BlythPower
Member
To Cardiff for a Valley Lines Day Explorer
Why Cardiff? Its closer than Glasgow.
The planning process revealed that the best ticket combination from Leamington Spa to Cardiff involves a split at Cheltenham, enabling anytime travel for third less than a through anytime ticket and only 60p more than off-peak. £41.40 for LMS-CNM plus £18.60 CNM-CDF vs £94.10 anytime LMS-CDF or £59.40 off peak.
Departure from Leamington was on 1E79 07:44 to Newcastle formed of 221120. 68012 was arriving in the opposite direction on 1H21 07:44 to Marylebone a new loco for sight giving an auspicious start to the day. From St Andrews Jn to Grand Jn was the first new track of the day and gave sight of 66532 at the start of its journey to Southampton. New New Street is still a pale grey construction site with, as always, several escalators out of action and the worlds most pointless hand driers in the loos. When getting Todays Railways UK via the self-service till I got 65p of very loose change as 12 x 5p, 2 x 2p and 1 x 1p came out of the machine. An ATW service to Birmingham International threw up a trio of 158s as a taster of what was to follow later in the day.
Departure south was on board a very quiet 221131 on 1V45 to Bristol Parkway. The Camp Hill line from St Andrews Jn to Kings Norton was the days second stretch of new line. After that, everything from Stoke Works Jn southwards was new track as well. The new Bromsgrove station seems to be coming on well with the basics of the platforms already in place. The darkening skies offered a good view of the distant Malverns to the west and around Cheltenham the fringe of the Cotswolds was in view.
Approaching the curve to Westerleigh Jn, the Great Western mainline announced itself with the sight of a distant HST. With ten minutes or so wait at Bristol Parkway, I wandered down the western end of the platform for a peer into the yard where 66720 had arrived with a freight another winner for sight. Departure from BPW was aboard the 1B15 10:08 to Swansea with 43179 at the sharp end and, as discovered at Cardiff, 43020 at the rear both new for haulage. I found myself sat in recently converted composite 46012 which produced an interesting phenomenon in Patchway Tunnel as mist spat out of the air conditioning onto the people below! An FGW staff member assisted with the comment Ill fetch a cloth .
Next up was the Severn Tunnel every bit as long as you imagine and then Wales! Newport has old castle and a new bridge with a glimpse of the transporter bridge in the distance. Despite the odd new footbridge most of Newport station still looks reassuringly traditional.
Having monitored 1B15 for a week or so beforehand on RealTimeTrains, I was expecting its arrival in Cardiff to be five or more minutes late. It was a pleasant surprise to be pretty much on time. I spent a little time getting my bearings at the station and looking over at the Brains brewery just to the south.
After getting my Valley Lines Day Explorer at the excess fares desk in the subway, I made my first ATW move of the day aboard 2R08 11:16 to Rhymney as far as Cardiff Queen St. on board 143610 (with 143602 as the leading unit of the pair). I spent a little time there looking at the hotels and the adjacent Cardiff prison not that much difference in the architectural styles Im not sure Id fancy a night in either as a train squealed round the corner from Central with a horrendous cacophony of flange and brake squeal. Whats that ruddy awful racket? Its Sir Tom Jones (aka 143609).
Off next on 2B50 11:36 to Cardiff Bay on a well-filled 153367 on which every fold down table had been folded down.
An instant return on 2S50 11:42 back to Queen St. was followed by a trip on 143607 forming the 2V21 12:01 to Radyr giving the days first sight of Cardiff Canton depot. 67002 was lurking inside the shed with a Gerald set.
After arriving at Radyr, I made my way over the footbridge and let a southbound train go. Checking the screen for 2F43 12:31 to Cardiff Central, I realised I shouldnt have let that last train go without me! 2F43s delay kept increasing and finally reached seven minutes. During that time 66130 passed northwards with coal empties and I took the opportunity to look down at the River Taff in the valley below. Id been planning on going to Cardiff Central for a loo break before the next leg but decided to bail at Queen St. instead as the bogs can be reached more quickly there. 143622 arrived with 2F43 for my third and final 143 haulage of the day.
The bog bail at Queen St worked perfectly and I had a couple of minutes to spare before 142080 and 142076 pulled in with 2P49 12:56 to Penarth. A more distant view of Canton shed this time followed by sight of the River Ely en route to the terminus.
Just time for a quick seat switch from 142076 to 142080 before heading back north to Grangetown as 2D40 13:17 to Bargoed. A brief fester at Grangetown brought the days first 150/2 ride as 150282 arrived with 2Y47 13:29 to Barry Island. Theres an impressive collection of rusting hulks sinking into the sands of the harbour at Barry. Arrival at the Island was a little late so the connection back at Barry was looking a little iffy. Thankfully, a swift turnaround meant I was back at Barry (2M36 13:55 Merthyr Tydfil) and over the footbridge in time for 150267 on 2E32 14:05 to Bridgend.
Sitting on the seaward side, the views were spectacular, though it wasnt til I got home that I realised what Id mistakenly thought to be the other side of a massive bay was, of course, Somerset across the Bristol Channel! Aberthaw Power Station seems to be going green with a sizeable solar panel array. The countryside also got very green and lush as the line swung north away from the coast. Bridgend has yet another ruined castle and a smart station.
I had time to nip out onto the concourse and grab some souvenir timetables before the arrival of 150284 with 2L57 14:49 to Maesteg. The journey up the Llynfi Valley was predominantly rural with several crossing of the river and a pair of herons watching the train go by. There was a brief pause at Tondu Middle Jn to pick up the token from the signalman. Approaching Maesteg, the hills began to loom up above the town as did a lot of ominous dark clouds.
Thankfully, the rain held off and the journey back to Cardiff, this time along the main line was conducted in sunshine on board 150284 again as 2G64 14:17 to Cheltenham.
Passing Canton, 08499 was parked outside together with a couple of the ex-FGW car carriers. Arriving back at Cardiff Central, it was time for the final ATW move of the day on 142002 as 2C39 16:21 to Coryton. Its a brief but pleasant journey alongside a number of leafy parks with an attractive little station at the end.
Straight back to Cardiff as 2V41 16:45 to Radyr. After getting some phots of 67002 with the evening Gerald and enjoying the noisy departure, 66148 followed on its heels with an eastbound freight.
Off to grab some supplies for the journey home and then into the scrum to get aboard 170523 with 1M95 17:45 to Nottingham. I managed to get a seat and the train cleared out, as hoped, at Newport. I was struck by how grimy it was compared to the ATW units Id been on. The views of the muddy, tide out Severn were impressive, as were the two bridges.
The final train of the day was 222001 with 1O30 20:04 to Bournemouth. Having lived in Coventry for a number of years, I had to be careful not to get off there instead of Leamington! As I arrived at Leamo, 66193 passed through with northbound containers and shortly after as I went into the car park, 66532 put in its second appearance of the day heading north this time.
All in all an excellent day out. If youve not tried a Valley Lines Day Explorer, Id heartily recommend it. Its astonishing value for the ground you can cover. The ATW train service was, with only very small exceptions, excellent and even the 142s and 143s are in reasonable nick. Six of my seven required ATW 142s were seen along with seven out of eight 143s and five 150/2s (plus two bonus FGW ones). Having headed south and west this time, Ill be back next year to head north into the valleys and hopefully get those two remaining pacers.
Finally, a couple of questions: Why has the disused platform at Heath Low Level been buried in ballast and how do you pronounce Rhiwbina?
Why Cardiff? Its closer than Glasgow.
The planning process revealed that the best ticket combination from Leamington Spa to Cardiff involves a split at Cheltenham, enabling anytime travel for third less than a through anytime ticket and only 60p more than off-peak. £41.40 for LMS-CNM plus £18.60 CNM-CDF vs £94.10 anytime LMS-CDF or £59.40 off peak. Departure from Leamington was on 1E79 07:44 to Newcastle formed of 221120. 68012 was arriving in the opposite direction on 1H21 07:44 to Marylebone a new loco for sight giving an auspicious start to the day. From St Andrews Jn to Grand Jn was the first new track of the day and gave sight of 66532 at the start of its journey to Southampton. New New Street is still a pale grey construction site with, as always, several escalators out of action and the worlds most pointless hand driers in the loos. When getting Todays Railways UK via the self-service till I got 65p of very loose change as 12 x 5p, 2 x 2p and 1 x 1p came out of the machine. An ATW service to Birmingham International threw up a trio of 158s as a taster of what was to follow later in the day.
Departure south was on board a very quiet 221131 on 1V45 to Bristol Parkway. The Camp Hill line from St Andrews Jn to Kings Norton was the days second stretch of new line. After that, everything from Stoke Works Jn southwards was new track as well. The new Bromsgrove station seems to be coming on well with the basics of the platforms already in place. The darkening skies offered a good view of the distant Malverns to the west and around Cheltenham the fringe of the Cotswolds was in view.
Approaching the curve to Westerleigh Jn, the Great Western mainline announced itself with the sight of a distant HST. With ten minutes or so wait at Bristol Parkway, I wandered down the western end of the platform for a peer into the yard where 66720 had arrived with a freight another winner for sight. Departure from BPW was aboard the 1B15 10:08 to Swansea with 43179 at the sharp end and, as discovered at Cardiff, 43020 at the rear both new for haulage. I found myself sat in recently converted composite 46012 which produced an interesting phenomenon in Patchway Tunnel as mist spat out of the air conditioning onto the people below! An FGW staff member assisted with the comment Ill fetch a cloth .
Next up was the Severn Tunnel every bit as long as you imagine and then Wales! Newport has old castle and a new bridge with a glimpse of the transporter bridge in the distance. Despite the odd new footbridge most of Newport station still looks reassuringly traditional.
Having monitored 1B15 for a week or so beforehand on RealTimeTrains, I was expecting its arrival in Cardiff to be five or more minutes late. It was a pleasant surprise to be pretty much on time. I spent a little time getting my bearings at the station and looking over at the Brains brewery just to the south.
After getting my Valley Lines Day Explorer at the excess fares desk in the subway, I made my first ATW move of the day aboard 2R08 11:16 to Rhymney as far as Cardiff Queen St. on board 143610 (with 143602 as the leading unit of the pair). I spent a little time there looking at the hotels and the adjacent Cardiff prison not that much difference in the architectural styles Im not sure Id fancy a night in either as a train squealed round the corner from Central with a horrendous cacophony of flange and brake squeal. Whats that ruddy awful racket? Its Sir Tom Jones (aka 143609).
Off next on 2B50 11:36 to Cardiff Bay on a well-filled 153367 on which every fold down table had been folded down.
An instant return on 2S50 11:42 back to Queen St. was followed by a trip on 143607 forming the 2V21 12:01 to Radyr giving the days first sight of Cardiff Canton depot. 67002 was lurking inside the shed with a Gerald set.
After arriving at Radyr, I made my way over the footbridge and let a southbound train go. Checking the screen for 2F43 12:31 to Cardiff Central, I realised I shouldnt have let that last train go without me! 2F43s delay kept increasing and finally reached seven minutes. During that time 66130 passed northwards with coal empties and I took the opportunity to look down at the River Taff in the valley below. Id been planning on going to Cardiff Central for a loo break before the next leg but decided to bail at Queen St. instead as the bogs can be reached more quickly there. 143622 arrived with 2F43 for my third and final 143 haulage of the day.
The bog bail at Queen St worked perfectly and I had a couple of minutes to spare before 142080 and 142076 pulled in with 2P49 12:56 to Penarth. A more distant view of Canton shed this time followed by sight of the River Ely en route to the terminus.
Just time for a quick seat switch from 142076 to 142080 before heading back north to Grangetown as 2D40 13:17 to Bargoed. A brief fester at Grangetown brought the days first 150/2 ride as 150282 arrived with 2Y47 13:29 to Barry Island. Theres an impressive collection of rusting hulks sinking into the sands of the harbour at Barry. Arrival at the Island was a little late so the connection back at Barry was looking a little iffy. Thankfully, a swift turnaround meant I was back at Barry (2M36 13:55 Merthyr Tydfil) and over the footbridge in time for 150267 on 2E32 14:05 to Bridgend.
Sitting on the seaward side, the views were spectacular, though it wasnt til I got home that I realised what Id mistakenly thought to be the other side of a massive bay was, of course, Somerset across the Bristol Channel! Aberthaw Power Station seems to be going green with a sizeable solar panel array. The countryside also got very green and lush as the line swung north away from the coast. Bridgend has yet another ruined castle and a smart station.
I had time to nip out onto the concourse and grab some souvenir timetables before the arrival of 150284 with 2L57 14:49 to Maesteg. The journey up the Llynfi Valley was predominantly rural with several crossing of the river and a pair of herons watching the train go by. There was a brief pause at Tondu Middle Jn to pick up the token from the signalman. Approaching Maesteg, the hills began to loom up above the town as did a lot of ominous dark clouds.
Thankfully, the rain held off and the journey back to Cardiff, this time along the main line was conducted in sunshine on board 150284 again as 2G64 14:17 to Cheltenham.
Passing Canton, 08499 was parked outside together with a couple of the ex-FGW car carriers. Arriving back at Cardiff Central, it was time for the final ATW move of the day on 142002 as 2C39 16:21 to Coryton. Its a brief but pleasant journey alongside a number of leafy parks with an attractive little station at the end.
Straight back to Cardiff as 2V41 16:45 to Radyr. After getting some phots of 67002 with the evening Gerald and enjoying the noisy departure, 66148 followed on its heels with an eastbound freight.
Off to grab some supplies for the journey home and then into the scrum to get aboard 170523 with 1M95 17:45 to Nottingham. I managed to get a seat and the train cleared out, as hoped, at Newport. I was struck by how grimy it was compared to the ATW units Id been on. The views of the muddy, tide out Severn were impressive, as were the two bridges.
The final train of the day was 222001 with 1O30 20:04 to Bournemouth. Having lived in Coventry for a number of years, I had to be careful not to get off there instead of Leamington! As I arrived at Leamo, 66193 passed through with northbound containers and shortly after as I went into the car park, 66532 put in its second appearance of the day heading north this time.
All in all an excellent day out. If youve not tried a Valley Lines Day Explorer, Id heartily recommend it. Its astonishing value for the ground you can cover. The ATW train service was, with only very small exceptions, excellent and even the 142s and 143s are in reasonable nick. Six of my seven required ATW 142s were seen along with seven out of eight 143s and five 150/2s (plus two bonus FGW ones). Having headed south and west this time, Ill be back next year to head north into the valleys and hopefully get those two remaining pacers.
Finally, a couple of questions: Why has the disused platform at Heath Low Level been buried in ballast and how do you pronounce Rhiwbina?
