Cardiff to Swansea

With the industry, coal fields and docks, South Wales has long been an important area for the railways and that is without the additional needs of tourism in the area. The route followed by the book leaves Cardiff in a westerly direction, past the engine and carriage yards, turning north to Llantrisant. Here the book follows the former branch line to Cowbridge before returning to its westerly route to Bridgend. West of Bridgend is Pyle from where the Porthcawl branch once ran south and receives a chapter in the book. From Pyle, the mainline turns north-west and passes through Margam and Port Talbot and then North to Neath. From Neath it turns west again and then south into Swansea. This route shows great contrast between the large industrial rail networks at places like Margam and the quiet backwaters seen on the two branch lines.

A Model Railway Express Review