Description of line
London to Reading, Swindon via the Thames Valley. Through the Cotswolds via Badminton Tunnel. Bristol Parkway, then through the Severn Tunnel. Newport, Cardiff, Bridgend, Port Talbot, Neath and Swansea. 4 tracks to Didcot, then 2 tracks beyond.
Onward via Llanelli to Carmarthen then Whitland, Tenby and Pembroke Dock.
Service offered
2 trains an hour London to Cardiff, one extended to Swansea. All with HST 125 units (occasional Adalante trains still?).
One morning train starts at Carmarthen, and one evening train returns there. Beyond Carmarthen, the main operator is Arriva Wales, with FGW running a summer saturday only servive.
Peak flows
Into London, a.m., return late afternoon.
Known issues
Overcrowding at the London end of the service at peak times.
A December 2006 change that withdrew one train between Cardiff and Swansea and has lead to overcrowding of the Arriva Maesteg line train that took its place.
Forum
See here
Recent discussions:
Link to ... Train driver forgot to stop at Didcot Parkway. (BBC News 12/03/2010)
Link to ... Line problem between Swansea and Cardiff Central (8 March 2010)
Link to ... Going to the Rugby in Cardiff tonight...?
Link to ... A bit of 'outside the box' thinking to avoid cancelling a service.
Link to ... Welsh report calls to cut Swindon train stops - January 2010
Link to ... "Anger over rail fence gap" - South Wales Argus (22/12/2009)
Link to ... 'BTP presence gives reassurance to festive rail passengers across South Wales'
Link to ... "Talks bid to save Newport footbridge plans" - South Wales Argus (12/12/2009)
Link to ... Major delays at Cardiff today
Link to .. Chaos at Cardiff this afternoon
Link to .. Rail delays in South Wales
Link to .. Major disruption tonight between Newport and Cardiff
Link to .. SWML Tuesday 24th
Link to .. Strike ballot over rail rosters at Cardiff (18/11/2009)
Link to .. Flooding closes railway at Chepstow (between Newport & Gloucester) (12/11/2009)
Link to .. London/Bristol-South Wales Line Improvements
Link to .. parking at Parkway
Link to .. 'Train man cautioned for gun claim' at Bristol Parkway (11/09/2009)
Link to .. 'Rail crime rise during holidays', from the BBC
Link to .. 'Station revamp ahead of Ryder Cup' at Newport
Also ... blogs and other active groups:
Alternatives
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