Swansea District Line

[Western 52]

The Swansea District Line appears to have been closed for several weeks now. I heard somewhere that there's an issue with a tunnel. Does anyone know what the problem is and what's planned to resolve it? Trains are diverted via Landore, involving 2 locos on the Trostre trains due to the double reversal needed at Llandeilo Junction.

 

[anthony263]

The Swansea District Line appears to have been closed for several weeks now. I heard somewhere that there's an issue with a tunnel. Does anyone know what the problem is and what's planned to resolve it? Trains are diverted via Landore, involving 2 locos on the Trostre trains due to the double reversal needed at Llandeilo Junction.

It's llangyfelach tunnel that's the problem network rail supposed to be repairing the structure as there's been so e movement or something

 

[38Cto15E]

I went through it a few weeks ago (11th April) on the lunchtime Fishguard Harbour to Cardiff train.

 

[Western 52]

I went through it a few weeks ago (11th April) on the lunchtime Fishguard Harbour to Cardiff train.

It closed a bit later, but I'm not sure exactly when.

 

[Richard Robson]

It was closed sometime before 12th June. We were on the Fishguard Harbour to Cardiff and was told by the guard it was going via the Swansea avaoider as there was a tunnel issue. So we got to do that instead. Hopefully it will be repaired and we can go and do the District at some point in the not to distand future

 

[Western 52]

The line remains closed this week with freight traffic still going via Landore. Oil trains are double headed and reduced to around 21 tanks, whilst Trostre trains are top and tailed. This must be extra cost of course, so you'd think getting the District Line open would be a priority. I've noticed the lines at the Briton Ferry end are now quite rusty.

 

[John R]

The line remains closed this week with freight traffic still going via Landore. Oil trains are double headed and reduced to around 21 tanks, whilst Trostre trains are top and tailed. This must be extra cost of course, so you'd think getting the District Line open would be a priority. I've noticed the lines at the Briton Ferry end are now quite rusty.

I’ve often wondered why the line has survived when such an obvious alternative exists, but I think I now have the answer!

 

[D6975]

The ability to turn HST power cars was another reason in the not so distant past.

 

[andythebrave]

Ignoramus question here, what is the difference between the district line and the Swansea avoider line?

 

[The exile]

Ignoramus question here, what is the difference between the district line and the Swansea avoider line?

Both lines in question are strictly speaking “Swansea avoiders”. One is the north side of the triangle at Landore; the other, much longer, links Briton Ferry to Llangennech on the Central Wales Line. The Landore variant is presumably more steeply graded.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Jul 2024 ==

The ability to turn HST power cars was another reason in the not so distant past.

Surely the Landore curve would have been used for that, rather than the District. Of course, various freight lines fed into the District Lines (Onllwyn, Cwmgwrach, Swansea Docks, so complete closure was not an option while they still had traffic.

 

[D6975]

Surely the Landore curve would have been used for that, rather than the District. Of course, various freight lines fed into the District Lines (Onllwyn, Cwmgwrach, Swansea Docks, so complete closure was not an option while they still had traffic.

We were talking about the Landore curve...

 

[The exile]

We were talking about the Landore curve...

Not how I read it, but never mind!

 

[andythebrave]

Both lines in question are strictly speaking “Swansea avoiders”. One is the north side of the triangle at Landore; the other, much longer, links Briton Ferry to Llangennech on the Central Wales Line. The Landore variant is presumably more steeply graded.

Thank you.

 

[anthony263]

The Swansea District Line could become part of the Swansea metro Pontardulais to Swansea service

 

[GW43125]

Both lines in question are strictly speaking “Swansea avoiders”. One is the north side of the triangle at Landore; the other, much longer, links Briton Ferry to Llangennech on the Central Wales Line. The Landore variant is presumably more steeply graded.

If memory serves, I think it's a fairly stiff climb out the west end of Swansea towards Llanelli-I remember a single 153 trying its best, with limited success!

 

[Western 52]

If memory serves, I think it's a fairly stiff climb out the west end of Swansea towards Llanelli-I remember a single 153 trying its best, with limited success!

Yes, it's a steep climb to Cockett Tunnel both ways. This limits freight loads.

 

[Western 52]

The line remains closed, but I noticed yesterday 2 August that the up line at the Morlais Junction end shows signs of use. Works movements maybe, anyone have any update on what's happening?

 

[sleepinglion]

Can only speak as a local but bave seen work crews of around 8 people parked up and either starting or finishing work above the cutting at the Morriston end of the tunnel at around 9pm a couple night this week, so can only assume they are working hard there.
We all had letters a month or two before the closure warning of heavy work going on in the tunnel there for a few nights but that finished well over a month before the tunnel closed, so unsure it's connected.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Aug 2024 ==

Yes, it's a steep climb to Cockett Tunnel both ways. This limits freight loads.

Might be wrong but I believe it's 1 in 52 one side and 1 in 53 the other.

 

[Adrian Barr]

anyone have any update on what's happening?

Latest I've heard is an expected reopening date of 12th August

 

[Western 52]

That will be good news for freight operators. Current double heading and top and tail working must be expensive.

 

[John R]

That will be good news for freight operators. Current double heading and top and tail working must be expensive.

Wouldn’t Network Rail pick up the additional costs, if the asset they are contracted to make available isn’t?

 

[Western 52]

Looks like testing trains running on the line today, and according to RTT tomorrow's 6B13 Robeston to Westerleigh oil is going that way.

Realtime Trains | 8Z62 1134 Court Sart Jn to Trostre Works | 11/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 8Z62 1134 departure from Court Sart Jn to Trostre Works on 11/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Bill57p9]

Never mind tomorrow, it would appear that 2 trains are on their way to use it within the next couple of hours:

• 6V32 Tilbury - Trostre
  • https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:H24772/2024-08-12/detailed
• 6B20 Trostre - Margam
  • https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:H18863/2024-08-12/detailed

 

[Western 52]

Plus 0A11 Margam to Robeston light loco.

Realtime Trains | 0A11 1744 Margam L.I.P. to Robeston Sdgs | 12/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 0A11 1744 departure from Margam L.I.P. to Robeston Sdgs on 12/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Freightmaster]

Never mind tomorrow...

For clarification, Western 52's post mentioning "tomorrow" was actually posted yesterday (i.e. Sunday!)




MARK

 

[Bill57p9]

For clarification, Western 52's post mentioning "tomorrow" was actually posted yesterday (i.e. Sunday!)




MARK

Oops. My bad…