Aberdare

[Burto]

Hi,
This is a long shot, but does anybody know when the Aberdare railway station was built? The reason I ask is I am trying to work out why my ancestors moved there briefly around 1847. They moved from Duffield, stayed for about 3 years then returned to Duffield and someone suggested they may have been involved in building the railway as my ancestor was described as being a Railway labourer in 1861. I thought railway's came after 1850, but it's worth a try. Also does anyone know if any travelling people had lived in Aberdare? What was the main occupation of people there in 1847?
It seems like such a long way from Derbyshire and such a random place to pick to stay for a bit!
Thanks.

[sunnylady2005]

try this

http://www.aberdareonline.co.uk/content/public/history/cynon_valley_a_walk_in_the_past/page_3.asp

Railway seems to have come in 1846 - this is about page 4 of a walk around Aberdare and if you go back you will see the iron works and the Aberdare estate seem to be the big employers

Hope that helps

[Fisherman]

Hi Burto,
The Aberdare Railway was opened on 6 August 1846.
Crawshay Bayley's Aberaman ironworks opened in 1845 and about this time some deep coalmines were sunk in the area.

Fisherman