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 ... Story behind the 'shortcut to Wales' (Bristol Evening Post 19/08/2010)
Link to ... Contract signed for Swansea rail station (BBC News 09/08/2010)
Link to ... 'As new' £7.5m upgrade to Arriva Trains Wales fleet (BBC News 02/08/2010)
Link to ... What's next for the Welsh bid for high-speed rail? (Guardian 04/08/10)
Link to ... Shocking levels of crime at Wales’ railway stations (WalesOnline 25/07/2010)
Link to ... Severn Tunnel Engineering work 4/7
Link to ... Two line side fires in one day?
Link to ... What did I see at Paddington on 24th May
Link to ... Cardiff City at Wembley - need for Extra Coaches?
Link to .. Charter train at Cardiff Central?
Link to .. BTP release CCTV images after violent disorder at Bridgend (30/1/2010)
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 .. Rugby Internationals in Cardiff and Friday evening train services
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
Also ... blogs and other active groups:
Alternatives
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