South Wales 'Metro' updates

[TT-ONR-NRN]

That’s from next summer - 2tph Ponty to Cardiff Bay. It’s an extra service until the 4tph to/from TAM start.

TAM being?
Edit: Oh hang on, Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr, I'd guess. Not the most helpful way of referring to them I'd wager not many people would know what that means.

 

[Peter Sarf]

TAM being?
Edit: Oh hang on, Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr, I'd guess. Not the most helpful way of referring to them I'd wager not many people would know what that means.

I have eventually got used to the acronym "TAM" on this thread. North of Pontypridd would mean more to many non-locals though in my opinion !. My Valleys geography has improved since devouring this thread.

 

[John R]

TAM is actually an abbreviation used by the project itself, (as shown in the extract below from a published project review, where it is listed as one of the defined items).

So I think it’s a reasonable TLA (3 letter acronym) to use in the sub-forum.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

TAM is actually an abbreviation used by the project itself, (as shown in the extract below from a published project review, where it is listed as one of the defined items).

So I think it’s a reasonable TLA (3 letter acronym) to use in the sub-forum.

I think acronyms are discouraged on the forum in general, for this reason, but thanks for the extract.

 

[AdamWW]

I think acronyms are discouraged on the forum in general, for this reason, but thanks for the extract.

TMA.

(Too Many Acronyms)

 

[CardiffKid]

TAM being?
Edit: Oh hang on, Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr, I'd guess. Not the most helpful way of referring to them I'd wager not many people would know what that means.

I learnt that abbreviation from this thread.

TAM is actually an abbreviation used by the project itself, (as shown in the extract below from a published project review, where it is listed as one of the defined items).

So I think it’s a reasonable TLA (3 letter acronym) to use in the sub-forum.

Thank you.

 

[Minniemoo1?]

Has anyone heard a rumour that the rhymney line is now not going to be electrified due to lack of funding . ?

 

[CardiffKid]

Has anyone heard a rumour that the rhymney line is now not going to be electrified due to lack of funding . ?

Where did you hear it from?

 

[Minniemoo1?]

Some friends who work in the industry.
Just wondered if anyone knew if there was any truth in it?

 

[JamieB44]

Wasn't there an article on here that mentioned the possibility of extra services terminating at Pontypridd in additon to the 3 Valleys?

I think that is only from this summer until the 3 valleys each become 4tph.

 

[Yindee8191]

Has anyone heard a rumour that the rhymney line is now not going to be electrified due to lack of funding . ?

Fairly sure I’ve seen posts on this very thread of piles and steelwork in on that line, so seems unlikely that they won’t be wiring it at all. Maybe less OHL and more battery for the 756s?

 

[Bob Price]

This was Coryton today. Poles up as far as the eye can see.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

This was Coryton today. Poles up as far as the eye can see.

Looking good!

 

[Bob Price]

The other side of the bridge there is a new path around what was the park. This looks as if it could be extended under the bridge if needed linking to the platform. It would offer step free access to Coryton which I don't think it has. There is someone living in a tent under there at the moment so I didn't explode too closely.

 

[positron]

It would offer step free access to Coryton which I don't think it has.

There's steps up to the bridge but the other end of the platform goes onto Park Crescent which provides step free access.

Cardiff West Junction has been mentioned as the limitations on the cityline maybe if they do build the dive under and the circleline is completed you'll get at least an extra 2tph on the line

You don't actually need a dive under or the circle line for the extra 2tph. You just need some signaling changes and a tiny section of track. The dive under would be needed for north west corridor services I believe.

 

[Western 52]

This was Coryton today. Poles up as far as the eye can see.

You'd have thought they'd position the poles so they'd not be in the way of any future restoration of the second track!

 

[Bob Price]

There's steps up to the bridge but the other end of the platform goes onto Park Crescent which provides step free access.

I had forgotten that entrance! However it would allow the road to be crossed on the level. May be something for the future.

 

[AdamWW]

I had forgotten that entrance! However it would allow the road to be crossed on the level. May be something for the future.

Step free but I think I've seen it not classed as fully accessible due to the steepness of the slope up to the platform.

In any case any path under the bridge will no doubt be to improve access between the station and new hospital, if it actually gets built.

You'd have thought they'd position the poles so they'd not be in the way of any future restoration of the second track!

Or even have made some provision for a passing loop further down rather than putting the 25 kV cabling right alongside the track.

 

[CardiffKid]

Step free but I think I've seen it not classed as fully accessible due to the steepness of the slope up to the platform.

In any case any path under the bridge will no doubt be to improve access between the station and new hospital, if it actually gets built.



Or even have made some provision for a passing loop further down rather than putting the 25 kV cabling right alongside the track.

When I met with Network Rail in 2013/14 they were very much promoting the fact that they were planning on placing the transformer to the side of the tracks here rather than at the end to avoid moving it should the line ever get extended.

Slightly sad to see that the same foresight hasn’t been given to doubling the track. But at least there’s progress.

 

[CapitalStar378]

When I met with Network Rail in 2013/14 they were very much promoting the fact that they were planning on placing the transformer to the side of the tracks here rather than at the end to avoid moving it should the line ever get extended.

Slightly sad to see that the same foresight hasn’t been given to doubling the track. But at least there’s progress.

One passing loop is all that would be required to increase the line frequency, this was originally planned at Rhiwbina station, along with a second platform.

Should the line be extended, the M4 J33 station is planned to have 2 tracks and platforms as well.

 

[Tomos y Tanc]

Step free but I think I've seen it not classed as fully accessible due to the steepness of the slope up to the platform.

In any case any path under the bridge will no doubt be to improve access between the station and new hospital, if it actually gets built.



Or even have made some provision for a passing loop further down rather than putting the 25 kV cabling right alongside the track.

I think the new Velindre hospital is pretty much a done deal by now as the site is currently being cleared. This probably isn't the right place to argue the pros and cons of the hospital plan but giving it a rail connection is a bit of a no-brainer.

 

[bradleyd]

The most recent news I've seen (unless I've missed some on here) says that the treherbert line line will open at some point this month, and I know that they've been running trains along in recent weeks, but does anybody know when?

I'm actually asking for selfish reasons, I tend to have to get the x:37 train from pontypridd to central in the morning, and the treherbert coach tends to come in and double the amount of people on the platform which fills the trains up even more

 

[Zoomer]

The most recent news I've seen (unless I've missed some on here) says that the treherbert line line will open at some point this month, and I know that they've been running trains along in recent weeks, but does anybody know when?

I'm actually asking for selfish reasons, I tend to have to get the x:37 train from pontypridd to central in the morning, and the treherbert coach tends to come in and double the amount of people on the platform which fills the trains up even more

Sunday 11th Feb. Not long to go now.

(In other Treherbert news, rail engineers hit a mains water pipe near Tonypandy first thing this morning, and we've been without water all day! )

 

[John R]

It’s a bit of a shame the restart couldn’t have been brought forward to Saturday 3rd, as it would have been incredibly useful for what will be one of the busiest days on the valley lines, with Wales playing at home in the 6 Nations.

 

[Krokodil]

It’s a bit of a shame the restart couldn’t have been brought forward to Saturday 3rd, as it would have been incredibly useful for what will be one of the busiest days on the valley lines, with Wales playing at home in the 6 Nations.

A busy day is not a good day to open. Better to have a soft start on a quieter day to iron out any wrinkles.

 

[Avowedsevern]

Source told me they were meant to reopen the Treherbert line next week, however they fear that might be delayed + they’ve hit a water mains in Tonypandy station; a chunk of Trealaw, Penygraig, and Tonypandy without water lmao

 

[bradleyd]

Hopefully it doesn't

Source told me they were meant to reopen the Treherbert line next week, however they fear that might be delayed + they’ve hit a water mains in Tonypandy station; a chunk of Trealaw, Penygraig, and Tonypandy without water lmao

Hopefully it doesn't delay it

 

[Signal_Box]

Cardiff West Junction has been mentioned as the limitations on the cityline maybe if they do build the dive under and the circleline is completed you'll get at least an extra 2tph on the line

There is no way a dive under or flyover is possible with the space available plus all the other constrains on Cardiff west junction.

You could ease the flow on the west junction with the addition of two double ended points, a drop in the ocean coat wise compared to grand engineering like dive unders and overs.

 

[Dr Day]

Surely the whole point of going to tram-train operation for South Wales Metro was to enable expansion (including frequency enhancement) away from the constraints of heavy rail and where necessary take on-street diversions? The grand vision seems to be to take cars off the streets of inner Cardiff, so re-purposing existing highways into a high-priority tram route rather than expensive grade separated junctions at Cardiff West would seem an appropriate consideration, particularly as it removes the interface with Network Rail and GWR/freight (who presumably have rights over the Leckwith Loop which will need to be maintained).

 

[Dai Corner]

Surely the whole point of going to tram-train operation for South Wales Metro was to enable expansion (including frequency enhancement) away from the constraints of heavy rail and where necessary take on-street diversions? The grand vision seems to be to take cars off the streets of inner Cardiff, so re-purposing existing highways into a high-priority tram route rather than expensive grade separated junctions at Cardiff West would seem an appropriate consideration, particularly as it removes the interface with Network Rail and GWR/freight (who presumably have rights over the Leckwith Loop which will need to be maintained).

But the railways in Cardiff all link up via their own rights of way and the main city centre destinations ate within walking distance of Central Queen Street or Cathay's.. Bringing tram-trains down to street level and mixing with buses, cars and delivery vans would be a retrograde step. The tram capability is for extensions to the existing network like the Bay.