South Wales local services - Pembroke, Fishguard, Swanline, etc.

[whole diary]

[anthony215]

Yes Pyle does get additional services on saturdays to Cardiff but only the current level coming back.

I am sure it would be better for 1 or 2 of the Manchester - Milford Haven services to make an additional call at Pyle especially if it helps to cut down the amount of time they wait at Swansea

[phile]

Its only Saturdays that Pyle get the extra services then? Im guessing this is to fill time more than anything as services depart Cardiff for Manchester at xx55 on Saturdays rather than xx50 or xx05 during the week. Also going west from Cardiff I guess Pyle is covered by enough services already during the evening peak.

Yesterday I noticed they are still using a 153 on valley lines, Coryton I think.

153 diagrammed on Coryton to Radyr services on a Saturday.   I have explained this before.

[Rhydgaled]

From another topic, but I thought my reply would be more relevant here.

Just read this:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/11/14/the-devolution-train-finally-arrives-for-welsh-railways-91466-29770205/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom

Seems like the Gowerton re-doubling is committed.

I'd have thought nothing would be confirmed until another party agrees to vote in favor of Labour's WAG^» (Welsh Assembly Government - about) budget.

The first thing that should be done if the doubling goes ahead is to standardise (ie. make clockface) the timeings of the current west Wales trains (assuming the doubling does allow that of course). Apart from that though, and improvments in reliability, I think at the present time it is a waste of money. That is partly because of the lack of spare rolling stock. Also I think that, when rolling stock does appear, the first priority for the west Wales lines should be to get a 2-hourly express service from Cardiff (or Bristol or Portsmouth) to Carmarthen (or prefrablly points west) over the Swansea District Line calling at only Bridgend, Port Talbot Parkway, Llanelli and Carmarthen using 158s (or as a last resort, 175s). Once that is in place, then an hourly all-stations stopping service from Swansea to Carmarthen (extending to Pembroke in one hour, as at present, and Milford in the other) using 150s could be introduced alongside the present hourly fasts (currently from Manchester), making use of the Gowerton re-doubling.

[anthony215]

Network rail have completed putting the track back near the Platform at Fishgaurd & Goodwick station.

See the link below for pictures of the work:

http://fishguardtrains.info/

Glad to see verything coming along well, although there does seem to be a lot of problems with the 17:39  service from Cardiff - Milford Haven which is now very overcrowded because passengers will not wait for the 17:48 HST^▸ (High Speed Train).

I will be glad when more dmu's become available especially some class 170's from scotland as it menas the Nottingham - Cardiff train could in theory be extended to Swansea or Carmarthen via the Swansea District Line.

[phile]

You can't just extend a Nottingham to Cardiff to Swaansea or beyond just like that.   XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) have no running rights West of Cardiff and if any change was to be made, it would have to have to be agreed by ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) firstly and DFT^▸ (Department for Transport).   This process would take years at the rate these things move.

[anthony215]

Ok Thanks just asking.

[Hafren]

I was surprised to see a Voyager on the 8.45 Cardiff-Nottingham today! And I hope that 150/1 didn't go all the way to Portsmouth....!

The South Wales main line timetable for December has been up for a while now. There's a bit of a change to the morning peak. Where currently the Manchester and Swanline services leave Swansea close together just after 7am, they have now been spaced out so that the earlier train from Carmarthen doesn't just sit in Swansea for 15-20 minutes. The Manchester will still leave just after 7am, but formed by the slightly later train from Carmarthen, and the earlier one that currently goes to Manchester will form the Swanline service, which will leave Swansea at 0642.

A mix of pros and cons...!

This removes the current close spacing, and restores a weekday stop for Pyle at 7.12. It also means Swanline stations have an earlier first train, which might be useful for some, particularly those making longer journeys. Another benefit is that the stopper no longer needs to be looped at Pencoed, which reduces the interaction between the stopper and the 7.28 SWA^» (Swansea - next trains)-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains), which can impact on each other's performance.

But not so good for commuters who perhaps have become used to the current timing of the one peak Swanline train. Pyle passengers benefit, but users of the smaller Swanline stations will have to get up half an hour earlier. I suppose without a 17.38 from Cardiff for those stations, a pre-8am arrival at Cardiff might be good for those who want to return on the 1704. But for 9-5 commuters, or those who are accustomed to the current arrival times in Neath, Bridgend etc, life might become more difficult.

The distribution of stops at station between CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) and BGN is also altered. In some ways the stops have been made more regular, in terms of overall spacing, but passengers from the Swansea direction effectively lose their 2 direct trains to Pencoed and Pontyclun between 8 & 9, which might affect some passengers as a fair number of people work in these places. Maesteg passengers, on the other hand, do now have a direct service to those places, whereas before the main commuter service from Maesteg didn't offer a good connection for them as it only stopped at Llanharan.

Currently Pontyclun & Pencoed have 2 arrivals at Cardiff at 8.34 and 8.44; this will now be one arrival at 8.48, which might not be helpful for those who need to reach the office by 9, or who need to make connections with Valley Line routes. Also will it increase crowding on the main peak Maesteg-Cardiff train, given that it's 2 stops instead of 1 smaller town (Llanharan). Also, the Swanline currently stops at all stations, but in the new timetable there's no real option for commuting from Llanharan to Pontyclun. Effectively the Swanline train provides a dedicated commuter train for the 3 stations, as passengers from points west of Bridgend can change at Bridgend onto the HST^▸ (High Speed Train). ANd the second train for P&P is the Manchester, which is a 3 car. Now they're being pushed onto the single Maesteg train (currently 2 car).

[paul7575]

... And I hope that 150/1 didn't go all the way to Portsmouth....!

150s to Portsmouth happens at least a few times every week - and has done for years.  Single sets, doubles, or in multiple with a 158, they all happen.

They aren't that unususal on the Brightons either...

Paul

[Hafren]

Seen a 150 doing it many times, but first time I've seen a /1 going that way; do they still have their original 3+2 seating? Might help with the overcrowding though!

[phile]

I was surprised to see a Voyager on the 8.45 Cardiff-Nottingham today! And I hope that 150/1 didn't go all the way to Portsmouth....!

The South Wales main line timetable for December has been up for a while now. There's a bit of a change to the morning peak. Where currently the Manchester and Swanline services leave Swansea close together just after 7am, they have now been spaced out so that the earlier train from Carmarthen doesn't just sit in Swansea for 15-20 minutes. The Manchester will still leave just after 7am, but formed by the slightly later train from Carmarthen, and the earlier one that currently goes to Manchester will form the Swanline service, which will leave Swansea at 0642.

A mix of pros and cons...!

This removes the current close spacing, and restores a weekday stop for Pyle at 7.12. It also means Swanline stations have an earlier first train, which might be useful for some, particularly those making longer journeys. Another benefit is that the stopper no longer needs to be looped at Pencoed, which reduces the interaction between the stopper and the 7.28 SWA^» (Swansea - next trains)-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains), which can impact on each other's performance.

But not so good for commuters who perhaps have become used to the current timing of the one peak Swanline train. Pyle passengers benefit, but users of the smaller Swanline stations will have to get up half an hour earlier. I suppose without a 17.38 from Cardiff for those stations, a pre-8am arrival at Cardiff might be good for those who want to return on the 1704. But for 9-5 commuters, or those who are accustomed to the current arrival times in Neath, Bridgend etc, life might become more difficult.

The distribution of stops at station between CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) and BGN is also altered. In some ways the stops have been made more regular, in terms of overall spacing, but passengers from the Swansea direction effectively lose their 2 direct trains to Pencoed and Pontyclun between 8 & 9, which might affect some passengers as a fair number of people work in these places. Maesteg passengers, on the other hand, do now have a direct service to those places, whereas before the main commuter service from Maesteg didn't offer a good connection for them as it only stopped at Llanharan.

Currently Pontyclun & Pencoed have 2 arrivals at Cardiff at 8.34 and 8.44; this will now be one arrival at 8.48, which might not be helpful for those who need to reach the office by 9, or who need to make connections with Valley Line routes. Also will it increase crowding on the main peak Maesteg-Cardiff train, given that it's 2 stops instead of 1 smaller town (Llanharan). Also, the Swanline currently stops at all stations, but in the new timetable there's no real option for commuting from Llanharan to Pontyclun. Effectively the Swanline train provides a dedicated commuter train for the 3 stations, as passengers from points west of Bridgend can change at Bridgend onto the HST^▸ (High Speed Train). ANd the second train for P&P is the Manchester, which is a 3 car. Now they're being pushed onto the single Maesteg train (currently 2 car).

Voyagers are occasionally seen on Cardiff to Nottinghams.  Not the first by a long chalk.

_{Edited in the hope of unmangling the use of the quote function. I think I've managed to retain the intended meaning...}

[Jez]

It didnt make sense having 2 arriva services leaving in between the 0658 and 0728 London services. Its a much better spacing between services having the swanline going at 0642. Although im guessing it could still cause problems with the 0658 fast train behind it?

Are there any changes to the evening timetable? I have noticed the 1910 is often late, partly I assume because its formed of the arrival from Cardiff (that leaves Cardiff at 1804) therefore doesnt have a very long turnaround time.

[anthony215]

Yes the 19:10 Swanline from Swansea to Cardiff is currently formed of the stock which comes down on the 18:04 from Cardiff, It normally has about 2-3 minutes turn around at Swansea.

Before the timetable change back in May it used to be formed of the  stock which worked the 16:40 Ebbw Vale - Cardiff - Swansea service (Arriving into Swansea at about 18:40)

Now  that paths between Cardiff & Swansea is taken up by the 17:39 Milford Haven train which only calls at Pyle of all instead of all the Swanline stations.

[Jez]

On Saturday I believe the 16.40 Ebbw Vale - Cardiff - Swansea still runs. A lot of the old timetable still runs on a Saturday, the Manchesters-West Wales depart Cardiff west bound at xx04 on Saturdays.

[Hafren]

It didnt make sense having 2 arriva services leaving in between the 0658 and 0728 London services. Its a much better spacing between services having the swanline going at 0642. Although im guessing it could still cause problems with the 0658 fast train behind it?

Are there any changes to the evening timetable? I have noticed the 1910 is often late, partly I assume because its formed of the arrival from Cardiff (that leaves Cardiff at 1804) therefore doesnt have a very long turnaround time.

Nothing significant IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly). The 1804 is quite tightly timed and could do with another minute around Baglan and Skewen, like the daytime journeys. As a result it usually has only a few minutes at Swansea, and if it's at all delayed it will end up leaving after 1910.

The 6.42 will no longer be held at Pencoed, so even with the Llanharan stop missed, it will arrive at Cardiff around 5 minutes behind the HST^▸ (High Speed Train). But there's no ideal solution to fitting stoppers in around the faster trains. Swanline passengers will have a 2 1/2 hour gap in the up direction, with no post-8am arrival at Cardiff or the other main stations, but perhaps people will just switch to the CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)-PMD/FGH service and double back. The 7.10 is quite early for some people anyway (e.g. if they want a 9am start in Bridgend) so I would guess some people might already do that.

[Jez]

Personally I prefer to drive to either Port Talbot or Neath rather than get a train from my local Swanline station. It seems easier to do that with a 2 hourly service from swanline and many more trains going from either Neath or Port Talbot. Other commuters without a car may not be able to do that. I guess doubling back or getting a bus is the only other option, but how much easier would an hourly swanline service be.