13th Oct 1996

Today the railway through the Ebbw Vale echoes to the less than impressive sound of a second generation DMU operating the reintroduced passenger service, but fortunately I was there to witness "proper" trains, battling the grade up to the tinplate works with loaded steel plate or coils, a far more impressive sight, and sound! Here is "grid" 56052 hauling steel coils uphill past the village of Cwm, as the 6B71 10.28 Margam to Ebbw Vale, via Llanwern, making a lovely racket and travelling slowly as it battles to overcome the effects of gravity. Over to the right was the site of Marine Colliery, which closed in 1989. The location was marked by the placement of a headgear wheel as a monument. Looking to the left I wonder if the building on the right is the local social club? It looks like a brewery sign on the wall.