ATW May 2013 Timetable

[Gareth Marston]

ATW have a stakeholder letter out with details of changes for 19 May 2013.
They are predominantly to do with services west of Cardiff their assumption is that the work to redouble Llanelli-Swansea will be complete in time.

• additional stops at Gowerton to give it hourly off peak and evening weekday service.
• additional stops at Pontyclun
• additional early evening service from Cardiff to Bridgend via Pontyclun.(by extension of Ebbw Vale Parkway to Cardiff service)
• One Cardiff to Swansea train extended to Llanelli for extra capacity in evening peak west of Swansea.
• Two Swansea to Cardiff trains extended to Newport.
• Additional capacity on 0740 Ebbw Vale to Cardiff and 1735 Cardiff to Ebbw Vale trains
• Improved capacity on all Pembroke Dock trains.

 

[PHILIPE]

If the early evening service from Cardiff to Bridgend (extension from Ebbw Vale) is at 16 37 it is in operation already. (Since December).
The "big" work on the re-doubling start 23 March for 2 weeks when West Wales trains are diverted via the District Line and buses covering Swansea to Llanelli.

 

[DaveHarries]

ATW have a stakeholder letter out with details of changes for 19 May 2013.
They are predominantly to do with services west of Cardiff their assumption is that the work to redouble Llanelli-Swansea will be complete in time.

[.....]

additional stops at Gowerton to give it hourly off peak and evening weekday service.

As shown here on OTT for Monday 20th May 2013.
http://www.opentraintimes.com/location/GWN/2013-05-20/0000-2359

Slightly more than 1 train per hour in peak hours it seems: it looks like that there will be a roughly half-hourly service at these times. Good to see the improvements being made though: long overdue IMO and it will put an end to Gowertonites - is that the correct term? I can't think of a better one - having to get the bus or go by car to Swansea to get on a train.

I believe I am right in saying that the resignalling of the Rhymney Valley line later this year will see changes to the schedule on that line as well but I don't have a date for this. Any ideas Gareth?

Dave

 

[Gareth Marston]

As shown here on OTT for Monday 20th May 2013.
http://www.opentraintimes.com/location/GWN/2013-05-20/0000-2359

Slightly more than 1 train per hour in peak hours it seems: it looks like that there will be a roughly half-hourly service at these times. Good to see the improvements being made though: long overdue IMO and it will put an end to Gowertonites - is that the correct term? I can't think of a better one - having to get the bus or go by car to Swansea to get on a train.

I believe I am right in saying that the resignalling of the Rhymney Valley line later this year will see changes to the schedule on that line as well but I don't have a date for this. Any ideas Gareth?

Dave

Cardiff Area Re-signalling Scheme is due to complete in 2015. Loop and 2nd platform at Tir Pill and new station at Energlyn plus south facing bay at Caerphilly are included in package. Will allow half hourly service all way up Rhymney valley and allow for extra trains between Caerphilly and Cardiff.

 

[Greenback]

Slightly more than 1 train per hour in peak hours it seems: it looks like that there will be a roughly half-hourly service at these times. Good to see the improvements being made though: long overdue IMO and it will put an end to Gowertonites - is that the correct term? I can't think of a better one - having to get the bus or go by car to Swansea to get on a train.

There is currently more than one train per hour eastwards from Gowerton in the morning and westwards in the evening. Though there is a gap caused by the morning FGW HST not calling there. It's surprising how many Gowertonians use the train to travel to stations east of Swansea as well as Swansea itself.

For the Swansea commuters, from talking to some of them almost daily, it seems that their main motivation for getting the train is cost, either due to the price of parking in the city centre or the absurdly high bus fares in comparison to rail!

Incidentally, the redoubling looks to be proceeding well. Most of the new track is in place, and with the line being closed for a fortnight from next Monday, I would hope they can get the new Loughor bridge in place!

 

[anthony263]

Hopefully we wont see the swanline services stopping at Pontyclun now that is one service which could do with an hourly frequency off peak although I suspect it is those services which terminate at Cardiff Central which will run through to Newport rather than shunt out of central station to Canton depot.

Once the Gowerton re-doubling is complete I would hope that at some point FGW will stop the 07:28 Carmarthen - London service there since it will allow passengers from Gowerton to arrive into Swansea at around 08:20.

 

[PHILIPE]

I have been wondering about the additional capacity on all Pembroke Dock services, or is it just a bit of "spin". They are normally strengthened from a 153 to 2 cars during High Summer and this what they actually mean and perhaps not being completely open and giving the impression it is at all times.

 

[anthony263]

There is currently more than one train per hour eastwards from Gowerton in the morning and westwards in the evening. Though there is a gap caused by the morning FGW HST not calling there. It's surprising how many Gowertonians use the train to travel to stations east of Swansea as well as Swansea itself.

For the Swansea commuters, from talking to some of them almost daily, it seems that their main motivation for getting the train is cost, either due to the price of parking in the city centre or the absurdly high bus fares in comparison to rail!

Incidentally, the redoubling looks to be proceeding well. Most of the new track is in place, and with the line being closed for a fortnight from next Monday, I would hope they can get the new Loughor bridge in place!

Not surprising that passengers prefer the train from Gowerton especially when First make a number of cut backs to various bus services around the south wales area in the evenings and sundays

 

[tom1649]

Station usage at Gowerton has increased quite dramatically from 8,908 in 2005/6 to 66,346 in 2010/11. I don't think I've seen a proportional increase that big before!

 

[anthony263]

Station usage at Gowerton has increased quite dramatically from 8,908 in 2005/6 to 66,346 in 2010/11. I don't think I've seen a proportional increase that big before!

Just goes to show when there is a good rail service available people will use it I have noticed this with other stations such as my local station @ Pyle where passenger numbers have really gone up since Arriva started stopping some of the Milford Haven - Manchester services during the peaks in addition to the Swansea - Cardiff swanline services.

Of course the current state of the local bus services in the Gowerton area has helped increase rail passenger numbers using Gowerton station.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Encouraging to see the new infrastructure has plans for use ! - some of us in the industry have been working on this since around "anno dominus" 2000. Plans come together eventually with luck , funding and perseverance.

Probably the first real investment west of Swansea since Port Talbot panel extended westwards in the 1970's. Unless anyone else can think of anything bar Fishguard.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Encouraging to see the new infrastructure has plans for use ! - some of us in the industry have been working on this since around "anno dominus" 2000. Plans come together eventually with luck , funding and perseverance.

Probably the first real investment west of Swansea since Port Talbot panel extended westwards in the 1970's. Unless anyone else can think of anything bar Fishguard.

Encouraging to see the new infrastructure has plans for use !

Unlike the Cambrian then!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I have been wondering about the additional capacity on all Pembroke Dock services, or is it just a bit of "spin". They are normally strengthened from a 153 to 2 cars during High Summer and this what they actually mean and perhaps not being completely open and giving the impression it is at all times.

Almost certainly the usual summer strengthening as ATW have acquired no new stock nor have they cut services elsewhere in franchise to free any up. ATW's Commercial Director Mike Bagshaw told the BBC on Wednesdays Week In Week Out that the Welsh Government would have to "alter the terms of the franchise agreement" to do anything about overcrowding on Valley Lines services.

I'm sure fellow forum members can think of plenty of other ways of doing something about it.

 

[anthony263]

Yes how about making use of the mark 2 carriages sitting in the siding at Canton on peak hour services from Rhymney releasing a few pacers which can then be used to boost capacity.

 

[Greenback]

I have been wondering about the additional capacity on all Pembroke Dock services, or is it just a bit of "spin". They are normally strengthened from a 153 to 2 cars during High Summer and this what they actually mean and perhaps not being completely open and giving the impression it is at all times.

I read that statement to mean that the school holiday strengthening will be extended to cover the whole year.

Not surprising that passengers prefer the train from Gowerton especially when First make a number of cut backs to various bus services around the south wales area in the evenings and sundays

Indeed, the Gowerton buses are not only expensive, but pretty poor timing wise. Apart from pensioners on their free passes, the only local people I can see using the bus are those going to the west side of Swansea who would need tot ransfer to another bus anyway.

Station usage at Gowerton has increased quite dramatically from 8,908 in 2005/6 to 66,346 in 2010/11. I don't think I've seen a proportional increase that big before!

I don't take much notice of station usage figures (they wouldn't have taken any account of my usage of Gowerton on my Llanelli to Swansea annual seasons!) but it is certainly a lot busier than it was six years ago when I started commuting. Even travelling in the off peak nearly all trains seem to stop at Gowerton for someone to board or alight!

Interestingly, according to Timetable World, in 1965 Gowerton was served by four trains each way per day, all either in the mroning peak or evening peak!

http://www.timetableworld.com/

 

[swcovas]

Encouraging to see the new infrastructure has plans for use ! - some of us in the industry have been working on this since around "anno dominus" 2000. Plans come together eventually with luck , funding and perseverance.

Probably the first real investment west of Swansea since Port Talbot panel extended westwards in the 1970's. Unless anyone else can think of anything bar Fishguard.

Yes, it's great to see it happening but it's ironic to think of it as "investment" as its just putting back what should never have been ripped in those penny pinching days of the 80s!!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I think the 2 Swansea- Cardiff extensions are the first two HOWL trains.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Yes, it's great to see it happening but it's ironic to think of it as "investment" as its just putting back what should never have been ripped in those penny pinching days of the 80s!!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I think the 2 Swansea- Cardiff extensions are the first two HOWL trains.

They'll cause some confusion on the platforms at Shrewsbury when the PIS screens say Newport!

 

[Llanigraham]

Encouraging to see the new infrastructure has plans for use !

Unlike the Cambrian then!

Yes, one day we might actually get our promised hourly service!!

 

[Michael.Y]

They'll cause some confusion on the platforms at Shrewsbury when the PIS screens say Newport!

The vertical PIS screens showing the list of departures (in the foyer and on platform) always indicate that the train is running via the HoWL / Llanelli.

Also given that HoWL trains leave between 20 and 40 mins before Marches services there is plenty of time for any pax mistakenly on a HoWL train to realise their mistake and change at Church Stretton or Craven Arms.

 

[Gareth Marston]

The vertical PIS screens showing the list of departures (in the foyer and on platform) always indicate that the train is running via the HoWL / Llanelli.

Also given that HoWL trains leave between 20 and 40 mins before Marches services there is plenty of time for any pax mistakenly on a HoWL train to realise their mistake and change at Church Stretton or Craven Arms.

Thankfully the lop sided stopping pattern for CS and CA means theirs only a few minutes after a HOW train before another one. The 0900 from Shrewsbury to Cardiff via HOW is followed at 0914 by the 0628 Holyhead to Cardiff. The 0519 is followed at 0540 by the 0454 Crewe to Milford haven.

 

[Markdvdman]

There is currently more than one train per hour eastwards from Gowerton in the morning and westwards in the evening. Though there is a gap caused by the morning FGW HST not calling there. It's surprising how many Gowertonians use the train to travel to stations east of Swansea as well as Swansea itself.

For the Swansea commuters, from talking to some of them almost daily, it seems that their main motivation for getting the train is cost, either due to the price of parking in the city centre or the absurdly high bus fares in comparison to rail!

Incidentally, the redoubling looks to be proceeding well. Most of the new track is in place, and with the line being closed for a fortnight from next Monday, I would hope they can get the new Loughor bridge in place!

Well I was on the 6:05am bus from Llanelli to Swansea this am, and it was a sight to behold. They are working hard on replacing the bridge so it suggests it will be done in time (I hope!)

 

[Michael.Y]

The 0900 from Shrewsbury to Cardiff via HOW is followed at 0914 by the 0628 Holyhead to Cardiff. The 0519 is followed at 0540 by the 0454 Crewe to Milford haven.

Indeed, twas my point.

 

[PHILIPE]

BBC announcing additional services calling at Gowerton and also infer that Pembroke Dock services will be2 cars instead of 1 ar all times and not just High Summer
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have noticed that the 19 10 Swansea to Carrdiff Central Swanline appears to have been withdrawn but ATW have said nothing about this. No great damage done as the 17 08 Milford Haven to Cardiff will run as a Swanline forward from Swansea without the connection into the 20 17 Cardiff Cen to Manchester Picc being severed

 

[anthony263]

BBC announcing additional services calling at Gowerton and also infer that Pembroke Dock services will be2 cars instead of 1 ar all times and not just High Summer
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have noticed that the 19 10 Swansea to Carrdiff Central Swanline appears to have been withdrawn but ATW have said nothing about this. No great damage done as the 17 08 Milford Haven to Cardiff will run as a Swanline forward from Swansea without the connection into the 20 17 Cardiff Cen to Manchester Picc being severed

That 19:10 service from Swansea never seems to run on time on weekdays as the unit which forms it is formed by the stock coming in on the 18:04 Cardiff - Swansea swanline. Before it was formed by the stock which worked the departure from Cardiff at 17:38 which left plenty of time at Swansea if the train was late arriving.

That 17:08 from Milford Haven departs Swansea at 19:00 anyway so it does have plenty of time to serve the Swanline stations

 

[ValleyLines142]

That 19:10 service from Swansea never seems to run on time on weekdays as the unit which forms it is formed by the stock coming in on the 18:04 Cardiff - Swansea swanline. Before it was formed by the stock which worked the departure from Cardiff at 17:38 which left plenty of time at Swansea if the train was late arriving.

That 17:08 from Milford Haven departs Swansea at 19:00 anyway so it does have plenty of time to serve the Swanline stations

The 1804 Cardiff to Swansea service has a mere two minute switch at Swansea, arriving at 1908, and departing at 1910!

 

[Rhydgaled]

additional stops at Gowerton to give it hourly off peak and evening weekday service.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Encouraging to see the new infrastructure has plans for use !

Unlike the Cambrian then!

Unlike the Cambrian indeed. Of course the Cambrian upgrades are supposed to be additional services, whereas Gowerton is mainly just adding stops to existing services, so it is much easier to make use of the Gowerton upgrade than the Cambrian ones.

Since the possetion was supposed to finish yesterday, are they using the second track today (Sunday 7th) but still running trains through without stopping?

Also a bit odd if only an hourly off-peak service is proposed for Gowerton. I thought it would be all trains calling, except perhaps the FirstGW services, and the frequency is at least 1.5tph (hourly Carmarthens + 2-hourly Pembrokes) most of the day.

I'm sure fellow forum members can think of plenty of other ways of doing something about it.

Yes how about making use of the mark 2 carriages sitting in the siding at Canton on peak hour services from Rhymney releasing a few pacers which can then be used to boost capacity.

Aren't mark2s much more suited to express work than valleys all-stops services? Put the mark2s on north Wales - Manchester services, cascade the 3-car 175s from there to remove 2-car 175s from the south Wales - Manchesters and use the 2-car 175s to free up 150s (and either use one of 2-car 175s to release a 158 for the Fishguard day boat train, or just put the 2-car 175 on the Fishguard day boat train).

 

[317666]

Pembroke Dock services will be 2 cars instead of 1 car all times and not just High Summer

I've just spent a week in Tenby and all trains I used (bar one early morning bank holiday service which was a 153) were 150s, so presumably that may have already happened? The through services from Manchester were 175s as usual.

Last year when I used the line most of the trains I saw were 143s!

 

[Rhydgaled]

I've just spent a week in Tenby and all trains I used (bar one early morning bank holiday service which was a 153) were 150s, so presumably that may have already happened? The through services from Manchester were 175s as usual.

Last year when I used the line most of the trains I saw were 143s!

Ignoring the Manchesters, what I remember from other fourms (and what I've seen seems to support this, largely) was that it was three single 153 diagrams in winter and two Pacer diagrams and a double 153 in summer. The 09:56 Fishguard - Carmarthen is part of one of these three diagrams, so a 153 in winter and a Pacer in summer, although I have seen 150s on this service, and on Pembrokes. The HOWL sees 150s vice 153s sometimes also. I've also read on fourms that the evening Fishguard trains are now a 158, and that the first Pembroke service of the morning (which used to go to Manchester) is now formed of the 158 that did the previous evening's Fishguard.

 

[swcovas]

Ignoring the Manchesters, what I remember from other fourms (and what I've seen seems to support this, largely) was that it was three single 153 diagrams in winter and two Pacer diagrams and a double 153 in summer. The 09:56 Fishguard - Carmarthen is part of one of these three diagrams, so a 153 in winter and a Pacer in summer, although I have seen 150s on this service, and on Pembrokes. The HOWL sees 150s vice 153s sometimes also. I've also read on fourms that the evening Fishguard trains are now a 158, and that the first Pembroke service of the morning (which used to go to Manchester) is now formed of the 158 that did the previous evening's Fishguard.

Summer apart, I believe the HOWL has seen 150s because one of the 153s went off to work the Cardiff Bay shuttle while the 121 was temporarily out of service. Of course it's now permanently out of service!

 

[PHILIPE]

I've just spent a week in Tenby and all trains I used (bar one early morning bank holiday service which was a 153) were 150s, so presumably that may have already happened? The through services from Manchester were 175s as usual.

Last year when I used the line most of the trains I saw were 143s!

School holidays. Ebbw Vales are strengthened also for this reason.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Living in Pontyclun, I am glad to finally hear there will be extra services! Does anyone know the extent of this? Are we going to finally get 2tph? Are we going to get to keep the 4 car set for the 0821 we get during school holidays when it's lengthening the Ebbw trains?

Nice to see that ATW have finally realised there are more passengers from PYC than 1tph!!!