Wild Swan Books
The South Wales Main Line
Part One - Cardiff
John Hodge
Hardback - 100 pages - £19.95
Contents- Eastern Approaches
- Pengam & Roath
- Newtown & Long Dyke
- Cardiff General Station
- Canton Engine Shed
Cardiff was of great importance to the Great Western and the Western Region of British Railways. In addition to the extensive railway facilities catering for the heavy flow of traffic between the coaffields, industrial sites and the docks, the city also contained a considerable variety of amenities to handle main line traffic, as well as freight originating from or destined for the docks and valleys in connection with other parts of the system.
In the 1950s, the facilities on the main line commenced in the east at Rumney River Bridge, and ran westwards to encompass the yards of Pengam and Roath, the large goods shed and yard at Newtown, the city's impressive General station, and the renowned engine shed at Canton.
John Hodge has compiled an outstanding selection of his own and Bob Tuck's photographs to illustrate the railway scene from Marshfield to Canton inclusive, including extended sections on Pengam and Roath yards, General station and Canton shed.
A comprehensive record of main line passenger and goods traffic in the 1950s and early 1960s is incorporated into this irresistible volume, along with inspiring views of engines around Canton shed during the same period. A glimpse of Cardiff's heavy local through traffic between the Valleys or Clarence Road and Penarth or Barry, running via General or Riverside stations, is also afforded, providing an interesting contrast with main line movements.
Example Two Page Spread [1]
Example Two Page Spread [2]
