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Recent content by MikePJ

  1. M

    Ex LNER (and Grand Central) Mark 4 sets for TfW

    I've been up and down the Marches line a couple of times recently - first time to Manchester on a Mk4, returning on a 197, and then the second time on a 197 both ways. Much as I have nostalgic feelings for the Mk4s and find them a pleasant environment, I was actually very impressed with the 197s...
  2. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    Another Cardiff Bay update: the platform area has been filled with hardcore between the wing walls. Note the roller packing it down. There’s also one precast base installed, possibly for an overhead line mast. 1711199529 EDIT: Also, I've just noticed that Noel Dolphin (from Furrer + Frey...
  3. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    I cycle past the site every day on my way to work. There have been contractors on site at Cardiff Bay or Butetown (or both) every day, so it's not like work's being paused. I didn't photograph Butetown this morning but the approach ramps and stairs continue to be worked on. Civils can take a...
  4. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    More Cardiff Bay progress: concrete edge walls for the widened platform have appeared at the Bay end.
  5. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    Exactly - design studies and consultations help identify problems and issues, and lead to more realistic estimates of costs, which can then be used to prepare better bids for funding to do the construction. It's not necessarily money wasted if a design study results in a programme being paused...
  6. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    ah, that may be my misunderstanding then - sorry!
  7. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    The "Core Valley Lines West Boundary" is at 1m20ch, between Ninian Park and Waun-gron Park. OpenRailwayMap puts it at the bridge over Sanatorium Road - if that's correct, Ely Mill definitely falls within the CVL. My understanding was that funding for Ely Mill was based on Section 106 money from...
  8. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    I agree that it looks strange, and without the rest of the drawings and design notes its hard to fathom the intent. However, let’s have a guess: the tram tracks are shown in what appears to be one carriageway of a dual carriageway road (between Central and Callaghan Square). This can’t possibly...
  9. M

    The last coal train?

    RAIL this week has a photo of the last coal train being loaded at Cwmbargoed.
  10. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    "SWMetroUpdates" on Twitter has posted a drawing of the propose route across Callaghan Square: They also have some nice drone shots of the construction work around Butetown station. The construction progress certainly suggests that the station may open with one platform and then gain the...
  11. M

    The last coal train?

    Nick Millington from Network Rail features the Last Coal Train in Wales in his latest video blog:
  12. M

    Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 FLIRTs

    I happened to see one at Cogan as I went into Cardiff yesterday on a replacement bus.
  13. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    Yeah - I think this is my mistake from that post. The Form P talks about Aberdare services running via the City line explicitly; it doesn't actually discuss what happens to them when they get to Central because that's out of scope for a document that's purely about the Core Valley lines. Since...
  14. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    I do feel TfW are missing a trick on public communication by not having a noticeboard on the hoarding with a "what's going on right now?" update, but I guess PR officers cost money.
  15. M

    South Wales 'Metro' updates

    They've spent the last couple of months burying a large sewer pipe under the site of the widened platform, so whilst it appears that nothing has happened, in fact a lot of concrete has been placed out of sight.

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