headshot119
Established Member
Firstly I'd like to say a thank you to everyone for highlighting the opening of the new extension from Ebbw Vale Parkway - Ebbw Vale Town in various other threads on the forum.
Secondly I'd like to thank starmill for challenging me to be on the first train!
03:30 this morning I went to sleep after finishing a shift in work.
And at 06:30 on the dot I was awake again, ready to get the 07:38 Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town service. As when I did the Pye Corner Opening I faced a walk to Cardiff Central in order to catch the train as my local stations don't get an early enough Sunday service. Not being awake enough for the walk, I ordered a taxi and arrived in plenty of time.
Ironically I had the same ticket clerk who served me for my Pye Corner tickets and he commented that I was again the first to buy a ticket from him for the new station.
Tickets by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
I made my way up to platform 1 and had a walk round to kill the time. I became concerned when I noticed each road heading towards Newport had a detonator and stop board in situe, would my trip be going ahead or would a late running possession scupper my plans!
Cardiff Central Departure Board by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
Line under possession by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
43189 08:00 Cardiff Central - London Paddington (1L32) by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
Within ten or fifteen minutes some Network Rail staff turned up and removed the detonators and stop boards, looks like the trip would go ahead after all!
Signal Off by Karl [Headshot119], on FlickrT
Off we set bang on time, this time heading down the Main Lines before diverging at Gaer Junction onto the Ebbw Vale branch, passing Park Junction, and then making a station stop at Pye Corner, where around twenty enthusiasts joined the train, presumably for the same reasons I was aboard.
I've done the Ebbw Vale line through to Ebbw Vale Parkway once before, but I spent most of the journey observing the passing scenery.
We arrived at Ebbw Vale Parkway, where we sat for two minutes, before setting off onto the new track.
There's a huge amount of work gone into the construction of the new section, and there is evidence of the track bed being wide enough for a future two track section.
We arrived at Ebbw Vale Town to a packed platform, full of locals and staff witnessing the arrival of the first train; interestingly no one on the train was sure which side the platform was on! (It's on the right side on arrival from Cardiff)
I was up and at the door, and was the first passenger to have his foot on the platform, another claim to fame with the grand kids.
On the Blocks at Ebbw Vale Town by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
On the Blocks at Ebbw Vale Town by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
Station Name Board by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
Looking towards the blocks by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
Unfortunately being a Sunday launch and having just come off a night shift I didn't get as much time as I'd have liked to photograph the station. But none the less I enjoyed the trip, and it's nice to see new railway lines opening in the UK.
An uneventful return trip followed, and it was nice to see a lot of people boarding the train at Ebbw Vale Town for the first service.
Secondly I'd like to thank starmill for challenging me to be on the first train!
03:30 this morning I went to sleep after finishing a shift in work.
And at 06:30 on the dot I was awake again, ready to get the 07:38 Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town service. As when I did the Pye Corner Opening I faced a walk to Cardiff Central in order to catch the train as my local stations don't get an early enough Sunday service. Not being awake enough for the walk, I ordered a taxi and arrived in plenty of time.
Ironically I had the same ticket clerk who served me for my Pye Corner tickets and he commented that I was again the first to buy a ticket from him for the new station.
Tickets by Karl [Headshot119], on FlickrI made my way up to platform 1 and had a walk round to kill the time. I became concerned when I noticed each road heading towards Newport had a detonator and stop board in situe, would my trip be going ahead or would a late running possession scupper my plans!
Cardiff Central Departure Board by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
Line under possession by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
43189 08:00 Cardiff Central - London Paddington (1L32) by Karl [Headshot119], on FlickrWithin ten or fifteen minutes some Network Rail staff turned up and removed the detonators and stop boards, looks like the trip would go ahead after all!
Signal Off by Karl [Headshot119], on FlickrTOff we set bang on time, this time heading down the Main Lines before diverging at Gaer Junction onto the Ebbw Vale branch, passing Park Junction, and then making a station stop at Pye Corner, where around twenty enthusiasts joined the train, presumably for the same reasons I was aboard.
I've done the Ebbw Vale line through to Ebbw Vale Parkway once before, but I spent most of the journey observing the passing scenery.
We arrived at Ebbw Vale Parkway, where we sat for two minutes, before setting off onto the new track.
There's a huge amount of work gone into the construction of the new section, and there is evidence of the track bed being wide enough for a future two track section.
We arrived at Ebbw Vale Town to a packed platform, full of locals and staff witnessing the arrival of the first train; interestingly no one on the train was sure which side the platform was on! (It's on the right side on arrival from Cardiff)
I was up and at the door, and was the first passenger to have his foot on the platform, another claim to fame with the grand kids.
On the Blocks at Ebbw Vale Town by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
On the Blocks at Ebbw Vale Town by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
Station Name Board by Karl [Headshot119], on Flickr
Looking towards the blocks by Karl [Headshot119], on FlickrUnfortunately being a Sunday launch and having just come off a night shift I didn't get as much time as I'd have liked to photograph the station. But none the less I enjoyed the trip, and it's nice to see new railway lines opening in the UK.
An uneventful return trip followed, and it was nice to see a lot of people boarding the train at Ebbw Vale Town for the first service.
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I will look forward to my trip. Excellent that they are building on the success of the branch and making an effort to develop the route. Well done to the Welsh Government