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Pontypridd Station

Welsh valley station with the world's longest rail platform
Region:
Rhondda Cynon Taff
Red Wheel Site:
No
Transport Mode(s):
Rail
Address:
Broadway, Pontypridd CF37 1DT
Postcode:
CF37 1DT
Visitor Centre:
No
Website:

About Pontypridd Station

Pontypridd railway station is located on the Merthyr and Rhondda lines. Until the 1930s, Pontypridd had a second station, just behind the modern day station, known as Pontypridd Graig station.

The station was built by the Taff Vale Railway in 1840 and was known as Newbridge Station until 1891 when it was renamed Pontypridd. It was progressively remodelled during the 19th century but its present appearance derives largely from reconstruction carried out between 1907 and 1914.

This reconstruction gave it the then longest platform in the world, capable of accommodating two full-length trains on each side of the island platform as well as additional trains in bay platforms. Modernisation was carried out by British Rail in 1974 and 1990.

Two platforms remain in use. Platform 1 is the Cardiff bound platform and is one side of a large island platform accessible via a subway. The platform on the other side of this is no longer in action. Platform 2 is the valleys bound platform and accessible across the footbridge linking Platforms 1 and 2.

The station was temporarily closed in 2007 to enable longer trains to be accommodated.

By road: On A4058, Broadway

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Biddle, Gordon & Nock, O.S., The Railway Heritage of Britain : 150 years of railway architecture and engineering, Studio Editions, ISBN-10: 1851705953 (1990)

Casserley, H.C. & S.W. Johnston, Locomotives at the Grouping 4: Great Western Railway, Ian Allan, ISBN-10: 0711005559  (1966)

Hutton, John, The Taff Vale Railway: Main Line from Cardiff to Merthyr and Cardiff Docks, Silver Link, ISBN-10: 1857942493 (2006)

Hutton, John, The Taff Vale Railway: Rails Around Rhondda and Aberdare, Silver Link, ISBN-10: 1857942507 (2005)

Hutton, John, The Taff Vale Railway: Branch Lines , Silver Link, ISBN-10: 1857942515 (2006)

Jones, G. B. & Dunstone, D Railways of Wales c.1900  ISBN 1 85902 868 3 (2000)

National Transport Trust, Old Bank House, 26 Station Approach, Hinchley Wood, Esher, Surrey KT10 0SR