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 1880 however, the picture began to change; a new branch line, the Treferig Railway, was being planned and it might bring traffic to the line. The west curve at Common Branch Junction had been lifted, probably without ever having passed a train over it, and a new junction to the future Railway No 1 was made. Nevertheless progress was very slow on the new line; the application to form Waterhall Junction was only submitted in 1886, and the line was opened on 11 September 1886.