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Re: Electrification of the railways

Jeremy
shminky binky
Gareth
Living in London now, I can report that tfl (transport for london) is investing billions into the tube. There is a rolling programme of replacing old train stock. They started a few years ago by replacing all of the trains on the met line, which were all 40 - 50 years old. Next was the Victoria line and now this year the circle and hammersmith & city lines. Then moving forward with all of the other lines. The last ones to be replaced will be the Bakerloo line by which time the trains will be getting close to 50 years old.
Some of the suburban overground trains are totally minging and yak! and of the same age/design as those used in south wales/cardiff.

My point is that although the rolling stock in wales may look pretty crappy it is in no way any worse that the trains used in London.


Yes this is very true, but the new stock is brand new, not refurbished old stock.


and if Wales gets refurbished rolling stock then somewhere else gets the brand new stock.


Exactly. Somebody has to have new stock otherwise where would the refurbished stock come from? It is just a shame that Wales will never be worthy of new stock and will just be dumped with unwanted hand me downs from the special people over the border!

Re: Electrification of the railways

Didnt know where to put this. So I put it here as its to do with isolation. Pretty bleak film about life in the valleys, with not much confidence that the Works or the race track will help.

"There are fewer than 60,000 adults in Blaenau Gwent. Each month almost 10,000 prescriptions are issued for anti-depressants. It is a statistic so shocking it is hard to comprehend."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23028078

Re: Electrification of the railways

shminky binky
Jeremy
shminky binky
Gareth
Living in London now, I can report that tfl (transport for london) is investing billions into the tube. There is a rolling programme of replacing old train stock. They started a few years ago by replacing all of the trains on the met line, which were all 40 - 50 years old. Next was the Victoria line and now this year the circle and hammersmith & city lines. Then moving forward with all of the other lines. The last ones to be replaced will be the Bakerloo line by which time the trains will be getting close to 50 years old.
Some of the suburban overground trains are totally minging and yak! and of the same age/design as those used in south wales/cardiff.

My point is that although the rolling stock in wales may look pretty crappy it is in no way any worse that the trains used in London.


Yes this is very true, but the new stock is brand new, not refurbished old stock.


and if Wales gets refurbished rolling stock then somewhere else gets the brand new stock.


Exactly. Somebody has to have new stock otherwise where would the refurbished stock come from? It is just a shame that Wales will never be worthy of new stock and will just be dumped with unwanted hand me downs from the special people over the border!


While London Underground do buy all their stock the new CapitalStar trains on London Overground are leased like all national rail trains in the UK. The franchisee pays to lease them from a leasing company , don't see why this arrangement would be any different for new trains for the Valleys.

Re: Electrification of the railways

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plan-overhaul-welsh-rail-network-5692680

A multi-million pound plan for an overhaul of the rail network in South East Wales that could see new stations built and more services added has been unveiled for consultation.

The strategy unveiled for consultation by regional transport consortium the South East Wales Transport Alliance (Sewta) – which represents 10 councils across Wales – calls for the opening of up to 17 new stations and for electrification to be rolled out to the whole rail network in the region by 2030 as part of a move towards a South Wales Metro system.



If there's one thing South Wales has going for it, it's our rail network It's the M4 relief, Cardiff link road and Cardiff Airport which need sorting out though!

Re: Electrification of the railways

If all those plans go ahead it would be brilliant for South Wales. Extracting the necessary money out of the non-devolved rail budget should be a top priority.

Obviously, extending the Cynon Valley line to Hirwaun is the most important first step.

Re: Electrification of the railways

Lyndon
If all those plans go ahead it would be brilliant for South Wales. Extracting the necessary money out of the non-devolved rail budget should be a top priority.

Obviously, extending the Cynon Valley line to Hirwaun is the most important first step.


Exactly, then onto Glyn-Neath and down the existing rail line to Neath and Swansea. So we can be inclusive and include all of S. Wales with the benefits of electrification, well done Lyndon

Re: Electrification of the railways

Unfortunately, not only have they dug up the rail line between Hirwaun and Glynneath, they also built the A465 on top of it. So I wouldn't hold your breath on that one.

Re: Electrification of the railways

This line used to run through rhigos and there was also a line from merthyr through llwydcoed to hirwaen.

If these links were re made, and electrified, then aberdare and merthyr , the 13th and 14th largest towns in Wales, would have commutable links to both cardiff AND swansea. Which I think would be excellent.

Re: Electrification of the railways

The Aberdare to Merthyr rail tunnel is still intact and passable, once you break into it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNUoT1jNjI8

Re: Electrification of the railways

colour wolf
This line used to run through rhigos and there was also a line from merthyr through llwydcoed to hirwaen.

If these links were re made, and electrified, then aberdare and merthyr , the 13th and 14th largest towns in Wales, would have commutable links to both cardiff AND swansea. Which I think would be excellent.


Petitions need to be started in both towns and eventually submitted to the WG's petitions committee.

Re: Electrification of the railways

If we are into fantasy railways in S Wales, and a route that could utilise old tunnels (if they are still in one piece), extend the line at the top of the Rhondda through Blaencwm, reopen the tunnel through to Blaengwynfi at the top of the Afan valley, down to Cymmer and then use the tunnel south to Maesteg. Grand circle of the valleys and back to Cardiff.



Re: Electrification of the railways

Jeremy
If we are into fantasy railways in S Wales, and a route that could utilise old tunnels (if they are still in one piece), extend the line at the top of the Rhondda through Blaencwm, reopen the tunnel through to Blaengwynfi at the top of the Afan valley, down to Cymmer and then use the tunnel south to Maesteg. Grand circle of the valleys and back to Cardiff.





While we are at it, how about a station back at st fagans - where you could change platform onto a steam train that takes you on a circuit of the park, with various stops, and some audio commentary.

It would make it an easy day trip for visitors to the city centre.

Re: Electrification of the railways

Actually, scrap the last century's technology, let's replace the valleys lines with a hyperloop.

Merthyr to cardiff in less than 2 minutes.
Cardiff to swansea in less than 5.

Cardiff to london in less than 15.

Re: Electrification of the railways
Re: Electrification of the railways

This may have been askes elsewhere on this extensive thread, so apologies if so - but does anyone know how the electrification is going to tie in with Arriva's franchise agreement running out in the middle of the proposed timeframe?

I'm pretty sure Arriva aren't going to want to get hold of a load of new rolling stock and re-train a load of their staff, only to lose the franchise 12 months later - will they be seeking an extension?

Also as the trains are apparently cheaper to run and maintain, surely that would effect the future franchise agreements?

To me it seems daft for the government to spend all this money updating the network for a private company to gain a significant proportion of the benefit - especially one which sends all its profits to Germany to subsidise their system.

Personally I would prefer that as each line is electrified it reverts to state ownership, then when the whole system is complete, it can either be re-franchised as a complete unit, or continued to be run by the state (my preference - not Jantra's I'm guessing)

Re: Electrification of the railways

Network Rail appear to be developing/clearing a slither of wasteland adjacent to the South Wales Mainline behind a row of 12-14 houses on Landsdowne Road. It's probably connected with the ongoing signalling work, just thought I'd mention it in case it turns to be something far more interesting (unlikely, I know!)

Re: Electrification of the railways

Not really relevant to this thread, but thought I'd mention that I read on the weekend in the papers that Milton Keynes are ploughing ahead with an Ultra pod transport system - looks identical to the one that Cardiff turned down about a decade ago.

Re: Electrification of the railways

murfilicious
Network Rail appear to be developing/clearing a slither of wasteland adjacent to the South Wales Mainline behind a row of 12-14 houses on Landsdowne Road. It's probably connected with the ongoing signalling work, just thought I'd mention it in case it turns to be something far more interesting (unlikely, I know!)


it seems to me as NR are adding an extra line from central towards grangetown. they seem to be laying the tracks down next to the student halls (old avana bakery site)

Re: Electrification of the railways

Jantra
murfilicious
Network Rail appear to be developing/clearing a slither of wasteland adjacent to the South Wales Mainline behind a row of 12-14 houses on Landsdowne Road. It's probably connected with the ongoing signalling work, just thought I'd mention it in case it turns to be something far more interesting (unlikely, I know!)


it seems to me as NR are adding an extra line from central towards grangetown. they seem to be laying the tracks down next to the student halls (old avana bakery site)


I don't know for sure but would assume it would a track to access the new platform.

Re: Electrification of the railways

This is part of the CASR program - dualling the Ninian Loop (I think that is what it is called). This would massively increase capacity of City Line and allow trains to run from Ponty to Cardiff via City Line, taking pressure off main line through Llandaff & Cathays to Queen Street.

Re: Electrification of the railways

Tallsmurf
This is part of the CASR program - dualling the Ninian Loop (I think that is what it is called). This would massively increase capacity of City Line and allow trains to run from Ponty to Cardiff via City Line, taking pressure off main line through Llandaff & Cathays to Queen Street.

I hope this is the case - means I can get a train direct from my nearest station (Waun Gron Park) to Treforest without having to change at Radyr

Re: Electrification of the railways

murfilicious
Tallsmurf
This is part of the CASR program - dualling the Ninian Loop (I think that is what it is called). This would massively increase capacity of City Line and allow trains to run from Ponty to Cardiff via City Line, taking pressure off main line through Llandaff & Cathays to Queen Street.

I hope this is the case - means I can get a train direct from my nearest station (Waun Gron Park) to Treforest without having to change at Radyr


Sorry to say this but the new services from north of Radyr are meant to be running fast via the City Line (I.e. not stopping)

Re: Electrification of the railways

MrJamesBrown
murfilicious
Tallsmurf
This is part of the CASR program - dualling the Ninian Loop (I think that is what it is called). This would massively increase capacity of City Line and allow trains to run from Ponty to Cardiff via City Line, taking pressure off main line through Llandaff & Cathays to Queen Street.

I hope this is the case - means I can get a train direct from my nearest station (Waun Gron Park) to Treforest without having to change at Radyr


Sorry to say this but the new services from north of Radyr are meant to be running fast via the City Line (I.e. not stopping)

Typical

Re: Electrification of the railways

Another minor improvement to the S. Wales metro to be has been given the go-ahead:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-25962533

Maybe a total of 65 cars a day off the M4 for good measure (size of the car park).

Re: Electrification of the railways

jeremy
Another minor improvement to the S. Wales metro to be has been given the go-ahead:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-25962533

Maybe a total of 65 cars a day off the M4 for good measure (size of the car park).


Good news, but they really do need to get that Ebbw Vale line connected with Newport.

Does anyone know what's going on with that ? Wasn't it some 30 million or so to achieve that ?

Re: Electrification of the railways

What needs doing? A track does run from the proposed station to Newport station through a tunnel. Does the tunnel need strengthening? Is it the tracks? Or capacity at Newport itself?

Re: Electrification of the railways

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/passengers-cardiff-heathrow-less-two-6678340

Good news about not having to double back on yourself and knocking off nearly an hour to get to one of the world's major airport hubs

Re: Electrification of the railways

Change at Reading then, not a direct train:

"Precise plans for the new route have not been made public but according to Network Rail it would “allow passengers to travel from Reading, via Slough, to Heathrow airport via a direct train service.”" (for above link).

It also looks like it will only go to T5, so another train change to get to the other terminals.

Still better than what we have.

Re: Electrification of the railways

Me
Change at Reading then, not a direct train:

"Precise plans for the new route have not been made public but according to Network Rail it would “allow passengers to travel from Reading, via Slough, to Heathrow airport via a direct train service.”" (for above link).

It also looks like it will only go to T5, so another train change to get to the other terminals.

Still better than what we have.


Or maybe not!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26084043

"Plans for a direct train service from Swansea to Heathrow Airport have been announced by Network Rail."

Admittedly tis merely a plan for 2021 but this would be brilliant!

Re: Electrification of the railways

Ok, well time for another wild speculation based on a few lines on a website!:

"The new plan would see a normal service that passengers get for the Swansea to London Paddington route up until Reading.

It would then turn off at a newly created junction created between Langley and Iver stations and go through a 5km tunnel to reach Heathrow Terminal 5."

Does this suggest there will be less direct trains from Cardiff to Paddington? Could they want to use the existing train slots and divert course after Reading? Change at Reading for London? It's called a spur, that and the geography suggest it will not be rejoining the mainline after it calls through Heathrow.

My guess it will be additional services.

Re: Electrification of the railways

Almost certainly it has to be an additional service in the main. Reading, apart from the mainline to S Wales and Bristol has services running through it from Cornwall (except at present) and Taunton to London, Bournemouth and Southhampton to Manchester and Newcastle respectively, Oxford and Banbury and more local services from Guildford. Any planning for the additional route must rely on passengers from these routes also.

Wharever materialises a lot can change in 7 years.

Re: Electrification of the railways

Wasn't sure where to post this, but here's a photo on the progress of Queen Street Station taken from Brunel House. I was hopeful of something nicer than the bus shelter type platform cover. Oh well.

Re: Electrification of the railways

I wonder if the new rail developments at Birmingham, Kings Cross, Reading et al will all have similar architectural styles?

Re: Electrification of the railways

They are all very different looking as i think you were alluding to, with the amount of money spent on those developments and others around the country you cant help but feel someone didn't fight hard enough to get what we deserve.

Re: Electrification of the railways

I'm all a quiver in anticipation of using the facilities at this exciting new transport development.

This is exactly the kind of infrastructure development that will give us a competitive edge against our rivals.

Re: Electrification of the railways

Simon__200
Wasn't sure where to post this, but here's a photo on the progress of Queen Street Station taken from Brunel House. I was hopeful of something nicer than the bus shelter type platform cover. Oh well.


It's unbelievable that Wales' 2nd busiest station has a large bus shelter on it's new platform and not a platform canopy. I know Network Rail had stated they didn't have the money they'd have liked for this project but this is taking the piss! It does rain a bit in Cardiff and that platform is going to be heavily used.

Re: Electrification of the railways

Perhaps all the Welsh Labour voting sheeple catching the trains up the Valleys will take the time to reflect upon what their elected representatives have failed to deliver for them whilst they are getting regularly soaked waiting for the trains from the new platform - although I doubt it.....


Re: Electrification of the railways

Maybe it's the gods way of telling people that they shouldn't be living in the valleys?

Re: Electrification of the railways

Network Rail have confirmed that the bus shelters are it, no plans for any platform canopy. I was hoping that might come with the new station building.

Fourth rate Wales then?

Re: Electrification of the railways

That is really poor, I wonder if the quality of the new platform at central will be the same.

Re: Electrification of the railways

oh well that's progress for you!!





can someone - somewhere please get shot!!!

Re: Electrification of the railways

Interesting doc on the council's webite:

http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/committeebrowsernew.asp?$state=meeting&$committee=12950&$meetingdate=21/02/14

"Cardiff Capital Region Metro Proposals: Strategic Implications For Cardiff"

Mark Barry's report and Council's response to it. I think we've seen most of this beofre, but something that caught my eye that I've not noticed before appears to be a suggestion in one of the maps (figure 9) that the line from Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay (via a new Callaghan Sq station, then a new Bute Street station), is extended westwards. It is hard to tell as it is a small map, but it looks like the suggestion is it could in some way go past the Red Dragon Centre, past the existing road junction at the south of Central Link and then - as it looks - join up with the existing industrial use line moving west past Ocean Way and Rover way before turning North through Splott (with two new stations in the Splott area, I guess north and south of Splott Park) and then joining the Great Western mail line heading towards Newport. This would give a direct link from Newport and all new stations in between with Cardiff Bay, followed by Callaghan Sq and maybe further North or West after that.

Quite how they link up from Cardiff Bay to the existing line near Roath Dock Road I'm not sure. I guess if a new Eastern Bay Link Road gets built then it will involve a lot of work in that area and maybe a train/tram option could be included. All very future orientated at the moment.

Linking in this industrial use line would also allow the existing train link south of Roath Dock that currently terminates very close to the BBC studios car park to become a passanger line supporting that part of the bay, and this is also listed as a potental new station on the map. Indeed, you could even imagine this being extended down towards the DR Who exhibition, although this is not included on the map.

Neither of these possibilities are listed as priority lines to develop, and in my scan read I did not see them discussed in the text. I mention it as I do not recall seeing this suggestion before, and thought it might catch a few imaginations.

Re: Electrification of the railways

Paul I think you're being a bit harsh. As aesthetically pleasing as the Taff vale railway station was, the Victorian architecture needs to be considered against the post modern avant garde queen street station we have now. In years to come olso's centralstation, berlin's hauptbahnhof and cardiffs queen street will share the same first page in the greatest early 21st century railway stations almanac.

Re: Electrification of the railways

Jantra
Paul I think you're being a bit harsh. As aesthetically pleasing as the Taff vale railway station was, the Victorian architecture needs to be considered against the post modern avant garde queen street station we have now. In years to come olso's centralstation, berlin's hauptbahnhof and cardiffs queen street will share the same first page in the greatest early 21st century railway stations almanac.


well call me old fashioned!!

Re: Electrification of the railways

Me
Interesting doc on the council's webite:

http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/committeebrowsernew.asp?$state=meeting&$committee=12950&$meetingdate=21/02/14

"Cardiff Capital Region Metro Proposals: Strategic Implications For Cardiff"

Mark Barry's report and Council's response to it. I think we've seen most of this beofre, but something that caught my eye that I've not noticed before appears to be a suggestion in one of the maps (figure 9) that the line from Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay (via a new Callaghan Sq station, then a new Bute Street station), is extended westwards. It is hard to tell as it is a small map, but it looks like the suggestion is it could in some way go past the Red Dragon Centre, past the existing road junction at the south of Central Link and then - as it looks - join up with the existing industrial use line moving west past Ocean Way and Rover way before turning North through Splott (with two new stations in the Splott area, I guess north and south of Splott Park) and then joining the Great Western mail line heading towards Newport. This would give a direct link from Newport and all new stations in between with Cardiff Bay, followed by Callaghan Sq and maybe further North or West after that.

Quite how they link up from Cardiff Bay to the existing line near Roath Dock Road I'm not sure. I guess if a new Eastern Bay Link Road gets built then it will involve a lot of work in that area and maybe a train/tram option could be included. All very future orientated at the moment.

Linking in this industrial use line would also allow the existing train link south of Roath Dock that currently terminates very close to the BBC studios car park to become a passanger line supporting that part of the bay, and this is also listed as a potental new station on the map. Indeed, you could even imagine this being extended down towards the DR Who exhibition, although this is not included on the map.

Neither of these possibilities are listed as priority lines to develop, and in my scan read I did not see them discussed in the text. I mention it as I do not recall seeing this suggestion before, and thought it might catch a few imaginations.


I guess that links in with the future of that side of Cardiff. Obviously the eastern link road has been on and off the table for years. But I suspect much of any potential change in that area depends on the steelworks (or whatever the accurate name for it now is), which takes up a whopping amount of land over that side of town.

Re: Electrification of the railways

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-26278278

This seems to be gathering pace. The guy from Admiral talks a lot of sense - European money has been generally wasted upto now and should be used on schemes like this.

With major road and rail improvements planned for South Wales are politicians finally waking upto the realities of what is required to drag us into the 21st century or will they revert to type and provide only a fraction of the funds required and put the rest into free community centres in Abernowheres across the country come election time?

The reporter seems to recognise that the future of the valleys is as a residential 'commuter belt' with a large population available if the transport links are upgraded. I think people need to understand that due to geography, economics, demographics and many other reasons the jobs that can be attracted to the valleys will never meet the requirements and we need to make it a pleasant place to live with quick and easy access to the jobs in a growing M4-Cardiff/Newport area. Similar to some of the old mill towns and villages of Yorkshire and their relationship with Leeds, Huddersfield etc only better!

Re: Electrification of the railways

Is this a worrying development. My understanding was the UK government were financing the GWML and the welsh government were financing the valley lines? Is this the welsh government looking to back out of the deal it has committed to?

Re: Electrification of the railways

WTF - is this a fortnight early for the April Fool's slot?

I'm speechless that there could be any misunderstanding about who was going to be financing a nine figure infrastructure upgrade. Jantra- have you hacked into the BBC site to upload a fake story?

All this within an hour of me watching the massive transport infrastructure work under way in Manchester on Channel 4 news. Boo hoo.

Re: Electrification of the railways

I don't know what was agreed, but since transport is not a devolved matter then surely it would be up to the Westminster to foot the bill?

Re: Electrification of the railways

Surely as a Network Rail project this is funded through central government? If it's to be funded by WG will it ever actually come to fruition?

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