In search of South Wales steam
I MADE a number of visits to South Wales in the 1970s to see the remaining steam locos at work in the collieries. The most memorable of these was on a cold and wet Wednesday, December 1, 1976.
My journey started on the 05.24 Orpington to Charing Cross, then across to Paddington for the 06.42 to Swansea. This should have been a HST, but No. 47499 and eight coaches was standing in and this got us there on time after some very fast running, with 100mph reached three times. Who needs HSTs, I thought.
South Wales Transport bus service 101 got me to Pontardulais for 40 pence and I walked to Graig Merthyr Colliery, arriving at about 11.00. Here were four 0-6-0 saddle tanks but only one was working – Bagnall No. 2758 (of 1944). Hunslet
No. 3846 (1956) was out of use and Robert Stephenson Hawthorn No. 7170 (1944, ex71516) was a new arrival but also out of use. Finally, Hunslet No. 3770 (1944) was under repair in the small shed.
At 12.20 No. 2758 worked a trip from the exchange sidings up to the colliery and took a loaded train back at 12.45. I then adjourned to the local public house with the engine crew for much needed refreshment, during which the enginemen invited me to accompany them on their afternoon shift. Unfortunately, I had to politely decline as I had heard steam working in the next colliery, Brynlliw, and wanted to visit there during the afternoon.
So I caught South Wales Transport bus service 105 for the short journey to find Peckett 0-6-0 saddle tank No. 2114 (1950) in steam at 14.00. I had heard four trips from the exchange sidings earlier whilst at Pontardulais, but all was now quiet and as dusk fell and the rain started I wondered if my luck was out. But no, at 15.15 the little Peckett ran down to the exchange sidings and returned 10 minutes later struggling uphill with a train of empties.
There was just enough light to get a couple of shots of this working before I called it a day and caught the bus back to Swansea for the 17.05 HST to London and home. This was to be my last visit to South Wales for steam, which finished soon afterwards.
Don Benn By email