Upgraded Treherbert line reopened after a nine-month refurbishment

line between Pontypridd and Treherbert reopened to passenger services on February 26, having been closed for nine months while the route underwent extensive upgrading works as part of the South Wales Metro network being established by Transport for Wales. Initially, two trains per hour will operate along the upgraded route, using Class 150 diesel multiple units for the services. TFW Rail plans to introduce its new tri-mode Class 756s trains and Class 398 tram-trains onto the South Wales Metro network over the coming months.

The works have included the installation of overhead line equipment and the addition of three new loops to allow service frequencies to be increased, along with a new signalling system and station works, including extending station platforms and adding new footbridges for easier accessibility.

TFW said that the transformation of the Core Valley Lines for the South Wales Metro will enable faster, more frequent services between Cardiff and the South Wales valleys. The works have been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, coming through the Welsh Government.

TFW chief operating officer Jan Chaudhry van der Velde said: “Replacing the Victorian signalling system with modern colour light signals controlled from our dedicated Valleys control centre has taken some time. “A co mp re h e n s i v e t ra i n i n g programme for the drivers and conductors who work the route has been ongoing since the start of the year and will continue for the next few weeks. We will then turn our attention to the introduction of new Class 756 trains on the route later in 2024. “We appreciate that our customers and lineside neighbours have been incredibly patient with us during this time.”

As a thank you to local residents for their patience, passengers in the Rhondda are able to travel at half price until May 23, when they present a physical Rhondda Railcard to the train conductor.

James Hartley Locomotive Services Group’s recently-repainted 60081 was moved from DB Cargo’s depot at Toton to LSG’S One:one Collection museum facility at the former Hornby Railways factory in Margate on March 18. The celebrity Class 60 was originally painted into lined Brunswick green livery and named Isambard Kingdom Brunel by English Welsh & Scottish Railways, debuting at the Old Oak Common open day event in August 2000. 60081 was stored in April 2005, however, after suffering an engine failure and it remained in store at Toton until its sale to LSG. DB Cargo has carried out the cosmetic restoration of the locomotive prior to its departure from the Nottinghamshire depot. 60081 awaits collection by low-loader on the evening of March 17.

Kieran Marshall A station that has changed significantly during the closure of the Treherbert line is Dinas Rhonnda. On March 9, 150259 departs the new Platform 2, working a TFW Rail Cardiff Central to Treherbert service on the recently refurbished route.