Pontyclun

[Tumbleweed]

Hi all, just down in Pontyclun the other day, there seems to be works going on what looks like a new junction to the old Llantrisant sidings shown on the attached pic, in the centre. Is that a junction signal being put in? Its hard to tell Im no David Bailey

 

[teaanddunkers]

There's been rumours that the old branch to Cwm Colliery Beddau will be opened for passenger services at some point.....?

 

[Tumbleweed]

Would Network Rail spend money on putting the infrastructure in when the Beddau line hasn't been confirmed yet?

 

[anthony263]

There has been a rumour going around locally about work being done on the old branch. I wont be surprised if the Pontyclun - Beddau line was to be reopened even if perhaps just for a shuttle between Beddau & Pontyclun connecting with Maesteg - Cardiff services.

That said ATW are short on rolling stock so there wont be any stock available for at least 2 more years or so. Although saying that the Ebbw Vale - Cardiff services do have long layovers and SEWTA did suggest that there was more than enough time for the units to work an hourly service to Beddau and back before working their next trip to Ebbw Vale.
Quite possibly I wouldn't be surprised to see some of these D Trains ending up in south wales on the core valley lines network such as Coryton - Radyr replacing pacers and class 153's for elsewhere until electrification.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Yes, I read that the Ebbw Vale service to Cardiff would benefit if it was run through to Beddau (I think it would take around 50 mins thdere and back from Cardiff?), but hopefully the work going on in Pontyclun is a sign that its going to happen in the no too distant future.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Is this what used to be the former Llantrisant and Taff Vale Junction Railway, with stations at Cross Inn, Beddau Halt, Llantwit Fadre, Church Village and at Tonteg Halt?

 

[Tumbleweed]

Is this what used to be the former Llantrisant and Taff Vale Junction Railway, with stations at Cross Inn, Beddau Halt, Llantwit Fadre, Church Village and at Tonteg Halt?

Yes, although its only still in place as far as Beddau, the rest has been developed (houses, roads etc).

 

[Envoy]

It has been suggested that the old single track rail line between the City Line - just north of Fairwater station - to Cregiau be re-opened in order to serve new housing areas that might be built in the countryside between Cardiff & Llantrisant. It has also been suggested that this route continue NW from Cregiau to maybe Beddau or Talbot Green and then link with the mainline at Pontyclun - possibly into a restored bay platform. (Some planners thought that it could be a tram route which would continue as a street tram from Cardiff Central to Cardiff Bay - little realising that this would be impossible due to the fact that trams would not be able to operate on the national rail 25Kv network - plus the platforms on the City Line are unable to accommodate trams due to height).

It has also been suggested that a new Park & Ride be built on the northern side of M4 Junction 33 (Cardiff West) with people then being transported in buses via Culverhouse Cross, Ely & Canton to the city centre. Clearly this is a ridiculous idea due to the length of time it would take to reach the city centre. The P&R (plus associated business park at J33) would also cause delays at this strategic junction which surely needs flyovers /loops to produce a continuously flowing junction between the M4 & A4232. (It is also the main junction serving the whole of Barry as well as the rest of the Vale of Glamorgan including Cardiff Airport).

I am not sure that Network Rail would be too keen on re-building the Pontyclun to Beddau railway as it would involve a new level crossing over a busy 'A' road. Having said that, it would be possible to build a bridge. From Pontyclun to Cardiff Central takes around 13 minutes via the main line - far faster than any P&R from Junction 33 or a re-built Cregiau route could get people to the city centre.

The car parking situation at Pontyclun is a shambles with cars now strung out along the approach road and local streets. Clearly, Pontyclun is a very attractive railhead for the local population - especially as it has fast non-stop trains to Cardiff Central. I think that some additional parking could perhaps be provided on disused rail land to the NW of Pontyclun station and more could also be placed on the SW side. If the Beddau line is not re-built, then surely it would make sense to convert the track bed into a road to help provide better access to an extended car park at Pontyclun for people driving down from Llantrisant, Beddau & Church Village. (No signposts to Pontyclun station exist in the wider area such as near Matalan etc.).When the main line is electrified and a fast half hourly service is provided from Pontyclun - with modern electric trains (with plenty of capacity), then clearly passenger growth would likely increase dramatically from this station.

At the moment, few buses actually come from Beddau to meet with the trains at Pontyclun. (NAT provide a service that meets the occasional train). Other operators only go as far as Talbot Green. This lack of co-ordination is surely one of the reasons why so many people from this area rely on car transport to reach Cardiff?

It surely is in the best interests of everyone to encourage people to get to their nearest railhead for journeys further afield. Providing free parking at local stations is one way of doing this and would help alleviate overloaded highways at the approaches to cities.

PS. With electrification, I would think that a half hourly Maesteg (+ all stops between Bridgend & Cardiff Central) to Ebbw Vale would be the most logical service.

 

[PHILIPE]

There has been a rumour going around locally about work being done on the old branch. I wont be surprised if the Pontyclun - Beddau line was to be reopened even if perhaps just for a shuttle between Beddau & Pontyclun connecting with Maesteg - Cardiff services.

That said ATW are short on rolling stock so there wont be any stock available for at least 2 more years or so. Although saying that the Ebbw Vale - Cardiff services do have long layovers and SEWTA did suggest that there was more than enough time for the units to work an hourly service to Beddau and back before working their next trip to Ebbw Vale.
Quite possibly I wouldn't be surprised to see some of these D Trains ending up in south wales on the core valley lines network such as Coryton - Radyr replacing pacers and class 153's for elsewhere until electrification.

There are not so many Ebbw Vales that layover now as the diagrams have been tightened already to cover other things such as the additional Fishguards for one. They step up to go to Maesteg for one place to squeeze spare capacity.

 

[Tumbleweed]

It has been suggested that the old single track rail line between the City Line - just north of Fairwater station - to Cregiau be re-opened in order to serve new housing areas that might be built in the countryside between Cardiff & Llantrisant. It has also been suggested that this route continue NW from Cregiau to maybe Beddau or Talbot Green and then link with the mainline at Pontyclun - possibly into a restored bay platform. (Some planners thought that it could be a tram route which would continue as a street tram from Cardiff Central to Cardiff Bay - little realising that this would be impossible due to the fact that trams would not be able to operate on the national rail 25Kv network - plus the platforms on the City Line are unable to accommodate trams due to height).

It has also been suggested that a new Park & Ride be built on the northern side of M4 Junction 33 (Cardiff West) with people then being transported in buses via Culverhouse Cross, Ely & Canton to the city centre. Clearly this is a ridiculous idea due to the length of time it would take to reach the city centre. The P&R (plus associated business park at J33) would also cause delays at this strategic junction which surely needs flyovers /loops to produce a continuously flowing junction between the M4 & A4232. (It is also the main junction serving the whole of Barry as well as the rest of the Vale of Glamorgan including Cardiff Airport).

Whoever has instigated the re-build of the Pontyclun to Beddau line for passenger use - if, indeed that is what is happening, has clearly made a wise choice. From Pontyclun to Cardiff Central takes around 13 minutes via the main line - far faster than any P&R from Junction 33 or a re-built Cregiau route could get people to the city centre.

The car parking situation at Pontyclun is a shambles with cars now strung out along the approach road and local streets. Clearly, Pontyclun is a very attractive railhead for the local population - especially as it has fast non-stop trains to Cardiff Central. I think that some additional parking could perhaps be provided on disused rail land to the NW of Pontyclun station and more could also be placed on the SW side. When the main line is electrified and a fast half hourly service is provided from Pontyclun - with modern electric trains (with plenty of capacity), then clearly passenger growth would likely increase dramatically from this station.

At the moment, few buses actually come from Beddau to meet with the trains at Pontyclun. (NAT provide a service that meets the occasional train). Other operators only go as far as Talbot Green. This lack of co-ordination is surely one of the reasons why so many people from this area rely on car transport to reach Cardiff?

It surely is in the best interests of everyone to encourage people to get to their nearest railhead for journeys further afield. Providing free parking at local stations is one way of doing this and would help alleviate overloaded highways at the approaches to cities.

PS. With electrification, I would think that a half hourly Maesteg (+ all stops between Bridgend & Cardiff Central) to Ebbw Vale would be the most logical service.

The area around Beddau has needed decent connections to Cardiff for years - its been so over-developed (with more in the pipeline) its become grid locked. If by the pic there are now moves to reinstate it then that has to be good news.

 

[StripeyNick]

They have been using that land for training track workers. I know that because a friend of mine was there the other week gaining qualifications for using various machinery with Network Rail.

 

[Tumbleweed]

They have been using that land for training track workers. I know that because a friend of mine was there the other week gaining qualifications for using various machinery with Network Rail.

I thought the fenced off area was the training area- would they put in a signal that close to the live track for training? (if it is a signal that is!)

 

[Gwenllian2001]

I thought the fenced off area was the training area- would they put in a signal that close to the live track for training? (if it is a signal that is!)

That signal is a leftover from when the yard was operational.

 

[Tumbleweed]

That signal is a leftover from when the yard was operational.

I know the one you mean - this is a new one (I think) adjacent to the Cardiff bound line.

 

[Gareth Marston]

No re opening in Wales RUS.

 

[Tumbleweed]

No re opening in Wales RUS.

Probably not, but that definitely looks like a new junction signal to me.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Are you referring to the White concrete base on the left? Loads of these around if so, just ongoing re signalling works.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Are you referring to the White concrete base on the left? Loads of these around if so, just ongoing re signalling works.

Yes, thats the one. Should it be at an angle like that though?

 

[welshdragon]

I'd love it to be a new junction signal, but this is a replacement (and repositioning) of the signal protecting the level crossing a few hundred yards further along the down main.

Totally agree with the comments about the inadequacy of Pontyclun station for parking etc. - and this for what is for the most part an hourly service each way.

 

[Tumbleweed]

I'd love it to be a new junction signal, but this is a replacement (and repositioning) of the signal protecting the level crossing a few hundred yards further along the down main.

Totally agree with the comments about the inadequacy of Pontyclun station for parking etc. - and this for what is for the most part an hourly service each way.

Do you mean the one on the left of the track? I mean the the one to the right of the track, at a diagonal.

 

[HowardGWR]

Would I be right in thinking there are no big physical obstacles to reopening the branch?

 

[Tumbleweed]

Would I be right in thinking there are no big physical obstacles to reopening the branch?

Only by Gwaun Meisgyn where an embankment has been built over the permanemt way, but it can be removed and replace with a bridge if required.

 

[damo44]

It has been suggested that the old single track rail line between the City Line - just north of Fairwater station - to Cregiau be re-opened

Although I grew up in that area I didn't know that line ever existed - until now! Looking at ariel photos it looks like most of the route is extant, although there is housing built on the section adjacent to the city line.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Although I grew up in that area I didn't know that line ever existed - until now! Looking at ariel photos it looks like most of the route is extant, although there is housing built on the section adjacent to the city line.

Were there not plans to turn the trackbed area into a cycle path at one time? Is this the same line that continued through the stations at Efail Isaf ,Tonteg Halt, Treforest High Level and Pontypridd Graig ?

 

[krus_aragon]

Were there not plans to turn the trackbed area into a cycle path at one time? Is this the same line that continued through the stations at Efail Isaf ,Tonteg Halt, Treforest High Level and Pontypridd Graig ?

No, the line through Efail Isaf to Pontypridd Graig was the Barry Railway's route from Cadoxton and Wenvoe. This passed over the GWR main line near Peterston. The branch from Fairwater was a TVR line towards Llantrisant.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Were there not plans to turn the trackbed area into a cycle path at one time? Is this the same line that continued through the stations at Efail Isaf ,Tonteg Halt, Treforest High Level and Pontypridd Graig ?

There was talk of both a railway and a cycle path, but the cycle path idea seems to have been quietly forgotten. I think someone along the route complained that it would lower his/hers property value or something. More likely it would have been a good escape route for burgalars. Still the same person objected to the railway line as well.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

No, the line through Efail Isaf to Pontypridd Graig was the Barry Railway's route from Cadoxton and Wenvoe. This passed over the GWR main line near Peterston. The branch from Fairwater was a TVR line towards Llantrisant.

I am grateful for your clarification of my mis-reading of the lines in the area.

 

[Gwenllian2001]

No, the line through Efail Isaf to Pontypridd Graig was the Barry Railway's route from Cadoxton and Wenvoe. This passed over the GWR main line near Peterston. The branch from Fairwater was a TVR line towards Llantrisant.

Just to put the record straight. The Barry Railway line crossed over the GWR just west of St Fagans where a spur off the GWR climbed up to meet the Barry. There was a regular passenger service using that route, from Cardiff Clarence Road to Pontypridd. There was a branch off the Barry main line at Drope Junction which joined the GWR at Peterston. If you know where to look there are some remains at Peterston.