburban triple set C315 (W50855-W59363-W50908), eventually forming a Cardiff service stands in Rhymney station, in the initial but short-lived white/blue stripe livery with brown underframe. All class 116 units were new to the Western Region and were delivered in 1957-58 and were synonymous with South Wales valley services. Gordon Edgar.
13th October 1979
Class 117 DMU set C454 (presumably 51394 + 59359 + 51352) on the 14.08 Penarth-Rhymney at Caerphilly on 13 October 1979. Note that the seats on Platform 2 still have the GWR monogram cast into the ironwork. Tom Burnham.
13th October 1979
Aber Branch Junction on 13 October 1979 - DMU sets C302 (presumably 50128 + 59036 + 50086) and C312 (presumably 50843 + 59355 + 50896) are on the 15.08 Penarth-Rhymney. Tom Burnham.