South Wales 'Metro' updates

[Ib5]

Unfortunately I'm coming to the conclusion that Amey are not capable of the proper running of the Valleys. It all seems very chaotic at times, and that includes their terrible comms team. It's certainly not a great advert for nationalised railways. I think a change of leadership may be helpful.

Maintenance is a Amey responsibility, operations including train and crew provision is a TfW responsibility.

When Amey took over they had to staff their many many functions quickly, likewise the then the control and resources elements of tfw moved from Cardiff to Taff Wells quite a few experienced staff either didn’t move or took retirement very soon after the move.

Result, a rapid restaffing into critical roles with people who weren’t maybe the ideal candidates to put it politely.

The rumour mill is suggesting the maintenance side of the operation may well end up being brought in house at a break point in the contract whether that will make things better I don’t know.

Hermes parcels rebranding to Evri really worked didn’t it for example…..

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jul 2025 ==

On a more positive note though, a 756 was noted at Coryton yesterday but on battery mode. I’m told the OLE is now live after a period of works so hopefully we’ll see electric 756 operation very soon.

 

[Cardiff4]

That's exactly the point I was trying to make in my earlier post (#7,234). Also how likely is it that TfW will advise customers of this change in their fare in advance of the station closure?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jun 2025 ==


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jun 2025 ==

Here are a couple of interesting quotes from the FAQ section of the recent press release:

• 5 brand-new Class 756 trains will be introduced onto the Coryton and Caerphilly lines, travelling to Penarth. The first of these trains will be introduced on Saturday 19 July, with a phased introduction of the remaining 4 taking place over the summer.

• The upgrade of the level crossing is a separate project from the extension of the Ty Glas station platform. Our team working on the level crossing will aim to complete the necessary safety upgrades as quickly as possible. We aim to reopen the crossing before the station reopens in Spring 2026.

TfW have confirmed that PAYG fares from Birchgrove will be revised to match those of Ty Glas during the closure of the station.

 

[J663738]

TfW have confirmed that PAYG fares from Birchgrove will be revised to match those of Ty Glas during the closure of the station.

Cue, people who normally use Birchgrove complaining in 6 months time!

 

[Smwrff]

Welsh Government announces an early start to the 5 new 'Burns' stations between Cardiff, Newport and Severn Tunnel, with priority being starting work on relief lines upgrades.

Key date set for massive new trains project in Wales

A Welsh Government official has suggested that work could start on Wales' multi-million pound railway project as soon as next year

www.walesonline.co.uk

(This is not strictly South Wales Metro - should it have its own thread?)

 

[tigermonstera]

(This is not strictly South Wales Metro - should it have its own thread?)

South Wales Mainline Improvements

Given the announcement today that the Spending Review includes money for the "Burns Review stations", now seems like a good time to give the project its own thread in the Infrastructure & Stations forum. The stations would be: Cardiff East (previously Newport Road) Newport West Somerton...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[J663738]

I do hope the new Cardiff East stations don't slow down either the Metro connections from Newport or more importantly the mainline, as it nearly takes as long to get from PAD-BPW as it does from BPW-CDF, such is the speed restrictions in South Wales.

 

[tigermonstera]

I do hope the new Cardiff East stations don't slow down either the Metro connections from Newport or more importantly the mainline, as it nearly takes as long to get from PAD-BPW as it does from BPW-CDF, such is the speed restrictions in South Wales.

Currently, Cardiff East is only planned to serve the relief lines and (if extended east in the future) crossrail. The only current services that are planned to stop there are those to Cheltenham.

In terms of further speed restrictions, this is guesswork but looking at the station diagram published in the consultation, the alignment of the main lines seems untouched — it's only the relief lines that are significantly altered.

 

[John R]

There is plenty of room for realignment of the down relief at Cardiff East to make space for an island platform, as there were originally quite a few more tracks to the south, which survived until the 1980s, and fortunately the land has remained in railway ownership (unlike to the north where the former coal yard is now a retail park).

 

[Dr Day]

Currently, Cardiff East is only planned to serve the relief lines and (if extended east in the future) crossrail. The only current services that are planned to stop there are those to Cheltenham.

There is only 1 train per hour and I don’t expect the good folk of Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney will be terribly chuffed to have longer journey times to Newport and Cardiff through being on an un-upgraded relief line calling at extra stations. Even if upgraded there is still a moderate amount of freight traffic around and aspirations for more services to Bristol and Ebbw Vale in the mix, as well as open access which potentially calls at Severn Tunnel Junction. Could be tricky fitting everything in.

Does anyone know what the Tunnel works are - is this revised signalling, higher line speeds or a change in timetable planning or risk acceptance to allow more trains in the tunnel than are currently allowed?

 

[Merthyr Imp]

...it nearly takes as long to get from PAD-BPW as it does from BPW-CDF, such is the speed restrictions in South Wales.

A quick look at the timetable shows 76 or 77 minutes from Paddington to Bristol Parkway and 32 or 33 minutes from Parkway to Cardiff.

Or am I misreading something?

 

[J663738]

Ok you have a point, I may have exaggerated a bit.

But I just looked at a most recent PAD to CDF train now. 1B34

Left PAD at 2047
PAD-BPW(2204) 77mins
BPW-CDF(2249) 45mins

When you look at a map and consider the distances, the second half of the journey is down to less than 60mph, when the first half is more like 100mph

 

[Merthyr Imp]

Ok you have a point, I may have exaggerated a bit.

But I just looked at a most recent PAD to CDF train now. 1B34

Left PAD at 2047
PAD-BPW(2204) 77mins
BPW-CDF(2249) 45mins

Well, I haven't looked at every train in the timetable, but on Mondays to Fridays almost all services are scheduled to take between 31 and 35 minutes. Exceptions being (for whatever reason) the last three FX services of the day which are due to take either 42 or 43 minutes.

Obviously if the track west of the Severn Tunnel was ever upgraded for 125mph running to match that east of Parkway it would be a lot quicker. But they may consider they've spent enough on electrification without finding more money for track improvements!

 

[Smwrff]

There is a long term plan (or aspiration) to increase line speeds across SWML - in particular to reduce journey times between Cardiff and Swansea - but this is not part of current plan.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jul 2025 ==

The consultation document which included details of the new station layouts and proposed service patterns has now been taken off-line but there are plenty of images and details still available online.

The general proposals are summarised in this document which also includes schedule and costings for the project. This also makes reference to the Cardiff Parkway station which is being developed separately but will form part of the local network.

 

[J663738]

The class 150 reliability is becoming terrible. Was on a train from Central Central to Penarth and it got stuck at a Red signal for an age, when the conductor eventually said sorry but we are now going to Cogan instead. As a train has broken down at Penarth Station blocking the line. About 20 angry people some with suite cases set off walking the last 1/2 mile up the hill.

Reason for post; could they have not ran our train slowly to Dingle Road or is the whole branch line a strict single token system regardless. If they needed a rescue train, then this surely would have to enter the branch line while another train was there, so I don't see the difference?

I wonder does the 'delay repay' kick in if you have to walk the last half of the journey??

 

[AdamWW]

Reason for post; could they have not ran our train slowly to Dingle Road or is the whole branch line a strict single token system regardless. If they needed a rescue train, then this surely would have to enter the branch line while another train was there, so I don't see the difference?

I presume that detonators would need to be placed before a rescue train could enter the line.

If they were beyond Dingle Road then possibly passengers could be carried as far as Dingle Road - I've seen the equivalent of this done but maybe the rules have been tightened since then (it surprised me at the time that it was allowed).

 

[tigermonstera]

A new Park and Ride has opened at Treorchy Station:

The new Treorchy Park and Ride facility has been fully-constructed, and Transport for Wales has now brought the 52-space car park into use for train users

The new parking facility has been created in a joint project – with the Council providing funding for the construction costs via the ongoing Highways and Transportation Capital Programme. The scheme has utilised unused land owned by Transport for Wales.

The new car park contains 43 standard car park spaces, six EV charging spaces, and three disabled spaces. The site design has included sustainable drainage through seven rain gardens, each about the size of a parking space.

(from here).

There is also a drone video of the scheme on Facebook here.

 

[Tomos y Tanc]

A new Park and Ride has opened at Treorchy Station:



(from here).

There is also a drone video of the scheme on Facebook here.

Small wins. Given the rundown state of the valley lines, stuff like this makes a difference.

Personaly, I travel the other way. Treorci is a great day out - a buzzing high street with great scenery. It's a smashing place, I just hope TfW promotes destinations in the valleys rather than just presenting the Metro as a Cardiff commuter network.

 

[Dr Day]

Anything that improves access to public transport is a good thing, but 50-odd spaces feels a bit small for a designated ‘park and ride’. Portway in the equivalent Bristol Valley line has around 800, but in fairness is served by buses as well as trains.

 

[J663738]

Anything that improves access to public transport is a good thing, but 50-odd spaces feels a bit small for a designated ‘park and ride’. Portway in the equivalent Bristol Valley line has around 800, but in fairness is served by buses as well as trains.

Hard to get vast areas of flat terrain in the Welsh valleys!, I think 50 spaces considering the population catchment is fine. I do agree Treorchy does have a very nice feel about it, plenty of independent shops.

 

[John R]

Anything that improves access to public transport is a good thing, but 50-odd spaces feels a bit small for a designated ‘park and ride’. Portway in the equivalent Bristol Valley line has around 800, but in fairness is served by buses as well as trains.

You’re comparing apples with pears there. Portway is predominately a bus park and ride, and its target market includes people coming off the M5 and M49 as well as local residents.

The catchment area for Treorchy is much smaller, especially due to the linear nature of the valley’s housing and presence of stations a short distance on either side. So really it’s just Cwmparc it’s catering for.

 

[AdamWW]

Anyone know why "a fault with the signalling system earlier today" is resulting in not enough trains to run the Caerphilly-Penarth-Coryton services?

 

[J663738]

Not sure it was signalling as there were large holes in the schedule, which looked like not enough rolling stock...again.
I did ask the chap in the ticket office at Penarth what today's problem was? "he said: probably due to the rain!"

Seriously, today there have been 30 cancellations so far at Penarth, I ended up walking over the barrage.
I would be happy with a service every 30 minutes that runs rather than a patchy service every 15 minutes.

On a different note, the TfW fare rises for discounted rovers it just astonishing. I was going to buy a Explore Cardiff, which did cost £5.50 a few weeks back, its now been increased to £7.50 (36% rise)
I suspect someone at TfW is checking every type of unregulated fare and increasing the price to force people to use the new PAYG system.
Once most people are using PAYG they will start to increase that too.

 

[Cardiff123]

Not sure it was signalling as there were large holes in the schedule, which looked like not enough rolling stock...again.
I did ask the chap in the ticket office at Penarth what today's problem was? "he said: probably due to the rain!"

Seriously, today there have been 30 cancellations so far at Penarth, I ended up walking over the barrage.
I would be happy with a service every 30 minutes that runs rather than a patchy service every 15 minutes.

On a different note, the TfW fare rises for discounted rovers it just astonishing. I was going to buy a Explore Cardiff, which did cost £5.50 a few weeks back, its now been increased to £7.50 (36% rise)
I suspect someone at TfW is checking every type of unregulated fare and increasing the price to force people to use the new PAYG system.
Once most people are using PAYG they will start to increase that too.

I think it's clear that TfW are running down the 150s and they are falling over far too often. TfW are literally running them into the ground until within a few days of their withdrawal dates.
The full fleet of 756s and the 398s coming into passenger service can't come soon enough.
Yet I still don't think there's any urgency to get Barry to Bridgend crew trained on 231s & 756s to get the 150s off the VoG line......

 

[AdamWW]

Not sure it was signalling as there were large holes in the schedule, which looked like not enough rolling stock...again.

Well neither am I but that's today's excuse.

On a different note, the TfW fare rises for discounted rovers it just astonishing. I was going to buy a Explore Cardiff, which did cost £5.50 a few weeks back, its now been increased to £7.50 (36% rise)

That's a bit disappointing.

I'm sure they put out a press release explaining why they did it (sarcasm).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jul 2025 ==

I think it's clear that TfW are running down the 150s and they are falling over far too often. TfW are literally running them into the ground until within a few days of their withdrawal dates.
The full fleet of 756s and the 398s coming into passenger service can't come soon enough.
Yet I still don't think there's any urgency to get Barry to Bridgend crew trained on 231s & 756s to get the 150s off the VoG line......

Well we'll see if 756s start on the Penarth line on Saturday....

 

[Benjwri]

Anyone know why "a fault with the signalling system earlier today" is resulting in not enough trains to run the Caerphilly-Penarth-Coryton services?

From what I understand it was a signalling fault at/around the depot that stopped trains getting out.

 

[tigermonstera]

Bathroom going in at Aberdare (from this post)

From Tuesday 22 July, we will be taking up approximately 25 parking spaces in the car park whilst we install a purpose-built toilet facility at the station. To safely install the pod, we need to use a crane which will be stored at the station car park.

 

[Ib5]

I presume that detonators would need to be placed before a rescue train could enter the line.

If they were beyond Dingle Road then possibly passengers could be carried as far as Dingle Road - I've seen the equivalent of this done but maybe the rules have been tightened since then (it surprised me at the time that it was allowed).

The Penarth branch is one train working, you can take another train on to rescue a failed train providing the two are compatible of course. I assume on this occasion they weren’t.

 

[AdamWW]

The Penarth branch is one train working, you can take another train on to rescue a failed train providing the two are compatible of course. I assume on this occasion they weren’t.

The line is run exclusively by 150s so I'd hope they were compatible!

The one time I saw this done (not on the Penarth line) the rescue train was taken out of passenger service at the stop before it reached the detonator protecting the failed train.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jul 2025 ==

Realtimetrains is showing all trains to Penarth and Coryton today as 2 coaches.
So it looks as if the introduction of 756s has been delayed.

There's a test run listed for tomorrow.

 

[Bob Price]

I think it's been said elsewhere that there are still issues with the wires on the Coryton branch so the plans have moved.

 

[Envoy]

I see on P7 at Cardiff Central an electronic sign saying Aberdare P2. Now, anybody not familiar with Cardiff, on seeing this might go over to the mainline P2 for this train. (What it actually means is that the Aberdare train will finish its journey on P2 at Aberdare. Totally confusing for non regulars)!