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.
Taff Vale Railway
Now a main line railway was available for the Ogmore Valley traffic via Bridgend, and at a stroke most of the (unbuilt) diagonal line was of little value. However, there were severe penalties in the legislation if it were not constructed, so the TVR used delaying tactics. It was eventually built throughout: the section from Common Branch Junction to Waterhall Junction, between Radyr and Penarth, giving direct access to the docks opened in 1886 for goods and mineral traffic only.