Pontypridd Caerphilly and Newport Railway
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The Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Newport Railway was built to bring the coal output of the Aberdare and Rhondda valleys directly to Alexandra Docks at Newport.
It was a little over 5 miles in length, running from Pontypridd to a junction near Caerphilly; from there to Newport existing allied railways conveyed the mineral trains. A passenger service was operated later, not stopping intermediately on the line, until in 1904 a railmotor service was started, calling at new low-cost intermediate stopping places.
The line closed to passengers in 1962, and to freight from 1965.
The remarkable topography of south-east Wales consists of mountainous terrain with a number of valleys running north to south, or north-west to south-east. In addition, the region at the upper part of the valleys was rich in mineral resources, in particular iron ore, coal and limestone. The co-existence of these minerals encouraged the production of iron, but both that industry and the distribution of coal was limited by the very poor transport network, itself constrained by the valleys and intervening ridges.
In 1792 ironmasters and coalowners collaborated to form the Monmouthshire Canal Navigation, a canal that connected Pontnewynydd (near Pontypool) and Crumlin to Newport. The authorising Act of Parliament permitted the construction of tramways to connect any mineral pit to the canal, provided the pit was within seven miles of the canal.
The canal proved very successful, and in time longer tramroad branches and main lines were built; from 1848 a modern railway was being built linking Newport and Pontypool. The Canal Navigation Company changed its name to the Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company.
Throughout this period, mineral products were transferred from canal boats, and later from tramroad wagons, to ships for export of coastal transport at wharves on the River Usk at Newport. Over time a considerable number of wharves were created. The tidal range there is exceptionally large, and it was increasingly difficult to effect the transfer as trade volume increased, and it was realised that a wet dock was needed. Newport Town Dock was opened in 1842. Trade was still increasing rapidly and the opening of the dock further stimulated the trade, so an extension was built, opening in 1858.
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Wikipedia