All change at Cardiff
Clive Smith
A long day out for me from Ivybridge on the 13th March. Transport for Wales has now electrified 99% of the railway lines in South East Wales as part of the South Wales Metro. Since 2023, the Rhymney, Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr, Coryton and Caerphilly railway lines have all been electrified, with the final section of railway along the Cardiff Bay line planned to go live very soon. The one-billion-pound project has brought electric train services to the South Wales Valleys for the very first time in 2024 and fully electric class 398 tram-trains will be introduced, allegedly in June now after the March launch was delayed, providing more rail services and more capacity. The area covered by Cornwall Railway Society goes as far as Cardiff Central but I will just stretch that area a tiny bit as Central will be the hub of services and so this is a look at Central and the two other Cardiff prefixed stations as well as Pontypridd a bit further up the valleys. Currently the Rhymney services are operated with class 231 DEMUs with some class 150 substitutes. Treherbert, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Penarth are operated by the tri-mode class 756s.
There are two very interesting videos explainning all the changes taking place in Cardiff and the valleys which are shown beneath the images below.
There are two very interesting videos explainning all the changes taking place in Cardiff and the valleys which are shown beneath the images below.
The soon to be usurped forty year old sprinters are still at use on the Cardiff Bay line. 150284 arrives with the 11.02 from Cardiff Queen Street. A journey of three minutes and one mile. This very short branch used to be the preserve of class 153s, 143s, 121s and other DMUs over the years. This is the new station a few yards up from the recently closed older one which was known as Cardiff Bute Road which was rather enclosed and just one platform in recent years. The new station has two lengthier plaforms although I gather only one will be in use to start with. Copyright Clive Smith.
What a fabulous station Pontypridd is. The station was built by the Taff Vale Railway (TVR) and opened in 1840. It was known as Newbridge Junction until March 1866 when it was renamed Pontypridd. It was progressively remodelled during the 19th century, but its present appearance derives largely from reconstruction carried out between 1907 and 1914. Reflecting both the narrow steep sided topography of the valley, and the need to accommodate many converging passenger routes and passing coal trains, it is effectively designed as two back-to-back termini. This gave it the then longest island platform in the world, around which were arranged seven platforms. The modernisation of 2014/2015 brought former through platform 6 back into use as a bay platform, now numbered platform 1, for southbound services to Cardiff. Architecturally, the 1912 station still includes all the original red brick and terracotta buildings on the island platform, some of which remain in public use, e.g. as ticket office and waiting room. The elaborate 1912 main station façade in the same art nouveau style was destroyed during modernisation in the mid 1970s and replaced by a featureless red brick wall. The station subsequently achieved Listed Building status in 1990 for architectural interest as a fine Edwardian railway station retaining original character. The 1970s façade was itself replaced by a mainly blue brick wall in the 1990s, temporarily exposing the severely damaged Edwardian façade. 150284 is about to depart with the 11.54 Pontypridd - Cardiff Bay. Copyright Clive Smith.
756102 arrives at platform 3 with the 10.09 Merthyr Tydfil - Aberdare which actually goes via Cardiff Central. The track here used to be the freight line but the days of endless coal trains are now decades gone and it became a platform in 1990-91. The class 756 FLIRT is a class of tri-mode multiple units built for Transport for Wales Rail by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail which can be powered either by overhead electric lines or on-board diesel generators. The Class 756 units also carry batteries as an additional source of traction power. As can be seen there are no overhead wires at Pontypridd station despite the lines being classified as 'electrified'. That's because this is what is called 'discontinuous electrification' and so batteries are used. Two stations are regarded as 'complex'. Pontypridd is one. The other is Cardiff Queen Street. Other parts of the network that have not been electrified are Grade 2 listed structures Llanbradach & Hengoed footbridges, Merthyr Viaduct, Rhondda Viaduct, and Caerphilly Tunnel. These sections are all permanently earthed which is actually more expensive than overhead line equipment. Although the 756 is a very modern train they will be replaced on the Valley Lines by the class 398 tram/trains. These superb Stadler built units with comfy seating, tables and toilets are only being used pending introduction of the tram / trains, expected to be in June 2026. Their seats are harder, less leg room, no tables and no toilets. I wouldn't like to be on a one hour journey after an evening on the beer in Cardiff. Copyright Clive Smith.
150284 departs Cardiff Queen Street with the 16.24 Pontpridd - Cardiff Bay. Copyright Clive Smith.
67008 has arrived at Cardiff Central at the rear of the terminating 14.30 from Manchester Piccadilly with sunset just half an hour away. Copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks Clive. Really interesting stuff, we appreciate the time you've put into the article.
NSE 50's
Michael Adams & Michael Forward
Here is Michael Adam's shot of 50048 'Dauntless' at Salisbury on 15 June 1989 with the 12.28 to Waterloo. Copyright Michael Adams.
Now my own shot of 50017 'Royal Oak' coming into Reading on 22 May 1987.with empty newspaper vans. Unlike 50048 number 017 survives today. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks to Michael and Michael, a colourful livery.
Tuesdays Clay
Jon Hird
Tuesdays Goonbarrow - Fowey clay passes Lavrean, again top and tailed by DB Cargo's 66098 and 66192. 17.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
37066 at BTM
Guy Vincent
Clive's photo of 37066 on 16th July 1983 at Bristol Bath Road had me sifting through a box of photos from the early 80s. Here is 37066 on arrival at BTM's platform 10 with 1V62. Later that morning another rarity came in - 25205 with the 1V16 0912 Birmingham New Street - Paignton. This was replaced at Bristol by 'peak' 45003.
37066 at Bristol Temple Meads on 16.07.1983. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks Guy, I wonder if you rubbed shoulders with Clive on that day!