It's not clear from the map (and I don't live in or near Cardiff) but are the three lines in different shades of blue the tram-train routes? Wouldn't it make more sense to run tram-trains Coryton to Cardiff Bay and beyond, with the possible north-west extension to an M4 Park & Ride? The Coryton branch has closely spaced stations so is ideal for tram operation. (A passing loop, required for a 15 minutes interval service has I understand, been dropped). A tram-train all the way from Aberdare, Treherbert and Merthyr, with no toilets and a ride probably inferior to a heavy-rail emu, doesn't sound an attractive proposition.
I understand that trams cannot run off 25kV AC wires on-street, hence the need for batteries, also that tram-trains would not be allowed through Cardiff Central so Penarth has to be heavy rail - is that correct?
- yes - I wish he wouldnt use the outdated Valley Lines logo either...