South Wales 'Metro' updates

[mikefox]

Aha! That style of powerpoint Gantt chart looked very familiar and so your post prompted me to go and look at the consultation page, and indeed it is from the newly-released 2026 project plan ("G5 notice of intended scope") - see attached.

Here's a summary of what's supposed to happen this year:

• 31st January: Aberdare toilet completion
• 9th Feb: Merthyr Vale and Treorchy toilet completion
• End Feb: Merthyr Tyfil, Abercynon & Tonypandy toilet completion
• March 23rd: Cardiff Bay branch wires to go live
• March 31st: Ty-Glas platform extension entry into service; Cwmbach and Llwynypia toilet completion
• April to mid-June: 398s enter service on Cardiff Bay - Pontypridd services
• July - September: 398s replace 756s on the TAM lines and 756s replace 231s and 150s on Rhymney/Bargoed <> Barry Island services
• August - high voltage connection of Ninian Park Feeder station to core valley lines overhead line network
• October - Bute Town station (note that it's written as two words) Platform 2 opening.
• Dec 13th: No 150s on the TAM lines, new faster timetable. (Note that 150s on Rhymney will still be around because they're still needed for the Vale of Glamorgan service)
• Various unspecified level boarding works are also listed, as are various signalling and track works that I don't understand from the relatively cryptic notes.

These project plans are intended to notify other industry bodies of the planned works, so TfW don't necessarily have to stick to them. But the plan and dates do capture a snapshot of what's expected at the time it was drawn up, so its fair to say that 398 introduction is definitely still on the agenda.

Thought you might. Its a shame there are no diagrams. These are only sent to the official email list and I've tried requesting them before and been told no they are sensitive.

 

[5021]

Aha! That style of powerpoint Gantt chart looked very familiar and so your post prompted me to go and look at the consultation page, and indeed it is from the newly-released 2026 project plan ("G5 notice of intended scope") - see attached.

Here's a summary of what's supposed to happen this year:

• 31st January: Aberdare toilet completion
• 9th Feb: Merthyr Vale and Treorchy toilet completion
• End Feb: Merthyr Tyfil, Abercynon & Tonypandy toilet completion
• March 23rd: Cardiff Bay branch wires to go live
• March 31st: Ty-Glas platform extension entry into service; Cwmbach and Llwynypia toilet completion
• April to mid-June: 398s enter service on Cardiff Bay - Pontypridd services
• July - September: 398s replace 756s on the TAM lines and 756s replace 231s and 150s on Rhymney/Bargoed <> Barry Island services
• August - high voltage connection of Ninian Park Feeder station to core valley lines overhead line network
• October - Bute Town station (note that it's written as two words) Platform 2 opening.
• Dec 13th: No 150s on the TAM lines, new faster timetable. (Note that 150s on Rhymney will still be around because they're still needed for the Vale of Glamorgan service)
• Various unspecified level boarding works are also listed, as are various signalling and track works that I don't understand from the relatively cryptic notes.

These project plans are intended to notify other industry bodies of the planned works, so TfW don't necessarily have to stick to them. But the plan and dates do capture a snapshot of what's expected at the time it was drawn up, so its fair to say that 398 introduction is definitely still on the agenda.

Thanks for digesting this for us Mike, just what the forum needs!

 

[Cardiff123]

Here's a summary of what's supposed to happen this year:

• July - September: 398s replace 756s on the TAM lines and 756s replace 231s and 150s on Rhymney/Bargoed <> Barry Island services
• Dec 13th: No 150s on the TAM lines, new faster timetable. (Note that 150s on Rhymney will still be around because they're still needed for the Vale of Glamorgan service)

Will the Vale of Glamorgan line ever get shot of 150s? TfW must have a secret plan to keep 5 x 150s going indefinitely just to keep especially for the delight of VoG passengers.

 

[Qing4theloo]

I saw a couple of 756s at Barry yesterday, running to and from Barry Island. One said "Out of Service", but the other one definitely had passengers on it, and reckoned it was going to Rhymney.
Of course, we were coming back to Llantwit so we had a manky old 150. Still, it was on time and had plenty of space.

 

[AdamWW]

I saw a couple of 756s at Barry yesterday, running to and from Barry Island. One said "Out of Service", but the other one definitely had passengers on it, and reckoned it was going to Rhymney.
Of course, we were coming back to Llantwit so we had a manky old 150. Still, it was on time and had plenty of space.

It's actually not unusal for them to say "Out of service" on the exterior displays while in service. While showing a list of stations that they are gong to call at.

If a 756 has now run north of Caerphilly in passenger service that's quite a bit of news (to me, anyway).

 

[Caaardiff]

Will the Vale of Glamorgan line ever get shot of 150s? TfW must have a secret plan to keep 5 x 150s going indefinitely just to keep especially for the delight of VoG passengers.

Well documented here that the long term plan is for 756's to work that line and was always going to be one of the last introductions. It's all dependant on 398's coming in.

 

[Qing4theloo]

If a 756 has now run north of Caerphilly in passenger service that's quite a bit of news (to me, anyway).

Apologies, might have been a 231. That'll teach me not to post stuff without looking closely. I suppose I was surprised to see something other than a 150 on the line, since it's all I've actually ridden on.

 

[VR494]

The above mentioned feeder station at Ninian Park, outlined in the G5 document will provide additional capacity for the stable and charging facilities at Canton. This will provide additional power for roads 17/18.

A plan is also in very early stages to potentially re-open the bay platform at Pontypridd, connecting this with the lines from Abercynon.

It’s also worth noting that international communication has announced that from 2028 AIW colleagues will be taken in house when the contract ends. Tfw will then become the first to maintain its infrastructure on the CVL network as a whole.

 

[bradleyd]

A question that ive not seen come up (if it has and ive missed it, if you can point me in the right direction), does anybody know whether the 398s have bike spaces, because there are a lot of people who take their bikes on the merthyr/aberdare/treherbert lines

 

[MikePJ]

A question that ive not seen come up (if it has and ive missed it, if you can point me in the right direction), does anybody know whether the 398s have bike spaces, because there are a lot of people who take their bikes on the merthyr/aberdare/treherbert lines

Yes: see https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2024-10/ACC0001_A4EL_V6_FleetAccessSpecification.pdf

 

[tfw756rider]

A question that ive not seen come up (if it has and ive missed it, if you can point me in the right direction), does anybody know whether the 398s have bike spaces, because there are a lot of people who take their bikes on the merthyr/aberdare/treherbert lines

Yes: see https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2024-10/ACC0001_A4EL_V6_FleetAccessSpecification.pdf

On page 42 - Class 398 Citylink: Bicycle space - Not dedicated, use flexible space - 6

 

[bradleyd]

Yes: see https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2024-10/ACC0001_A4EL_V6_FleetAccessSpecification.pdf

On page 42 - Class 398 Citylink: Bicycle space - Not dedicated, use flexible space - 6

Thank you both. At least with the regularity it should mean that even with it being not a dedicated space, there should be space on the next one if not the first.

Im one of those who does sometimes take my bike, I'll often bike down the valleys to Cardiff and work, and then get the train back up, or if I manage to wake up late, take the train down and bike back up, so was worried a bit that that wouldn't be an option

 

[MikePJ]

Taking bikes on the 756s has been great so far - very easy, and people are generally quite understanding about moving off the tip-up seats when you want to put a bike there.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Jan 2026 ==

It appears that another electrification test run took place on the Rhymney line in the small hours of this morning: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...000-2359?stp=WVS&show=non-passenger&order=wtt

 

[317 forever]

Aha! That style of powerpoint Gantt chart looked very familiar and so your post prompted me to go and look at the consultation page, and indeed it is from the newly-released 2026 project plan ("G5 notice of intended scope") - see attached.

Here's a summary of what's supposed to happen this year:

• 31st January: Aberdare toilet completion
• 9th Feb: Merthyr Vale and Treorchy toilet completion
• End Feb: Merthyr Tyfil, Abercynon & Tonypandy toilet completion
• March 23rd: Cardiff Bay branch wires to go live
• March 31st: Ty-Glas platform extension entry into service; Cwmbach and Llwynypia toilet completion
• April to mid-June: 398s enter service on Cardiff Bay - Pontypridd services
• July - September: 398s replace 756s on the TAM lines and 756s replace 231s and 150s on Rhymney/Bargoed <> Barry Island services
• August - high voltage connection of Ninian Park Feeder station to core valley lines overhead line network
• October - Bute Town station (note that it's written as two words) Platform 2 opening.
• Dec 13th: No 150s on the TAM lines, new faster timetable. (Note that 150s on Rhymney will still be around because they're still needed for the Vale of Glamorgan service)
• Various unspecified level boarding works are also listed, as are various signalling and track works that I don't understand from the relatively cryptic notes.

These project plans are intended to notify other industry bodies of the planned works, so TfW don't necessarily have to stick to them. But the plan and dates do capture a snapshot of what's expected at the time it was drawn up, so its fair to say that 398 introduction is definitely still on the agenda.

With some developments continuing pretty much to the end of the year, I prefer to go there for a holiday next year rather than this year.

 

[Daniel Boone]

Is anybody else wondering whether TFW is going to the integrate the metro into Google Maps' public transport thing? Similar to Merseyrail and London Underground?

 

[gjscott33]

Is anybody else wondering whether TFW is going to the integrate the metro into Google Maps' public transport thing? Similar to Merseyrail and London Underground?

Pretty much every train and bus are already in google maps public directions transport tab. Is there something else as well for those two examples?

 

[danielhogg2005]

Pretty much every train and bus are already in google maps public directions transport tab. Is there something else as well for those two examples?

He's referring to showing the transit lines on the map (London Underground, Overground, Elizabeth Line, Merseyrail, Manchester Metrolink etc. do this, but some systems like Edinburgh Trams, Glasgow Subway or Nottingham Express Transit do not).

Image attached shows London as an example (Screenshot from Google Maps).

 

[Bob Price]

Notice the Rhymney line has a closure for a week in February. Anyone know why? Thought this line was done.

From the TfW website:
"Metro transformation works: Buses replace trains between Cardiff Central and Bargoed / Rhymney from Sunday 22 February until 08:45 on Sunday 1 March
Engineering work for the South Wales Metro project is taking place between Heath High Level and Aber, closing all lines. Background information is available on the South Wales Metro project website.
Buses will replace trains between Cardiff Central and Bargoed / Rhymney all day from Sunday 22 February to Saturday 28 February, and before 08:45 on Sunday 1 March."

 

[Benjwri]

Is anybody else wondering whether TFW is going to the integrate the metro into Google Maps' public transport thing? Similar to Merseyrail and London Underground?

Is as suggested you mean the lines being shown that’s entirely up to Google. They could ask Google to, but there’s nothing making Google do it.

 

[chrisjo]

If as suggested you mean the lines being shown that’s entirely up to Google. They could ask Google to, but there’s nothing making Google do it.

There is, not surprisingly, an actual procedure that TFW could follow. In response to a query about Merseyrail, an expert on the Google Maps Help Community replied that:

Google Maps receives the transport layer updates through the content partners.
You can understand more about the mechanism at this link.
About Google Transit

If you follow the link you will read that..

When participating transit agencies share their static transit data (e.g. routes, stops, and schedules) with Google Transit, that information is integrated with Google Maps and accessible to Google users.

Once you share your static route and schedule information with Google Transit, you can add live transit updates via Realtime Transit. Realtime updates enhance your passengers’ experience with the latest departure and arrival times, service alerts, and vehicle positions. As long as your static transit information is available through Google Maps, you’re eligible to submit data for Realtime Transit.

 

[Benjwri]

There is, not surprisingly, an actual procedure that TFW could follow. In response to a query about Merseyrail, an expert on the Google Maps Help Community replied that:

Google Maps receives the transport layer updates through the content partners.
You can understand more about the mechanism at this link.
About Google Transit

If you follow the link you will read that..

This is for live updates and schedules to be shown in Google Maps, these are already shown, as are all National Rail services. The routes being shown on the transit map layer itself is a process that is manually curated by Google.

 

[Daniel Boone]

There is, not surprisingly, an actual procedure that TFW could follow. In response to a query about Merseyrail, an expert on the Google Maps Help Community replied that:

Google Maps receives the transport layer updates through the content partners.
You can understand more about the mechanism at this link.
About Google Transit

If you follow the link you will read that..

The realtime updates feature seems to already be integrated, I would've assumed this is via national rail data? Anyway its quite a mute point, so long as the timetable is integrated the idea of having a route outline practically speaking isn't all that useful in my opinion.

 

[AdamWW]

This is for live updates and schedules to be shown in Google Maps, these are already shown, as are all National Rail services. The routes being shown on the transit map layer itself is a process that is manually curated by Google.

It makes a nice change from the usual Google Maps display using the thinnest, greyest line they could find to "show" railway lines.

 

[chrisjo]

This is for live updates and schedules to be shown in Google Maps, these are already shown

If you follow the link given, and subsequent ones, you will see that it also specifically relates to the appearance of the lines and stations on the transit layer of the map.

 

[AdamWW]

If you follow the link given, and subsequent ones, you will see that it also specifically relates to the appearance of the lines and stations on the transit layer of the map.

Perhaps someone should suggest it to them - would be good in terms of advertising the Metro I'd have thought.

 

[Benjwri]

If you follow the link given, and subsequent ones, you will see that it also specifically relates to the appearance of the lines and stations on the transit layer of the map.

I did follow the link, however that doesn’t change the fact that an operator cannot add lines to the maps on their own. While using Google’s inbuilt system for live updates can put you in their good books, just as working with them in any other way, the process is still manual on Google’s side and they are very picky as to what the do and don’t put on the map.

 

[Smwrff]

It is already done. Go to Google Maps and search for say Abercynon Station. It will highlight the entire line(s) from Aberdare & Merthyr, to Cardiff Central (inc City Line) and Cardiff Bay.

 

[chrisjo]

It is already done. Go to Google Maps and search for say Abercynon Station. It will highlight the entire line(s) from Aberdare & Merthyr, to Cardiff Central (inc City Line) and Cardiff Bay.

Strange, I'm not seeing that on either phone or laptop.

 

[Smwrff]

I just realised - click on the station and it shows a timetable - click on the service and it highlights the line.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Feb 2026 ==

I just realised - click on the station and it shows a timetable - click on the service and it highlights the line.

Or just select Cardiff Central - all lines shown - black for mainline - red for tfw

 

[chrisjo]

Or just select Cardiff Central - all lines shown - black for mainline - red for tfw

OK, that works fine on an android phone using the app. The functionality does not appear on Google Maps running on the web on a PC, but you do see Merseyrail, London Underground, etc. Thanks.