The programme for outdoor meetings 2026.
Important: It is essential to advise Keith in advance of your intention to join these walks and to provide contact details, including phone numbers, so that you can be contacted in the event of it being necessary to cancel or amend the programme and to enable contact to be made on the day should the need arise.
North Wales Walk: Deferred to 2027
It had been hoped to have a walk in North Wales this summer to explore one or more of the less well-known industrial tramways in the Conwy valley. Unfortunately this is not now going to be possible in 2026 but it will take place in 2027.
Contact details: Keith Dumelow - e-mail: below or mobile & text 07800 630807.
19th June: A visit to the Network Rail Cardiff Signalling Centre
A report on this visit, illustrated with photographs, is available here
I am pleased to advise that following discussions with Network Rail, a visit has been arranged to their Cardiff Signalling Centre for Friday 19th June at 10.45.
The Centre is accessed off De Croche Place in the Canton area of Cardiff (CF11 6JL) and we shall congregate at the pedestrian security gate for 10.30. As the site is a secure location, a list of those attending is required to be submitted to Network Rail 48 hours prior to our visit, after which no additions can be made. Our party will be required to sign in at reception where a site briefing will be given. We shall be limited to 15 in number, split into 3 groups of 5. Members will be included for the visit on a 'first come, first served' basis.
Please note there is no onsite parking available and street parking in the area is limited. My recommendation would be to arrive in to Cardiff Central by train and either walk from there, which will take around 15 minutes, or catch the route 95 bus (Barry Island) from platform 8 of the Bus Interchange adjacent to the railway station at 10.10 and ride 3 stops to Smeaton Street, from where De Croche Place is a 2 minute walk.
Would members wishing to attend, please advise Keith Dumelow via the email address below or phone or text 07800 630807 by Saturday 13th June at the latest. When booking, please advise an on-the-day contact number and all bookings will be acknowledged.
Tuesday 14th July and Thursday 30th July: Visit to Barry Depot, Transport for Wales
Following the presentation of TfW's Louise Moon to the Circle on 28th February, I enquired into the possibility of a visit being arranged to TfW's depots at Taff's Well and/or Barry and although a response is awaited from Taff's Well, Barry depot have offered to accommodate us in July for a maximum of 10 per group.
With regard to dates, Louise is seeking a proposal from us, and accordingly I have gone for Tuesday 14th July and Thursday 30th July, giving us an attendance capacity of 20. Visits are only available on weekdays, otherwise I would have given the option of a visit on a Saturday.
Visits would last about 2 hours, with timeslots of 10.00 to 12.00 or 13.00 to 15.00. Hi-viz jackets will be provided but members will be required wear their own safety footwear, which should, ideally, be steel toe-capped but if not, should be sturdy with enclosed toes and a good surface grip e.g. walking/hiking boots/shoes and no trainers, sandals or smart/brogue style footwear.
To book your visit, please advise Keith Dumelow by emailing the address below or calling or by texting 07800 630807, indicating your choice of date and preferred time slot for the day of your choice which I shall endeavour to accommodate.
When booking, please advise an on-the-day contact number and all bookings will be acknowledged.
It would be nice to see you on one of these dates for what I'm sure will be a most interesting visit.
Wednesday, 19th August: Newport City Centre Railway Walk
Ian Reese will lead this walk around the former historic railway sites of the city centre of Newport.
Armed with photographs and maps of its railway heyday, Ian will show participants how dramatic the change has been through a comparison of the 'then' and 'now.'
The walk will take us along the west bank of the River Usk where there were once many railway lines bringing coal down from the Valleys by the Monmouthshire Railway & Canal Co., and its successors, for loading into waiting ships.
We will walk along the river bank, visit some streets which were railway lines, visit the site of an old railway station, a locomotive shed, a goods yard and the site of a mishap which befell a ship on the river!
Subject to confirmation, it may be possible to visit the Newport Transporter Bridge visitor centre before it opens to the public. It's well worth a visit!
We shall meet at 10.30 in the bus station at the rear of the Potters public house in Newport city centre.
Car parking is available next to our meet point at Friars Walk Shopping Centre, John Frost Square, Newport NP20 1EA. Newport railway station is a 5 minute walk away.
The walk is 3 to 4 miles long, entirely flat and with frequent stops for Ian to explain and illustrate each location's past railway history. It may be necessary to walk back to the city centre if return bus times are inconvenient.
A number of options exist for lunch, and so it is proposed to agree a venue with participants on the day.
Reports on the 2025 outdoor meetings.
Saturday 19th July: Brecon & Merthyr/Rhymney Railways - Ogilvie to Bargoed
A report on this walk, illustrated with photographs, is available here
Our first walk, scheduled for 19th July samples the delights of the Bargoed Rhymney Valley by tracing the trackbed of the Brecon & Merthyr and Rhymney railways whose tracks were laid end on at Deri in an eventual compromise between the two Companies who sought to build their own lines through a valley so narrow that only one was possible. The Rhymney Railway had been given powers to build but were not exercised and in 1861 the B&M proposed to build along the same alignment in its quest to reach Newport. The wrangle meant that the line was not opened as a through route until 1868. Passenger traffic ceased at the end of 1962 leaving only coal traffic out of Groesfaen and Ogilvie collieries, the line closing in 1975 with the closure of Ogilvie colliery.
As lunch opportunities are limited in Bargoed, I thought we would make a late start, journey to our start point at Parc Cwm Darren by bus, eat in the cafe at the Visitor Centre and then walk down the gradient back to Bargoed.
We shall, therefore, meet at Bargoed Bus Interchange (CF81 8QZ) where we shall board the Stagecoach route 51 service to Merthyr Tydfil from Stand 1 departing at 12.06 and alighting at the entrance to Parc Cwm Darren at 12.30. The Bus Interchange is adjacent to Bargoed railway station where free car parking is available.
Following lunch, the walk commences through the country park, passed the sites of Ogilvie Village Halt and colliery, Darren & Deri station, where the Rhymney and Brecon & Merthyr railways met, and then on to the sites of Groesfaen colliery and the Miners Platform, the remains of which can still be seen. Once back at Bargoed, we can observe the site of Bargoed North Junction where our route joined that from Rhymney. The walk is over established surfaces and is a distance of around 3.5 miles.
Should any walkers wish to drive to Parc Cwm Darren (CF81 9NR), then the option is available to return by bus following our walk down the valley but please be aware the country park closes at 17.00, with the latest bus from Bargoed being at 16.09.
Appropriate clothing and footwear is advised and this may include sun cream, water, sunglasses and a sun hat!
Please let me know if you intend to participate in this walk and provide a contact number on which you can be contacted on the day should the need arise.A report on this walk, illustrated with photographs, is available here
Wednesday 13th August: Midland Railway - Pontardawe to Ystalyfera
A report on this walk, illustrated with photographs, is available here
We head west on 13th August to the Upper Swansea Valley and the route of the Midland Railway from Pontardawe to Ystalyfera.
The Swansea Vale Railway started life as an independent concern but was taken over by the Midland Railway who put their own distinctive stamp on the system. The railway served the industries of the Swansea and Aman valleys for over a hundred years but as those industries contracted so did the railway. Passenger services ceased in 1950 and the line was closed to all traffic in 1965. The section between Pontardawe and Ystalyfera is these days entirely rural with no hint of the collieries and tinplate works that once existed.
This walk, led jointly by John Miles and Keri Thomas, will start at 11.30 from Lon Hir (SA8 3DQ) in Pontardawe and is a distance of around 5 miles of easy walking. The pathway bears left at the point where Lon Hir bends right and sufficient on-road parking should be available. At Ystalyfera, there is a small layby which contains a coffee stall and parking for a few cars.
As bus services in the area are not well suited to our needs, it is proposed to position sufficient car transport at Ystalyfera to return walkers to Pontardawe, the arrangements for which can be worked out when participants are known.
An Asda supermarket is conveniently located where the walk ends and use of the cafe there is proposed for lunch.
Appropriate clothing and footwear is advised and this may include sun cream, water, sunglasses and a sun hat!
Please let me know if you intend to participate in this walk and provide a contact number on which you can be contacted on the day should the need arise.A report on this walk, illustrated with photographs, is available here
Friday 19th September: London & North Western Railway - Llanfoist to Gilwern
A report on this walk, illustrated with photographs, is available here
Having had a very enjoyable walk along a section of the LNWR's 'Heads of the Valleys' railway from Clydach to Brynmawr last September, we agreed to incorporate a second section, that from Llanfoist to Gilwern into the walks programme for 2025. This section which opened in 1862 is at the eastern, and lowest, end of the route but ascends continuously on gradients as severe as 1 in 34 near Govilon. There are several bridge structures to observe along the route together with station buildings at Govilon, now a private residence, and the station platforms at Gilwern.
It had originally been my intention to walk down the gradient from Gilwern, but that station is at the top of a very steep climb from the village along narrow roads with very limited on-road parking available and so the preferred option is to walk against the gradient from Llanfoist and then drop down to the village at Gilwern for the bus back.
We shall meet at the Crossing Car Park at Llanfoist (NP7 9LP) at 11.30 for a gentle stroll along the trackbed, now fully tarmacked, for a distance of around 3.5 miles. A stop along the way is planned at Govilon where lunch can be enjoyed at the Bridgend Inn or a light bite obtained at the Village Stores. Should additional rest we required during the walk, there are plenty of benches available for a blow-up!
The Stagecoach route 76 bus departs hourly (14.07, 15.07 & 16.11) from the Gilwern Post Office stop for the 11 minute journey back to Llanfoist. Should a wait be needed for the bus, refreshment can be taken at the Beaufort Arms, which is adjacent to the bus stop.
Appropriate clothing and footwear is advised and this may include sun cream, water, sunglasses and a sun hat!
Please let me know if you intend to participate in this walk and provide a contact number on which you can be contacted on the day should the need arise.A report on this walk, illustrated with photographs, is available here
Important: It is essential to advise Keith in advance of your intention to join these walks and to provide contact details, including phone numbers, so that you can be contacted in the event of it being necessary to cancel or amend the programme and to enable contact to be made on the day should the need arise.
Contact details: Keith Dumelow - e-mail: below or mobile & text 07800 630807.