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Loughor railway station

Coordinates: 51°39′41″N 4°04′39″W / 51.6615°N 4.0776°W / 51.6615; -4.0776
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Loughor
General information
LocationLoughor, Swansea
Wales
Coordinates51°39′41″N 4°04′39″W / 51.6615°N 4.0776°W / 51.6615; -4.0776
Platforms2
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original companySouth Wales Railway
Pre-groupingGreat Western Railway
Key dates
11 October 1852Opened
4 April 1960Closed

Loughor railway station was on the South Wales Railway, now the West Wales Line, from Swansea to Llanelli. The station was located on the west side of Swansea in the residential area of Loughor.

South Wales Railway
to docks and GRC&W Works
Gloucester Eastgate
Gloucester Docks
Gloucester
(GWR)
Oakle Street
Grange Court
Westbury-on-Severn Halt
Newnham
Ruddle Road Halt
Bullo Pill
(Goods only)
Awre for Blakeney
Gatcombe
Severn Bridge
Severn Bridge Tunnel
Lydney enlarge…
Lydney Junction Dean Forest Railway
Tinworks branch
Woolaston
Tutshill for Beachley Halt
Chepstow East
Chepstow Railway Bridge
over River Wye
Chepstow
Portskewett (original location)
("Portskewett Junction" 1863–1886)
Portskewett
Caerwent Training Area
Caldicot
Severn Tunnel Junction
Undy Halt
Magor
flying junction
Bishton Crossing
Llanwern
station & steelworks
Goods line to Uskmouth
Newport High Street
Alexandra Dock
Marshfield
Roath
Cardiff Queen Street
Cardiff Central
Bute Street
Queen Alexandra Dock
P & A Campbell ferry
across the River Severn
Ninian Park
Leckwith Junction
Ely Main Line
St Fagans
St Fagans Junction
Barry Railway
to Barry Up arrow
Left arrow to Tynycaeau Junction
Drope Junction
Peterston
Pontyclun
Llanharan
Pencoed
Bridgend
Pyle Junction
Pyle
Junction (Mean)
Margam Halt
Port Talbot
Port Talbot Docks
Baglan
Briton Ferry
Neath
Skewen
Llansamlet
Landore viaduct
over River Tawe
Landore High Level
Swansea
Cockett
Gowerton North
Loughor
Trostre Tinplate Works
Llanelli
Pembrey & Burry Port
Lando Platform
Kidwelly Flats Halt
Kidwelly
Ferryside
Carmarthen Junction
Carmarthen
for Carmarthen–Aberystwyth line via Lampeter
Sarnau
St Clears
Whitland
Clunderwen
Clarbeston Road
Fishguard branch
Haverfordwest
Wolf's Castle Halt
Welsh Hook Halt
Mathry Road
Jordanston Halt
Fishguard & Goodwick
Fishguard Harbour
Johnston
Neyland
Waterston oil refinery
Robeston oil refinery
Milford Haven
Newton Noyes
Hakin Docks

History

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The railway line between Landore High Level and Carmarthen was opened on 11 October 1852 by the broad gauge South Wales Railway, which later became part of the Great Western Railway. The engineer of this line was Brunel. Originally, Loughor was the first station westwards from Landore; Cockett and Gowerton were opened at later dates.

The station was double track, with 2 platforms. A mineral line to Broad Oak Colliery diverged from the line to the east of the station.

Loughor Viaduct

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Brunel's viaduct as at 2007
The new bridges, as at 2013

The Loughor Viaduct to the west of the station carries the line across the River Loughor. Before it was replaced in early 2013, the viaduct was the last remaining timber viaduct designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

The Loughor viaduct was constructed to carry the broad gauge South Wales Railway west of Swansea to Carmarthen. It was opened to traffic (broad gauge and standard gauge) in 1852. The viaduct was rebuilt several times; modifications made include the removal of its swing bridge and broad gauge tracks, replacement of the timber deck with an iron structure, and additional piles. In 1986, due to structural concerns, the track was singled and speed restrictions were imposed adding to journey times.

In the early 2010s, Network Rail commissioned a new-build replacement. On 8 April 2013, the new bridge with its redoubled track was opened to traffic.[1] A section of the original viaduct is preserved alongside the new structure.

1904 railway accident

[edit]

On 3 October 1904 an express passenger train of 2 engines and 8 coaches from New Milford towards Landore derailed. At Llanelli a tank engine was attached to the front to assist in the climb to Cockett. It is surmised that the train was travelling up to 60 mph to make up time, and jumped the straight track to the west of the Loughor River. There were 5 fatalities, including the driver and fireman of the tank engine, and 94 injured. A full report from the Board of Trade enquiry is available.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ "Loughor Railway Viaduct Replacement Project - Railway Technology".
  2. ^ "Accident at Llanelli - Loughor on 3rd October 1904 :: The Railways Archive".
  3. ^ "Railway Disaster at Loughor". The Cambrian. 7 October 1904. p. 8.
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