The funding was presumably what was available.
We'll have to see how it goes. It might not be the best solution but if it's an improvement over no electrification then surely that's better than nothing?
Maybe I'm wrong but presumably it could be upgraded later if more funding came along.
Let’s not be under any illusion, once this work is complete that’ll be it in our lifetimes. This was the once in a lifetime game changer project to really make the valleys line a proper network to be proud of, but the whole plan was to heavily pushed towards street running.
The Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr passengers will see a change from June when the 756s start running, but then a real backwards step when the 398s arrives next year.
Like it or not the ideal train for the valleys is the 150, double or triple them up and you’ve the ideal valley train when looked after of course.
I’m sure you’ll all recall “operation princess” from 2001, small but frequent trains through a hub ? Some like another planned concept….remind me how princess worked out ?
The valleys are stuck with the “Queen Street problem” the new layout will be nothing to little to force more trains through the 2 track section across the North Junction. An engineering solution to four track on its own wouldn’t even help as you’ll just push the route separation issue further back towards Cardiff central.
Personally speaking from an operational point of view, is route the majority of Radyr bound trains via the city line with Rhymney valley trains via QS. Running the bay to Radyr via Llandaff to make up the shortfall.
With additional point work and bi do signalling from Ninian Park to Radyr Branch Junc enable parallel moves, into Central P4/6/7. An additional face cross over between P8 and the UP llandaff (towards QS) on the bank upto QS from Central to allow more use of P8.
Even the basic two additional crossovers either side of Central would open up so much many more opportunities to improve performance along the City thus increasing capacity.
But instead we get grand plans or off street running and such like, hence my cynicism of the metro project as a whole.
i would suppose that depends on whether the current scheme turs out to be the disaster that some people appear to think it will...
My cynicism is based on two decades of front line operational experience, and of a basic concept of what a local railway linking home and work should provide.
It won’t be a total disaster, but it won’t live up to anything close to the hype way to much critical fat has been cut away in terms of infrastructure.
Won't the Rhymney line be more resiliant in that sense since the trains will be able to fall back onto diesel until the fuel runs out, unlike the tram-trains (which maybe also have less battery capacity?)
Are the 756s fitted with diesel engines ? I lm not sure to be honest, I do know under test the batteries are better than expectations. Note test conditions….