Latest news with #Class398
Business News Wales
2 days ago
- Business News Wales
Barry Rail Depot Restored in Transport Upgrade
Passenger train drivers are once again based in Barry for the first time since the 1990s after work was completed on the depot there. The move sees the number of people working at the depot rise to 58. Transport for Wales took over the rail depot there in 2022 and have been proceeding to develop it alongside partners in Network Rail. From the May timetable change on 18 May, 39 drivers will now be based there alongside depot colleagues, cleaners and train crew managers. Most of the Class 756 and Class 231 fleets will be stabled there to serve the lines between Rhymney and Barry Island, as well as the Treherbert, Merthyr and Aberdare lines (until the Class 398 fleet enter service). Heavy maintenance and fuelling will continue to take place at Canton Depot in Cardiff. Depot Manager Alun Davies said: 'This is transformational for people and the area and is testament to the hard work of so many to make it happen. 'It's incredible to have the drivers coming back here. 'When we took the depot on it required a major clean up operation. We took a really joined up approach to it, putting safety and sustainability at the forefront, as well as looking ahead and planning for the future.' As part of the work a safe walking route has been installed between Barry town railway station and the depot. A sustainable well-being garden has also been created for staff and visitors, which also helps to support biodiversity around the depot. Barry depot had been built in the 1890s as part of the developments of the docks and railway. However it closed as a driver depot in the 1980s as British Rail looked to reorganise ahead of privatisation in the early 1990s. EWS had drivers based there until 1999. Prior to TFW takeover, John Buxton, Director of Cambrian Transport, operated out of the site since 2009. The depot, garden and crossing were officially opened to drivers at a special event where MS Jane Hutt, Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Lis Burnett and several other key local stakeholders were given a tour of the depot.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Huge £1 billion train upgrade in chaos as locals fume over 'missing' feature
Bold plans to transform the railway system as part of a £1 billion upgrade has garnered heavy criticism as bosses confirm new electrified trains will be missing one specific amenity Railway plans to transform connectivity in south Wales have sparked heavy backlash amongst locals. Touted as the ' Welsh Tube ', the £1 billion mega project - which was first proposed back in 2013 - offers a ground-breaking solution to long waits and traditional timetables stagnating travel in the region. But upon completion, a 105-mile long network will see 36 brand new tram-trains carry tourists and commuters across the core Valley Lines, linking areas such as Cardiff with Coryton, Rhymney, Aberdare, and Treherbet - with certain journeys running every five minutes in the day. As previously reported, the South Wales Metro project will operate on a colour-coded map and allow passengers to 'tap in and out' with contactless payment barriers. Those living in or around Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, and Treherbert will have access to four trains per hour (every 15 minutes) while those around Caerphilly will get six trains per hour and Pontypridd will see 12 trains per hour (every five minutes) running to the Welsh capital. With new electric tram-trains already starting test runs in the Valleys - the project is nearing its first phase. However, locals weren't too happy when they discovered the state-of-the-art vehicles did not feature any onboard toilets. According to Wales Online, one person described the lack of loos as 'absolute madness', adding: "We certainly are going backward in Wales." Another commented: "This is shocking, I have a funny feeling there's going to be lots of urine on the floor on a Friday and Saturday night," while a third penned: "People need toilets, what's with the Welsh government?" Others were quick to defend the decision, arguing that Tube trains, buses, and cars do not have toilets either. "Some people would whinge about winning the lottery!" one reader fumed. "How many buses have toilets on board?" Another argued: "If you put toilets in they have to be accessible to all and as a result the area lost to seating and standing is huge. You also have to take the trains out of service to empty the tanks because you can't just dump it on the tracks anymore. It's much better to do away with them and have them in fixed locations so they have the space to do it properly and they have proper access to electricity, water and sewerage." When asked about the backlash, a Transport for Wales (TfW) spokesperson told the Mirror that it is currently 'testing' a brand-new modern Class 398 tram-trains that will run on electric and battery as part of the South Wales Metro. These will have the ability to run on-street as well as on the rail network, but 'global rolling stock market' for this type of train-train with onboard toilets is 'limited'. "They are built to quickly move as many people as possible and adding toilets on board would significantly reduce the capacity of the trains," the spokesperson added. "This type of train is used successfully in other cities within the UK and no other Metro system in the UK runs this type of tram with toilets onboard. "We want to ensure our passengers still have access to toilet facilities when using our network. To do this, we're installing 10 new*, fully accessible toilets at key locations across these lines and upgrading our existing station facilities, so that passengers can be confident a toilet will always be available within a 20-minute journey on our network." *In addition to the existing toilet facilities across the South Wales Metro area, 10 stations getting new toilets are Abercynon, Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Tonypandy, Treherbert, Cwmbach, Llwynypia, Merthyr Vale, Penrhiwceiber and Treorchy.
