South Wales 'Metro' updates

[AdamWW]

It's possible the electrification plan has changed since that document to have more gaps too tbf?

Edit: oh yeah people have already suggested that. I think it seems the most likely situation. Especially given the original plan was to be catenary free north of Bargoed, the Tir Phil loop and second platform at Rhymney electrification was also listed as being delayed even further than the rest at one point.

Perhaps the battery capacity has turned out better than hoped so they've decided to cut some corners.

Maybe as the battery life drops they'll have to start adding more wiring (Not a serious suggestion. I think).

 

[MikePJ]

OK went down the line today - sailed across the foot crossing between Whitchurch and Rhiwbina at around 30 mph.
So either I misread/wrongly recollect that the plan was for a 20 mph limit at both crossings, or it hasn't happened yet.

I did see that on the drawing that was published back in September, so maybe it's not yet been implemented or it was decided that it wasn't necessary.

 

[AdamWW]

I did see that on the drawing that was published back in September, so maybe it's not yet been implemented or it was decided that it wasn't necessary.

Ah well I was just about to post that there is a new pole with nothing on it just beyond the "Whistle" sign which might suggest preparations to implement it.

It's a bit disappointing because it will have an impact on journey times (particularly when a delayed train is skipping stops) and I don't know what the need for it is as the train frequencies haven't even been increased.

Not to mention the fact that it's hard to imagine a crossing with better sight lines. There are some foot crossings that I do not feel safe using but this is nowhere near that.

 

[MikePJ]

Ah well I was just about to post that there is a new pole with nothing on it just beyond the "Whistle" sign which might suggest preparations to implement it.

It's a bit disappointing because it will have an impact on journey times (particularly when a delayed train is skipping stops) and I don't know what the need for it is as the train frequencies haven't even been increased.

Not to mention the fact that it's hard to imagine a crossing with better sight lines. There are some foot crossings that I do not feel safe using but this is nowhere near that.

I wonder if it's the "silent killer" effect of moving to electric trains - a crossing-user is more likely to hear a diesel train coming.

 

[AdamWW]

I wonder if it's the "silent killer" effect of moving to electric trains - a crossing-user is more likely to hear a diesel train coming.

Isn't that what the horns are for?

 

[MikePJ]

I’ve just noticed this new-looking cable trunking run south of Queen St. This is just south of platform 5, and it looks like cables and equipment cabinets are in the process of being relocated to make space for lengthening the platform loop for platform 5.

 

[Richard Scott]

I wonder if it's the "silent killer" effect of moving to electric trains - a crossing-user is more likely to hear a diesel train coming.

Risk of going off topic, they are no more likely to hear a DMU than EMU, they just aren't noisy enough. Early DMUs were known as whispering death due to track workers not hearing them.

 

[Wolfie]

Risk of going off topic, they are no more likely to hear a DMU than EMU, they just aren't noisy enough. Early DMUs were known as whispering death due to track workers not hearing them.

What certainly wouldn't have helped in the case that you cite is the volume difference between those DMUs and the steam trains that the infrastructure teams were used to.

 

[Cathays147]

I note that the plans for Cardiff Central should have been released at the end of 2024, does anyone know when/if we should expect these?
Also any updates on the new planned stations in Cardiff, mainly Crwys Road?

 

[positron]

According to Traksy Cardiff bay has had it's platform switched over. Can anyone confirm?

Edit: Traksy seems to have jumped the gun

 

[AdamWW]

According to Traksy Cardiff bay has had it's platform switched over. Can anyone confirm?

Edit: Traksy seems to have jumped the gun

It's been saying that for a while.

Anyway today I walked the Coryton line from Ty Glas to Coryton.

It's pretty clear there's a permanently earthed section through Birchgrove station and under the adjacent road bridge - there are insulators on the contact wire on each side with 25 kV trunking carrying the power around the isolated section.
It looks surprisingly messy to me where the 25 kV cable on one side dangles between the catenary post and the trunking, with flexible tubing over part of it.



None of the other other bridges appear to have earthed sections underneath - instead next to each bridge are one or two devices where a cable runs from the contact wire to an insulator with something then apparently connecting to ground - surge protectors? Hard to describe but here's an image.



And the only other 25 kV trunking I could see is a small bit through the level crossing between Whitchurch and Rhiwbeina that doesn't seem to go anywhere at either end.

I don't think there are many places to get a good look at the line between Ty Glas and Heath but given the lack of level crossing and overbridges I can't see a need for any earthed sections.

I'd be curious why just the one bridge needs an earthed section, but it seems a big improvement over the original plan with multiple sections.

Some of the overbridges still don't have extended parapets. Seems too good to be true that the bridges can stay like that, but if they need doing there isn't long left. There is very little clearance betwen the underside of the bridges and the contact wire, but maybe the path/road surface is higher up than the other ones? It does seem strange looking down at the wires like that though.

At Rhiwbina and Birchgrove the catenary posts seem to have been installed with space for a second platform and track.
Though there is what I think is earth cabling in the way (in trunking at Rhiwbina and just in flexible plastic tubing at Birchgrove).
At Rhiwbina there are also sections of unused raised trunking. My guess would be that these are from an earlier plan to have a permanently earthed section here.



There's an empty post on the approach to the crossing between Rhiwbeina and Whitchurch, though any sign on it would presumably be obscured by the fixed distant sign if that was left in place.



There's also an empty post west of Ty Glas at what looks like it might be the sort of place you'd want to put a stop marker for a FLIRT to stop without fouling the level crossing. So maybe SDO it is.
The ground where a platform extension would go looks as if it's been prepared for one, but maybe it's just a works compound.

 

[CapitalStar378]

Confirmation that 756s will start in the Spring to both Coryton and Caerphilly. From RAIL magazine.

Transport for Wales' Class 756 to serve new destinations from spring​

Transport for Wales’ tri-mode trains will begin serving two more routes from spring.

The Class 756s have been in use on the Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil lines since November but are soon to begin running along the Coryton and lower Rhymney lines (from Caerphilly to Cardiff Queen Street).

Testing along both lines is due to take place between January 31 and February 2.

So far 72 miles of track on the South Wales Metro have been electrified. Adding Coryton and lower Rhymney will increase this to 96 miles. Eventually, 105 miles of track will be electrified.

Overhead line equipment is due to reach Rhymney towards the end of 2025.

Transport for Wales' Class 756 to serve new destinations from spring

More lines of the South Wales Metro are close to be ready for electric traction

www.railmagazine.com

 

[positron]

So far 72 miles of track on the South Wales Metro have been electrified. Adding Coryton and lower Rhymney will increase this to 96 miles. Eventually, 105 miles of track will be electrified

Sounds like a lot of catenary free sections on the upper Rhymney line then. 9 miles to get from Caerphilly to Rhymney? Which is give or take 15 miles.

My understanding was there was to be unwired sections at Llanbradach, Hengoed, and Bargoed. This and other things makes it sound like there's to be more unwired sections.

Edit: and a short unwired section at Pontlottyn it seems.

 

[CapitalStar378]

Sounds like a lot of catenary free sections on the upper Rhymney line then. 9 miles to get from Caerphilly to Rhymney? Which is give or take 15 miles.

My understanding was there was to be unwired sections at Llanbradach, Hengoed, and Bargoed. This and other things makes it sound like there's to be more unwired sections.

Unless it's changed, the plan was to electrify to Bargoed only. This was the map in 2020.

The sidings in Rhymney will have charging facilities.

 

[positron]

It had changed, the plan as of December 2023 was to electrify all the way to Rhymney.




== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jan 2025 ==

In other news it looks like the 231 should be getting at least pantographs fitted.

14. Class 231 Hybrid Conversion

The Board were presented for approval to progress with the class 231 hybrid conversion work and to mobilise a project team to support the implementation of the conversion with Stadler. [Redacted]

See https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2025-01/TfW-Rail-Board-Minutes-11-10-24_R.pdf

 

[AdamWW]

It had changed, the plan as of December 2023 was to electrify all the way to Rhymney.

View attachment 173607

And, by the look of things, replace some permanently earthed sections with gaps in catenary.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jan 2025 ==

Confirmation that 756s will start in the Spring to both Coryton and Caerphilly. From RAIL magazine.

I had assumed that these would be the 3-car 756s based on platform lengths. But if so I would have though they would have been out on test already and isn't it just the 4-car ones around at the moment?

I don't know if they will require training runs on the Coryton line itself. Unless they do it on Sundays or overnight there isn't much opportunity.

 

[CapitalStar378]

And, by the look of things, replace some permanently earthed sections with gaps in catenary.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jan 2025 ==



I had assumed that these would be the 3-car 756s based on platform lengths. But if so I would have though they would have been out on test already and isn't it just the 4-car ones around at the moment?

I don't know if they will require training runs on the Coryton line itself. Unless they do it on Sundays or overnight there isn't much opportunity.

I was thinking that there isn't any scope for testing in service hours due to the single line arrangement with no passing loop.

 

[AdamWW]

I was thinking that there isn't any scope for testing in service hours due to the single line arrangement with no passing loop.

I suppose it depends on how practical it would be to do it on Sundays.

if not they could just shut the line to passengers for as long as it takes and tell them to use their tickets on Cardiff Bus...

 

[Anonymous10]

I suppose it depends on how practical it would be to do it on Sundays.

if not they could just shut the line to passengers for as long as it takes and tell them to use their tickets on Cardiff Bus...

Do they need to be tested on the line? Beyond clearance run? If so could do a short closure or do it out of working hours like other lines.

 

[AdamWW]

Do they need to be tested on the line? Beyond clearance run? If so could do a short closure or do it out of working hours like other lines.

I don't know - that was my question.

Do staff need to be trained on working the Coryton line in particular with a 756, or can they just be trained on them on other lines?

Having said that, if they need SDO at Ty Glas would that be the first use of SDO here, and therefore something that would require specific training on?

(I have difficulty believing that even a 3 car 756 will fit at Ty Glas given that a 2 car 153 only just does, but perhaps I'm wrong. I presume we can't have even a temporary period where trains skip Ty Glas despite the proximity of Birchgrove because it's sacrosanct for some reason - even when skipping stops to recover time, Ty Glas must be served).

 

[positron]

Having said that, if they need SDO at Ty Glas would that be the first use of SDO here, and therefore something that would require specific training on?

Isn't it also used at Gilfach on the 231s? Perhaps that's enough training? Though I would expect at least some training runs would be needed to learn the stopping locations?

As for the bridge parapets it's possible that they just really last minute put up the temporary ones, and the more permanent extensions will come in future.

 

[AdamWW]

Isn't it also used at Gilfach on the 231s? Perhaps that's enough training? Though I would expect at least some training runs would be needed to learn the stopping locations?

I believe that at Gilfach they have continued to work as they do with older stock and the guard just opens a single door (as is done before releasing the rest of the doors at other stations).

I think this would cause delays at Ty Glas, and the Coryton line is rather sensitive to delays.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jan 2025 ==

As for the bridge parapets it's possible that they just really last minute put up the temporary ones, and the more permanent extensions will come in future.

Quite possibly. We will see soon enough...unless for some reason the date gets put back.

 

[Sterre]

Had a letter from TfW confirming the daytime closures of the Cardiff Bay line next week are to finish the piling works after noise complaints. It says the piling works are for the proposed permanent L-shape retaining wall.

I also noticed the new station entrance sign for Cardiff Bay has been fitted on Lloyd George Avenue, so I'd expect platform 2 to be opened imminently.

 

[AdamWW]

Had a letter from TfW confirming the daytime closures of the Cardiff Bay line next week are to finish the piling works after noise complaints. It says the piling works are for the proposed permanent L-shape retaining wall.

I also noticed the new station entrance sign for Cardiff Bay has been fitted on Lloyd George Avenue, so I'd expect platform 2 to be opened imminently.

Nice to see them responding to complaints.

 

[StarCrossing]

Nice to see them responding to complaints.

Unfortunately, the letter also referred to anti-social behaviour towards staff from some local residents, and asked any witnesses to such behaviour to contact British Transport Police.

 

[AdamWW]

Unfortunately, the letter also referred to anti-social behaviour towards staff from some local residents, and asked any witnesses to such behaviour to contact British Transport Police.

Not so good.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jan 2025 ==

Oops!

The TfW "Rail Improvement Works" page for today wants us to know that the 06:18 Barking Riverside to Gospel Oak service is amended.

 

[CapitalStar378]

Had a letter from TfW confirming the daytime closures of the Cardiff Bay line next week are to finish the piling works after noise complaints. It says the piling works are for the proposed permanent L-shape retaining wall.

I also noticed the new station entrance sign for Cardiff Bay has been fitted on Lloyd George Avenue, so I'd expect platform 2 to be opened imminently.

Has the track slew been booked in?

 

[positron]

Good to see that the Welsh government have finally given a decision one way or the other one Cardiff Parkway station. They should have apologised more openly for how long this has taken.

Hopefully they get on and build this now. Really we need Newport road station too but this is a start.

Plans to build a new mainline railway station in eastern Cardiff have been approved by Wales' first minister.

The developers behind Cardiff Parkway had been waiting for a decision after the original planning application was called in for review by the Welsh government in October 2022.

Eluned Morgan confirmed she was granting planning permission in a letter sent to Cardiff Parkway Developments, which is overseeing the project in the St Mellons area, which the council leader said will boost transport and bring "economic growth and job creation".

Cardiff Parkway station approved by Welsh government - BBC News

The project had been delayed after ministers called in the planning decision in October 2022.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[AdamWW]

Does anyone know what this is? Some kind of transponder I presume, but if so, for what?

It's between Heath Low Level and the junction.

There seems to be one on the approach to Coryton too.

Neither seem to be places where you would need to tell a train that the pantograph should go up or down.



[Photo of a yellow bar running along most of the length of a sleeper]

 

[chrisjo]

Does anyone know what this is? Some kind of transponder I presume, but if so, for what?
[Photo of a yellow bar running along most of the length of a sleeper]

one of these?

How do Northern's CAF units know which side the platform is on?

Shortly before arrival into a station, Northern's CAF units sometimes announce "door will open on the left/right". It's hit and miss though, which suggests entered by driver/guard or possibly just that Northern are having teething issues with it. At a guess, the PIS knows the headcode and...

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