Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - Railway Magazine - Interview with Mr. Ammon Beasley - TVR - 1898 . . . .

Fac-simile of an Early Passenger Train Timetable, Taff Vale Railway.

"Who finds these sidings?"

"Unfortunately, in consequence of certain obligations put upon us by the Bute Docks Company, we have had to find sidings for traffic intended for shipment at Cardiff, and these will hold about 6,000 wagons.

I have always maintained, and still maintain, that it is the duty of the dock-owner to provide all the accommodation necessary for the traffic as it comes down, and to hold such traffic while awaiting shipment, but the principle was conceded many years ago, and we are now suffering from it.

At and in connection with Penarth Dock, the sidings will hold about 3,500 wagons, and unfortunately the circumstances have not admitted of their being all constructed in the immediate vicinity of the Dock, which causes a good deal of shunting, and, at times, delay."

"As to the passenger traffic ; this, I presume, is of an entirely local character, Mr. Beasley?"

"Almost entirely. I have already said that the population of the valleys through which the line passes is not given to travel, but after the present disastrous strike has terminated and the men settle down, I hope they will have more money to spend in travelling, and afford us some return for the large expense incurred in providing accommodation for them."