Aber - Caerphilly

Les Spaine

Aber railway station is a railway station serving the town of Caerphilly, south Wales. It is a stop on the Rhymney Line 8+1⁄4 miles north of Cardiff Central on the Valley Lines network. The station is located in the Bondfield Park and Trecenydd areas of Caerphilly.

Opened in April 1908 by the Rhymney Railway as Beddau Halt, it became part of the Great Western Railway during the Grouping of 1923, and renamed Aber Junction Halt on 17 September 1926. The line then passed on nationalisation in 1948. It was renamed Aber Halt on 6 May 1968, then Aber on 5 May 1969.

When Sectorisation was introduced, the station was served by Regional Railways until the Privatisation of British Railways.

Another station also called Beddau Halt existed on the Llantrisant and Taff Vale Junction Railway and should not be confused with this station.

The 'Junction' suffix refers to the fact that until the early 1980s, there were two junctions near here – one to the south between the current line via Caerphilly (which opened in 1871) and the original route down the Big Hill via Penrhos Junction to Walnut Tree Junction near Taffs Well on the Taff Vale Railway route from Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil and another to the north for the branch line to Senghenydd. The former opened in 1858 and provided the Rhymney company with its original access to Cardiff General and the docks. It was freight-only for most of its life, but was heavily used in post-grouping and BR days by coal trains originating from the various collieries on the Rhymney line heading to the marshalling yard at Radyr. This avoided the need for such trains to use the busy section through Cardiff Queen Street, even though the 3½ mile line was steeply graded (hence the nickname – the 1 in 48 ruling gradient was however favourable for loaded trains). The latter opened in 1894 and was used for both freight (to Windsor Colliery near the terminus) and passenger services.

The Senghenydd branch passenger service ended in June 1964 as a result of the Beeching Axe, but it remained in use for colliery traffic until 1977[1] whilst the Taffs Well route closed in June 1982[2] – both have since been dismantled.
During Spring 2016 Aber railway station is served by 4 trains per hour each way, off peak, Monday to Friday:

Anita Walkowska

Glad I've chosen this place to start my journey North. Easy choice really - took me a minute to buy one-way ticket and off we go on the adventure of a lifetime!

Yes, the ticket office is closed but not to worry, there is always a solution - the ticket machine is located under the roof of the train stop, it takes cash or card. The car park is open and spacious and it takes lots in, which is great.

Yes, like the other reviewers mentioned, a few things are missing but don't forget nothing is perfect, isn't it?

What I really like - there is no drama, just room for improvement ☺️

Natalie Williams

No toilet, help point, bike rack or ticket machine. Nice scenery. Wheelchair accessible but a little steep. Can't get to other platform as no bridge so not sure what street you would use. All weather cover. There is a free car park across the road so I'm guessing u can park there

Kevin Holdaway

Used this for park and ride into Cardiff. We often use a 'park and ride' when visiting major towns and cities as provides good service, good value, and peace of mind. This one only had a train service, which was good but expensive when compared to bus services.

Gareth While

Its a train station, its nothing to write home about however it is important to note a few things if you are visiting Caerphilly (as the locals should already know this) The station itself is just a platform with a small shelter for when it rains. Note that when there are cancelations or if you are coming back from Cardiff town, sometimes the train stops at Caerphilly so while it may be the closest station to hop onto a train and be in Cardiff in 18mins, be prepared for disruption and check the train times when coming back. Luckily there are taxis at Caerphilly station if you don't fancy walking back to where you are staying, and walking to each station takes around 35-45 mins so not the end of the world.

Owen Smart

Absolutely stunning place to go, desolate, completely dirty, seemingly abandoned. It really has that Welsh vibe to it. Extraordinary

Stephen Matthews

Ticket office is rarely open. Car park located opposite a busy main road.

Lunacare Cymru: Media

Not a bad station needs abit of a tidy up maby a coat of paint or to. ?