Railway Herald
Cwmbargoed is situated at over 1200 feet above sea level and is bleak even at high summer; the reason for its continued existance is the close proximity of a large opencast coal mine known as Ffos-y Fran from which, all production has to be moved by rail. The main use of the coal being mined here is the production of electricity at Aberthaw power station on the south Wales coast near Barry and a number of workings each day fulfil this demand. This shot taken on 24th August 2011 shows EWS-liveried Class 66 numbered No. 66127 reversing the HTA wagons for loading. To the right of the image may be seen the branch line from Ystrad Mynach, which was used to get the train to this destination.
Stuart Warr
