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One of the first places I ever went many moons ago.
Cefn Glas (also known as Quakers Yard) Tunnel carried the Taff Vale Extension of the Newport, Abergavenny & Hereford Railway which was absorbed into the Great Western’s empire in 1863, a year before the line opened. The route made an end-on connection with the Aberdare Valley Railway at Middle Duffryn Junction; the southern end was at Quakers Yard, named after a local burial ground. The single track route shut up shop on 15th June 1964.
The 703-yard tunnel is straight except for a slight northerly curve close to the western portal. It is amply equipped with refuges and its profile changes at various points. Although mostly dry, the tunnel is not in great condition - towards its centre, sections of its lining have come away. Comprising a brick roof with masonry walls, its patchwork nature suggests that, even during operational times, much repair work was needed.
A coal seam has been worked through the south wall of the tunnel during the 1984 miners strike.
1. Eastern portal
2. Looking out
3. Looking ahead
4. Refuge
5. Deterioration begins
6. 1984 Miners Strike refuge
7. Falling apart
8. Profile change
9. Approaching the wet section
10. Catchpit
11. Waterfalls
12. View back west
13. Nearly there...
14. Eastern portal
Thanks for looking
Cefn Glas (also known as Quakers Yard) Tunnel carried the Taff Vale Extension of the Newport, Abergavenny & Hereford Railway which was absorbed into the Great Western’s empire in 1863, a year before the line opened. The route made an end-on connection with the Aberdare Valley Railway at Middle Duffryn Junction; the southern end was at Quakers Yard, named after a local burial ground. The single track route shut up shop on 15th June 1964.
The 703-yard tunnel is straight except for a slight northerly curve close to the western portal. It is amply equipped with refuges and its profile changes at various points. Although mostly dry, the tunnel is not in great condition - towards its centre, sections of its lining have come away. Comprising a brick roof with masonry walls, its patchwork nature suggests that, even during operational times, much repair work was needed.
A coal seam has been worked through the south wall of the tunnel during the 1984 miners strike.
1. Eastern portal
2. Looking out
3. Looking ahead
4. Refuge
5. Deterioration begins
6. 1984 Miners Strike refuge
7. Falling apart
8. Profile change
9. Approaching the wet section
10. Catchpit
11. Waterfalls
12. View back west
13. Nearly there...
14. Eastern portal
Thanks for looking
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