Merthyr Vale railway station
Merthyr Vale railway station is a railway station serving the villages of Merthyr Vale and Aberfan in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. It is located on the Merthyr branch of the Merthyr Line. Passenger services are provided by Transport for Wales.
Merthyr Vale ![]() | |
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Welsh: Ynysowen | |
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Location | |
Place | Merthyr Vale |
Local authority | Merthyr Tydfil |
Coordinates | 51.6866°N 3.3370°W |
Grid reference | ST076995 |
Operations | |
Station code | MEV |
Managed by | Transport for Wales |
Number of platforms | 2 |
DfT category | F2 |
Live arrivals/departures, station information and onward connections from National Rail Enquiries | |
Annual rail passenger usage* | |
2014/15 | ![]() |
2015/16 | ![]() |
2016/17 | ![]() |
2017/18 | ![]() |
2018/19 | ![]() |
History | |
1 June 1883 | Opened |
National Rail – UK railway stations | |
* Annual estimated passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Merthyr Vale from Office of Rail and Road statistics. Methodology may vary year on year. |
History
Since 2008 the station has had a passing loop installed. This allowed a half-hourly service to be introduced on the branch from the May 2009 timetable change.[1] Previously (up until 1991) a loop had existed at Black Lion Crossing, a short distance to the south,[2] which also controlled the siding connections into Merthyr Vale Colliery.[3]
The station was first opened by the Taff Vale Railway in 1883.[4] It is briefly shown in Richard Fleischer's 1971 film 10 Rillington Place, starring Richard Attenborough and John Hurt. When Timothy Evans (Hurt) returns to Wales, he is seen walking from the station.
Services
As noted, the station has a basic half-hourly service in each direction (Mon-Sat), northbound to Merthyr Tydfil and southbound to Pontypridd, Radyr, Cardiff Central and Barry. Trains then continue alternately to Barry Island and Bridgend via the Vale of Glamorgan Line. On Sunday, there is a two-hourly service each way to Merthyr & Bridgend.[5]
Preceding station | ![]() |
Following station | ||
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Quakers Yard | Transport for Wales Merthyr Line |
Troed-y-rhiw |
References
- New half-hourly train service due to startWales Online; Retrieved 2009-05-14
- Signalling Record Society – Black LionSignalling Record Society; Retrieved 2013-10-16
- Merthyr Tydfil's Railways www.alangeorge.co.uk; Retrieved 2013-10-16
- Hutton, John (2006). The Taff Vale Railway, vol. 1. Silver Link. ISBN 978-1-85794-249-1.
- GB eNRT 2015-16 Edition, Table 130 (Network Rail)
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Merthyr Vale railway station. |
- Train times and station information for Merthyr Vale railway station from National Rail
- Photo of the station & passing loop in 2012 (Geograph.org)