Llantrisant and Taff Vale Junction Railway
In time the Canal became overwhelmed by the volume of traffic, and encouraged by the successful opening of railways with more advanced technology than the horse tramways of previous years, the Taff Vale Railway was promoted. It was authorised by Parliament in 1836 and it opened between Merthyr and Cardiff docks in 1841. The line passed close to the Maesmawr workings but did not make a connection.
Llantrisant and Taff Vale Junction Railway
In 1863 John Brogden and Son leased extensive coal bearing areas in the Ogmore Valley, to the north-west of Llantrisant; the intention was to export the bituminous coal through Porthcawl Harbour. However the harbour there was seriously deficient in its capacity, notwithstanding improvement works costing £250,000 in 1867. In any case the principal market for the mineral output was at the ironworks at Merthyr, Dowlais and nearby. The Ogmore Valley Railway was opened in 1865 to convey the minerals to Tondu, joining there the Llynvi Valley Railway; the two railways combined to form the Llynvi and Ogmore Railway in 1866. The Ogmore Valley Railway had been built as a narrow (standard) gauge line, and the Llynvi line and other nearby lines were broad gauge lines. The OVR urgently needed a narrow gauge connection, and the Taff Vale was the obvious partner to supply it. However relations were not friendly, and competing Parliamentary Bills were presented in successive sessions, also by the Great Western Railway and the Ely Valley Railway.