Crumlin, Caerphilly
Crumlin
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 Site of Crumlin Viaduct |
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 Crumlin
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| Crumlin shown within Caerphilly | |
| Population | 5,947 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | ST215985 |
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NEWPORT |
| Postcode district | NP11 |
| Dialling code | 01495 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | |
Crumlin (Welsh: Crymlyn) is a town, community and an electoral ward in Caerphilly county borough in South Wales, situated in the Ebbw River valley [1], five miles west of Pontypool, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire.
Crumlin is famous for its former railway viaduct. Opened in June 1857 for the Taff Vale Extension to the Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway and closed in 1964 under the Beeching Axe, at 200 feet high and 550 yards in length in two spans (355 yards and 195 yards) it remained the highest railway viaduct in Great Britain throughout its working life. Work by the designer and contractor Thomas W. Kennard commenced in autumn 1853.
Nearby were the railway stations, both at high (viaduct) and valley levels.
Plans for preservation were discussed, but the poor state of repair made this impossible, and the viaduct was dismantled in 1967. Even while demolition work was in progress, scenes for the film Arabesque which starred Sophia Loren and Gregory Peck were being shot on it. As of 2008 the abutments remain visible on the valley sides adjoining Kier Hardie Terrace.
Crumlin was the northern terminus of the Crumlin Arm of the Monmouthshire canal. The canal was built from Crumlin southwards towards Newport, opening in 1794, but not completed at Fourteen Locks until 1799. Tramroads from the ironworks at Ebbw Vale and Nantyglo were built to the canal at Crumlin basin, where the iron was transhipped into canal boats.
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