TfW new services to Bristol

[northernbelle]

It seems the planned new TfW services between Swansea and Bristol Temple Meads are likely to commence in December.

From Facebook (Swansea Scoop):

New direct train services between Swansea and Bristol are on track to launch this December, after Transport for Wales secured conditional support from Network Rail

The planned route would connect west Wales with Bristol Temple Meads, with stations including Bridgend, Port Talbot Parkway, Neath, Swansea and Carmarthen expected to feature, subject to final approval. TfW has applied to run nine return services a day, including one running via Bristol Parkway on weekdays.

TfW points to the sheer volume of cross-border traffic as the case for the new route, noting that around 80,000 vehicles cross the two Severn Bridges between south Wales and the south west every single day.

But there’s a catch: Network Rail's support currently only covers a 12-month period, something TfW has said it's disappointed by, while rival operator GWR has pushed back on claims the new service wouldn't compete with its existing Cardiff-Bristol trains.

Senedd Member Peter Fox welcomed the news, saying: "Whilst services already exist between South Wales and Bristol, increasing frequency is definitely a positive." He added: "Residents near Severn Tunnel Junction will welcome an increase in options that can take them towards Cardiff and Bristol, whilst other commuters will see the benefits too." On the timeline, he said: "I look forward to seeing these new services introduced in a few weeks."

Subject to final sign-off, TfW is aiming to get the new route running from December 2026.
Source: Transport for Wales / RAIL Magazine / Peter Fox MS | Image: Steve Hawkins Photography / Alamy

Route learning appears to have already started using a pair of Class 150s - 150245 and 150258 sighted at Temple Meads this morning.

Realtime trains links:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V42853/2026-10-12/detailed#allox_id=1
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V42852/2026-10-12/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V42851/2026-10-12/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V42850/2026-10-12/detailed#allox_id=0
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V42849/2026-10-12/detailed#allox_id=0
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V42848/2026-10-12/detailed#allox_id=0
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V42847/2026-10-12/detailed#allox_id=0
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V43037/2026-10-12/detailed#allox_id=0

 

[Towers]

This seems pointless duplication, something which I thought GBR was supposed to be very much against? Struggling to see the point of ‘one service per weekday’ running via Parkway, difficult to see much benefit to that other than TFW being able to put some posters up?

 

[northernbelle]

This seems pointless duplication, something which I thought GBR was supposed to be very much against? Struggling to see the point of ‘one service per weekday’ running via Parkway, difficult to see much benefit to that other than TFW being able to put some posters up?

More capacity between busy Bristol, Cardiff and further West is a good thing, providing it doesn't affect the performance of the route. Having a through service between Swansea and Bristol is also a positive development.

Re: Bristol Parkway - I suspect it's to enable TfW crews to maintain route knowledge on a diversionary route between Patchway and Filton, which is sensible.

 

[zwk500]

This seems pointless duplication, something which I thought GBR was supposed to be very much against? Struggling to see the point of ‘one service per weekday’ running via Parkway, difficult to see much benefit to that other than TFW being able to put some posters up?

The service via parkway is to preserve route knowledge for diversion if the direct chord or Bristol Temple Meads is unavaiable for any reason.

This thread is also related to the services: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...gland-train-links-by-welsh-government.302957/

 

[Djgr]

This seems pointless duplication, something which I thought GBR was supposed to be very much against? Struggling to see the point of ‘one service per weekday’ running via Parkway, difficult to see much benefit to that other than TFW being able to put some posters up?

Is it pointless duplication to run more than one train per hour? After all surely everyone can just pile on that?

Incidentally when are First Great Western going to acknowledge on their website the event in 62 days time?

 

[WelshBluebird]

I suspect the mods will want to merge threads, but to repeat what I have said there, these are very much not "pointless duplication".
For one, there is no existing South West Wales to Bristol Temple Meads direct service - so this is new.
And in addition, any extra capacity between Cardiff and Bristol, even if it is is a two car unit every other hour, is still worthwhile. Especially whilst GWR continue to frequently short form the Cardiff-Portsmouth Harbour services.

 

[mmh]

It's just handy that TFW are overflowing with spare units to start new services with. Oh.

 

[rs98]

I suspect the mods will want to merge threads, but to repeat what I have said there, these are very much not "pointless duplication".
For one, there is no existing South West Wales to Bristol Temple Meads direct service - so this is new.
And in addition, any extra capacity between Cardiff and Bristol, even if it is is a two car unit every other hour, is still worthwhile. Especially whilst GWR continue to frequently short form the Cardiff-Portsmouth Harbour services.

Also especially useful in periods of disruption such as this morning where the GWR 0628, 0657 and 0727 departures from Cardiff were all cancelled even though the disruption was expected to be cleared by 0700. I imagine this could have been due to GWR stock (165/158s stabled near Temple Meads and 800/802s stabled at Stoke Gifford) not making it from Bristol to Wales in order to operate those services - unless they had an excess of stock stabled at Swansea but that doesn't make sense for the Cardiff to Bristol/Portsmouth/Exeter services. Having a second option coming from different depots provides some further resilience compared to the route via a tight change at Bristol Parkway.

 

[DS25]

It's just handy that TFW are overflowing with spare units to start new services with. Oh.

Maybe the 158s released from the Cambrian could operate the services?

 

[Gordonman]

It's just handy that TFW are overflowing with spare units to start new services with. Oh.

There are many class 197;s not in service today.

18/51 197[0s
8/26 197;1s

Management incompetence continues on a large scale

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Maybe the 158s released from the Cambrian could operate the services?

That completely undoes the point of releasing them from the Cambrian in the first place, which was to get RID of the 90s stock.

Also, they’re promised to GWR apparently.

 

[Towers]

That completely undoes the point of releasing them from the Cambrian in the first place, which was to get RID of the 90s stock.

Also, they’re promised to GWR apparently.

One might suggest that TfW are hardly in a position to be getting precious about “90s stock”, given their ongoing exploits with brand new efforts!

 

[DS25]

That completely undoes the point of releasing them from the Cambrian in the first place, which was to get RID of the 90s stock.

Also, they’re promised to GWR apparently.

I think 35 year old trains is better than no train though, but TfW seems to think differently