The line to Beddau: Can it be done?

[Quakers Yard]

If Nelson is to get a new station then services may as well go up to Trelewis and Bedlinog.
The Cwmbargoed line would need an upgrade though and possibly a loop. Both platforms at Trelewis are still there. Nelson and Llancaiach is also still there and has a NCN path next to it. Bedlinog station gone but entrance still there. Cant imagine passenger trains getting up to Cwmbargoed as there are jst a few houses on top of Merthyr common. The new car park at Abercynon was meant to serve Trelewis and Bedlinog although Quakers Yard and Ystrad Mynach are just as close if not closer.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Hopefully this will happen as well, although the Bedlinog line is still operational for freight traffic.

 

[anthony263]

I agree that the upgrades for the valley lines would be very much wlecomed. The tram-train proposals however are a bit of an issue in particulary the east-west link which is proposed to use the relief lines something which I am sure network rail were not happy with due to pathing between freight services.

A regular stopping service using heavy rail on the other hand I think would be easier to path.

That said I am not against the Cardiff Underground idea especially if London underground did purchase brand new tube stock and we were able to get the 1992 stock on the cheap

 

[Markdvdman]

It would be good if these links could be set up.

As for the extension to Cwmbargoed, I would see it as an alternative if there is an issue with the Merthyr line to Cardiff. However, it would be much more useful if they could somehow link it to Merthyr.

The way roads are going, new lines etc have to be a good thing and the greener option!

All a pipedream though

 

[Tumbleweed]

Well, the last big road scheme, Church Village bypass is already badly congested in places just 3 years after its completion, surely the powers that be must realise that road building is not the answer. I can see the Bedlinog line making a comeback but not too sure about Nelson to Abercynon. The problem is as ever money - they have to make choices about where to spend it. I suppose Llantrisant/Beddau/Creigiau is a growth area - not too far from the Valleys and close to Cardiff therefore people want to live there.

 

[Kingston Flyer]

I suppose Llantrisant/Beddau/Creigiau is a growth area - not too far from the Valleys and close to Cardiff therefore people want to live there.

And it was a nice area to be until everyone else decided they wanted to live here too.

Only kidding, it's still good. Relatively quiet, but can get to Cardiff within about 1/2 hour (from here).

I can see that it would be an advantage for those further across in Beddau/Creigiau to be able to get up the valleys or down in Cardiff as easily.

 

[Tumbleweed]

And it was a nice area to be until everyone else decided they wanted to live here too.

Only kidding, it's still good. Relatively quiet, but can get to Cardiff within about 1/2 hour (from here).

I can see that it would be an advantage for those further across in Beddau/Creigiau to be able to get up the valleys or down in Cardiff as easily.

I think that living in the Talbot Green area is a blessing and a curse due its location....I mean there isn't even an express bus to Cardiff anymore, no wonder the place is grid locked!

The area desperately needs better public transport full stop.

 

[Gwenllian2001]

I think that living in the Talbot Green area is a blessing and a curse due its location....I mean there isn't even an express bus to Cardiff anymore, no wonder the place is grid locked!

The area desperately needs better public transport full stop.

The more I look at this scheme, the more attractive it becomes. It is an attractive area to live in but, although it is quite near to Cardiff, the time taken to get to and from the city centre by road is a drawback.

A 'new' rail link via Creigiau would seem to be ideal by opening up the north western approaches to the city, an area without rail services. Creigiau itself is a growing village which attracts the affluent and is very much 4x4 country, at the moment. A rail service would make it even more attractive. If the proposed housing developments, in north western Cardiff, go ahead, the line couldn't fail.

The complete journey from Beddau / Tynant to Cardiff Central should be easily achievable in less than thirty minutes. It is interesting to note that Cardiff City Council were urging the GWR to introduce a passenger service on the line in the Thirties. This was in conjunction with the Welsh Land Resettlement scheme at Capel Llanilltern. Nothing came of that but maybe its time has now come.

 

[Tumbleweed]

The more I look at this scheme, the more attractive it becomes. It is an attractive area to live in but, although it is quite near to Cardiff, the time taken to get to and from the city centre by road is a drawback.

A 'new' rail link via Creigiau would seem to be ideal by opening up the north western approaches to the city, an area without rail services. Creigiau itself is a growing village which attracts the affluent and is very much 4x4 country, at the moment. A rail service would make it even more attractive. If the proposed housing developments, in north western Cardiff, go ahead, the line couldn't fail.

The complete journey from Beddau / Tynant to Cardiff Central should be easily achievable in less than thirty minutes. It is interesting to note that Cardiff City Council were urging the GWR to introduce a passenger service on the line in the Thirties. This was in conjunction with the Welsh Land Resettlement scheme at Capel Llanilltern. Nothing came of that but maybe its time has now come.

I didn't know about the plan in the thirties, lets hope that the Welsh Government has a flash of inspiration and allows it, otherwise we'll probably have to wait another 80 years...

 

[daikilo]

I didn't know about the plan in the thirties, lets hope that the Welsh Government has a flash of inspiration and allows it, otherwise we'll probably have to wait another 80 years...

1) the added votes
2) developer contribution
Might just work if the station spacing is close enough for most every new house to be within walking distance. This is a tried and tested principle which proponents may wish to adopt. It could lead to a few relocations for those having buildings on the new track formation. It may also lead to e.g. a need for more tracks on lines nearer to Cardiff.

 

[Gwenllian2001]

1) the added votes
2) developer contribution
Might just work if the station spacing is close enough for most every new house to be within walking distance. This is a tried and tested principle which proponents may wish to adopt. It could lead to a few relocations for those having buildings on the new track formation. It may also lead to e.g. a need for more tracks on lines nearer to Cardiff.

There is just a handful of houses built near the site of Waterhall Jc where the Llantrisant No 1 Railway joined the 'City Line'. So, no need for extra tracks.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

1) the added votes
2) developer contribution
Might just work if the station spacing is close enough for most every new house to be within walking distance. This is a tried and tested principle which proponents may wish to adopt. It could lead to a few relocations for those having buildings on the new track formation. It may also lead to e.g. a need for more tracks on lines nearer to Cardiff.

There cannot be many, virtually, unmolested rail formations remaining in such a built up area. It's a planner's dream and the sooner they get on with it the better.

The same thing applies to Caerffili - Newport. In that case, most of the line is already operational. Again, this is a relatively cheap fix.

The Cwmbargoed line could be goer too. It has seen special passenger trains in recent years.

 

[anthony263]

Dragging this thread up again, but it seems now that there is a lot of interest coming from the Welsh Government about using tram-trains on a Cardiff Metro however one issue has come from Network rail about signalling gaps between Tram-train vehicles and freight services using the relief lines since there will not be any paths available over the mainlines.

The two routes proposed for the Cardiff Metro are:

Beddau - Cardiff West Services - Fairwater - Cardiff - St Mellons/Newport
Coryton - Heath Low Level - Cardiff Queen St - Cardiff Bay - Roath Basin.

New stations would likely be built on the exisiting formations at:

1.) Ely Bridge (providing a interechange with Maesteg - Cardiff/Ebbw Vale services).

2.) Callaghan Square (This will be the main interchange between the two metro routes. The station will be shortly after the mainline passes under the Cardiff Bay branch)

3.) Splott

4.) Rover Way (Providing direct acess to the housing and retail developments along Newport Road)

5.) St Mellons (Certainly this station will be a big hit as it allows a journey time into Cardiff of around 8-9 minutes compared to 15 minutes or more by road)

6.) Maes Glas (This station has been proposed although I do wonder if it would be built. That said it will serve a good employment area being close to Alexander Docks Yard and with easy acess down to Maes Glas retail park etc.

On the North -South route a new station would be opened at Fforest Farm Industrial Park, Other new stations will be opened between Heath Low Level and Cardiff Queen Street at Wedal Road (This being a lot closer to the Heath or University Hospital of Wales) and at Cmrys Road which has a large shopping area.

A station would be opened along the Cardiff Bay branch at Callaghan Square shortly after passing over the mainlines. Another station will be built a few yeards short of the current Cardiff Bay terminus and be named Lloyd George Avenue. Services will then run on street via Roath Basin and the Sennedd with a possible extension over the Cardiff Bay Barrage to Penarth Marina.

Both routes I have little doubt will be very well used and it would mean a long due upgrade of the Coryton and Cardiff Bay branches which should have new double track sections.

A suggestion I saw put forward was to use vehicles similar to those being built for use in Rotherham although they would have higher floors like the Manchester Metrolink trams due to using existing railway platforms.

There is a good article on the Rotherham tram-trains in the current issue of Todays Railways uk which is wel worth a read.

 

[Solaris]

Dragging this thread up again, but it seems now that there is a lot of interest coming from the Welsh Government about using tram-trains on a Cardiff Metro however one issue has come from Network rail about signalling gaps between Tram-train vehicles and freight services using the relief lines since there will not be any paths available over the mainlines.

The two routes proposed for the Cardiff Metro are:

Beddau - Cardiff West Services - Fairwater - Cardiff - St Mellons/Newport
Coryton - Heath Low Level - Cardiff Queen St - Cardiff Bay - Roath Basin.

New stations would likely be built on the exisiting formations at:

1.) Ely Bridge (providing a interechange with Maesteg - Cardiff/Ebbw Vale services).

2.) Callaghan Square (This will be the main interchange between the two metro routes. The station will be shortly after the mainline passes under the Cardiff Bay branch)

3.) Splott

4.) Rover Way (Providing direct acess to the housing and retail developments along Newport Road)

5.) St Mellons (Certainly this station will be a big hit as it allows a journey time into Cardiff of around 8-9 minutes compared to 15 minutes or more by road)

6.) Maes Glas (This station has been proposed although I do wonder if it would be built. That said it will serve a good employment area being close to Alexander Docks Yard and with easy acess down to Maes Glas retail park etc.

On the North -South route a new station would be opened at Fforest Farm Industrial Park, Other new stations will be opened between Heath Low Level and Cardiff Queen Street at Wedal Road (This being a lot closer to the Heath or University Hospital of Wales) and at Cmrys Road which has a large shopping area.

A station would be opened along the Cardiff Bay branch at Callaghan Square shortly after passing over the mainlines. Another station will be built a few yeards short of the current Cardiff Bay terminus and be named Lloyd George Avenue. Services will then run on street via Roath Basin and the Sennedd with a possible extension over the Cardiff Bay Barrage to Penarth Marina.

Both routes I have little doubt will be very well used and it would mean a long due upgrade of the Coryton and Cardiff Bay branches which should have new double track sections.

A suggestion I saw put forward was to use vehicles similar to those being built for use in Rotherham although they would have higher floors like the Manchester Metrolink trams due to using existing railway platforms.

There is a good article on the Rotherham tram-trains in the current issue of Todays Railways uk which is wel worth a read.

What is the source of this intelligence?

 

[anthony263]

What is the source of this intelligence?

One was a document published by Sewta and another was from speaking to someone I know from Sewta.

I will have to find the link to that document again however I will link it when I do.

The Welsh transport ministor is supposed to be making some statement on the Cardiff Metro towards the end of September. Certainly I expect it will be interesting to what she has to say.

 

[Tumbleweed]

One was a document published by Sewta and another was from speaking to someone I know from Sewta.

I will have to find the link to that document again however I will link it when I do.

The Welsh transport ministor is supposed to be making some statement on the Cardiff Metro towards the end of September. Certainly I expect it will be interesting to what she has to say.

Very interesting news. Lets hope it happens and doesn't fall victim to cuts/road schemes etc.

 

[anthony263]

Very interesting news. Lets hope it happens and doesn't fall victim to cuts/road schemes etc.

I think this is one rail scheme the welsh government are pushing especially if the go ahead is given for the M4 relief road since a good part of the funding will come from the EU etc.

If tram-trains are used why not tag an add on to the order which is being put together for the Rotherham tram-train scheme