HISTORY
Cefn Glas Tunnel carried the Taff Vale Extension of the Newport, Abergavenny & Hereford Railway which was absorbed into the Great Western’s empire in 1863, a year before the line opened. The route made an end-on connection with the Aberdare Valley Railway at Middle Duffryn Junction; the southern end was at Quakers Yard, named after a local burial ground. The single track route shut up shop on 15th June 1964.
The 703-yard tunnel is straight except for a slight northerly curve close to the western portal. It is amply equipped with refuges and its profile changes at various points. Although mostly dry, the tunnel is not in great condition - towards its centre, sections of its lining have come away. Comprising a brick roof with masonry walls, its patchwork nature suggests that, even during operational times, much repair work was needed.
A coal seam has been worked through the south wall of the tunnel - some of this occurred during the 1984 miners strike.
THE VISIT
Visited with wonkycows.
This tunnel is about a mile from me but I had never previously gone through it - long story about the dog refusing to go near it, animals 6th sense, etc. but eventually left the dog at home and paid a proper visit.
There is a lot of fall / debris in the tunnel but where exactly this stuff is from is debatable. One lot of fall about 300 yards in is definatly builders rubble. Other falls are consistant with lining but the amount of it is too much for the walls under which it lies. The Quakers Yard end of the tunnel is now like a car wash - water coming in through the lining everywhere. Welsh Water were working at this end of the tunnel about 18 months ago which is a coincidence ! Anyway, working through from Abercynon end to Quakers Yard.
1. Abercynon portal
2. Looking out from inside
3. The road ahead
4. Health & Safety
5. Trackbed clear...
6. ...and not so clear
7. The mine
8. More fall
9. View back towards Abercynon
10. Entering the wet area
11. The stream
12. Car wash
13. Approaching Quakers Yard
14. Quakers Yard portal
Thanks for looking.
Cefn Glas Tunnel carried the Taff Vale Extension of the Newport, Abergavenny & Hereford Railway which was absorbed into the Great Western’s empire in 1863, a year before the line opened. The route made an end-on connection with the Aberdare Valley Railway at Middle Duffryn Junction; the southern end was at Quakers Yard, named after a local burial ground. The single track route shut up shop on 15th June 1964.
The 703-yard tunnel is straight except for a slight northerly curve close to the western portal. It is amply equipped with refuges and its profile changes at various points. Although mostly dry, the tunnel is not in great condition - towards its centre, sections of its lining have come away. Comprising a brick roof with masonry walls, its patchwork nature suggests that, even during operational times, much repair work was needed.
A coal seam has been worked through the south wall of the tunnel - some of this occurred during the 1984 miners strike.
THE VISIT
Visited with wonkycows.
This tunnel is about a mile from me but I had never previously gone through it - long story about the dog refusing to go near it, animals 6th sense, etc. but eventually left the dog at home and paid a proper visit.
There is a lot of fall / debris in the tunnel but where exactly this stuff is from is debatable. One lot of fall about 300 yards in is definatly builders rubble. Other falls are consistant with lining but the amount of it is too much for the walls under which it lies. The Quakers Yard end of the tunnel is now like a car wash - water coming in through the lining everywhere. Welsh Water were working at this end of the tunnel about 18 months ago which is a coincidence ! Anyway, working through from Abercynon end to Quakers Yard.
1. Abercynon portal
2. Looking out from inside
3. The road ahead
4. Health & Safety
5. Trackbed clear...
6. ...and not so clear
7. The mine
8. More fall
9. View back towards Abercynon
10. Entering the wet area
11. The stream
12. Car wash
13. Approaching Quakers Yard
14. Quakers Yard portal
Thanks for looking.
