Rode the three upper valley lines north of Ponty this morning.
On the Merthyr branch there's quite a bit of metalwork south of Abercynon now, and lots more piles in place too. Northwards work on the two new double track sections is well underway, both the section between Merthyr and Pentrebach (which is just about the whole route between the two stations), and then a dynamic passing loop centred on Quaker's Yard.
On the Cynon Valley branch the most advanced work is again at the top of the branch, with double tracking from immediately south of Aberdare to just short of Cwmbach well underway. Work is also underway to extend the Mountain Ash loop northwards to just short of Fernhill. I couldn't see any evidence of work between Mountain Ash and Abercynon though, which surprised me, as that appears too long a section for a 15 min frequency. Again, lots of uprights are in place at various places.
Finally it was up the Rhondda Valley, which in contrast was a real disappointment. I didn't spot any earthworks or electrification work anywhere on either side of the line.
It's quite remarkable to think that in a couple of years there will be 8 electric services an hour between Abercynon and Pontypridd, whereas wind back 40 years and there was just the one.
