Great Western Coffee Shop

Journey by Journey => Wales local journeys => Topic started by: Jez on February 16, 2008, 21:39:35



Title: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: Jez on February 16, 2008, 21:39:35
Anyone know why only these 2 platforms are split into a and b sections? And what is the point of them?

The only trains that depart from these platforms are the Milford Haven/Carmarthen, Maesteg and Swansea ones anyway. All the others terminate there.  The HST take up the whole platform anyway, and the services to Maesteg and Milford Haven always go to the very end of the platform (so platform 3a or 4a). Platform 3b or 4b is never used as such.  Its just seems odd especially as platforms 1 and 2 arent split into a and b, and there are more trains starting off from these platforms to destinations such as Portsmouth and Taunton.


Title: Re: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: grahame on February 16, 2008, 21:53:17
I don't know - but I happened to have taken a picture earlier this week showing 2 trains at Platform 3 ...

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/f8cfaandm.jpg)

An interesting contrast in ancient and modern trains too!


Title: Re: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: Jez on February 16, 2008, 22:22:09
Well they often have 2 or more trains lined up on Platform 3 or 4 as they all terminate there from places like Portsmouth and Taunton, whilst some trains extend to Swansea and West Wales.  However when they give the announcement its always Platform 3a or 4a. Pointless having b.

Those Arriva Trains Wales ones are the nicest trains about at the moment IMO.


Title: Re: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: Shazz on February 17, 2008, 00:35:31
Anyone know why only these 2 platforms are split into a and b sections? And what is the point of them?

The only trains that depart from these platforms are the Milford Haven/Carmarthen, Maesteg and Swansea ones anyway. All the others terminate there.  The HST take up the whole platform anyway, and the services to Maesteg and Milford Haven always go to the very end of the platform (so platform 3a or 4a). Platform 3b or 4b is never used as such.  Its just seems odd especially as platforms 1 and 2 arent split into a and b, and there are more trains starting off from these platforms to destinations such as Portsmouth and Taunton.

Oh they are fairly heavly used, especially in peak times.

The reason i believe it's like that is because pretty much 100% of trains (except valleys) terminates on those platforms, and some hang around for quite a while, thus i suppose adding extra platform capacity having 4a,b etc?


Title: Re: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: Jez on February 17, 2008, 10:52:24
Anyone know why only these 2 platforms are split into a and b sections? And what is the point of them?

The only trains that depart from these platforms are the Milford Haven/Carmarthen, Maesteg and Swansea ones anyway. All the others terminate there.  The HST take up the whole platform anyway, and the services to Maesteg and Milford Haven always go to the very end of the platform (so platform 3a or 4a). Platform 3b or 4b is never used as such.  Its just seems odd especially as platforms 1 and 2 arent split into a and b, and there are more trains starting off from these platforms to destinations such as Portsmouth and Taunton.

Oh they are fairly heavly used, especially in peak times.

The reason i believe it's like that is because pretty much 100% of trains (except valleys) terminates on those platforms, and some hang around for quite a while, thus i suppose adding extra platform capacity having 4a,b etc?

Yes I think all trains terminate there apart from the Fishguard to Cardiff service which terminates on Platform 2, and any Maesteg to Cardiff services which arent extending to Gloucester/Cheltenham.   Even the Ebbw Vale service terminates on platform 3 or 4.

Makes me laugh how they always say the Portsmouth train will terminate at Platform 3a then there will be an announcement a few minutes later saying there is a platform alteration and it will actually terminate at platform 4a.  They like to keep platform 3 clear for the HST to Swansea which arrives about 5 minutes after the Portsmouth train terminates. Although when that is late and the ATW Carmarthen service arrives before it that has to go on Platform 4 too.

The platforms are still the same length though, there is the same amount of space for trains as there has always been for trains to terminate. However they have just split them in half, like at BTM where most platforms are split into 2.


Title: Re: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: dog box on February 19, 2008, 16:59:26
grahame how dare you take a picture of one of our 143s in the company of that pile of rubbish


Title: Re: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: grahame on February 19, 2008, 17:55:47
grahame how dare you take a picture of one of our 143s in the company of that pile of rubbish

Oh - I'll take a picture of almost anything ...

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/f8xfat.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/f8xp1.jpg)


Title: Re: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: smokey on February 19, 2008, 18:21:29
grahame how dare you take a picture of one of our 143s in the company of that pile of rubbish

Oh - I'll take a picture of almost anything ...

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/f8xfat.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/f8xp1.jpg)


Is that top picture the spec for Passenger size in Standard class for FGW?
I.e. Bigger than this you pay more!


Title: Re: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: Jez on February 19, 2008, 20:22:19
LOL! 

I have to say those Arriva 175 trains are the nicest trains around at the moment. I love going from Cardiff to Manchester on one of those.


Title: Re: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: dog box on February 19, 2008, 21:26:54
Wel jez you must be easily pleased!!! The 175 is the little brother of 180 need i say anymore?? granted they are a fraction better than a vomit comet, try the 170 Turbostar its a country mile better


Title: Re: Cardiff Central - platforms 3 and 4
Post by: Jez on February 19, 2008, 21:30:07
Ive never actually been on a 180!

Ive been on a 170 twice I think between Newport and Gloucester. Yes they are nice but out of the trains ATW use the 175 are by far the nicest.



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