Ebbw Valley line opens

[Mojo]

The Ebbw Valley line opens tomorrow (6 Fby) operating an hourly service to Cardiff Ctrl Mon - Sat with 7 trains on Sundays.

It's not in the online journey planner (says NRE), but a TT is here: http://nationalrail.co.uk/service_bulletins/additional_info/Ebbw_Valley_Line_to_17_May_2008.htm

Llanhilleth and Crosskeys are due to open later this year.

 

[Mintona]

Not completely on topic, but I have updated the route coverage template. If Seth objects, I will remove it immediately.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g280/Mintona_photos/RouteCoverageBlankEbbwVale.gif

 

[Gizmogle]

Fantastic. But is there no full sized version of Seth's map you can give us?

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Pretty quiet today in newport with the opening, all the managers were hiding up there as well so kept them out of our way lol. Ticket prices are crap though, £5.10 to Ebbw vale or newbridge. (Quite a distance between so not quite sure why its the same price) £4 anything closer to cardiff i believe

 

[Mintona]

Fantastic. But is there no full sized version of Seth's map you can give us?

It is full size, but photobucket won't let me upload at more than 800x600 pixels. I'm off out shortly, but I will try imageshack or something later or tomorrow.

Back on proper topic, I should be in South Wales on Tuesday, so I will try to grab some pictures of the branch then

 

[Techniquest]

The two stations that aren't open yet is due to there being slow-worm found during construction. Closed UFN.

Ta stuman156 on WNXX.

 

[me123]

Mintona, try allyoucanuplad.com. You get the in small size, but they can remain as original size.

 

[Dennis]

The two stations that aren't open yet is due to there being slow-worm found during construction. Closed UFN.

Ta stuman156 on WNXX.

Bl##dy slow worms - the line is months late re-opening and they are still in the way. If they won't get their arses in gear, just pick them up and fling them over the hedge when no one is looking.

 

[adamp]

slow worms?? might be a dumb question but what are they?

 

[AlexS]

Lizards with no legs that look like snakes but aren't, apparently.

 

[ChrisCooper]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_worm
"In the United Kingdom the slow worm has been granted protected status, alongside all other native British reptile species. The slow worm has been decreasing in numbers, and under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure, sell or advertise to sell them, although there are currently no laws protecting their habitat." Which will explain the problem.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

The two stations that aren't open yet is due to there being slow-worm found during construction. Closed UFN.

Ta stuman156 on WNXX.

I was under the impression they simply just hadn't finished building them lol, and that car parks at the open stations were yet to be finished

 

[Nick W]

The line seems to have been plagued by signalling problems and emergency engineering work. I don't think this is very good for a "brand new" line.

 

[37412]

Are pacers banned up this line, was down Cardiff yesterday on 142's, clearing my last few, and all the Ebbw Vale services were 2x150 out of Platform 0. Wouldn't mind having some pacer thrash to there but havn't seen any pictures of them using the line :???:

 

[Coxster]

Are pacers banned up this line, was down Cardiff yesterday on 142's, clearing my last few, and all the Ebbw Vale services were 2x150 out of Platform 0. Wouldn't mind having some pacer thrash to there but havn't seen any pictures of them using the line :???:

The 'advert' on the ATW site shows a 143 at what looks like a newly built station:

Edit: A few during testing at http://tomdumelow37217.fotopic.net/c1426067.html, although judging the collection's caption it would seem that Sprinters were the planned form of power (although that said, this shot shows a 142).

 

[Century]

Can't wait til Llanhilleth and Crosskeys open!

 

[scb201]

Well I'd get up this week if you want to enjoy it. Went up today and it was heaving. No seats anywhere, and the main stock will be 1x150 rather than the two at present. That could be fun!!!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

alot of them are being reported as full and standing

 

[scb201]

yes. I was onboard as a journalist and got to chat to the guard. They haven't been able to record figures, but estimates put usage at over 4000 passengers a day. And working that out, it's about 120 people per train. Going against the main flow trains are pretty dead, so unsuprising that the 180 seats on the peak trains are full. Most with flow trains have been full and standing from at least cardiff to newbridge, and on peaks the whole way. Arriva will actually be using 4 carriages tomorrow, but after that, we will see...