New Mobile Site
We have just launched a new mobile version of this site - m.trainspots. This page will use your smart device's GPS to loctate you and guide you to locations that are close to your present location.
Location notes
Aberdare is to the north of the South Wales Valleys, 22 miles from Cardiff. The line diverges off the Merthyr line from Cardiff at Abercynon.
Railway type and traffic
The Aberdare branch line is a terminus for trains travelling on the Merthyr line. Served by Arriva Trains Wales, 142s 143s and 150s are the usual traffic.
Coal trains hauled by class 66s and some times the odd class 60, though class 60s are very unusual along the branch, operate every weekday and some Saturdays from Tower Colliery.
Coal trains hauled by class 66s and some times the odd class 60, though class 60s are very unusual along the branch, operate every weekday and some Saturdays from Tower Colliery.
Environment
The station is situated just out side the town of Aberdare. There is a car park serving the station, which fills up very quickly. Aberdare is a friendly station during the day, the station can get very quiet after dark.
Road directions
From M4, Junction 32:
Follow sings for Merthyr Tydfyl/A470, once on the A470 continue along the dual carriageway until you reach your first roundabout, take your first exit off this roundabout, follow this road (A4059), you will pass a large school at Mountain Ash next to a rugby/football field (about 2-3 miles down the road). Once you reach your first roundabout at Cwmbach you should see Cwmbach train station, continue over this roundabout, you will find you self on a road called Cwmbach road, continue on this road you should pass a Ford garage on your left, further down this road you should pass a fire station and a school both opposite each other, Aberdare station should come into view from there, there will be a park and ride situated by the station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Aberdare map co-ordinates
Follow sings for Merthyr Tydfyl/A470, once on the A470 continue along the dual carriageway until you reach your first roundabout, take your first exit off this roundabout, follow this road (A4059), you will pass a large school at Mountain Ash next to a rugby/football field (about 2-3 miles down the road). Once you reach your first roundabout at Cwmbach you should see Cwmbach train station, continue over this roundabout, you will find you self on a road called Cwmbach road, continue on this road you should pass a Ford garage on your left, further down this road you should pass a fire station and a school both opposite each other, Aberdare station should come into view from there, there will be a park and ride situated by the station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Aberdare map co-ordinates
Parking
You can leave your car in the vicinity, lots of free parking. It is safe to leave you car there.
Public transport
The easy way to reach Aberdare is from Cardiff Central train station or Cardiff Queen street station, trains to Aberdare leave the stations every half hour. Operated by Arriva trains Wales.
There is also a bus service to Aberdare from Cardiff bus station oposite Cardiff central railway station. This service is usually operated by Veolia transport Cymru.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
There is also a bus service to Aberdare from Cardiff bus station oposite Cardiff central railway station. This service is usually operated by Veolia transport Cymru.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are public toilets at Aberdare Bus Station, These are reached by crossing the footbridge by the train station.
There are places to eat including: 3 fish and chip shops, 3 bakeries(Greggs, Ferraries and Princes).
There are places to eat including: 3 fish and chip shops, 3 bakeries(Greggs, Ferraries and Princes).
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Aberdare
Streetmap links
Aberdare general view map
Aberdare close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Aberdare
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Aberdare
Googly map
Aberdare general view map
Aberdare close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Aberdare
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The lighting is good on any part of the platform. You are able to picture trains travelling in both directions. Best to picture the trains in the morning and towards the afternoon.
General views - All photographs © Llion Jones unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking south
Fig 3 - Looking north
Fig 4 - Looking south
Fig 5 - Looking north
From the old High Level Station.
Fig 6 - Looking north
Fig 7 - Looking south
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
