Valleys & Cardiff Local Routes

Last updated
Railway lines in the Welsh valleys
Hirwaun
BSicon eKHSTa.svg
Treherbert
BSicon KHSTa.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon KHSTa.svg
Rhymney
Ynyswen
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon KHSTa.svg
Ebbw Vale Town
Aberdare
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon KHSTa.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Merthyr Tydfil
Treorchy
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Pontlottyn
Cwmbach
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
Ebbw Vale Parkway
Ton Pentre
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Pentre-bach
Ystrad Rhondda
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Tir-Phil
Fernhill
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Troed-y-rhiw
Llwynypia
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon eHST.svg
Cwm
Mountain Ash
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Merthyr Vale
Tonypandy
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Brithdir
Dinas Rhondda
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Bargoed
Penrhiwceiber
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon eSTR+c2.svg
BSicon exKHST3.svg
Abertillery
Porth
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon eABZg+1.svg
BSicon exSTRc4.svg
Quakers Yard
Trehafod
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR2.svg
BSicon STRc23.svg
BSicon STR3.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
Llanhilleth
Abercynon North
BSicon STR2.svg
BSicon lHSTc2.svg
BSicon STRc13.svg
BSicon STR3+1.svg
BSicon lHSTc3.svg
BSicon exlvHST@G-.svg
BSicon STR3+4.svg
BSicon STRc4.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Gilfach Fargoed
Abercynon
BSicon STRc1.svg
BSicon lHSTc1.svg
BSicon ABZ+14.svg
BSicon lHSTc4.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Pengam
Pontypridd
BSicon BHF.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Hengoed
Treforest
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
Newbridge
Treforest Estate
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Ystrad Mynach
Taffs Well
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Llanbradach
Coryton
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon KHSTa.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Energlyn & Churchill Park
Whitchurch
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
Crosskeys
Rhiwbina
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Aber
Radyr
BSicon BHF.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Caerphilly
Birchgrove
BSicon STRc2.svg
BSicon ABZg3.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
Risca & Pontymister
Ty Glas
BSicon STR+1.svg
BSicon STR+c4.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Lisvane & Thornhill
Llandaf
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon STRc2.svg
BSicon HST3.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Llanishen
Cathays
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STRc2.svg
BSicon HUBaq.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon HUBeq.svg
BSicon HST3+1.svg
BSicon STRc24.svg
BSicon STR3.svg
Heath Low / High Level
Danescourt
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon ABZg+l.svg
BSicon ABZr+1g.svg
BSicon STRc24.svg
BSicon HST3+1.svg
BSicon STRc4.svg
Rogerstone
Cardiff Queen Street
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon BHF.svg
BSicon STRc2.svg
BSicon lv-HST@G.svg
BSicon ABZ1+3f.svg
BSicon STRc4.svg
Pye Corner
Fairwater
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR+c2.svg
BSicon ABZ3+1l.svg
BSicon STRc4.svg
BSicon ABZql.svg
BSicon BHFq.svg
BSicon ABZr+2f.svg
BSicon STRc3.svg
Newport
Waun-Gron Park
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR+1.svg
BSicon lMKRZ2+4u.svg
BSicon vSHI2l-.svg
BSicon STRc4.svg
BSicon STRc1.svg
BSicon ABZg+l.svg
BSicon lCONTf2.svg
BSicon ABZ2+4r.svg
Cardiff Bay
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon dSTR~L.svg
BSicon ABZgl.svg
BSicon STR~R.svg
BSicon KHSTeq.svg
BSicon v-SHI2gr.svg
Cardiff Central
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon vBHF.svg
BSicon vHST.svg
BSicon dPORTALf.svg
Severn Tunnel Junction
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon cWASSERq.svg
BSicon vSHI2l-.svg
BSicon vWBRUCKE1.svg
BSicon cWASSERq.svg
BSicon SHI4c1.svg
BSicon STR2+4h.svg
BSicon tSTR.svg
BSicon STRc3.svg
Grangetown
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon dSTR~L.svg
BSicon ABZgl+l.svg
BSicon STR~R.svg
BSicon dHSTq.svg
BSicon kSTR2+r.svg
BSicon STR+r.svg
BSicon kSTRc3.svg
BSicon STRc1.svg
BSicon lCONTf@G.svg
BSicon HST+4.svg
Caldicot
Ninian Park
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon vSTR-HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon kSTR+4.svg
BSicon HST.svg
Chepstow
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon vUSTr.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Dingle Road
Cogan
BSicon STRl.svg
BSicon cSTRq.svg
BSicon vSTR-STRro.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon KHSTe.svg
BSicon STR.svg
Penarth
Eastbrook
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon STR+GRZq.svg
Wales
England
border
Dinas Powys
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon HST.svg
Lydney
Cadoxton
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon BHF.svg
Gloucester
Barry Docks
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon KBHFe.svg
Cheltenham Spa
Pontyclun
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon BHF.svg
Barry
Llanharan
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon ABZgl.svg
BSicon KHSTeq.svg
Barry Island
Pencoed
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon kHST3.svg
BSicon FLUG.svg
Rhoose
Cardiff International Airport
BSicon ABZg+l.svg
BSicon kHSTr+1.svg
BSicon kSTRc4.svg
Llantwit Major
Bridgend
BSicon BHF.svg
BSicon ABZgl.svg
BSicon STRq.svg
BSicon STRq.svg
BSicon CONTfq.svg
Wildmill
BSicon HST.svg
Sarn
BSicon HST.svg
Tondu
BSicon HST.svg
Garth
BSicon HST.svg
Maesteg (Ewenny Road)
BSicon HST.svg
Maesteg
BSicon KHSTe.svg

Valleys & Cardiff Local Routes (Welsh : Llwybrau Lleol y Cymoedd a Chaerdydd) (formerly Valley Lines) is the network of passenger suburban railway services radiating from Cardiff, Wales. It includes lines within the city itself, the Vale of Glamorgan and the South Wales Valleys. [1]

Contents

The services are currently operated by Transport for Wales Rail. In total, it serves 81 stations in six unitary authority areas: 20 in the city of Cardiff, 11 in the Vale of Glamorgan, 25 in Rhondda Cynon Taf, 16 in Caerphilly, 8 in Bridgend and 5 in Merthyr Tydfil. [2]

Services on these routes are provided by Class 150 DMUs and Class 231 Diesel–electric multiple units. They are typically end-to-end, in that they run from one branch terminus, through Cardiff Queen Street station, to another branch terminus, e.g. from Pontypridd to Barry Island.

The major hubs of the network are Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Central. Other hubs are Pontypridd, Bridgend and Barry. [3]

History

A stretch of the Vale of Glamorgan Line, on which passenger services were closed under the Beeching Axe, re-opened for passenger service, with services from Cardiff Central to Bridgend, via Barry, Rhoose Cardiff Intl. Airport and Llantwit Major. These services were originally advertised to start in April 2005, but commenced on 12 June 2005. [4] [5] Previously services only went as far as Barry.

On 28 March 2020, ownership of the lines between Cardiff and Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Coryton, Rhymney and Cwmbargoed (the "Core Valley Lines") was transferred from Network Rail to Transport for Wales, who leased them to operator AKIL. [6]

Electrification

On 16 July 2012 the UK Government announced plans to extend the electrification of the network at a cost of £350 million. This was at the same time of the announcement of electrification of the South Wales Main Line from Cardiff to Swansea. This would also see investment in new trains and continued improvements to stations. [7]

The investment will require new trains and should result in reduced journey times and cheaper maintenance of the network. Work was expected to start between 2014 and 2019, but has since been pushed back to between 2019 and 2024. [8]

Lines

The Valley Lines network and surrounding routes South-east Wales rail network map.svg
The Valley Lines network and surrounding routes

The colours used below are from the official network map (see External links). Stations in bold are major interchanges for the network. [2]

  Cardiff Bay Line   City Line   Coryton Line   Vale of Glamorgan Line

Cardiff Queen St.
Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Queen St.
Cardiff Central
Ninian Park
Waun-Gron Park
Fairwater
Danescourt
Radyr

Cardiff Central
Cardiff Queen St.
Heath Low Level
Ty Glas
Birchgrove
Rhiwbina
Whitchurch
Coryton

Cardiff Central
Grangetown
    Dingle Road
    Penarth
Cogan
Eastbrook
Dinas Powys
Cadoxton
Barry Docks
Barry
    Barry Island
Rhoose Cardiff Int. Airport
Llantwit Major
Bridgend

  Merthyr Line   Merthyr Line   Rhondda Line   Rhymney Line

Cardiff Central
Cardiff Queen St.
Cathays
Llandaf
Radyr
Taffs Well
Treforest Estate
Treforest
Pontypridd
Abercynon
Quakers Yard
Merthyr Vale
Troed-y-rhiw
Pentre-bach
Merthyr Tydfil

Cardiff Central
Cardiff Queen St.
Cathays
Llandaf
Radyr
Taffs Well
Treforest Estate
Treforest
Pontypridd
Abercynon
Penrhiwceiber
Mountain Ash
Fernhill
Cwmbach
Aberdare

Cardiff Central
Cardiff Queen St.
Cathays
Llandaf
Radyr
Taffs Well
Treforest Estate
Treforest
Pontypridd
Trehafod
Porth
Dinas Rhondda
Tonypandy
Llwynypia
Ystrad Rhondda
Ton Pentre
Treorchy
Ynyswen
Treherbert

Cardiff Central
Cardiff Queen St.
Heath High Level
Llanishen
Lisvane & Thornhill
Caerphilly
Aber
Energlyn and Churchill Park
Llanbradach
Ystrad Mynach
Hengoed
Pengam
Gilfach Fargoed
Bargoed
Brithdir
Tir-Phil
Pontlottyn
Rhymney

Routes

Generally trains run from one line to another, joining at Cardiff Central eliminating the need for changing trains there. However they may not run for the whole length of the line. [9]

Before the June 2024 train timetable changes, Services had run between:


After the June 2024 train timetable changes, Services now run between: [10]

Surrounding lines

The following lines also serve Cardiff and the South Wales Valleys but are not considered part of the network by Transport for Wales and use more "mainline" rolling stock (currently Class 197 units). [11] [12]

Maesteg - Cheltenham Ebbw Valley Railway

Cheltenham Spa
Gloucester
Lydney
Chepstow
Caldicot
Severn Tunnel Junction
Newport
Cardiff Central
Pontyclun
Llanharan
Pencoed
Bridgend
Wildmill
Sarn
Tondu
Garth
Maesteg (Ewenny Road)
Maesteg

Cardiff Central
(and/or Newport)
Pye Corner
Rogerstone
Risca and Pontymister
Crosskeys
Newbridge
Llanhilleth
Ebbw Vale Parkway
Ebbw Vale Town

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taff Vale Railway</span> Railway company and line in South Wales

The Taff Vale Railway (TVR) was a standard gauge railway in South Wales, built by the Taff Vale Railway Company to serve the iron and coal industries around Merthyr Tydfil and to connect them with docks in Cardiff. It was opened in stages in 1840 and 1841.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathays railway station</span> Railway station in Cardiff, Wales

Cathays railway station is a station on the Merthyr and Rhondda lines in the Cathays district of Cardiff, Wales. It is 1+14 miles (2 km) north of Cardiff Central.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiff Queen Street railway station</span> Railway station in Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff Queen Street railway station is a railway station serving the north and east of Central Cardiff, Wales. It is the fourth busiest railway station in Wales. It is located near the major thoroughfare of Queen Street and is one of 20 stations in the city. Along with Cardiff Central, it is one of the two major hubs of the Valleys & Cardiff Local Routes local rail network. The station and its services are run by Transport for Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Wales Valleys</span> Group of industrialised peri-urban valleys in South Wales

The South Wales Valleys are a group of industrialised peri-urban valleys in South Wales. Most of the valleys run north–south, roughly parallel to each other. Commonly referred to as "The Valleys", they stretch from Carmarthenshire in the west to Monmouthshire in the east; to the edge of the pastoral country of the Vale of Glamorgan and the coastal plain near the cities of Swansea, Cardiff, and Newport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhondda line</span> Commuter railway line in South Wales

The Rhondda line, also known as the Treherbert line, is a commuter railway line in South Wales from Cardiff to Treherbert. The line follows the Merthyr line as far as Pontypridd, where it then diverges to continue along the Rhondda Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiff City Line</span> Commuter railway line in Cardiff, Wales

The Cardiff City Line is a commuter railway line in Cardiff that runs between Radyr and Cardiff Central via Fairwater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grangetown railway station</span> Railway station in Cardiff, Wales

Grangetown railway station is a railway station serving the Grangetown district of Cardiff, Wales. It is located on the Vale of Glamorgan Line 1 mile (1.5 km) south west of Cardiff Central towards Bridgend via Barry, Penarth and Barry Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Docks railway station</span> Railway station in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

Barry Docks Railway Station is one of three railway stations serving the town of Barry, South Wales. Rail passenger services are operated by Transport for Wales as part of the Valley Lines network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radyr railway station</span> Railway station in Cardiff, Wales

Radyr railway station is a railway station serving the Radyr area of Cardiff, South Wales. It is at the foot of the hill at the eastern edge of the village, alongside the River Taff and adjacent to the Taff Trail. The station is on the Merthyr Line, and is also the northern terminus of the City Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treforest railway station</span> Railway station in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales

Treforest railway station is a railway station serving the village of Treforest, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It is located on the Merthyr Line and the Rhondda Line 18 km north west of Cardiff Central. Passenger services are provided by Transport for Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taffs Well railway station</span> Railway station in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales

Taffs Well railway station is a railway station serving the village of Taff's Well, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, as well as neighbouring Gwaelod-y-Garth, Cardiff. It is located on the Merthyr Line and the Rhondda Line. Passenger services are provided by Transport for Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadoxton railway station</span> Railway station in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

Cadoxton railway station is a railway station serving Cadoxton and Palmerstown near Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. It is located on the Barry Branch 6½ miles (10 km) south of Cardiff Central. The line continues to the terminus of the Barry Branch at Barry Island but from Barry Junction the line also continues as the Vale of Glamorgan branch to Bridgend via Rhoose for Cardiff International Airport bus link and then Llantwit Major.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llwynypia railway station</span> Railway station in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales

Llwynypia railway station is a railway station serving the village of Llwynypia in Wales. It is located on the Rhondda Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ynyswen railway station</span> Railway station in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales

Ynyswen railway station is a railway station serving the village of Ynyswen in Rhondda Cynon Taf, south Wales. It is located on the Rhondda Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treherbert railway station</span> Railway station in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales

Treherbert railway station serves the village of Treherbert in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It is the northern terminus of the Rhondda Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valley Lines (train operating company)</span> Train operating company in Wales, United Kingdom

Valley Lines was the trading name of the Cardiff Railway Company, a train operating company owned by Prism Rail and later National Express, that ran local services around Cardiff from October 1996 until October 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abercynon railway station</span> Railway station in the Cynon Valley, Wales

Abercynon railway station is the railway station serving the village of Abercynon in the Cynon Valley, Wales. It is located on the Merthyr Line, 15.5 miles (25 km) north of Cardiff Central. Passenger services are provided by Transport for Wales.

Rail transport in Cardiff has developed to provide connections to many other major cities in the United Kingdom, and to provide an urban rail network for the city and its commuter towns in southeast Wales. Today, there are three train operating companies in Cardiff: Great Western Railway, CrossCountry and Transport for Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Wales Metro</span> Public transport network in south-east Wales

The South Wales Metro is an integrated heavy rail, light rail and bus-based public transport services and systems network currently being developed in South East Wales around the hub of Cardiff Central railway station. The first phase was approved for development in October 2013. Works are currently under way, with a new depot under construction at Taff's Well and new trains being built by Stadler Rail in Switzerland. The development will also include the electrification of the core Valley Lines and new stations. All nine lines will be electrified, and the service is expected to be in operation by the end of 2024.

References

  1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. 1 2 "Showcontent". Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2008.
  3. Cardiff Central and Queen Street are where all services pass through, and Cardiff Central is the main interchange to the national network. Pontypridd and Barry are the two stations with the largest passenger numbers outside of Cardiff and they are only served by this network. See respective Wikipedia pages.
  4. "Vale of Glamorgen". Railfuture.
  5. "Airport rail link 'open in 2005'". BBC News. 4 May 2004. Retrieved 9 April 2010.
  6. "Core Valley Lines Infrastructure Manager". Transport for Wales. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  7. "Rail electrification to Swansea and south Wales valleys welcomed". BBC News Wales. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  8. "Cardiff And Valleys Station Upgrades". Network Rail. 16 May 2018. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  9. "Search & Buy Train Tickets with Arriva Trains Wales for travel in Wales and UK".
  10. 1 2 "South Wales Metro June 2024 timetable change | Transport for Wales". tfw.wales. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  11. "Brand new trains on the Maesteg Line". 19 February 2024.
  12. Pritchard, Robert (June 2024). "Ebbw Vale launch for 197s". Rolling Stock News. Today's Railways UK . No. 268. p. 61.