The Sun.
London, England, 1850-06-20 00:00:00

RAILWAY IN TELLIGENCE.

OPENING OF THE SOUTH WALES.
CIILr .Ow, WEDNEPDAY.—ThiS line was opened
to-day for public traffic. The formal opening yester-
day afforded a perfect triumphal day, mid the occasion
was celebrated in a roost magnificent manner. The
special train started from this town, the present
eastern terminus, at nine o'clock, A. 141 , to proceed to
Swansea. The event was regarded as a national one,
and in every town and village on the route the day
was observed as a close holiday. Immense multitudes
assembled on the margin of the new railway, extend-
ing for a distance of seventy-five miles : banners
floated from every available position ; the ships in the
several ports of Chepstow, Newport, Cardiff, Port
Talbot, Neath and Swansea, were decked out in like
manner, and at every station on the line wreaths of
flowers and evergreens abounded, and triumphal
meshes were as thick as trees of liberty are found in
the streets of Paris after an overthrow of dynasty.
The journey downwards occupied four hours, in
consequence of the numerous addresses of congratu-
lation presented to the directors by the local autho-
rities. In every corporate town the utmost hospi-
tality on the part of the authorities and the inha-
bitants marked the proceedings of the day. On the
South Wales Railway the old and almost forgotten
pleasures of coach travelling are revived, the line
being, for considerable runs on a level with low
lands, stretching out to the Severn and Bristol
Channel on one hand, and beautiful undulating hills
and mountains on the other. The traveller is enabled
to enjoy the glorious scenery around him almost as
much in deteil.as if he travelled on the box of the Car-
marthen mail, the route being the same.
The train stopped at all the stations, of which
there are eight between Chepstow and Swansea, be-
sides the termini. The first is a third-class station,
Portskewet, five miles from Chepstow. From hence
to Newport, the next station, is twelve miles, part of
the distance over a flat moor, the line running on a
level fur a considerable distance. On leaving Newport
a tunnel about half a mile long presents itself ; the
train proceeded through it slowly both in the journey
down and up. From
Newport to Cardiff, the next
station, is 12 miles. This is a rising town, and (to-
gether with Newport end Swansea) will.derive great
benefit from the opening of this railway. A new
steam-packet company has just been formed at Car-
cliff, for establishing a superior class of vessels on the
station between Cardiff and Bristol. The line now
proceeds rather more inland, following the Taff river
in the direction of Liantrissant, the next station,
which is distant from Cardiff 11 miles. This is the
station for Cowbridge. From Llantrissant to Bridg-
end is 9/ miles; thence to Pyle, a third-class station,
is 6 miles. From Pyle to Port Talbot is 6 miles,
from Port Talbot station to Neath miles, and from
Neath to Swansea 8 miles. The Landore viaduct,
approaching the Swansea station, is a stupendous
work, and has an imposing appearance. It passes on
an extensive curve over the low grounds, containing
some large copper smelting works, and is commanded
by some lofty bills, on which thousands of persons
had assembled to witness the approach of the train.
At Swansea the most extensive arrangements had
been made for the onening. Business was totally
suspended, and all the shops closed, while the streets
were densely crowded. The sight altogether was
most gratifying; and although there was necessarily
some confusion, there wt's nothing like disorder, tor
was a drunken man visible in the streets. On the
arrival of the train such a shout arose as made the
welkin ring, and it was re-echoed from the mountain
tops and far-off heights.
The required ceremonies performed, after some
delay, the next point of attraction was the banquet.
For this only a limited number of tickets (690) were
at first issued, hut this number was afterwards in-
creased, notwithstanding which many parties were
disappointed, and as much as 30s. were offered for
tickets, the original price for gentlemen's tickets being
6d., ladies 7s. 6J. A goodly number of ladies
attended, and when all were seated the scene was an
imPosiDg one. There could not have been less than
730 present; among others, the M 3icr of Swansea,
Mr. James Pool (in the chair), Lord James Stuart,
Viecount Villirr <,M.P., Si; Joan Guest, Bart., Ise. p
Mr. 'Talbot, M.P., Mr. Vivian, M.P., R. Fothergill,
hi eh sheriff of the county ; Mr. J. P. ;;:glow
(one of the directors), Mr. Saunders (secretary), and
Mr. Brunel (chief engineer) of the Great Western
Railway Company ; ltir. Williams, secretary of the
Vale of Neath Railway Company; Mr. Coffin,' de-
puty chairman of the Taff Yale Railway - Company