Major rail disruption after blaze close to tracks between Newport and Cardiff

Timmer

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Major rail disruption after blaze close to tracks between Newport and Cardiff

« on: Yesterday at 16:09:32 »

From BBC^» https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjew5q07n7go

Quote

Rail services into Cardiff are experiencing major disruption with journeys cancelled or delayed due to a fire near track.
The blaze at an electrical substation between Newport and Cardiff Central has damaged an overhead line and signalling equipment.
Emergency services and Network Rail staff are on site at St Brides Wentloog, working to manage the situation.
Rail replacement transport is running between Cardiff and Gloucester but major disruption is expected to continue throughout Sunday.

From Journeycheck:

Quote

Due to a fire next to the track between Newport South Wales and Cardiff Central all lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Train services between London Paddington and Cardiff Central via Bristol Parkway may be cancelled, delayed or revised.
Customer Advice
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We are sorry for the delay to your journey.
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Network Rail advise that there is a lineside fire between Cardiff Central and Newport in the St Brides area. The emergency services are on site working to extinguish the fire as quickly and safely as they can. Once this has been done the railway and associated infrastructure will have to be inspected. We currently have no estimate for when we may be able to run trains again through the area.
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Rail replacement transport has been requested but is proving difficult to source in the area.
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To help you complete your journey, you may use your ticket, at no extra cost on Transport for Wales train services.
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Please check your journey at gwr.com/check
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We will update this message with more information when we have it.
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Transport for Wales are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. Arrangements have been made for Great Western Railway rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.


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Timmer

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Re: Major rail disruption after blaze close to tracks between Newport and Cardiff

« Reply #1 on: Today at 08:49:43 »

Given the serious nature of the fire yesterday, disruption will continue today with a much reduced service.

Quote

Cancellations to services between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central

Following the fire brigade dealing with an incident near the railway yesterday between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central some lines are now open.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 70 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until 23:59 05/05.

Customer Advice
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We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today.
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Due to a line-side fire between Cardiff Central and Newport yesterday, Network Rail Wales are working to repair the damage caused to the signalling and overhead electric cables.
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Whilst repair works are undertaken only two of the four railway lines are available for use in this area and the trains will have to run at reduced speed, this is causing delays of approximately 60 minutes.

To help ease congestion, GWR^▸ train services will be reduced to 1 train per hour only between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central via Newport.
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GWR train services from the West Country to Cardiff Central, are terminating short / starting back from Bristol Temple Meads, customers for South Wales are advised to change there for services to Bristol Parkway and then await the severely reduced train service to Cardiff Central.
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GWR train services for Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction stations are currently suspended.
A limited Rail replacement road transport service will operate Bristol Parkway - Patchway - Severn Tunnel Junction and return.
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CrossCountry Trains between the West Country and the Midlands and the North were diverting via Bristol Parkway and Newport - these are still operating.
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To help you complete your journey, you may use your ticket, at no extra cost on

>Transport for Wales train services, who are also operating a reduced timetable today.
>CrossCountry Trains, who are operating a revised timetable today
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If you were intending on travelling yesterday (Sunday 4th May 2025), your ticket will be valid for travel today.


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IndustryInsider

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Posts: 10462

Re: Major rail disruption after blaze close to tracks between Newport and Cardiff

« Reply #2 on: Today at 10:57:35 »

The ‘reduced speed’ being because Emergency Special Working is in operation on the relief lines, which is a method of operation when multiple signals are out of use.


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TaplowGreen

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Re: Major rail disruption after blaze close to tracks between Newport and Cardiff

« Reply #3 on: Today at 16:10:37 »

Disruption now expected until 2359 May 6.


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UstiImmigrunt

Sr. Member

Posts: 139

Re: Major rail disruption after blaze close to tracks between Newport and Cardiff

« Reply #4 on: Today at 16:28:04 »

Quote from: IndustryInsider on Today at 10:57:35

The ‘reduced speed’ being because Emergency Special Working is in operation on the relief lines, which is a method of operation when multiple signals are out of use.

A method of working that really makes a driver think especially if in fog and or darkness. For information, a train is stopped at a signal. The controlling signaller will give information to be put onto a form including all the signals to be ignored. The driver then isolates TPWS^▸ and ATP^▸ if applicable. Then at a maximum speed of 50 MPH, off you go. It is a strange feeling flying past red signals at speed. I made sure each signal number was crossed out as I passed it, slowing down if necessary to make sure I have read the number correctly. You reach the end of the section, contact the signaller to confirm that you've arrived complete with tail lamp. TPWS and ATP is reinstated, cancelled is written across the form and when the signal shows a proceed aspect off you go then the next driver can be given instructions to proceed. So with 2 phone calls and reduced speed this procedure reduces capacity greatly.
Also if a driver doesn't pass through an ESW^▸ section then it's quite likely it will be used in a simulator session.


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