Hirwaun railway station

It existed on the VoNR 7 ft (2,134 mm) Brunel gauge route between Neath and Merthyr Tydfil (1853), although the branch to Aberdare opened first in 1851.

South of the station, there existed the goods yard and associated sidings, plus junctions for:[1] Between Glynneath and Hirwaun, a distance of only 6 miles (9.7 km), there were: five collieries; two quarries; and one gunpowder/silica factory.

During World War II, the Royal Ordnance Factory ROF Hirwaun added to both the goods and passenger traffic load.

[4] In November 2009 the Welsh Government asked Network Rail to conduct a feasibility study on reopening the line to Hirwaun for passenger services.

[5] It was announced in March 2011 that the Welsh Government's 2011-12 capital investment programme would include the re-opening of the line to Hirwaun as part of the Cynon Valley Scheme[6] although the project appears to have advanced little at that time.

DB Cargo UK Class 66 loads coal at the Tower Colliery coal washing plant, located on the former Hirwaun railway station goods yard
Hirwaun station on the Vale of Neath Railway .