The line between Severn Tunnel Jn and Maesteg is 47 miles long with the branch off to Crosskeys being 7 miles long, giving a total mileage of 54 miles. This route has quite a few opportunities for high speed running, the main sections being between Cardiff Central and Severn Tunnel Junction itself. Local services to Maesteg are operated by TfW Class 170’s, with Cross Country using their own fleet on Cardiff Central - Nottingham services. GWR IET’s and 387’s are a common sight running expresses to Paddington, with Castle Sets and Turbo’s forming most of the GWR Local Services. Castle Sets would be included with this route whereas the 166s would be layered in from GWE Proposed Rolling Stock Class 170 in Transport for Wales and Cross Country liveries Operate services between Cheltenham Spa and Maesteg, as well as Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town alongside 175’s, with XC units working Cardiff Central to Nottingham trains. Class 43 ‘HST’ in GWR Livery Operate services between Penzance/Taunton and Cardiff Central on an hourly frequency. Class 175 in Transport for Wales livery Operate services between Carmarthen, Milford Haven and Manchester Piccadilly as well as services along the Welsh Marches from Newport to Shrewsbury. One of these services also runs through to Maesteg on weekdays, with 3 services on a Saturday and none on sundays. Class 66 in EWS livery + BAA/BZA wagons, HTA wagons. Freightliner livery with FSA & HIA wagons Freight is incredibly frequent around Cardiff and Newport, with the majority of these services hauled by EWS liveried Class 66’s. The EWS locos will work the majority of the services along the route, with a FL 66 making an occasional appearance for Containers to Wentloog. Possible DLC’s Class 800/802 in GWR livery I’ve reached the limit for images so can’t put one in for this, but most people know what an IET looks like.
