Fantasy: Cardiff Termination Stations

[Topological]

Since it is the weekend, this is a very fantasy-based solution to the challenges of terminating trains at Cardiff Central.

Could two new locations be created to the East and West of Cardiff such that all trains pass through Cardiff Central and continue to terminate on the opposite side of Cardiff. That is a location where Bristol - Cardiff terminate in West Cardiff and a location where Swansea to Cardiff terminate in East Cardiff. In this way platforms 1 and 2 act to ensure there is always an empty platform for any train arriving from the West. Platforms 3 and 4 act so that there is always an empty platform for any train arriving from the East. New stations would be designed to minimise conflicting movements by having terminating trains in the centre platforms.

I am thinking these new locations could be part of development plans such that they are surrounded by medium-density housing and develop their own area identities.

The biggest constraint would be that some terminating trains come on and off Canton, but this is usually at night or early morning rather than in the middle of the day. Often one through platform at Central would be enough provided there were not too many terminating trains wishing to use the other side of the island.

All trains would call at Central so there would be no loss of connectivity as a result of the proposal.

This is very much fantasy, but when you see some of the queues of trains waiting to arrive at Central from the East, the idea is not completely daft.

 

[mrcheek]

Send the trains heading West right into the depot, Im sure people will find their way out!

Or, more seriously, how about squeezing in some bay platforms at Grangetown? Seems to be plenty of room there.

To the East, there are already a number of new stations on the way, so that may actually happen

 

[Sad Sprinter]

This is an interesting thread. Could a Cardiff West Parkway be built at St Faggins?

 

[Topological]

This is an interesting thread. Could a Cardiff West Parkway be built at St Faggins?

Whilst, I appreciate all the countryside arguments in that there is still green land there, this was my first thought. It is near to the Culverhouse Cross retail and with the A4232 close would genuinely work as a parkway.

With all the requirements for new houses in the UK, there are worse options.

 

[Llanigraham]

Problem with that is the proximity of the St Fagan's National Museum of History and the River Ely.
And the road down from the top of Ely would need drastic improvement.

 

[Caaardiff]

Cardiff Parkway (East) could be the location for that to happen for trains from the West but not sure Cardiff West Parkway at St Fagans would be the right location, given the current road infrastructure and it's not actually right by Ely/Culver.

It would be better to make a timetable and TOC's collaborate to improve the services that work better for passengers as well as the operation. My suggestions would be:

TFW 2 hourly Pembroke Dock - Cardiff becomes Pembroke Dock - Bristol TM via District line calling at the new stations on District line & South East Wales, no longer calling at Swanline stations.
TFW Hourly Cardiff - Cheltenham becomes Carmarthen (Swanline stations & Via VOG calling Llantwit Major, Rhoose, Barry Cogan only) - Cheltenham as part of the increase of 2tph on VOG line & to provide direct services from West Wales to Cardiff Airport.
TFW Hourly Maesteg - Ebbw Vale as per current timetable
TFW 2 hourly Holyhead - Cardiff into Canton as per current timetable.
TFW Mk4 Manchester - Cardiff actually has a loco on it that will make it to Swansea.

GWR hourly Penzance - Cardiff continues main stops to Swansea
XC hourly Nottingham - Cardiff continues main stops to Swansea

If paths become a problem between Swansea and Cardiff then Fishguard/Milford Haven services that terminate at Cardiff now terminate at Swansea to connect into Paddington, Manchester, Penzance & Nottingham services.

It would also mean that Swansea would have direct trains to London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and the South West, whereas currently it's only London and Manchester (2 hourly).