{"title":"South Wales Valleys","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the heart of Wales with stories from the South Wales Valleys. Explore tales of community, resilience, and the enduring spirit of this unique region. Browse now and discover compelling voices.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"railways-and-industry-in-the-tondu-valleys-book-john-hodge-9781526726599","title":"Railways and Industry in the Tondu Valleys","description":"The books give a history of the railway, coal mining and other industrial aspects of each Valley that combine to make up the Tondu Valleys with detailed comments on the operation of the railway, passenger and freight, and details of each colliery within the area and their place within the South Wales coalfield. Details are provided on individual aspects of railway operation. Each location is studied in detail with abundant photographs of railway and colliery activity. This is the first time such a study of this area has been undertaken in such detail.  The study of Porthcawl traces its development from a dock to a seaside resort with supporting photographs of both aspects.  This volume will give the reader an ample knowledge of this important part of South Wales as part of a series of books on the South Wales Valleys, to complement the two books on the Western Valley already produced.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49566828593425,"sku":"GOR010354755","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50583510745361,"sku":"GOR010823199","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1526726599.jpg?v=1751275341"},{"product_id":"railways-and-industry-in-the-tondu-valleys-book-john-v-hodge-9781526727251","title":"Railways and Industry in the Tondu Valleys","description":"The book begins with a history of the industrial development of the Tondu Valleys, including the succession of great industrialists who led the way in the area. This is followed by a chapter on the position of the Tondu Valleys in the South Wales Coalfield with colliery and colliery company details. Railway passenger services are next covered, followed by railway coal services. Then follows a detailed account of the sole railway depot which covered all the operations in the Tondu Valleys. A location specific account then follows of Llynfi Valley detailing both railway and colliery aspects, following the line from Bridgend, through Tondu, and all locations to Cymmer Afan and on to the original terminus at Abergwynfi, then from Blaengwynfi through the Rhondda Tunnel to Treherbert. The north end of the South Wales Mineral Railway became an adjunct to the Tondu Valley with the closure of the former Rhondda \u0026amp; Swansea Bay line and this is also included in similar detail. The closure of the passenger service in 1970 and renaissance of a new service from Maesteg to Cardiff in 1992 concludes the account. Detailed Appendices of operating statistics completes this very comprehensive account.  The book is the fullest account ever produced of this part of the South Wales scene and is a must for anyone interested in either the railway or mining activities (or both) in this part of South Wales.  A further volume covering the Ogmore \u0026amp; Garw Valleys (and associated lines) and the Porthcawl branch is planned.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49733989400849,"sku":"NGR9781526727251","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50232305484049,"sku":"GOR011653406","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1526727250.jpg?v=1750958803"},{"product_id":"railways-and-industry-on-the-brecon-merthyr-book-john-hodge-9781399096058","title":"Railways and Industry on the Brecon \u0026 Merthyr","description":"This is the first modern book produced on this former railway.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49741866762513,"sku":"NGR9781399096058","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1399096052.jpg?v=1751018977"},{"product_id":"railways-and-industry-on-the-brecon-merthyr-book-john-hodge-9781399070768","title":"Railways and Industry on the Brecon \u0026 Merthyr","description":"Covers a part of South Wales rarely dealt with, including the iconic bleak moorland Dowlais Top station in the area of South Wales where  it can snow in June .","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49741992591633,"sku":"NGR9781399070768","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50232305516817,"sku":"GOR012721536","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1399070762.jpg?v=1751427522"},{"product_id":"railways-and-industry-on-the-brecon-merthyr-railway-book-john-hodge-9781399041089","title":"Railways and Industry on the Brecon \u0026 Merthyr Railway","description":"Abundantly illustrated with many photos of each of the locations along the route. Contains images of some of the best scenery in the Western Region. Detailed coverage of each location along the line with location details and photographs","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49747745833233,"sku":"NGR9781399041089","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1399041088.jpg?v=1751419643"},{"product_id":"railways-and-industry-in-the-sirhowy-valley-book-john-hodge-9781526762566","title":"Railways and Industry in the Sirhowy Valley","description":"This book covers the railway and industrial history of the lines that once operated in the Sirhowy valley in South Wales.  Railways and Industry in the Sirhowy Valley, is the first full history of the railways that served this important area of Welsh industry, covering all aspects of its rail transport and manufacturing history.  Being the latest volume in an ongoing series of books, covering the history and development of rail transport in the South Wales valleys.  The area once boasted some very important industrial manufacturers, including the Tredegar Iron Works and numerous other iron smelting companies.  This volume covers the industrial, economic and social history of this fascinating area of the South Wales valleys and the railway that once served the area.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50902636232977,"sku":"GOR014116138","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":51254306767121,"sku":"NGR9781526762566","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1526762560.jpg?v=1751022136"},{"product_id":"railways-and-industry-on-the-vale-of-neath-book-john-hodge-9781399031387","title":"Railways and Industry on the Vale of Neath","description":"This book covers the Vale of Neath line, the eastern portion of which was originally the Taff Vale Extension line, opened in the mid 19th Century, and taking in all the locations in this first book. It was unique in South Wales railway history as it was the only line running east to west across several of the valley lines which ran north to south, with connecting junctions into and from each. The line was famous for the iconic Crumlin Viaduct, hailed as one of the best examples of technological achievement during the Industrial Revolution and lasting 107 years until the line was closed as a through route in 1964. The line ran through several important valley towns, creating need for High Level and Low Level stations at several locations. The standard gauge Taff Vale Extension originally ran as far as Mountain Ash where it met and amalgamated with the broad gauge Vale of Neath line from Neath to Aberdare and Merthyr, locations that will be dealt with in future volumes. Fortunately the line was well photographed as the coverage given to each location will show.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53560429510929,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53560432034065,"sku":"GOR014960806","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781399031387.jpg?v=1778786646"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/collections\/south-wales-valleys-book-series.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}