GC1TA2A Rogerstone Station
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. ROGERSTONE STATION
3. FEEDBACK
4. CREDITS
1. INTRODUCTION
This was our third cache (the first was GC1M9HX Rogerstone Power Station and the second GC1N3W6 Rogerstone Metal and Water) and follows a simple theme – places in Rogerstone. The reason for the name of the cache, Rogerstone Station, is explained below.
The cache was initially placed in May 2009 and the original container lasted until May 2015 before it went missing. It took a while to get a replacement container similar to the original.
When we set it up we had a good GPS signal at the cache location so the final co-ordinates should be as accurate as possible. To reach the cache you should use a public footpath – the distance walked from your chosen parking position is up to you as there are a number of ways of accessing this footpath. We have opted for an Overall Difficulty Rating of 2 for the replacement cache as we think it will be easier to find (the previous Overall Difficulty Rating was 3.5).
Please bring your own pencil. After completing your log please make sure that the cache container is fully closed (the cache container is difficult to close if the log book and its plastic bag are not folded the right way). Please replace as found (if in doubt see Additional Hint).
2. ROGERSTONE STATION
Why the name. Well ‘Rogerstone Station’ because the cache is as near as possible to the location of the original Rogerstone (or Tydu) Station as shown below on old maps. These maps also give an indication as to how Rogerstone developed.
Figure 1: Rogerstone Station circa 1868 – 1892
Figure 2: Rogerstone Station circa 1898 – 1908
Figure 3: Rogerstone Station circa 1920 – 1932
The railway was initially built in Rogerstone because the canals were unable to cope with the expansion of the iron and coal industries. As in other areas, the railway evolved from the existing tram roads used to connect the waterways to the industries.
The first steam engine was run, from Tredegar to Newport, in December 1829. Around 1845 the railway line was converted to the then new standard gauge. In 1848 authority was given to carry passengers. Following the erecting of first signal posts, in December 1850, Tydu Station was opened for passengers and parcels. By 1887 there were six trains, in each direction, every weekday and two trains on a Sunday.
The name of the station was changed from Tydu to Rogerstone in 1898.
Work started in 1885 on what was to become a vast sidings complex. Further lines/links were added in 1888 and in 1890. With a final expansion taking place in the 1920’s to make Rogerstone a very large marshalling yard. However, as road transport took over the railway declined and passenger transport ceased completely by 1962. Rogerstone station was finally closed in 1968. The new A467 was later built through what had been the marshalling yard.
There is some good news to end this story. The Ebbw Rail Campaign was launched with the hope of bringing back a passenger services back through Rogerstone. This was successful and a new station was built in Rogerstone (on the old power station site) on the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line. The new station was opened on the 6 February 2008.
If you have any old pictures of the old Rogerstone station or marshalling yards please feel free to up load them with your logs.
3. FEEDBACK
As before any comments (are our estimates of the Overall Difficulty and Terrain ratings correct?) about the cache will be greatly received.
4. CREDITS
Note, the source of the historical information is ‘Images of Wales – Rogerstone’, by Kim Fry, published by Tempus and available from Rogerstone Library.