South Wales Valleys - West

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by ARuscoe, Mar 18, 2022.

  1. ARuscoe

    ARuscoe Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2018
    Messages:
    10,832
    Likes Received:
    10,482
    This suggestion is for a "Valleys Lines" DLC, specifically the lines from Cardiff Central via Pontypridd to Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Treherbert

    upload_2022-3-18_15-4-31.png

    Although the lines up into the Valleys may seem to be "a bit sleepy" Radyr sees 16 trains an hour throughout the day, rising to over 20 in the peaks. With routes starting at all three terminating ends, and "off route" destinations including Penarth, Barry Island and Bridgend as well as the depot at Cardiff Canton I think the route would offer a decent amount of variety as well as some "scalability" with the possibility of adding in former trains on the line

    The entire system comes in at bang on 50 miles, so well within the limitations of the game

    CARDIFF CENTRAL
    Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and is a hub for rail transport across the South of the country. On the South Wales mainline the station has 8 platforms from 0 to 8, but strangely is missing a platform 5... Essentially in two parts the "mainline" section of the station is from platform 0 to 6 with 7 & 8 being the main "Valley lines" platforms leading to and from the ramp which goes up to Queen Street.
    The western end of the station butts onto the bridge over the river Taff, and just to the South of the station is the famous "Brains brewery", in fact if the wind blows right the smell of hops and brewing infests the city.
    With the Millennium stadium about 100 meters away there's plenty to see from this century old station
    [​IMG]

    West of Cardiff Central is Canton Depot.
    Opened in 1882 this depot has acted as home depot for the South Wales fleet including steam, diesels and most recently electrics. There used to be a footbridge leading from the city over to the depot which was a favourite of the train spotter, but this closed in the early 2000s
    In game the depot would be used to stable the DMUs with the short drive from Cardiff Central being included in timetable

    CARDIFF QUEEN STREET
    Queen Street is a station at the Eastern end of Cardiff city centre and is raised above street level. With 5 platforms this busy central station sees trains from all over the city including the Bay shuttle. For several decades this station saw mainly the "nodding donkey" class 143 pacers as a regular visitor
    [​IMG]

    RADYR
    Radyr is a small town just to the North of Cardiff and once was a major junction station between the industrial areas of the Valleys and the docks at Penarth. Now the station has 3 lines with the junction to East and West just South of the station. Radyr completes the "City Loop" with trains either heading to Queen Street to the West or via Fairwater and Ninian Park to the West

    PONTYPRIDD
    Pontypridd acts as the gateway to the valleys and the station sweeps round a curve at the south of the town. Previously a much grander area this town was badly hit by the end of mining in the area and now only three platforms remain in use
    [​IMG]

    Treherbert line
    The Treherbert line goes from Pontypridd to Terherbert calling at several stations probably very hard to pronounce unless you're local including : Dinas Rhondda, Tonypandy, Llwynypia, Treochy and Ynyswen.
    Treherbert station itself is a single platform dead end

    Aberdare and Merthyr
    The line up through the valleys has stunning scenery with victorian cottages dotted along the line as well as views over the valleys in general. Whilst not necessarily "bustling with life" the valleys offer green rolling hills and deep valleys in every direction
    [​IMG]


    ROLLING STOCK
    If set in the 2020s Class 150/2 in Arriva Wales blue green (debranded) and Transport for Wales white & red would form the bulk of the valleys services, with the class 769 which is a converted class 319 to run under diesel power (in TfW white & red)

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    The class 66 could undertake some works trains, or even a sightseeing railtour!
    [​IMG]

    POSSIBLE DLC
    If you go back not too far you get to a time of the Class 143 pacer. These trains ran the bulk of the services up the valley lines, with several liveries including "GWR dynamic lines", "Arriva blue and green", "Regional Railways grey and blue" or (my personal favourite) the Valley lines green livery...
    [​IMG]
    Going back even further you could do this as a steam line!
    https://www.keymodelworld.com/article/railways-south-wales-history
     
    • Like Like x 8
  2. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Messages:
    11,909
    Likes Received:
    23,927
    Good suggestion. Modern(ish) era probably best as the lines have been considerably rationalised with the closure of coal mines etc. and much simpler to put together. Downside though unless you include the Rhymney Line and the branch to Cwmbargoed, not much scope for freight.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  3. ARuscoe

    ARuscoe Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2018
    Messages:
    10,832
    Likes Received:
    10,482
    Yeah, that is a downside, but then DTG have stated that the UK freight scene isn't what's being asked for and the last few releases seem to have gone out of their way to make sure freight isn't that represented (thinking BML with an actually interesting move that's been left out at Haywards Heath)
     
    • Like Like x 1
  4. AirbourneAlex

    AirbourneAlex Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2020
    Messages:
    1,418
    Likes Received:
    2,092
    Probably one of the few Welsh routes that will feel complete without it being exceptionally long. The short branch to Cardiff Bay would be an easy addition as well. Some layers for the GWR Class 166 and HST at Cardiff Central would be nice also, even if not totally accurate when running alongside TfW branded trains.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  5. Whippy107

    Whippy107 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2022
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    34
    I'd love too see anything in southern Wales, but would very much like for it to include freight!
     
  6. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2021
    Messages:
    9,084
    Likes Received:
    5,602
    Good suggestion and why not add a Stadler FLIRT Class 231 DEMU has a downloadable content train that way you have the correct 2022 to 2023 schedule for the route. Also Class 230 DMU
     

Share This Page