A Sad Farewell
After 16 years of continuous use since the first train departed Cwmbargoed on 9th January 2008, the line has finally closed with the demise of the coal mining operations at Fros Y Fran. In this scene, Class 66 No. 66136 seen at the head of the Taff Bargoed Valley in South Wales, negotiates the steep climb to Cwmbargoed on the 4VO1 coal empties from Hope sidings in Derbyshire to load with coal for the return journey. The steeply graded 11 km branch from the Rhymney line at Ystrad Mynach, climbs 200 metres in the last 6km section to Cwmbargoed. 16 February 2026.
A Sad Farewell
After 16 years of continuous use since the first train departed Cwmbargoed on 9th January 2008, the line has finally closed with the demise of the coal mining operations at Fros Y Fran. In this scene, Class 66 No. 66136 seen at the head of the Taff Bargoed Valley in South Wales, negotiates the steep climb to Cwmbargoed on the 4VO1 coal empties from Hope sidings in Derbyshire to load with coal for the return journey. The steeply graded 11 km branch from the Rhymney line at Ystrad Mynach, climbs 200 metres in the last 6km section to Cwmbargoed. 16 February 2026.