South Wales 'Metro' updates

[chrisjo]

You pays your money.....

Indeed, might be a good investment if prices go up when the station is built.

 

[enapace]

Thank you for update property is about 5 minute walk from the bridge overlooking the railway so would be extremely close indeed. With it being ready within a 2 year time frame has moved it up the list.

 

[Tomos y Tanc]

Has anyone got any information on when Crwys Road Station construction could start I am considering moving and one of the places I’m considering is near the location.

Not sure if you're buying or renting but, if the former, I would say it's a very good punt. Once the station is open there's likely to be a good increase in property prices and a gradual transition away from student housing towards first purchases for young families.

 

[tigermonstera]

Two behind-the-scenes developments last month:

Market engagement for Caerphilly Interchange has begun:

Transport for Wales has issued a preliminary market engagement notice for a major construction project at Caerphilly Station, signalling the start of a transformative redevelopment with an estimated value of £25M, excluding VAT.

Transport for Wales intends to engage with potential suppliers through an online session anticipated to take place during the week commencing 8 December 2025, likely on the 11 December. This event will outline the scope of work, timescales, and the procurement process to ensure interested contractors are well informed ahead of submitting their bids. The deadline for engagement is 8 December 2025.

(Source)

Procurement description
Demolish and redevelop Caerphilly Station to create a new integrated and accessible interchange building which seamlessly connects rail, bus, taxi and active travel transport modes, including the increase of bus stands from 11 to 12 and layover bays from 3 to 4, alongside new public conveniences, active travel and retail facilities

(Source)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Dec 2025 ==

TfW have also put in a planning application to retain the current construction compound by Roath Dock until 30 November 2027.

The Proposal is for the temporary use of the Site as a construction compound which would support the construction of a new station at Butetown, as well as significant upgrades being made to the existing station at Cardiff Bay.

The compound would also be used to support ongoing works at Cardiff Queen Street Station; it may also be utilised by the Crossrail team as their works in the vicinity of Cardiff Bay Station are undertaken through 2026.

(Cardiff Council planning application 25/02758/FUL)

 

[enapace]

Not sure if you're buying or renting but, if the former, I would say it's a very good punt. Once the station is open there's likely to be a good increase in property prices and a gradual transition away from student housing towards first purchases for young families.

Sadly it would be the later. Wish it could be the former but could still be a good place to live with a close by rail link.

 

[MikePJ]

TfW have put out a press release saying that Rhymney line overhead wires are due to go live this weekend, and it mentions in passing that the Bay line energisation has been delayed again to “early 2026”.

We're going live on the Rhymney line

Transport for Wales has taken another major step towards completing the electrification of the South Wales Valley lines, as the overhead wires across the Rhymney railway line are switched on.

news.tfw.wales

Transport for Wales has taken another major step towards completing the electrification of the South Wales Valley lines, as the overhead wires across the Rhymney railway line are switched on.

This major step in the electrification of the South Wales Metro network follows the completion of engineering work on the 25km stretch between Caerphilly and Rhymney. The final section along the Cardiff Bay line is due to be electrified in early 2026. 

• Rhymney line will be closed between Rhymney and Cardiff Queen Street on Saturday 6 December and Sunday 7 December. During this rail closure, all railway stations, station footbridges, and level crossings from Rhymney to Caerphilly will be closed.

 

[CapitalStar378]

TfW have put out a press release saying that Rhymney line overhead wires are due to go live this weekend, and it mentions in passing that the Bay line energisation has been delayed again to “early 2026”.

We're going live on the Rhymney line

Transport for Wales has taken another major step towards completing the electrification of the South Wales Valley lines, as the overhead wires across the Rhymney railway line are switched on.

news.tfw.wales

I'd imagine that the Bay line go live may be being delayed to allow for the construction works at Butetown station. Also no 398s so it doesn't really matter until they are brought into service.

 

[Bob Price]

TfW have put out a press release saying that Rhymney line overhead wires are due to go live this weekend, and it mentions in passing that the Bay line energisation has been delayed again to “early 2026”.

We're going live on the Rhymney line

Transport for Wales has taken another major step towards completing the electrification of the South Wales Valley lines, as the overhead wires across the Rhymney railway line are switched on.

news.tfw.wales

I am seeing a lot of adverts highlighting the dangers of the electric wires appearing on YouTube and static social media. They are really pushing the message home.

 

[Daniel Boone]

**Already posted, silly me**

 

[Bob Price]

The official launch of the revamp of Cardiff Central station including the Metro platforms took place today. Dignitaries including Hedi Alexandra MP, Jo Stevens MP, Ken Skates MS and the heads of Network Rail and TfW for the region signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the event. My photo taken at Cardiff station this afternoon

 

[MikePJ]

Just reviewing progress from the last project plan, which was consulted on in June. If anyone has additional information, please let me know!

July 2025 - Transfer of 25kV isolation management from Didcot ECO to CVLICC ECO is intended to take place during Canton stage 2 commissioning event planned for July 2025

I'm 80% sure that this happened?

Week of July 19th until week of 6th September - gradual introduction of 756s on Penarth, Coryton and Caerphilly routes

This definitely happened, although 150s and 231s are still seen on those routes fairly regularly. (I had a 231 yesterday on Penarth-Queen St)

September 2025 - Energisation of the OLE on the Bay line and into Cardiff Bay Platform 2

October 2025 – Ynyswen station upgrade entry into service.
October 2025 - Taffs Well station additional facilities entry into service

Bay line not energised; Ynyswen still replaced with buses; not sure about the "additional facilities" at Taffs Well

October 2025 - toilets on "TAM A" stations completed ready for Class 398 introduction

Any news on this?

Week of November 8th onwards - gradual transition of Cardiff Bay to Pontypridd service to Class 398s (3 units/day required) and further 398s to enter service as more crew are trained

Definitely didn't happen.

December 2025: Energisation of the new OLE from Caerphilly to Rhymney (EE4)

Should have happened over the weekend - any evidence?

December 2025 Ty-Glas Station platform extensions entry into service
December 2025 Energisation of Lisvane to Caerphilly Bay Platform (EE3B-2)

Ty-Glas platform extension - now put back to April

December 2025: ASDO beacons to be installed at stations on Vale of Glamorgan, Penarth and at Ninian Park

Not sure about this - might take place during the Christmas shutdown.

 

[AdamWW]

Week of July 19th until week of 6th September - gradual introduction of 756s on Penarth, Coryton and Caerphilly routes

This definitely happened, although 150s and 231s are still seen on those routes fairly regularly. (I had a 231 yesterday on Penarth-Queen St

By "Penarth, Coryton and Caerphilly routes" they will mean the Caerphilly-Penarth-Coryton and repeat services. The 756s have replaced 150s which sometimes still appear (I went on one today) but so far as I know 231s never run this service as they are too long for the Coryton line.

Services beyond Caerphilly are (and have been for quite a while) mostly 231s with some 150s. If 756s are running north of Caerphilly now that is very new. But I don't think they will move over until the 398s displace them from the services through Pontypridd they are currently running.

Ty-Glas platform extension - now put back to April

The platform itself looks complete, but the metal steps for the end aren't in place yet. And it will need fencing.

 

[JamieB44]

Does anybody know why the Aberdare line is being closed for 3 weeks in January?

 

[WelshBluebird]

Ynyswen still replaced with buses

Only for less than a week, reopening properly on the 14th.

Any news on this?

Not sure what TAM A refers to, and ive no idea if they are "complete", but theyve defo been doing work to install toilets. They've done some work at Tonypandy for it to be completed in January, they did work at Abercynon in October and that should be finished (but its just outside of where my family is so I'm not sure) and they did Treorchy earlier on in the year.

 

[chargesmith]

It looks as though the lines through Pontypridd will have a service on New Year's Day in 2026, as far I recall this was previously a non-service day. Pontypridd - Treherbert will be run by buses though.

 

[MikePJ]

By "Penarth, Coryton and Caerphilly routes" they will mean the Caerphilly-Penarth-Coryton and repeat services. The 756s have replaced 150s which sometimes still appear (I went on one today) but so far as I know 231s never run this service as they are too long for the Coryton line.

Ah, I hadn't realised. I only mentioned 231s because I was a bit surprised to get one on the Penarth-Queen St Sunday service a few days ago, but of course from next weekend that service will run to Coryton so it'll have to be a 756 or a sprinter.

Only for less than a week, reopening properly on the 14th.

Thanks! Missed that one!

Not sure what TAM A refers to, and ive no idea if they are "complete", but theyve defo been doing work to install toilets. They've done some work at Tonypandy for it to be completed in January, they did work at Abercynon in October and that should be finished (but its just outside of where my family is so I'm not sure) and they did Treorchy earlier on in the year.

The project plan isn't clear which stations it refers to, but good to hear some progress has been made. But it sounds like at least some of that work is delayed relative to the planned October date - but it's really not clear what the holdup with the 398s is: are TfW holding back the 398s until infrastructure is ready (e.g toilets, Cardiff Bay overhead) or is the infrastructure delivery being allowed to slip back because the 398s aren't ready?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Dec 2025 ==

One other thing - it looks like the Penarth-Caerphilly service will resume calling at Heath High Level, Llanishen and Lisvane & Thornhill from the timetable change next weekend.

 

[AdamWW]

One other thing - it looks like the Penarth-Caerphilly service will resume calling at Heath High Level, Llanishen and Lisvane & Thornhill from the timetable change next weekend.

Ah good. I kept meaning to have a look at that and forgetting.

 

[positron]

Does anybody know why the Aberdare line is being closed for 3 weeks in January?

Hopefully for some intensive driver training on the 398s to get them into service. Any other infrastructure work should already have been completed during electrification.

 

[Snow1964]

TfW have issued a news story that 99% of Metro are now electrified.

Transport for Wales has now electrified 99% of the railway lines in South East Wales as part of the South Wales Metro.

Overhead wires across the Rhymney railway line were switched on this past weekend, signifying another major milestone for the project, as well as the recent official opening of the South Wales Metro depot at Taff’s Well by His Majesty King Charles.

Since 2023, the Rhymney, Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr, Coryton and Caerphilly railway lines have all been electrified, with the final section of railway along the Cardiff Bay line planned to go live from early 2026.

Dubbed the ‘Welsh Tube’, the one-billion-pound project brought electric train services to the South Wales Valleys for the very first time last year and fully electric tram-trains will be introduced next year, providing more rail services and more capacity.

99% of South Wales Metro now electrified

Transport for Wales has now electrified 99% of the railway lines in South East Wales as part of the South Wales Metro.

news.tfw.wales

To say 99% of railway lines rather than 99% of track we intended to do, is rather stretching it. Especially for those reading this whilst on a diesel 150 on a metro services.

 

[Farigiraf]

TfW have issued a news story that 99% of Metro are now electrified.

99% of South Wales Metro now electrified

Transport for Wales has now electrified 99% of the railway lines in South East Wales as part of the South Wales Metro.

news.tfw.wales

To say 99% of railway lines rather than 99% of track we intended to do, is rather stretching it. Especially for those reading this whilst on a diesel 150 on a metro services.

Since when is the Metro just the core valley lines north of Cardiff Central? Though, even just counting that, I think the sections south of Caerphilly and Pontypridd still make up at least 1%.
The Metro is generally seen as the core valley lines (north and south of Cardiff) plus Maesteg-Ebbw Vale. Counting those, the 99% headline is complete misinformation considering that there are virtually zero wires up south or west of Cardiff Central.

 

[AdamWW]

TfW have issued a news story that 99% of Metro are now electrified.

I wonder if that means officially electrified, or the wires actually energised.

 

[BillStampy]

I wonder if that means officially electrified, or the wires actually energised.

Overhead wires across the Rhymney railway line were switched on this past weekend, signifying another major milestone for the project

Pretty sure it's referring to this, maybe the 1% being referred to is the Bay line considering it's length? It would make the most sense as to where the 99% figure has come from!

 

[chargesmith]

If I recall correctly TfW are electrifying 170km of railway, if only the bit to Cardiff Bay remains then I guess that is where the 99% figure comes from.

 

[AdamWW]

Overhead wires across the Rhymney railway line were switched on this past weekend, signifying another major milestone for the project

Pretty sure it's referring to this, maybe the 1% being referred to is the Bay line considering it's length? It would make the most sense as to where the 99% figure has come from!

I'm pretty sure too.

But in the past they have very much given the impression that they have energised overhead wires on schedule when in fact they hadn't.

 

[Christian Schm]

I struggle to understand the reason for that. It’s not great but many passengers really care much if an upgrade is delayed by a few months of you can actually see that the work is underway?

 

[MikePJ]

What has happened in the past is that the PR team have put out a press release on the scheduled go-live date, despite the fact that the engineers found a problem at the last minute and postponed the energisation.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Dec 2025 ==

A quick picture of Cardiff Bay this morning: paving is gradually being laid in the circulating area at the Bay end of the platforms. Still no sign of any works on the station building, there’s just a fenced-off area on the platform where it will go.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Dec 2025 ==

Oh - one other thing: the conductor bar in the Caerphilly bay platform (P1) should now be live - does anyone know if it is now being used to top up batteries on 756s?

 

[AdamWW]

What has happened in the past is that the PR team have put out a press release on the scheduled go-live date, despite the fact that the engineers found a problem at the last minute and postponed the energisation.

And then done nothing to correct the misinformation.

And I do understand why they might not want to put out another press release saying "Oh hang on actually that didn't happen" and indeed why it might be a good idea to have a certain sort of person thinking that the wires are live anyway, though last time round it became a little less convincing when the warnings of the second energistation attempt started being plastered on stations and foot crossings.

But the result is that we can't conclude that the wires are actually live based just on TfW publicity, so it would be interesting to know if there's evidence on the ground such as all the grounding straps having been removed.

 

[Tomos y Tanc]

What has happened in the past is that the PR team have put out a press release on the scheduled go-live date, despite the fact that the engineers found a problem at the last minute and postponed the energisation.

But given the recent spate of cable thefts, why would TfW publicise a postponement unless it had an impact on services?

 

[Bob Price]

There are the adverts that are saying that 99% of the wiring is now done. Seems like an odd thing to put out of if the wires weren't live.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Dec 2025 ==

To add to my post, this is a news article from Wales247 in which they say the same thing, the wires are live. We just wait now for the first test trains, though no idea when they might start running.

Rhymney line electrified as South Wales Metro approaches finish line

Transport for Wales has now electrified 99% of the railway lines in South East Wales as part of the South Wales Metro. Overhead wires across the Rhymney railway line were switched on this past weekend, signifying another major milestone for the project, as well as the recent official opening of...

www.wales247.co.uk

Transport for Wales has now electrified 99% of the railway lines in South East Wales as part of the South Wales Metro.

Overhead wires across the Rhymney railway line were switched on this past weekend, signifying another major milestone for the project, as well as the recent official opening of the South Wales Metro depot at Taff’s Well by His Majesty King Charles...

 

[AdamWW]

There are the adverts that are saying that 99% of the wiring is now done. Seems like an odd thing to put out of if the wires weren't live.

Perhaps this will explain why I'm not taking TfW's pronouncements at face value:

On 2nd April 2025 TfW were saying:

We've recently electrified the Coryton line and the Rhymney line, from Cardiff Queen Street to Caerphilly. This marks a significant milestone in the South Wales Metro programme..."

And they announced that over the upcoming weekend they would need to close bridges and crossings and replace all trains with buses to "test" the overhead line equipment.

Yet it was very clear from the prior presence of earthing straps (as well as lack of any test trains) and the notices at stations warning of imminent energisation that at the time they wrote that the power was certainly not on, and the "testing" they referred to was actually energisation.

As already pointed out, in this case there is perhaps good justification for TfW being misleading in such matters, though the signs they put up (and presumably have to) before energisation rather give the game away.