Storage siding for trains during major everts

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the South Wales Argus

PLANS for a new railway line in Newport for the storage of trains during major events have been recommended for approval.

A 1.6km major events stabling line (MESL) near Llanwern steelworks would be used as a staging area to provide increased capacity on the rail network, say Transport for Wales.

Passenger trains would be deployed during periods of high demand, including rugby matches and concerts at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

In round terms, that would hold around 70 carriages

[PhilWakely]

In round terms, that would hold around 70 carriages

And where would 70 carriages that can be just laid up for a few hours be found (apart from Ely Papworth Sidings that is of course)?

[eXPassenger]

In round terms, that would hold around 70 carriages

And where would 70 carriages that can be just laid up for a few hours be found (apart from Ely Papworth Sidings that is of course)?

I understood that the plan was to use 12 car 387s as crowd busters to move punters back to London after big events.  They normally finish outside TV peak times.

[Red Squirrel]

By my reckoning a 12-car Class 387 would be about 240m long. Does that mean you could park half a dozen of them at Llanwern? That ought to be enough to shift a fair old crowd.

[Electric train]

In round terms, that would hold around 70 carriages

And where would 70 carriages that can be just laid up for a few hours be found (apart from Ely Papworth Sidings that is of course)?

I understood that the plan was to use 12 car 387s as crowd busters to move punters back to London after big events.  They normally finish outside TV peak times.

And that's assuming the TV drivers have route knowledge or other depots drivers have signed 387's

[grahame]

From the South Wales Argus

PLANS for a new railway line in Newport for the storage of trains during major events have been recommended for approval.

A 1.6km major events stabling line (MESL) near Llanwern steelworks would be used as a staging area to provide increased capacity on the rail network, say Transport for Wales.

Passenger trains would be deployed during periods of high demand, including rugby matches and concerts at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

In round terms, that would hold around 70 carriages

The story moves forward - The South Wales Argus reports

New railway line in Newport could be in operation by 2022

A NEW railway line in Newport for the storage of trains during major events could be in operation by 2022 – with work starting as early as next year – it has been revealed.

The 2.4km long single track, near the former Llanwern Steelworks, is planned to provide a staging area to provide increased capacity on the rail network.

Passenger trains would be deployed during periods of high demand, including rugby matches and concerts at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Commenters would prefer first rail enhancement in the Newport area to be services from the Ebbw Vale line to run into Newport rather than skirting the city and then flouncing off to Cardiff without serving Newport station itself.

More grand plans ... but, surprise surprise, no movement on Rogerstone - Newport!

We want the ebbw vale line to go to newport but here we go again it isn't happening! Pathetic!

[Trowres]

During the Pope's visit to Cardiff many years ago, some trains were stabled on the slow* lines between Radyr and Taffs Well. Hard to imagine now that this line, and Park Junction to Risca, were four-tracked.

* I'm sure someone on this forum has the correct designation 

[stuving]

In round terms, that would hold around 70 carriages

And where would 70 carriages that can be just laid up for a few hours be found (apart from Ely Papworth Sidings that is of course)?

I understood that the plan was to use 12 car 387s as crowd busters to move punters back to London after big events.  They normally finish outside TV peak times.

And that's assuming the TV drivers have route knowledge or other depots drivers have signed 387's

That process is underway. The first 387 to Cardiff has just set out from Swindon, as 5Z60 (a one-off STP movement this time). It was meant to leave Cocklebury sidings at 00:01 and wait in P1 until 00:30, but actually left P3 at 00:22.

It is shown as changing from a 110 mph EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) to a "Class 80x on electric at 125mph" at Bristol parkway - at least its pathing does. It does the reverse switch on the way back as 5Z61 at 05:10. I can only guess that these timing loads are defined with geographical boundaries, and the one for 387s doesn't exist in Wales.

I don't think this MESL thing has been built yet, so it can't try that out, though the planning application was approved in 2019. The plans showing the rail access to it are quite a surprise. It's not a loop, nor even a single-ended siding, nor directly connected to he main line. It's just north of the Tata Service Lines, from which its one link is nearer the middle than either end.

[IndustryInsider]

Will the six extra 387s being loaned to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) enable the full off-peak service between PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)<>CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) to be reinstated?

[grahame]

That process is underway. The first 387 to Cardiff has just set out from Swindon, as 5Z60 (a one-off STP movement this time). It was meant to leave Cocklebury sidings at 00:01 and wait in P1 until 00:30, but actually left P3 at 00:22.

It is shown as changing from a 110 mph EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) to a "Class 80x on electric at 125mph" at Bristol parkway - at least its pathing does. It does the reverse switch on the way back as 5Z61 at 05:10. I can only guess that these timing loads are defined with geographical boundaries, and the one for 387s doesn't exist in Wales.

It called at all intermediate stations - so that's probably platform gauging. At Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Pilning (eastbound only) and Patchway.

Will the six extra 387s being loaned to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) enable the full off-peak service between PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)<>CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) to be reinstated?

For a modern new world, would an all stations Cardiff to Didcot, then Reading, Twyford, Maidenhead, Slough, Hayes and Harlington, Old Oak and Paddington service be worth a look?   Dreaming on, with electrification into Temple Meads, a similar service replacing "Cardiff" with "Bristol Temple Meads" making it half hourly from Swindon.

[jamestheredengine]

During the Pope's visit to Cardiff many years ago, some trains were stabled on the slow* lines between Radyr and Taffs Well. Hard to imagine now that this line, and Park Junction to Risca, were four-tracked.

* I'm sure someone on this forum has the correct designation 

The correct designation (south of Trefforest Junction) is the predictably GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)-sounding relief lines. As far as I'm aware, only the down relief (i.e. towards Cardiff) actually had platforms that passenger trains could stop at. Between Trefforest Junction and Pontypridd Junction, they were designated as the goods lines.

[grahame]

From BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

TfW travel: New rail line for major Cardiff events axed

A railway line aimed at improving travel after major events in Cardiff has been cancelled.

The Welsh government pulled the plug on the plan, saying it no longer offered value for money.

Transport for Wales (TfW) says it cannot get back £10m spent on preparing to build the track at a steelworks near Newport.

But Senedd opposition parties said public money had been lost on the project.

Under the plans, extra trains could have waited on the 1.6km-long line near the Llanwern steelworks when big crowds of fans were expected at venues such as the Principality Stadium.

It would have provided additional capacity, making transport run more smoothly.

I have to wonder, bearing in mind stock shortages, whether there would have been enough trains to store there ...