[1][2][3][4] The line itself had opened on 1 July 1852 with an initial temporary terminus situated near Barrack Hill named Marshes Turnpike Gate which closed on 9 March 1853.
[10] The official opening came on 2 January 1854 and the new connection provided services from the Monmouthshire Railway to London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Shrewsbury and Hereford.
[11] A daily service of five express trains were provided: two were non-stop from Pontypool (Newport Road) to Mill Street, while the other three were mixed and called additionally at Pontnewynydd.
[12][6] Agreement could not however be reached with the South Wales and, as an attempt to pacify critics, the Monmouthshire acquired the Mill Pond property at The Marshes for £13,000 to establish a new station.
[13] A booking office 46 by 25 feet (14.0 m × 7.6 m) led to parcels and telegraph offices, a superintendent's room and a lost parcels office.3 by 6 feet (0.91 m × 1.83 m) Once the Eastern Valleys line as far as Marshes Turnpike Gate, attention turned to the construction of an extension as far as the Monmouthshire Railway's Dock Street station on the Western Valleys line.
[14] However, the connection could not be achieved as originally intended as at a meeting on 14 June 1853 Newport Town Council forbid the use of locomotives between Salutation Junction and Mill Street.
[17][18] Acknowledging that the Great Western now had the upper hand, the Monmouthshire granted it running rights over the entire network from 1 August 1875.
[21][22][2] Mill Street Yard continued to operate for through goods and freight from the Eastern Valley until 27 October 1963 when the line was severed at Oakfield sidings, Cwmbran.
[23] The remaining section of line, Crindau sidings - Mill Street Yard - Dock St, closed on 28 November 1966.