Valley Lines

[PHILIPE]

If you count the Ebbw vale line as part of the valley lines, I believe this occasionally sees 158s and 175s.

If you are interested in semaphores, I highly recommend you get some pictures of Barry, Barry Island and Bargoed as these are scheduled to be replaced soon. The others, such as at Tondu and Ystrad Mynach are only due to be replaced later.

Ebbw Vale 150 and 158 with odd strengthening on Sats by 153s and Pacers.
175s do visit on odd occasions standing in. 153s seen on Radyr Corytons on Saturdays and also on occasions during the week.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Surely a visit to Merthyr is worthy of a detour to this beauty....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48028479@N00/3619985650/

You get a good view from the A470 just before it intersects with the heads of the valleys A465. The A470 is partly built on the formation down as far as Rhydycar where it intersected with the Merthyr-Hirwaun line and the Rhymney/GWR joint that went down the west side of the valley high up on the slopes as far as Quakers Yard in fact most of the A470 dual carriageway takes that route.

Seriously recommend folk look at this website of the railway network around Merthyr and Dowlais click on the interactive map.

http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/railways.htm

 

[Michael.Y]

And of course, there's the added bonus of an Ian Allen Publishing / modelling / poster shop in Cardiff's Morgan Arcade!

 

[Greenback]

I do enjoy the Ian Allen shop! It's a must whenever I go to Cardiff!

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

You get a good view from the A470 just before it intersects with the heads of the valleys A465. The A470 is partly built on the formation down as far as Rhydycar where it intersected with the Merthyr-Hirwaun line and the Rhymney/GWR joint that went down the west side of the valley high up on the slopes as far as Quakers Yard in fact most of the A470 dual carriageway takes that route.

Seriously recommend folk look at this website of the railway network around Merthyr and Dowlais click on the interactive map.

http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/railways.htm

That is a great site, some brilliant photographs there!

 

[Gareth Marston]

We drove to Merthyr early Saturday morning and stayed at the Travelodge their (right by the old Rhydycar junctions) after yesterdays international getting the train into Cardiff.

We caught the 2127 back my other half decided she needed the toilet after leaving Radyr.- she couldn't get in it for 2 different young couples taking it turns to spend time in their together - and didn't want to go in after they got got off at Troed Y Rhiw. Tesco Extra was open but not their toilets so we ended up going in the Crown - bought a round of drinks whilst the females of the family went to the toilet.

The conductor had come around between Llandaf and Radyr and woke someone up who turned out he wanted to go to Ystrad Mynach - saw no more of conductor after Radyr. Sleeper seen getting onto footbridge to head back to Cardiff.

 

[anthony263]

Heard talk tonight that the WG have given the go ahead to extend the Ebbw Vale Line to Ebbw Vale Town.

Good news if it is true and I just hope the opportunity is taken to extend the double track loop on the branch at the same time to allow for a 30 minutely interval in the future with the proposed hourly Ebbw Vale - Newport service

 

[Michael.Y]

Anyone know of any movement on the Pye Corner / Bassaleg station?

 

[anthony263]

My personal opinion is that the go ahed will be given to build a station @ Pye Corner

 

[Quakers Yard]

If you want to do a groundhop there are loads of football, rugby or cricket grounds you can tick off - can list them if you want them. If its railway architecture you want take a look at Pontypridd with some old photos in the new waiting room that was the old buffet. With 2tph up most routes you can see and visit a lot in a day. Almost all stations have a pub or four nearby. I would recommend a look around any of the many towns. For the beach head for Barry Island, Penarth or Llantwit Major. If you love a Chinese time an evening stop at Tondu and walk the short way to Aberkenfig!