Royal Welsh Show Train 2024

[strettonarms96]

Do we know if transport for Wales are intending on running the usual special from Cardiff Central to Builth Road during the Royal Welsh week? Obviously last year didn’t go to plan with cancellations. Presumably if so, it will be a pair of 150s or such like..

 

[Anonymous10]

Do we know if transport for Wales are intending on running the usual special from Cardiff Central to Builth Road during the Royal Welsh week? Obviously last year didn’t go to plan with cancellations. Presumably if so, it will be a pair of 150s or such like..

I also wonder how after this year this service will be done? I assume it'll mean getting as many 153s out as possible.

 

[Envoy]

I’d rather drive than be stuck on 153’s.

 

[Western 52]

The Swansea District Line is closed at the moment, so this train would have to run via Llanelli reversal if it is not reopened by then.

 

[70014IronDuke]

The Swansea District Line is closed at the moment, so this train would have to run via Llanelli reversal if it is not reopened by then.

That's interesting. An idea why it's closed?

 

[30907]

That's interesting. An idea why it's closed?

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/swansea-district-line.268984/

Problem with Llangyfelach Tunnel apparently.

 

[70014IronDuke]

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/swansea-district-line.268984/

Problem with Llangyfelach Tunnel apparently.

Oh dear, thanks. I hope that's not serious, and is genuinely being scheduled for repair.

There is a north-west curve at Landore still, is there? Meaning you wouldn't have to reverse in Swansea. Would still have to at Llanelli, of course.

 

[Western 52]

Oh dear, thanks. I hope that's not serious, and is genuinely being scheduled for repair.

There is a north-west curve at Landore still, is there? Meaning you wouldn't have to reverse in Swansea. Would still have to at Llanelli, of course.

Yes there's a triangle at Landore, some passenger services already use it.

 

[Jez]

The show is on from 22nd-25th July and a quick look at RTT I couldnt see anything yet for the extra train. However it may be a last minute thing on RTT.

It wouldnt be too much of problem running via Landore and Llanelli, what might be the bigger issue is where TFW are going to find a spare pair of 150s or a 150/153 if its to be 3 car. Also the regular HOWL service get doubled up to at least 2 car (those that are booked single 153s) during the Royal Welsh show and with 153s being used on more Valley Lines now e.g Caerphilly to Penarth and Coryton to Penarth, they are pretty stretched as it is.

Lets hope if it does run it will be more successful than the last couple of years!

 

[Western 52]

Last year I think it only actually ran on 2 of the 4 days, and didn't seem well used on the day I tried it. This year, if it runs, maybe fewer enthusiasts on it if it doesn't do the Hendy chord!

 

[Jez]

Last year I think it only actually ran on 2 of the 4 days, and didn't seem well used on the day I tried it. This year, if it runs, maybe fewer enthusiasts on it if it doesn't do the Hendy chord!

Yes I remember it was very poor last year. Lots of cancellations which doesnt give people confidence in using it. And yet they tell us to leave the car at home and go by train!

 

[Western 52]

If they do plan on running it, but don't properly advertise it, few will use it, and next year they'll not bother with it.

 

[Jez]

I see the train for the Royal Welsh Show has been entered into RTT

Realtime Trains | 0618 Cardiff Central to Builth Road | 22/07/2024

Real-time train running information for 0618 departure from Cardiff Central to Builth Road on 22/07/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Looks like it is going via Neath (not calling) and Landore due to the district line being closed. I wonder what traction will be booked for this, going to have to be 150s or 153s. Hopefully there will be enough units available!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jul 2024 ==


Here is the return working departing at 1818

Realtime Trains | 1818 Builth Road to Cardiff Central | 22/07/2024

Real-time train running information for 1818 departure from Builth Road to Cardiff Central on 22/07/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Western 52]

Good to see it's running, let's hope it actually does! It was unreliable last year.

 

[Jez]

Good to see it's running, let's hope it actually does! It was unreliable last year.

I notice the morning service is leaving Cardiff quite early..wasn't it more like 730am before ?

 

[Trainguy34]

Just looked, looks to be 2 clashes where both lines of the loop at Llandrindod are used without the RWS empty aswell, unsure how that works...

 

[Kite159]

Just looked, looks to be 2 clashes where both lines of the loop at Llandrindod are used without the RWS empty aswell, unsure how that works...

From memory there is a siding near Llandrindod where the ECS can sit out of the way. Same as happens if there is a charter train which has a break at Llandrindod

 

[Western 52]

From memory there is a siding near Llandrindod where the ECS can sit out of the way. Same as happens if there is a charter train which has a break at Llandrindod

Yes, the train waits in the siding all day. I'm not sure what the crew arrangements are though.

 

[Jez]

Yes, the train waits in the siding all day. I'm not sure what the crew arrangements are though.

Do the crew interwork with other HOWL services otherwise it would be a very long wait at Llandrindod!

I assume it would be Cardiff train crew as far as Llanelli given its such an early start in Cardiff and then swap as Cardiff dont sign the HOWL.

 

[Anonymous10]

Do the crew interwork with other HOWL services otherwise it would be a very long wait at Llandrindod!

I assume it would be Cardiff train crew as far as Llanelli given its such an early start in Cardiff and then swap as Cardiff dont sign the HOWL.

Staff it with volunteers who want to go to the Royal Welsh show . Humour aside I assume this would be the case (Jez's suggestion).

 

[The exile]

Staff it with volunteers who want to go to the Royal Welsh show . Humour aside I assume this would be the case.

Other the fact that they would be unable to indulge in one of the reasons for going!

 

[Dai Corner]

Other the fact that they would be unable to indulge in one of the reasons for going!

Indeed. I don't think livestock are allowed on passenger trains, nor can they tow a van these days.

 

[animationmilo]

I believe they taxi the train crew from Carmarthen to Llandrindod

 

[Anonymous10]

Other the fact that they would be unable to indulge in one of the reasons for going!

I meant that the suggestion I replied to would be the case will ammend.

 

[strettonarms96]

I doubt it will very well used. I may be wrong but I think their used to be a reduction in show ticket price if bought with train ticket?

 

[Jez]

According to RTT a pair of 153s are on the Builth Road service (153325/153914)

 

[Western 52]

On time too so far. RTT shows the stop at Gowerton as being unadvertised. Maybe for crew purposes?

 

[70014IronDuke]

Good to see it running, but can anyone explain why it's ECS Builth Rd to/from Llandrindod? I mean, does it save any shift payment to the guard or something? It would make the train that little bit more useful to anyone wanting to go there rather than just the Welsh Show.

 

[louis97]

RTT shows the stop at Gowerton as being unadvertised. Maybe for crew purposes?

Suspect it is just a pathing stop, given the freight ahead has a booked stop at Llandeilo Junction.

 

[Jez]

On time too so far. RTT shows the stop at Gowerton as being unadvertised. Maybe for crew purposes?

I wondered that as the train crew will need to swap from Cardiff to Carmarthen train crew at some point as Cardiff dont sign the HOWL (unless they taxi Carmarthen train crew to Cardiff at that time in the morning?)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Jul 2024 ==

Good to see it running, but can anyone explain why it's ECS Builth Rd to/from Llandrindod? I mean, does it save any shift payment to the guard or something? It would make the train that little bit more useful to anyone wanting to go there rather than just the Welsh Show.

It would be useful to run it in service to Llandrindod since it has to stable there anyway until the return journey.