South Wales 'Metro' updates

[MikePJ]

Issue 1026 of RAIL has a feature on the Metro and confirms that the wires to Coryton are not live yet but will go live “imminently”.

Update 10th January: there's a couple of major shutdowns that have appeared on the TfW website.

Sunday 19th January: no trains between Cardiff Central and Caerphilly, Penarth, Barry/Bridgend or the City Line. (Coryton is also closed, as it doesn't have a Sunday service)
Friday 31st Jan - Sunday 2nd Feb: no trains between Queen St and Radyr via Cathays (TAM trains will run non-stop from Radyr to Central via the City Line); no trains to Coryton or Rhymney; no trains to Penarth Fri 31st and Sat 1st. Cardiff Bay is also closed
Monday 3rd - Sunday 9th Feb: Cardiff Bay line closed until 1800 each day.

 

[Bob Price]

Is it possible the Cardiff Bay track slew will happen during one of these closures?

 

[MikePJ]

Is it possible the Cardiff Bay track slew will happen during one of these closures?

It’s certainly possible, but we don’t know for sure.

 

[Sterre]

Is it possible the Cardiff Bay track slew will happen during one of these closures?

Looks like there's some new signage that wasn't there a few weeks ago, including a new station entrance sign yet to be put up. So either way, it looks like they're getting ready to switch platforms soon.

There's been a new ticket machine in place for a while now, but I can't yet see a yellow validator thingy. I wonder if this relates to some of the PAYG issues I've heard some people have had at Cardiff Bay.

 

[5021]

Looks like there's some new signage that wasn't there a few weeks ago, including a new station entrance sign yet to be put up. So either way, it looks like they're getting ready to switch platforms soon.

There's been a new ticket machine in place for a while now, but I can't yet see a yellow validator thingy. I wonder if this relates to some of the PAYG issues I've heard some people have had at Cardiff Bay.

There was certainly a yellow validator at Cardiff Bay when I visited on 13th November; photo evidence attached! Has it been removed since?

 

[Sterre]

There was certainly a yellow validator at Cardiff Bay when I visited on 13th November; photo evidence attached! Has it been removed since?

I meant on the new platforms!

 

[positron]

Yeah I've not seen one in the new platforms yet and the old one has been silently broken for at least 2 days.

 

[MikePJ]

There’s an interview with James Price (CEO of TfW) on the Green Signals Youtube channel:

It’s a very “softball” interview as the presenter is very deferential, so no hard questions.

Couple of metro-related highlights: he confirms that increasing services beyond the current 2tph on Coryton and the City Line could be done “for a small marginal cost”. He also says that future street running might be driver-only operation, but that this is ultimately a political decision. He also explains that Taff’s Well depot could handle twice as many tram-trains as are currently based there, and three times as many if some are stabled elsewhere overnight.

 

[positron]

He also explains that Taff’s Well depot could handle twice as many tram-trains as are currently based there, and three times as many if some are stabled elsewhere overnight.

That's good to know, because a lot of future aspirations will be reliant on more units. I wonder if they have an option with the current procurement to order more, or if it would have to be a whole new one. Like for the confirmed central to bay metro service will they need more units?

 

[Philip Roberts]

That's good to know, because a lot of future aspirations will be reliant on more units. I wonder if they have an option with the current procurement to order more, or if it would have to be a whole new one. Like for the confirmed central to bay metro service will they need more units?

I'm prerry sure I read somewhere (but I can't find it now) that the £100m for phase 1A of Cardiff Crossrail includes the money needed for more 398s. Any new funding bid should include the cost of procuring more, I assume

 

[AdamWW]

Couple of metro-related highlights: he confirms that increasing services beyond the current 2tph on Coryton and the City Line could be done “for a small marginal cost”.

The first step would be actually running 2ph on the Coryton Line.

Issue 1026 of RAIL has a feature on the Metro and confirms that the wires to Coryton are not live yet but will go live “imminently”.

Update 10th January: there's a couple of major shutdowns that have appeared on the TfW website.

Sunday 19th January: no trains between Cardiff Central and Caerphilly, Penarth, Barry/Bridgend or the City Line. (Coryton is also closed, as it doesn't have a Sunday service)
Friday 31st Jan - Sunday 2nd Feb: no trains between Queen St and Radyr via Cathays (TAM trains will run non-stop from Radyr to Central via the City Line); no trains to Coryton or Rhymney; no trains to Penarth Fri 31st and Sat 1st. Cardiff Bay is also closed
Monday 3rd - Sunday 9th Feb: Cardiff Bay line closed until 1800 each day.

Looks like it is indeed imminent (all being well).

I find the level of detail a bit odd - if you need to know all that, would you be reading it off a poster stuck to a fence?

 

[I_am_Nobody]

The first step would be actually running 2ph on the Coryton Line.




Looks like it is indeed imminent (all being well).

I find the level of detail a bit odd - if you need to know all that, would you be reading it off a poster stuck to a fence?

View attachment 172840

It looks essentially like the same notice train crew would get in our WON (Weekly Operating Notice) or PON (Periodical Operating Notice), I have seen similar before!

 

[MikePJ]

The first step would be actually running 2ph on the Coryton Line.

Indeed!

Looks like it is indeed imminent (all being well).

I find the level of detail a bit odd - if you need to know all that, would you be reading it off a poster stuck to a fence?

View attachment 172840

This is classic safety-culture stuff: yes, all relevant staff and contractors should have been briefed in advance, but the notice on the fence says “you know that thing you read on Monday morning about the wires going live - it’s this site that’s affected”.

Anyway, the date confirms that the shutdown at the end of Jan is about finishing off the electrification work and energising the lines, so test runs will be the next things to look out for.

Just adding in here that an energisation date of 1st Feb ties in with the report in the RAIL article in November (see my post about it https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/south-wales-metro-updates.117763/post-7055298 ) saying that wires to Coryton and Caerphilly would go live in February. Two months late based on the Jan 2024 project plan, of course, as they should have gone live in November. But it’s all progress. (I used to be a project manager, so I’m very acutely aware how hard it can be to deliver a complex project on time, but also how frustrating that is to the end customers!)

 

[AdamWW]

This is classic safety-culture stuff: yes, all relevant staff and contractors should have been briefed in advance, but the notice on the fence says “you know that thing you read on Monday morning about the wires going live - it’s this site that’s affected”.

That makes perfect sense. Just print out copies of what you have already and bung it up.

(I used to be a project manager, so I’m very acutely aware how hard it can be to deliver a complex project on time, but also how frustrating that is to the end customers!)

It can indeed, and I have spent too much of my life on both sides of that. The difference is, though, that when I've been told of a delay I've given a full update to my customer, rather than failing to admit any problems and just relentlessly pumping out positive spin.

E.g. TfW shutting the Coryton line for 2 weeks at less than a week's notice without explanation or apology, then putting out a glossy press release about how wonderful it is that they're doing improvement work while missing out the bit about the appalling lack of notice.

 

[Tetragon213]

The first step would be actually running 2ph on the Coryton Line.

Did anything concrete ever come about regarding the rumours of "extensions to Velindre" or "extensions back to Radyr" for the Coryton Line? Or is it still all up in the air?

 

[positron]

Did anything concrete ever come about regarding the rumours of "extensions to Velindre" or "extensions back to Radyr" for the Coryton Line? Or is it still all up in the air?

At the moment that's all speculation (well a bit more it's aspirations from Cardiff council and others), nothing approved.

 

[CapitalStar378]

I did read somewhere, and I can't remember where, that there is a plan to put a loop in at Rhiwbina in 2026. I don't imagine this is confirmed at this stage.

 

[anthony263]

I did read somewhere, and I can't remember where, that there is a plan to put a loop in at Rhiwbina in 2026. I don't imagine this is confirmed at this stage.

That loop can't come soon enough. I do think k however I'd monwybwas available to put a 2nd loop in or double track where possible

 

[SWML9102]

I find the level of detail a bit odd - if you need to know all that, would you be reading it off a poster stuck to a fence?

Is that displayed in a public place? If so I read it as saying, "if you want to pinch some copper, better do it before 1st Feb"

 

[Bob Price]

Did anything concrete ever come about regarding the rumours of "extensions to Velindre" or "extensions back to Radyr" for the Coryton Line? Or is it still all up in the air?

The tracked beyond Coryton is intact and getting a line in would be possible. The new entrance bridge was built to allow trains to pass underneath.

The loop line to Radyr is aspirations, but there are a huge amount of barriers to that actually happening.

 

[anthony263]

The tracked beyond Coryton is intact and getting a line in would be possible. The new entrance bridge was built to allow trains to pass underneath.

The loop line to Radyr is aspirations, but there are a huge amount of barriers to that actually happening.

As much as we'd all like it to happen i don't see it happening again because if the engineering difficulties getting the line down from Coryton across the valley and down to the same.level to join the lines north of Radyr.

Plus then you've then got the whole.issue with Cardiff West junction.

Ideally I think there should be a north facing link off the new tramway being build from central over to the bay line.to allow this.circle line to.turn towards Queen Street

 

[AdamWW]

I did read somewhere, and I can't remember where, that there is a plan to put a loop in at Rhiwbina in 2026. I don't imagine this is confirmed at this stage.

Last I looked they'd put in 25 kv trunking where the second line would presumably be.
But the catenary supports (installed later) seem to be set back enough to fit a second line in. As well as, I hope, a platform.

At least an attempted 4 tph service might mean them managing 2 tph. I don't know where the extra 2 trains would go or whether there's capacity for them.

Is that displayed in a public place? If so I read it as saying, "if you want to pinch some copper, better do it before 1st Feb"

Interesting point. Yes in a public area, albeit not all that obvious, but the ones I saw at Radyr when the power went on there were extremy prominent.

I presume that safety is viewed as more important than protecting assets. And I wouldn't argue with that.

 

[edwin_m]

That makes perfect sense. Just print out copies of what you have already and bung it up.

I think it's reasonable to provide backup information on site in case so any of the workers who isn't sure can check where the safe limits now are. Anyone not interested in the detail will just look at the larger coloured warning.

 

[positron]

At least an attempted 4 tph service might mean them managing 2 tph. I don't know where the extra 2 trains would go or whether there's capacity for them.

Realistically there's 3 options of where to send them.

Penarth but that would require Cardiff west to be done (which if they did coryton is a given imo) and Penarth 2nd platform.

Radyr but that would require Cardiff west too.

Cardiff Bay.

That's probably best discussed in the speculation thread though.

 

[gjscott33]

Indeed!


This is classic safety-culture stuff: yes, all relevant staff and contractors should have been briefed in advance, but the notice on the fence says “you know that thing you read on Monday morning about the wires going live - it’s this site that’s affected”.

Anyway, the date confirms that the shutdown at the end of Jan is about finishing off the electrification work and energising the lines, so test runs will be the next things to look out for.

Just adding in here that an energisation date of 1st Feb ties in with the report in the RAIL article in November (see my post about it https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/south-wales-metro-updates.117763/post-7055298 ) saying that wires to Coryton and Caerphilly would go live in February. Two months late based on the Jan 2024 project plan, of course, as they should have gone live in November. But it’s all progress. (I used to be a project manager, so I’m very acutely aware how hard it can be to deliver a complex project on time, but also how frustrating that is to the end customers!)

Just had the notice to residents letter that says Coryton and Lower Rhymney lines are being live tested 1st/2nd feb with various bridges and crossings closed on that day . It says details at tfw.wales/coryton-rhymney-electrification . So I guess your 2nd datw is now official.

 

[Smwrff]

As much as we'd all like it to happen i don't see it happening again because if the engineering difficulties getting the line down from Coryton across the valley and down to the same.level to join the lines north of Radyr.

Plus then you've then got the whole.issue with Cardiff West junction.

Ideally I think there should be a north facing link off the new tramway being build from central over to the bay line.to allow this.circle line to.turn towards Queen Street

The original Crossrail & Circle Line plans had the line across Callaghan Squre turning north towards Queen Street (in addition to South towards the Bay) for use by Circle line.

 

[AdamWW]

It says details at tfw.wales/coryton-rhymney-electrification

With a nice map showing electrification all the way to Penarth.

 

[MikePJ]

I thought it might be helpful to post a status summary of both past project milestones and those that are currently promised. if you have any corrections or additional information please let me know!

I'm going to use the January 2024 consultation as the baseline:

Transformation Programme major works to be implemented during 2024 (my comments in brackets)

• Commissioning of Taffs Well depot (signalling and connection completed 10th November 2024 - is all the work on the depot completed yet?)
• Energisation of new Overhead Line Electrification (OLE) from south of Heath Junction to Coryton and Lisvane & Thornhill plus the bay platform at Caerphilly station (originally planned for Nov 2024, now due for energisation Feb 1st 2025)
• Energisation of new OLE on the Cardiff Bay branch along with platform changes at Cardiff Bay station (not completed)
• Reopening of Ynyswen station with a new platform to serve the new passing loop and a new accessible station footbridge (still not finished - Ynyswen is served by replacement buses. TfW website says this was due to be completed in "late 2024")
• Entry into operational use of the platform extensions at Waun Gron Park, Fairwater and Danescourt on the City Line (completed)
• Entry into operational use of the new second platform at Aberdare station to serve the passing loop which was commissioned in May 2023 (platform completed but not currently in use)
• Line speed changes and recovery of the engineer’s siding at Pontypridd Station (completed)

Energisation events:
Feb 2024: Energise Cwmbach to Aberdare (completed)
May 2024: Energise to Treherbert (completed)
November 2024: Energise to Coryton and Caerphilly and Cardiff Bay (not completed; Coryton/Caerphilly due Feb 1st 2025)
May 2025: Energise second track and crossovers on the Bay line
September 2025: Energise Rhymney excluding Tir Phil loop extension and new platform at Rhymney
May 2026: Energise Tir Phil loop extension and new platform at Rhymney

Signalling commissioning:
May 2023: TAM-A Aberdare, Merthyr, Pontypridd, Radyr, City Line and Llandaff (completed)
Dec 2023: TAM-B Treherbert (completed)
May 2025: CAR-1 Rhymney Valley re-control and commissioning of signalling between Cathays, Queen St, Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay
May 2026: CAR-2 commissioning of new signalling to Coryton, Rhymney and on the Penarth branch

Late January consultation: installation of new points on the Bay line at Queen St and subsequent speed limit change (completed - now in use)

September 2024 consultation

30th October 2024: OLE to be energised to Coryton and Caerphilly (postponed to Feb 2025)
2nd November 2024: Linespeed changes on Coryton branch (not completed according to regular line user AdamWW)
2nd November 2024: Cardiff Bay commissioning of new platform and track slew (postponed - may happen during Bay line shutdown first week of Feb 2025)

Rolling stock introductions

Class 398s:
Back in October 2023 the earliest entry-into-service date for the 398s was proposed as 1st November 2024. The most recent update is that they will enter service in "Summer 2025" on the Pontypridd-Cardiff Bay line initially, and they are supposed to replace the 756s on Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr lines from "late 2025".

4-car 756s on Merthyr/Aberdare/Treherbert services
Promised: 4 x units/day in service from the end of December 2024, rising to 14/day by the spring (there are 17 of these units in total). As of January 18th there have been 4 units/day in service on some days but definitely not every day. Treherbert only gets a couple of 756 services in the early morning and evening at present.

3-car 756s on Coryton/Caerphilly/Penarth services
Promised (TfW website): "new trains on the Coryton line from Spring 2025". "Spring" is a bit vague but the timetable change date in mid-May seems a likely target.

4-car 756s on Rhymney services
These need to wait for the electrification to go live, and "late 2025" is the timescale currently being put out in TfW press statements as the start of some 756 services to Rhymney. It's likely that the full transition won't be complete until mid-2026.

 

[chrisjo]

As ever, many thanks to @MikePJ for this very useful summary.

 

[AdamWW]

As ever, many thanks to @MikePJ for this very useful summary.

Thanks from me also.

One comment - I believe the linespeed changes on the Coryton Line were to include new 20 mph restrictions on the level crossings. I'm pretty sure that hasn't happened yet.

When it does it I suspect it will provide a further deterioration in service because I don't think the current trains will be able to take advantage of the slight increase in permitted speed over part of the line but they will be slowed down by one of the level crossing restrictions, especially on the rare occasions that a train skips stations to recover delays rather than being terminated at Ty Glas.