South Wales 'Metro' updates

[Tram Inn SB]

That's unfortunate.

And having looked at the TfW web site, I see: "Network Rail and Amey Infrastructure have been carrying out planned engineering works. Unfortunately we have been told the work will take longer than anticipated"

It doesn't seem a good look to me to take over infrastructure then act as if engineering work on it by their subcontractor is nothing to do with them.
I don't seem to recall press releases on how wonderful all the electrification work was with titles like "Amey Infrastructure completes electrification on the Valley Lines".

[Edited to add: I've just looked it up, and the introduction to the press release on completing electrification said: "Transport for Wales has completed the full electrification of the Core Valley lines"
(Link at https://news.tfw.wales/news/100-percent-electrification-of-the-core-valley-lines-complete)]

On a more positive note, when I used the rail replacement buses yesterday everything was going very smoothly, with staff helpful and friendly despite the heat.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 May 2026 ==

Also, this morning they seem to have put a comprehensive set of bus ticket acceptance in place at presumably rather short notice so full marks to them for that.

There was no work involving NWR that carried over into this morning….

I think it’s call joint blame, even when one partner is more to blame than the other !

 

[Tram Inn SB]

Any details of what is actually overrunning as they're saying delays to end of day now (yet looking at things, don't see any processions etc), one thing I will give credit to Network Rail over Amey Infrastructure, when things go wrong on Network Rail infrastructure, it's resolved usually within a given X period of time (commonly a few hours at most). TfW/Amey default whenever something goes wrong on the CVL is end of day (then usually resolved overnight), it's not often it's as quickly resolved compared to NR. Recent example is the points failure at Heath Junction etc.

To be fair to CVL / Amey when things go wrong there is little scope to get in during service hours to fix the problem, hence it easier for CVL and the passengers to struggle on until after service hours.

NWR tend to suspend for X time, but the problem and resume services, as they have much bigger pool of human resources unlike CVL.

 

[DS25]

Any details of what is actually overrunning as they're saying delays to end of day now

Speed Restrictions in North Wales and on some of the marches I think

 

[AdamWW]

If the works were at Cardiff Central, that would be Network Rail, not TfW/Amey Infrastructure.

That is very true. But it was TfW not me blaming Amey. And there were engineering trains in Queen Street station yesterday.

Any details of what is actually overrunning as they're saying delays to end of day now (yet looking at things, don't see any processions etc), one thing I will give credit to Network Rail over Amey Infrastructure, when things go wrong on Network Rail infrastructure, it's resolved usually within a given X period of time (commonly a few hours at most). TfW/Amey default whenever something goes wrong on the CVL is end of day (then usually resolved overnight), it's not often it's as quickly resolved compared to NR. Recent example is the points failure at Heath Junction etc.

I think they have just fixed the points at Heath - it looks as if the train that has been stuck on the branch has finally escaped.

It's very hard to find out what is happening during disruption on TfW.

I discoverd today that their live departure boards seem to show train positions based on the timetable rather than actual location.
The live disruption map is currently showing a planned closure between Coryton and Cardiff Bay (including the stretch of the Rhymney Line between Queen Street and Heath) and a planned closure with bus replacements between Queen Street and Radyr. Neither is true.
I don't find their service updates particularly easy to follow and they didn't mention that there was a train locked into the Coryton Line shuttling up and down between Coryton and Heath.

I'm sure it's a challenge getting information out when everything has gone to pieces but I do find it disappointing that in order to have a clue what's going on I have to look at Traksy and Realtimetrains.

Even contacting customer service directly didn't get me anything useful.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 May 2026 ==

Speed Restrictions in North Wales and on some of the marches I think

I think this was a reference to the disruption caused by overrunning engineering work at Cardiff Central.

The "incident" is now expected to last until 23:59 and disruption until further notice.

 

[MikePJ]

I haven’t had a chance to get a picture yet, but the construction at Butetown on the Bute St side has now progressed to putting stone or stone-effect cladding on the breeze-block walls of the new lift shaft and staircase. It blends in very convincingly with the existing viaduct walls. Worth a look if you’re in the area.

 

[Daniel Boone]

There is a critical engineering possession on the Bay branch this weekend, IF successful then 398 testing on the newly energised will commence during closes service (0100-0400) period next Monday onwards.

With the potential for a single “locked in” 398 doing Queen Street to the Bay shuttles / subject to unit and crew being available.

If the possession works aren’t successful and 150 will be used on Queen Street to Bay shuttles UFN.

At the present the OLE isn’t energised due to a fault which was realised some weeks ago when the original switch on was planned.

The move of signalling from Cardiff ROC to TfW Taff Well is planned for April 27, once this is done the plan is to push the Queen street remodelling forward and the new line of sight operation with 398s on the Bay.

Any updates on this? Cheers in advance.

 

[Tram Inn SB]

As far as I’m aware it all went broadly to plan. Have a look on RTT for the 398 testing on the bay when Taff Well can batter a unit into a serviceable condition.

 

[50031]

As far as I’m aware it all went broadly to plan. Have a look on RTT for the 398 testing on the bay when Taff Well can batter a unit into a serviceable condition.

They seem to be running fairly consistently the last few days

 

[5021]

They seem to be running fairly consistently the last few days

Yes but to Treherbert and Aberdare. Nothing showing to the Bay in RTT, the previous overnight "battery" tests a few weeks ago DID appear there as normal. Not gospel, of course......

 

[Tram Inn SB]

A successful switch on of the limited OLE on the Bay branch this morning, will signal the final piece of the puzzle infrastructure wise to allow 398 introduction. However a series of instructions have also been implemented in conjunction with various processes, so it’s not wholly unrestricted but available for use none the less.

 

[athro]

Came across this online book by Prof. Mark Barry which, I think, will be of interest to readers of this thread.

About this book​

Status​

“How to build a Metro” is my story of the Cardiff Capital Region Metro / South Wales Metro since I first set out the concept in 2010, and one record of the advocacy and development of perhaps the most important public transport project in Wales. The book was drafted between 2021 and July 2024 – and will be subject to further revision.
I should also point out, that if you want the detailed technical story of the rolling stock, overhead line electrification (OLE), civil engineering, signalling, etc then I am not qualified to cover that; many others closer to those “spade in the ground details”, will tell a better story than me.

About this book

Status “How to build a Metro” is my story of the Cardiff Capital Region Metro / South Wales Metro since I first set out the concept in 2010, and one record of the advocacy and developme…

cardiffmetro.wales

 

[MikePJ]

A new consultation has appeared - to my (non-expert) eye, it appears to be a minor procedural change to what type of trains may use the Cardiff Bay branch as a result of the new electrification. The consultation requests permission to reduce the maximum permitted length of train on the Bay branch to 301m. A single 398 is 40m long, so this will only likely affect maintenance trains.

 

[Tram Inn SB]

A new consultation has appeared - to my (non-expert) eye, it appears to be a minor procedural change to what type of trains may use the Cardiff Bay branch as a result of the new electrification. The consultation requests permission to reduce the maximum permitted length of train on the Bay branch to 301m. A single 398 is 40m long, so this will only likely affect maintenance trains.

See my post in the 398 thread.

 

[Daniel Boone]

Brand-new railway bridge for busy city station

Emily Price A brand-new railway bridge will be installed at a busy city railway station with work starting later this month. Transport for Wales (TfW) says the ‘Access for All’ (AFA) footbridge in Cathays will provide better accessibility and help modernise the station to a safer transport hub...

nation.cymru

A long time in the making and greatly needed.

 

[ShadowCrowd55]

Brand-new railway bridge for busy city station

Emily Price A brand-new railway bridge will be installed at a busy city railway station with work starting later this month. Transport for Wales (TfW) says the ‘Access for All’ (AFA) footbridge in Cathays will provide better accessibility and help modernise the station to a safer transport hub...

nation.cymru

A long time in the making and greatly needed.

They’ve actually already started work on this I think - the CSL has included the stairs and lift as provision for one side of the footbridge ever since it was built, and there have been contractors furnishing the room where the stairs and the lift are with railings and interior fittings for about two months now.

 

[enapace]

The Cathays Bridge is one of the last things to build isn’t it off the original south wales metro plan? Upgrades to Queen Street and finishing build of butetown and expansion of Cardiff bay station are reminder. Think Cardiff West Junction upgrades was always going be a later stage.

Crwys Road station seems to be getting kicked down the road at moment hearing nothing about that.

 

[Philip Roberts]

The Cathays Bridge is one of the last things to build isn’t it off the original south wales metro plan? Upgrades to Queen Street and finishing build of butetown and expansion of Cardiff bay station are reminder. Think Cardiff West Junction upgrades was always going be a later stage.

Crwys Road station seems to be getting kicked down the road at moment hearing nothing about that.

There's occasional updated on Crwys Road. Last I saw, it was on track (no pun intended) for a 2028 opening. If that's still correct, we may see some work happening by the end of the year. That would be the final original metro piece, although Gabalfa station was also planned and there's been absolutely no movement on that (the land was purchased years ago).

 

[CapitalStar378]

There's occasional updated on Crwys Road. Last I saw, it was on track (no pun intended) for a 2028 opening. If that's still correct, we may see some work happening by the end of the year. That would be the final original metro piece, although Gabalfa station was also planned and there's been absolutely no movement on that (the land was purchased years ago).

I strongly suspect that these projects have been delayed due to funding issues as we're already past the original Crwys Rd opening date. The contract is being tendered this year for start of works next year now, no word on Gabalfa.

 

[enapace]

I strongly suspect that these projects have been delayed due to funding issues a we're already past the original Crwys Rd opening date. The contract is being tendered this year for start of works next year now, no word on Gabalfa.

There's occasional updated on Crwys Road. Last I saw, it was on track (no pun intended) for a 2028 opening. If that's still correct, we may see some work happening by the end of the year. That would be the final original metro piece, although Gabalfa station was also planned and there's been absolutely no movement on that (the land was purchased years ago).

Thanks both for update be nice have a station behind me and not just hear the trains .

They are also still waiting for Cardiff Council grant planning permission for the north bound platform step and lift access. Planning permission was sort last August and it’s not been granted yet.

 

[5021]

The Cathays Bridge is one of the last things to build isn’t it off the original south wales metro plan? Upgrades to Queen Street and finishing build of butetown and expansion of Cardiff bay station are reminder. Think Cardiff West Junction upgrades was always going be a later stage.

Crwys Road station seems to be getting kicked down the road at moment hearing nothing about that.

The Cathays footbridge was and I presume still is part of the UK Government's Access for All programme rather than the Metro. It was originally to have been included in the CP 5 (2014-19) budget but like a number of others was deferred because of funding shortfall.

 

[MikePJ]

Start of works on Cardiff Crossrail has been announced, with the initial works being utility diversions in Callaghan Square. https://nation.cymru/news/100m-crossrail-project-moves-into-construction-phase/

Work on the first phase of Cardiff Crossrail is due to begin later this month, marking the start of a long-planned tram-train link between Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay.


Enabling works at Callaghan Square will start on June 15 as part of a joint project between Cardiff Council and Transport for Wales. Construction firm GRAHAM has been appointed principal contractor for the first phase of the scheme.

See also https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/...st-phase-of-the-cardiff-crossrail-this-month/

As with any development of this scale, there will be impacts on the highway network while work takes place. Although there will be no road closures during the first phase of the enabling works, there will be a reduction in traffic lanes on Callaghan Square while the site is cleared and the contractor begins diverting utilities beneath the carriageway.

 

[stormcoffeecat]

Transport for Wales confirms '231' fleet will become bi-modes

Operator to fit pantographs to Class 231 FLIRT sets over the coming years.

www.railmagazine.com

Transport for Wales has confirmed it is planning to convert its Class 231 diesel-electric units into bi-modes.

The fleet of 11 Stadler-built sets will have pantographs fitted over the coming years after TfW decided to activate a Hybrid Variation Agreement with the manufacturer.

Class 231s currently operate alongside ‘756s’ and Class 150s in South Wales but are due to move onto more main line and Vale of Glamorgan Line services once Class 398 tram-trains are rolled out on the South Wales Metro.

TfW Chief Commercial Officer, Alexia Course, said: "We can confirm that work is being mobilised to convert our Class 231 fleet into hybrid trains, following approval and funding from the Welsh Government and agreement with our delivery partners.

"This programme will reduce reliance on diesel, cut emissions and noise, and give us greater flexibility to operate the fleet more efficiently across the network, supporting our longer-term decarbonisation ambitions.”

Course said work will be “delivered on a phased basis over several years”.

 

[cloakanddagger]

Transport for Wales confirms '231' fleet will become bi-modes

Operator to fit pantographs to Class 231 FLIRT sets over the coming years.

www.railmagazine.com

Surprised this wasn't done when they were first ordered, but I'm assuming this will mean the 231s can use OHLE when they're taken off the Rhymney/vale lines and used for the Maesteg/ebbw vale route instead

 

[Tetragon213]

A welcome upgrade, I'd say...

Assuming the feeders are able to support the extra load without melting. I'm assuming the additional load has been accounted for.

 

[positron]

The great western electrification project was apparently quite famously overspecified so it should be fine, they designed it to avoid the issues that are seen in the north east. Remember that right now the only electric trains on the south wales mainline (where the 231s will operate) are a handful of class 80Xs and the occasional 387.

 

[Envoy]

15 June 2026 is the start date for enabling work to link the Bay Line with the south side of Cardiff Central station.

"Enabling works to transform Callaghan Square as part of the first phase of the Cardiff Crossrail will start on 15 June, with a new tram-train route set to be built between Cardiff Central Railway Station and Cardiff Bay."

https://www.wales247.co.uk/cardiff-crossrail-construction-set-to-get-underway-at-callaghan-square

 

[nigelsporne]

I know this is off topic really but a 9" main is relatively easy to divert. A pipe this size is at least 70 years old so I would have thought Welsh Water would have rubbed their hands with glee for a bit of cash to replace it! (Ex Water Engineer)

 

[Prime586]

I know this is off topic really but a 9" main is relatively easy to divert. A pipe this size is at least 70 years old so I would have thought Welsh Water would have rubbed their hands with glee for a bit of cash to replace it! (Ex Water Engineer)

According to the Welsh Water plan, it was a PVC main installed in 1975, so presumably when the A470 was built in the area. There is little scope for it to be diverted at the point the south-facing link from the depot was planned to be. It runs alongside A470 on the eastern perimeter of the depot and then along the side of the slip road. The only option I can see for diverting it in that area would be to move it to under the slip road.

In Welsh Water's response letter that accompanied the plan, they state "It may be possible for this water main to be diverted under Section 185 of the Water Industry Act 1991, the cost of which will be re-charged to the developer". I presume the developer enquired for an estimate of those costs and decided not to proceed.

I've since discovered that the links to the plans in my earlier post only work for the session they were viewed in. You need to go to the Rhondda Cynon Taf Council planning register, search for the planning reference '18/0314/HYB' and look at the documents section:
'DCWW - Water Plan' - the Welsh Water plan showing the water mains
'WWU Plan' - the Wales & West Utilities plan showing the gas mains
'Ground Level Masterplan (Sheet 1 of 2)' - the original plan for the layout of the site

For the revised plan from 2019, search for planning reference '19/0380/RVOC' and in the documents section:
'Master Site Plan 19/08/2019' - the revised site plan with the removal of the 'Y' junction, resiting the carriage wash and sanding facilities to the eastern side of the site and the addition of the south-facing access point under Cardiff Road.

 

[positron]

15 June 2026 is the start date for enabling work to link the Bay Line with the south side of Cardiff Central station.



https://www.wales247.co.uk/cardiff-crossrail-construction-set-to-get-underway-at-callaghan-square

Looks like the car parks are permanently closed from July 1st.

 

[Cardiff4]

TfW have announced today the following temporary changes due to hot weather!

They are:

Pontypridd - Cardiff Bay services will not run after 1326 (no specific date given) until Saturday 27th June.

Coryton – Cardiff – Penarth: Monday 22nd June to Saturday 27th June

• Services will run every 30 minutes between Coryton and Heath Low Level.
• For services into Cardiff change at Heath Low Level and use services from Heath High Level.
• Penarth – Coryton services will not run.
• Penarth services will be reduced to two services per hour, to and from Caerphilly only.
• Rail tickets accepted on Cardiff Bus service 92, 93, &94. No rail replacement service.

Presumably the Coryton branch changes are due to a fear that the points at Heath Junction will not be reliable in the forecasted hot weather.

The problem for passengers transferring from Heath Low Level to Heath High Level is that the platform for services into Cardiff is only accessible by a staircase. Anybody with mobility issues will not be able to access the platform.