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
The Penarth scheme experienced determined hostility from the Bute docks interest, and there was protracted litigation over the validity of the powers; although the final outcome was in favour of the Taff Vale Railway, the House of Lords decision bound it to charge shipping rates no lower than the Cardiff rates. A major extension was later made, opening in 1884.