New Platform At Barry

[Rhondda Rudie]

Well the new platform is up and running.

I find it very strange that trains can no longer access the Barry Island branch from the old down platform though.

Asking for trouble if there's a points failure.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Didn't know anything about this. So previously it was possible to go from Rhoose to Barry Island via Barry?

 

[Rhondda Rudie]

Didn't know anything about this. So previously it was possible to go from Rhoose to Barry Island via Barry?

Sorry Dan, I should have explained it better.

When there were two platforms the junction to go to the Island was after the down platform. Now the points to take you on to the Island branch are on the approach to the station so you can only go towards Rhoose from the old down platform.

 

[StripeyNick]

66199 at Barry. 8/7/14 by Nick Wilcock, on Flickr

The buffers on the old line to the island can be seen under the jib of the crane on the lorry.

I believe it is intended to run a dedicated Barry to Barry Island shuttle at some point and to increase the frequency of the trains to Bridgend via Barry.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

wow, didn't even know this was happening

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I believe it is intended to run a dedicated Barry to Barry Island shuttle at some point and to increase the frequency of the trains to Bridgend via Barry.

Sounds like there's a possible use for the proposed 'Super-PPM' units there...?

 

[Gareth Marston]

Sounds like there's a possible use for the proposed 'Super-PPM' units there...?

And when the weathers good and the Valleys want to go to the beach at Barry Island?

 

[swcovas]

And when the weathers good and the Valleys want to go to the beach at Barry Island?

Exactly......can't see that crazy idea happening!

 

[krus_aragon]

I believe it is intended to run a dedicated Barry to Barry Island shuttle at some point and to increase the frequency of the trains to Bridgend via Barry.

Might it be the intention to have two Cardiff - Barry Island services per hour, each shuttling back to Barry Town to meet the following Bridgend service, then starting their return journey from the Island? (Something similar to how Manchester - Llandudno services shuttle back to the Junction to meet Holyhead services.)

 

[gareth950]

There's no doubt that extra trains per hour and/or more capacity is needed on the Cardiff - Barry - Bridgend line. Usually it's just a 2 car 150 per hour (which is standing only peak time), where as 4 cars (either 2x142/143s or even 2x150s) are sent up to Penarth every 15 mins almost empty - go figure.

Surely a good idea is to have 2 fast trains p/h non-stop Cardiff - Barry, then onto Rhoose, Llantwit Major & Bridgend, and 3 Cardiff - Barry Island all stations trains?

 

[anthony263]

There's no doubt that extra trains per hour and/or more capacity is needed on the Cardiff - Barry - Bridgend line. Usually it's just a 2 car 150 per hour (which is standing only peak time), where as 4 cars (either 2x142/143s or even 2x150s) are sent up to Penarth every 15 mins almost empty - go figure.

Surely a good idea is to have 2 fast trains p/h non-stop Cardiff - Barry, then onto Rhoose, Llantwit Major & Bridgend, and 3 Cardiff - Barry Island all stations trains?

Maybe but this will all depend on the number of paths etc as well as rolling stock.

I do think 2tph between Cardiff and Barry Island as well as 2tph to Bridgend should be more than enough along witha 2tph shuttle between Barry Island and Barry Town meeting the trains which run to/from Bridgend

 

[Markdvdman]

Maybe but this will all depend on the number of paths etc as well as rolling stock.

I do think 2tph between Cardiff and Barry Island as well as 2tph to Bridgend should be more than enough along witha 2tph shuttle between Barry Island and Barry Town meeting the trains which run to/from Bridgend

At this time of the year workers getting on the trains from Barry Island Aberdare/Merthyr face a living hell. Getting a seat is nigh on impossible on a 2 car 150, and they relentlessly run 2 car pacers which is pathetic! We are getting short changed, paying good money for a dreadful service. the late trains last week were diabolical due to signalling issues and train faults. I had 4 days of getting home 30 mins late

 

[Parallel]

As far as I know, they rarely run a single pacer to Penarth as they have trouble with the gradient at Dingle Road. I've been on a peak time single 143 on this route and it was quite noticeably struggling, so I guess they run 2 pacers (particularly if they have had issues with engine faults in the past). Merthyr & Aberdare to Barry Island/Bridgend is one of the longer valley routes which perhaps 150s are more suitable for. I agree that more capacity is needed on the Barry Island/Bridgend services though.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Sorry Dan, I should have explained it better.

When there were two platforms the junction to go to the Island was after the down platform. Now the points to take you on to the Island branch are on the approach to the station so you can only go towards Rhoose from the old down platform.

Ah I see, also from the photo that StripeyNick uploaded too. Funny how I had no idea about this!

As far as I know, they rarely run a single pacer to Penarth as they have trouble with the gradient at Dingle Road. I've been on a peak time single 143 on this route and it was quite noticeably struggling, so I guess they run 2 pacers (particularly if they have had issues with engine faults in the past). Merthyr & Aberdare to Barry Island/Bridgend is one of the longer valley routes which perhaps 150s are more suitable for. I agree that more capacity is needed on the Barry Island/Bridgend services though.

Some of the evening Penarth runs are just a single Pacer; 2R34 2220 Penarth to Rhymney springs to mind. I agree with the afternoon Penarth services; a single Pacer is more than enough on that line and I've had a whole carriage to myself sometimes.

I also definitely agree re-Bridgend services. That route via Barry does get quite busy and I think a half-hourly service AT LEAST should be in place.

On a slightly more different note, I find it utterly ridiculous that the Penarth branch runs just TWO HOURLY on a Sunday (just SIX departures), yet in the week and on Saturdays there are departures to Cardiff and beyond every fifteen minutes!

 

[WelshBluebird]

On a slightly more different note, I find it utterly ridiculous that the Penarth branch runs just TWO HOURLY on a Sunday (just SIX departures), yet in the week and on Saturdays there are departures to Cardiff and beyond every fifteen minutes!

The frequency of services on Sundays across most of the valley line routes is a joke in general tbh.

 

[gareth950]

I thought that Penarth getting 4 car Pacers (I've honestly never seen a single Pacer up to Penarth, only single 150s) is due to the fact that it is paired up with the Rhymney valley line, which has platforms to accomadate up to 6 car length trains (which never materialised) and so the Rhymney valley is deemed to need more capacity than the Aberdare/Merthyr Tydfil valleys, which the Barry & Bridgend lines are paired up with.

So common sense would say for the lines from Bridgend via the Vale and Barry Island to be paired up with the Rhymney valley instead of Merthyr & Aberdare, to get the extra capacity that Penarth clearly doesn't need.