the first agreement, which was ratified by the l&nwr (new lines) act of 15 july 1867, allowed the l&nwr to extend its line from rhymney bridge to make a junction with the b&m where the two lines met at dowlais top and at ivor junction near the terminus of the b&m's dowlais branch. in exchange for running powers as far as nantybwch and facilities to form a junction with the rhymney at rhymney bridge, the b&m agreed to withdraw its proposals for blocking lines. in the event, the b&m made scarce use of its running powers and the junction was never built. the line as far as ivor junction opened on 1 january 1873. the l&nwr was granted running powers over a section of track into . at the same time, the l&nwr opened a station at , close to the summit of the line at above sea level, where a connection was made with the b&m for the exchange of traffic.