Prynhawn da! Good afternoon everyone! Today I'm moving to my beloved Wales, wanting to propose you an interesting mix between two of the most important lines in this country: the Welsh Marches and the South Wales Main Line; specifically the following layout: Hereford-Newport (Marches)+Newport-Cardiff Central (Mainline). It would be set in late-2022/early-2023. This idea came to me while I was thinking about the future Cardiff City Network: it would be nice to give continuity and layers to that, flanking it with a real mainline! And so, this proposal of mine was born. We're in South-East of Wales, between Cardiff and Newport. The Main line runs between the capital and the East (to England), passing the nearby city and reaching the Maindee Junction. Here, the route diverges from the main path, entering the Welsh Marches (heading North). Then it crosses the Wales/England border, finally reaching Hereford. Our final destination. A rather fast and smooth journey, which completes the Cardiff City Network experience, including the famous TfW mainline and other operators services. Plus tons of direct and local freight! This is my Welsh Marches Line: Newport to Hereford+Cardiff! GENERAL FEATURES The route in question is made up of two distinct, combined sections: a) South Wales Main Line, Cardiff Central to Newport (section of): - 11.6mi (19km) total mainline lenght, except for Canton TMD and East Usk Jn. Yard links. - 4 tracks served, standard gauge (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), electrifed 25kV AC OHLE. Except for Cardiff Central common area (5-6 tracks). - 60-95 mph (96-153 km/h) max permitted speed, with some drops to 40mph. Added to this: - 0.6mi (1km) to Canton Depot (already present on Cardiff City Network?) [partially electrified]. - All accesses/links to the Valleys & City Lines (same as above) [partially electrfied]. - 1.7mi (2.7km) to Tidal Yard (Cardiff Harbour area) [unelectrified]. - 2.4mi (4km) to Alexandra Docks South Terminals (Newport Docks) [unelectrifed]. Total of: 16.6mi (27km) in lenght. b) Welsh Marches Line, Newport to Hereford (section of): - 43.5mi (70km) total lenght, including the Newport-Maindee Jn. Section (on mainline). - Double track served, standard gauge, unelectrfied (except for Newport-Maindee Jn. stretch). Except for the above-mentioned section and Hereford common Area (3-4 tracks). - 60-90mph (96-145km/h) max permitted speed, with some drops to 40-50mph. Added to this: - 1mi (1.6km) to East Usk Jn. Yard (to Bristol) [electrfied, mainline]. Total of: 44.5mi (71.6km) in lenght. Total route lenght: 61mi (98km). The path is equipped with: a) South Wales Main Line: automatic signaling, with 2/3 and 4 aspect digital signals. - TCB (Track Circuit Block) along most of the line. b) Welsh Marches Line: semaphore signaling (electro-mechanical), with 2/3 aspect signals. - AB (Absolute Block), along the entire line except the two ends. In that period (2022/23), the lines have already been prepared to receive ERTMS/ETCS. The Lines are managed by: - Network Rail (UK national railway infrastructure manager). Passenger service is operated by: - Transport for Wales Rail Ltd (Welsh Government public company) [Mainline+Marches]. - First Greater Western (GWR) (First Group private operator) [Mainline+Hereford]. - CrossCountry (XC Trains Ltd) (Arriva UK's private operator) [Cardiff-Newport only]. - West Midlands Trains Ltd (Transport UK Group private operator) [Hereford only]. Freight service is operated by: - DB Cargo UK Ltd (DB AG Group private/public operator) [Mainline+Marches]. - Freightliner Group Ltd (the green/yellow version would be fine) [same as above]. - GB Railfreight Ltd (GBRf) (Infracapital's private operator) [same as above]. - Colas Rail (Bouygues Group private operator) [same as above]. - Direct Rail Services (DRS) (National Government public company) [Marches+Mainline, partially]. THE ROUTE General view of the route. All stations and main places are marked. Below I added a close-up of the mainline stretch! STATIONS The route has a total of 6 active stations. 2 are located on the South Wales Main Line, the remaining on the Welsh Marches. The calls are, as follows: To Radyr, Swansea and West Wales. - Ninian Park/Parc Ninian (Radyr Branch) To Penarth and Barry (City). Canton TMD (depot) and Brickyard sidings. - Cardiff Central/Caerdydd Canolog, Southwest terminal of the route. The largest rail hub in the city, with direct access to the local depot. To Cardiff Queen Street (Valleys). Pengram Reception sidings (to Tidal Yard). Wentloog Intermodal terminal. Ebbw Junction sidings (to Alexandra South Docks). - Newport/Casnewydd, another important hub in Wales, terminal of some services (Western Valleys). Maindee Junction (to East Usk Jn.Yard, Bristol and Gloucester). Beginning of the Welsh Marches Line. - Cwmbran - Pontypool & New Inn/Pont-y-Pŵl a'r Dafarn Newydd To ROF Glascoed (abandoned). - Abergavenny/Y Fenni Wales/England border. - Hereford, Northern terminal of the route. It's equipped with passenger convoys sidings. To Shrewsbury, Crewe and Oxford (Cotswold). The reference depots are: - Canton TMD (Transport for Wales), Diesels, DMUs and BMUs. - Tidal Shed (GBRf/DB Cargo UK), Diesel shunters. STATIONS PICS Cardiff Central Station. As its facade suggests, it was originally built by GWR. Newport Station. As it appears after the 2010/11 refit. Left: Cwmbran, as it appeared before the new footbridge was installed (2024). Right: Pontypool & New Inn, with the new footbridge and new furnishings (2023). Abergavenny Station. As it appears before renovation work. Please put your LIKE here first, thank you! Continue Below...
Page 2 Hereford Station. Notice how the architecture suggests an English setting. PASSENGER SERVICE There are different types of passenger service on this route: Transport for Wales Welsh Marches A) Manchester Piccadilly-Cardiff Central/Carmarthen/Milford Haven [stopper/premier]: - 1 Tph to Manchester (entire route). - 1 Tph to Cardiff central (some stoppers to Carmarthen/Milford haven)(entire route). B) Holyhead-Cardiff Central [stopper/premier]: - 1Tp2h to Holyhead (entire route). - 1Tp2h to Cardiff Central (entire route). South Wales A) Cheltenham Spa-Cardiff Central/Maesteg [stopper]: - 1Tph to Cheltenham Spa (Cardiff Central-Newport, then AI Only). - 1Tph to Cardiff Central (some to Maesteg)(Newport-Cardiff Central). B) Ebbw Vale Town-Cardiff Central or Newport [stopper]: - 2Tph to Ebbw Vale Town (Cardiff Central/Newport-Ebbw Jn.). - 1Tph to Cardiff Central (Ebbw Jn.-Cardiff Central). - 1Tph to Newport (Ebbw Jn.-Newport, AI Only). Plus all local Valleys & City Lines services (included with Cardiff City Network). Great Western Railway South Wales A) CL - London Paddington-Cardiff Central/Swansea/Carmarthen [intercity]: - 1Tph/1Tp2h to Swansea (Newport-Cardiff Central). - 1Tph to Cardiff Central (Newport-Cardiff Central). - 7Tpd to Carmarthen (replacing Swansea of that hour)(Newport-Cardiff Central). - 2Tph to London Paddington (Cardiff Central-Newport, then AI Only). B) B1 - Portsmouth Harbour/Salisbury-Cardiff Central [semi-fast]: - 1Tph to Cardiff Central (Newport-Cardiff Central). - 1Tph to Portsmouth Harbour (some to Salisbury)(Cardiff Central-Newport, then AI Only). C) B4 - Penzance/Taunton-Cardiff Central [semi-fast]: - 1Tph to Cardiff Central (Newport-Cardiff Central). - 1Tp2h to Penzance (alternating with Taunton)(Cardiff Central-Newport, then AI Only). - 1Tp2h to Taunton (alternating with Penzance)(Cardiff Central-Newport, then AI Only). Hereford (AI Only) D) T6 – London Paddington-Oxford-Hereford [intercity]: - 2Tpd to Hereford (AI only at Hereford). - 2Tpd to London Paddington (AI Only at Hereford). Plus other CrossCountry (Newport-Cardiff Central) and West Midlands Railway (AI Only at Hereford) services. RAILTOURS The railtour service on this route includes: - Runs from Southwest of England to Southwest of Wales (via mainline). - Runs from North (e.g. Crewe) to Southwest of Wales (via Marches). - Runs from Northern Wales to Southwest of England (via Heart of Wales and mainline). Most of the services here are carried out by Pathfinder Railtours Ltd/Locomotive Services Ltd. FREIGHT SERVICE There is an excellent variety and quantity of freight services on this route. The following sectors are involved: - Metals (steel products and scraps). - Aggregates (gravel and limestone). - Intermodal (containers and Tesco trains). - Timber (from North). - Petroleum (crude oil and fuels). - Coal (local industries supplies). - MoD (ammo/explosives trains). RHTT services are also available on both routes, especially early in the morning or late evening. - Swindon transfer to Cheltenham Lanslow Loop (Welsh Marches), with 4 services/day. - Margam T.C. to Stormy (mainline, only certain periods), with 2 services/day. ROLLING STOCK The following rolling stock could be seen on this route: PASSENGER - TfW BR Class 67 Diesel-electric mainline loco+BR Mk4 FO,SO,RSB coaches+Mk4 DVT cabcar. The first is a famous class of UK mainline diesel-electric locos. Originally intended for DB Cargo UK, they now serve in the TfW fleet (12 specimens). They're powered by a powerful EMD V12 turbodiesel engine + electric traction. Their original top speed was 125mph (201km/h). They usually never exceed 100/110mph(160/177km/h). The second are the former LNER (ECML) Intercity 225 trainsets. They have been updated by TfW (new interior look). They're available here in "FO" (First Open), "SO" (Second Open), "RSB" (Kitchen Standard Buffet) and DVT (cabcar) versions. Their max speed is 140mph(225km/h), limited by Push/pull use alongside 67s. The fleet consists of 7 complete "Premier" trainsets: 1x Class 67+4x Mk4s+1x Mk4DVT. - TfW BR Class 175/0 and 175/1 Coradia 1000 DHMU. These are a series of diesel-hydraulic multiple units, originally intended for Arriva Trains Wales. They later joined the TfW fleet (27 specimens). They're divided into 2 series: 175/0 (2 cars) and 175/1 (3 cars). They're powered by 2 or 3 I6 Cummins turbodiesel engines, combined with Voith hydraulic transmission. Their maximum speed is 100mph(160km/h). They were refurbished by TfW between 2019 and 2022. PRIMARY LAYERS - BR Class 158/0 Express Sprinter DMU (Perkins variant), as replacement on TfW services to Holyhead and Manchester. [driveable]. - BR Class 150/2 Sprinter DMU, on TfW Valleys & City, West Wales, Heart of Wales and replacement to Holyhead and Manchester services. [driveable]. - BR Class 153 Super Sprinter Diesel-hydraulic railcar, same duties as Class 150. [AI Only]. - BR Class 170/2 Turbostar DMU, on TfW services to Maesteg, Ebbw Vale and Cheltenham Spa (mainline). [driveable]. - BR Class 800/0, 800/3, 802/0 and 802/1 IET BMUs, on all GWR Intercity South Wales services and at Hereford. [driveable/AI Only]. - BR Class 255 "Castle" HST train, on GWR services to Taunton and Penzance. [driveable]. - BR Class 165/1 and 166 Networker Turbo DMUs, on GWR services to Portsmouth/Salisbury. [driveable]. SECONDARY LAYERS - BR Class 170/1 and 170/5 Turbostar DMU, on XC (mainline) and WMR (Hereford) services. - BR Class 158/0 Express Sprinter (Cummins variant),as replacement on GWR services to Portsmouth/Salisbury and Penzance. IMPORTANT: opting for a late 2023 setting, it would be appropriate to introduce the Class 197 Civity on West Wales and Welsh Marches (this route) services, in addition to the Class 231 Flirt instead of Class 170 Turbostar (TfW)! Here's the TfW fleet brochure: https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2022-01/Fleet Access Specification_English_V1.pdf RAILTOURS - BR Class 47 "Duff" Diesel-electric mainline loco (BR Green dual-tone, BR Blue Large Logo, Intercity Executive, BR Scotrail mainly). - BR Class 33 "Bagpipe" Diesel-electric mainline loco (BR Green). - BR Class 37 "Tractor" Diesel-electric mainline loco (BR Blue Large Logo and BR Scotrail). Racks of BR Mk1s, Mk2s and sometimes Mk3s (loco-hauled) coaches are used on these services (BR Maroon, Red&Cream, BR Blue-grey and Intercity Executive mainly). FREIGHT - BR Class 66 DB Cargo UK/EWS, Freightliner (Green-yellow/Powerhaul), GBRf and DRS Diesel-electric mainline loco (Welsh Marches and mainline). It would be nice to have the Freightliner livery here! - IHA-F (steel coils) and IWA 90T (timber) Freight wagons. Two of the most used freight wagons on this route. Alternatively, you could have a BYA (Mk1 telescopic or Mk2 open) for steel coils, or a BAA (flatbed) for other steel products. Other compatible wagons: - FKA Container flat (from WCMLS). - FCA Container flat (from Vol.3: Intermodal). - JNA Wagon (from SEH). - MFA Wagon (from SEH). - HKA Bogie hopper (from GWE). - HOA Bogie hopper (from Vol.2: Aggregates). - TEA Tanker (from Vol.1: Petroleum). OTHER LAYERS - BR Class 56 "Grid" Diesel-electric mainline loco, on freight (timber) and RHTT (Welsh Marches) services operated by Colas Rail. - BR Class 60 "Tug" Diesel-electric mainline loco, on DB Cargo UK's petroleum/metals (mainline) services. - BR Class 67 (this proposal) Diesel-electric mainline loco, on Colas Rail/DB Cargo UK RHTT (mainline) services. - BR Class 08 "Gronk" Diesel-electric general-purpose shunter. Shunting duties at Tidal Yard and Canton TMD (GBRf and EWS liveries). ROUTE PICS Left: general view of Cardiff, largest city in Wales. Right: general view of Hereford, on English territory. Continue Below...
Page 3 Left: Canton TMD (Cardiff), largest route depot, operated by TfW. Right: East Moors Steelworks (Cardiff). Note the side-by Tidal Yard and its shed (shunting engines). Left: Stow Hill Rail & Road Bridges (Newport), important crossing over the River Usk. Note (middle of) the Newport Castle remains. Right: Newport Transporter Bridge, it dominates the city's docks with its 774ft (236m)! Left. Principality Stadium (Millennium Complex), the city's famous rugby ground, literally opposite Cardiff Central station. Note (in the background) the Cardiff Castle. Right: St Cadoc's Asylum. Impressive and disturbing mental hospital in Caerleon (Newport). Some scenes from the TV series "Doctor Who" were filmed in here! Left: The famous Cardiff Central Water Tower, symbol of the station. Right: Llantarnam Abbey (near Cwmbran). One of the many, small landmarks present in the Welsh Marches countryside. Left: Sugar Loaf (Mynydd Pen-y-Fal), distinctive peak of the Black Mountains. The southernmost point of the range. Down below, Abergavenny, with our line. Right: A beautiful random Welsh Marches landscape, near English border. The Sugar Loaf always in the background. I also remember the presence of the Cardiff City Stadium (near Canton TMD), Cardiff International Arena (junction to Queen Street), the imposing Uskmouth Powerplant Chimney (Newport Docks) and the small Glebelands Miniature Railway (on the River Usk). ROUTE VIDEOS Welsh Marches cabview (commented): Shrewsbury to Cardiff Central (consider it only from Hereford). Premier trainset (67+Mk4s) (Oct. 2022). Crewe-Bristol Temple Meads Railtour cabview (Hereford-Maindee Jn.). Locomotive Services Ltd BR Class 47 "Duff" (unfortunately no audio at many points ). A bit of trainspotting in Cardiff Central (2022). A bit of Trainspotting in Newport (Mar. 2023). Scenic trainspotting north of Newport (Jun. 2023). All RIGHTS and CREDITS to the original authors. CONCLUSIONS Do you love the idea of the Cardiff City Network, but recognise the lack of a longer run? Fancy a train that can take you further, on a real mainline connected to it? This is the route for you! Welcome to the South-east of Wales! Where the urbanised coastline quickly gives way to the beautiful Marches, skirting the Black Mountains. Take charge of the iconic TfW Premier services, running from South to the North of the country and England. You’ll have the mighty Class 67s at your disposal, alongside the long-awaited Mk4s! You’ll also have the chance to hammering with the 175, which will complete the timetable. Not forgetting the huge amount of services on the South Wales Main Line, with possible layers from other operators (such as GWR). And freight? Well, you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained for a while! Tons of activities: switching, mainline hauling and local deliveries! Everything you need in a Welsh route is here! This is my Welsh Marches Line: Newport to Hereford+Cardiff! Caravatt. PS. Integrations and corrections are always welcome! Don't hesitate! Since I live a few thousand km from this route, there may be some small errors!
This would be amazing. Especially as it would utilise the stock that will come with the Cardiff City Network. Hopefully this does release as it would be a great run for the MK4 stock and even the 175.
That's for sure! 150 can also be driven on this route (153s were mainly used on the Heart of Wales). Not to mention the Mk4s... There could be a serius way to introduce an Intercity 225 on ECML! Just add the 91 and the SOE coach (without one gangway). Not to mention all the GWR layers we already have or we're about to get!
Would express a preference for the 231s out of those 2. Prefer ‘full view’ cabs rather than ‘letterbox’ ones which restrict the view
Great suggestion. Would be great to have this then another follow on route being Hereford to Crewe. Crewe to Cardiff route hopping would be superb.
Impressive and if they have technology to do it might as well do the entire Welsh Marshes line to crewe. The latter part can be steam operated 1958 that way we can just route hop onto west coast main line Liverpool to crewe
Sure, but given steam "ban" (I think it'll only be temporary, there's too many users interested in that!), I'd prefer something set in current days (TfW). The stretch towards Crewe has 6 intermediate stops, perfect for 158s and their local stopper service! This southern section isn't bad at all either... Full of services, especially on the coast !
