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Coal trains were often kept waiting at the dock
© BHAC [Butetown History and Arts Centre]
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The Birth of Barry – When Coal was King |
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The Barry Railway, promoted by its customers, the Rhondda coal owners, in order to provide the transport for their expanding trade, was an important element in the coal boom of 1890-1914. It was an instant success as a business venture and a second dock was opened in 1898. In the following year the dock was used by 3000 ships and handled 7 million tons of coal and, by 1913, its traffic totalled 4000 ships and 11 million tons of coal.
© Barryaxis.org.uk |
This growth was achieved, to a limited extent, by building new lines of its own, most significantly to the Rhymney Valley and into Cardiff; also by alliance with the Vale of Glamorgan Railway, which it operated to Bridgend and Tondu; and, most importantly, by securing running powers over other companies' lines. It was also greatly assisted by the competitive prices it was able to offer, as a result of being an integrated dock and railway business. Its development was not, however, easy since it was continually attacked by the Taff Vale and others, both through litigation and by aggressive pricing and marketing. Its minute books record opposition to its schemes, as well as its own opposition to the plans of other railways and dock undertakings.
Words: Richard Watson
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