Group Formed
Monday, 17th March, 2003
Group Description
Regional 'Rail Gen' group for south Wales
Group Link
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Rail Gen South Wales
Geographic Area Covered
Locations within group area
 | Location Name: TS527 - Abergavenny StationLocation Notes: Abergavenny is in Monmouthshire near the boarder with South Wales and England.Railway type and traffic Mainly class 158s on the Cardiff/Crewe trains, but occasionally specials for events at Cardiff worked by 67s. Freight is mainly steel to/from South Wales hauled by 60s or 66s. |
 | Location Name: TS340 - BargoedLocation Notes: Bargoed is a small town in the Rhymney Valley on the line between Cardiff and Rhymney, at the point where the line becomes single track.Railway type and traffic Most weekday services are provided by class 142/143 and 150 units. |
 | Location Name: TS592 - Barry DocksLocation Notes: Barry Docks station is situated on the Vale of Glamorgan line, just before it splits at Barry Town train station, adjacent to the Bristol Channel. The docks can be seen from here. The nearest city to here is Cardiff.Railway type and traffic Mostly 142/143/150s will stop and pass through here with services to Barry Island or Bridgend. The odd 158 can also be seen if Arriva Trains Wales are short on units. A lot of Railtours to the west of Wales travel along this line.Freight normally consists of 60s and 66s on Coal Trips to Aberthaw and the odd steel train will pass through here. This line is also the diversion when the stretch of line on the GWML between Cardiff and Bridgend is shut. When it is shut, ALL traffic will pass through. |
 | Location Name: TS1294 - Barry TownLocation Notes: A reasonably busy road bridge overlooking Barry Town Station and the curve off the Barry Island Branch.Railway type and traffic A busy suburban type-line. Mostly Arriva Trains Wales units from Classes 142, 143, 150 and 153.DB Schenker operated coal trains to and from Aberthaw Power Station, generally Class 66 hauled. This line is also used for diversions when the Cardiff to Bridgend via Pontyclun route is closed, bringing First Great Western HSTs and more ATW DMUs past Barry. |
 | Location Name: TS1149 - Bishton CrossingLocation Notes: This location is on the South Wales Main line from Severn Tunnel Junction to Newport. The nearest city is Newport. It is adjacent to Llanwern Steelworks.There are a few large villages in the area, where you can get food. Railway type and traffic There are 4 running lines, the reliefs being furthest away from the signal box.Traffic consists of First Great Western Class 43s (HSTs), Classes 170, 158, 150s, and 143s. You are at the turn off for Llanwern so you there is plenty of freight passing through. You get loaded steel/coal, Departmental and Enterprise, Ballast trains. Locomotives to see are: Freightliner 66s, DBS 66s, DBS 67s and occasional DBS Class 60s. |
 | Location Name: TS804 - Bishton Flyover, LlandevennyLocation Notes: This countryside location is on the South Wales Main line from Severn Tunnel Junction to Newport. The nearest city is Newport.It is also just east of Llanwern Steelworks. Although often called Magor it is actually in Llandevenny, a small village. There are a few large villages in the area, where you can get food. Update November 2008: On the Western Side of the bridge is a field with a marked footpath sign. Do not be tempted to cross the style to attempt a shot of anything coming off the flyover. The footpath sign is misleading and gives a false indication the path is along the line of the railway fence. It is not! It goes diagonal to a wood! If you make this mistake you bear the wrath of a very angry unforgiving farmer who will read you the riot act with some very harsh language! Railway type and traffic There are 4 running lines, the slow lines being on either side of the mains.You get First Great Western Class 43s (HSTs), The units you see are 170s, 158s, 153s, 150s, 143s and FGW 180s, You do get the odd Voyagers but mostly on a weekend. You are near Llanwern so you get plenty of freight passing through. You get loaded steel/coal, Departmental and Enterprise, Ballast trains. The Locomotives you see: Freightliner 66s, (mainly) DB Schenker 66s although you do see quite a fare bit of DB Schenker class 60s, which do turn up in different liveries. |
 | Location Name: TS77 - Briton FerryLocation Notes: Briton Ferry is located on the Port Talbot - Swansea / District line one mile south of Briton Ferry station and the location is split between two adjacent bridges off Briton Ferry roundabout which provide great photographic opportunities in either direction.Railway type and traffic Double main line track with Briton Ferry Yard and the spur to Baglan Bay on the westerly (down) side. FGW and Arriva trains operate a very regular passenger service between Cardiff and Swansea. DB Schenker provide Class 60 traction for its oil and steel workings to Robestone and Trostre respectively and Class 66 for its coal workings to the Swansea Valleys. Freightliner have an irregular Class 66 working into Baglan Bay with gas tanks. |
 | Location Name: TS343 - CaerphillyLocation Notes: Caerphilly is the largest town on the line from Cardiff to Rhymney.Railway type and traffic Most services on this route are worked by class 142/143 and 150 units. |
 | Location Name: TS508 - Cardiff CentralLocation Notes: This is the mainline railway station serving Cardiff on the Great Western (South Wales) Mainline. Situated in the city centre located next to the Cardiff Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park sites.Railway type and traffic This is a main line station with freight and lots of passenger traffic. As a general guide to what runs where:Platform 0 - when not in use services use Platform 1 * Central Trains services to Birmingham (158 and 170s) Platform 1 - Eastbound Interurban services. * Arriva Trains Wales to Manchester, Liverpool and Holyhead via Crewe 142, 143, 150, 153, 158, 175 * Central Trains to Birmingham and Nottingham 158, 170 * Wessex Trains to Bristol, Portsmouth, Brighton, Exeter and Penzance 143, 150, 153, 158 Platform 2 - Eastbound Intercity Services * First Great Western services to London Paddington via Bristol Parkway HSTs (Cl.43), 180 * Virgin Cross Country to Bristol, Birmingham and onwards to almost anywhere. 220, 221 * Arriva Trains Wales to Newport 142, 143, 150, 153 Platform 3 - Westbound Services * First Great Western services to Swansea and Fishguard HSTs (Cl.43), 180 * Arriva Trains Wales to Swansea and West Wales 142, 143, 150, 153, 158, 175 Platform 4 - Westbound Terminating Services * Arriva Trains Wales from Manchester, Liverpool and Holyhead via Crewe 150, 153, 158, 175 * Central Trains from Birmingham and Nottingham 158, 170 * Wessex Trains from Bristol, Portsmouth, Brighton, Exeter and Penzance 143, 150, 153, 158 * Virgin Cross Country from Bristol, Birmingham 220, 221 Platform 6 - towards Queen Street Platform 7 - towards Barry, Penarth, Bridgend via Rhoose, Maesteg * Valley Lines services. Also freight operated by DB Schenker and Freightliner pass through the station on lines between platforms 2 and 3 in either direction and also DB Schenker through to Merthyr along platform 6 and across through towards Queen Street. If you go to the West (Swansea) end of the platforms you can see some of Canton Depot and the reception/holding sidings for trains starting at Central. (Do not use Platforms 3/4 though as there is a building at the end that restricts view. Recommended to use Platform 1/2. |
 | Location Name: TS1015 - Cardiff, Queen StreetLocation Notes: The station is situated in the middle of Cardiff, South Wales, on the Cardiff valleys lines network.There is very heavy commuter traffic at the rush hour period. Railway type and traffic The section of line is the main valley line, there is a junction north of the station that serves the Rhymney line.Class 142, 143 and 150s are the main passenger types that pass through the station. Also a class 153 operates to and from the station daily on a shuttle service to Cardiff bay and back. Services stop at around midnight Class 66 hauled coal trains also pass through the station from Cwmbargoed coal disposal point, with the ocasional diverted coal train from Tower colliery sometimes passing through as well. |
 | Location Name: TS1350 - Clay Lane Foot Crossing, HaverfordwestLocation Notes: Haverfordwest, located in the deepest and darkest South West Wales, a small Country Town with a regular train service running through the area and down to Milfordhaven.Railway type and traffic This is the mainline, ending at Milfordhaven. As such you will see a regular Arriva Trains Wales service going to and from Milfordhaven (usually every hour) along with the occasional Freight service running to and from Robeston Sidings. |
 | Location Name: TS686 - CoedkernewLocation Notes: Coedkernew is a line-side road bridge on the busy section of the South Wales mainline between Newport and Cardiff.Railway type and traffic Regular units of any class and HSTs operated by Central Trains, First Greet Western, Virgin Trains and mainly Arriva Trains Wales. Arriva Trains Wales sometimes put on loco hauled extras for events at Cardiff (on these days the location may be busy with a current record of over 20 people at the bridge at the same time!)Freight here is fairly busy and is mainly operated by DB Schenker and includes Steel, Coal, Oil, Scrap (with 66s and 60s) and also a few Freightliner trains a day. |
 | Location Name: TS752 - Cwmbran StationLocation Notes: Cwmbran station is located in South Wakes on the Welsh Marches Line. Cwmbran is 7 miles south of Abergavenny, 5 miles north of Newport and 19 miles east of Cardiff.Railway type and traffic The Southern section of the Marches Line (Newport-Cwmbran) gets a half-hourly service to Cardiff Central, most Southbound trains terminate in Camarthen or Milford Haven.Northbound trains either go to Manchester Piccadilly or Holyhead, on hourly services. All of these services are either worked by ATW Class 158s, Class 175s or Class 150s. During the peak hours their are additional services to and from Cardiff and Hereford run by 153s and 143s. Every day FGW run several ECS movements to or from Hereford and Bristol so it is possible to photo HSTs and Class 180s doing non passenger turns. Freight is mostly run by EWS/Freightliner Class 66s, but also their are regular visits from class 60s. |
 | Location Name: TS1148 - Duffryn, Heol Pont-y-cwcwLocation Notes: This is a small road bridge (more of a farm track really) over the main Cardiff to Newport main line. The entire area between these two cities is generally flat drained marshland. It is near to Newport.Railway type and traffic The Cardiff to Newport line is split into two double lines - the southernmost pair are predominantly freight, the northernmost are passenger.Passenger workings include First Great Western HST and 158s. At the time of writing, 2010, there are also two loco hauled diagrams on the Taunton to Cardiff circuit. Arriva Trains Wales Pacers, 150s, 158s, and the odd Arriva XC 170s also feature. There are also plenty of excursions for events at the Millennium Stadium. Freight includes steel trains for Cardiff Maritime (steelworks), containers for Wentlooge Freightliner Terminal as well as stuff for Margam and other places further out west. Locos include classes 60, 66 (DB Schenker and FL), 67. |
 | Location Name: TS341 - Gilfach FargoedLocation Notes: Gilfach Fargoed is just south of Bargoed on the line from Cardiff to Rhymney.Railway type and traffic There is an hourly service from Cardiff to Rhymney with extra peak-hour trains. There is a 30 minute service on Saturdays as far as Bargoed. Currently most services are worked by class 142/143 and 150 units. |
 | Location Name: TS962 - Haverfordwest StationLocation Notes: A small station, situated in West Wales.Railway type and traffic Main line Arriva Trains Wales passenger traffic and occasional railtours. |
 | Location Name: TS80 - Jersey MarineLocation Notes: Located on the branch line from Onllwyn / Cwmgrach / Swansea District Line to Swansea Burrows Yard.Railway type and traffic |
 | Location Name: TS342 - LlanbradachLocation Notes: Llanbradach is a small settlement on the west side of the Rhymney valley north of Caerphilly on the Cardiff to Rhymney line.Railway type and traffic Most weekday services are provided by class 142/143 and 150 units. |
 | Location Name: TS492 - MagorLocation Notes: Magor is between Severn Tunnel Junction and Llanwern Steel works/Newport in South Wales on the main line to Cardiff. The lines run roughly from east to west.Railway type and traffic A mix of local / intermediate DMUs [mainly 143, 150/2, 153, 158, 170], HSTs from First Great Western.Also a wide variety of freight - steel, Enterprise, ECC, ballast/engineers, Oil tanks. |
 | Location Name: TS522 - Margam Knuckle YardLocation Notes: A Freight Yard located in Wales, about one mile away from Port Talbot railway station, on the First Great Western Mainline.Railway type and traffic Loads of steel traffic, as well as enterprise trains. The main classes to visit the yard are DB Schenker 59s, 60s, and 66s. There is also the Corus steel factory adjoing the yard, so the Corus shunters can be photographed. |
 | Location Name: TS1161 - MarshfieldLocation Notes: Marshfield consists of two line-side bridges, and a foot crossing, on the busy section of the South Wales mainline between Newport and Cardiff.Railway type and traffic Regular DMUs and HSTs operated by Arriva Cross Country, First Greet Western, and Arriva Trains Wales.The Ebbw Vale services which started in 2008 pass this location. There is also plenty of freight here. Mostly DBS, there are also some Freightliner workings into Wentloog, including some class 70 turns. |
 | Location Name: TS963 - Milford HavenLocation Notes: The end of the line from PaddingtonRailway type and traffic Main line Arriva Trains Wales passenger traffic and occasional railtours. |
 | Location Name: TS286 - Newport - Green Lane bridge, MaerdyLocation Notes: This is a small road bridge over the main Cardiff to Newport main line. The entire area between these two cities is generally flat drained marshland. It is nearer to Newport than Cardiff, but as they are only 15 miles apart, it is not that far from either.Railway type and traffic The Cardiff to Newport line is split into two double lines - the southernmost pair are predominantly freight, the northernmost are passenger. (As far as I can make out, anyway!). Passenger workings include First Great Western HSTs and Adelantes (cl 180s), Wessex 158s and the occasional top and tail 31 I believe, Arriva Trains Wales Pacers, 150s, 156s, 158s, and the odd Central Trains 170s. (The CT 158s are Arriva Branded). There are also plenty of excursions for events at the Millennium Stadium.Freight includes steel trains for Cardiff Maritime (steelworks), containers for Wentlooge Freightliner Terminal as well as stuff for Margam and other places further out west. Locos include classes 60, 66 (DB Schenker and FL), 67. |
 | Location Name: TS1129 - Newport South Docks, viewing pointsLocation Notes: This page is a guide to the viewing locations. The type of photograph you will get from these locations will be more of a train in the urban landscape as opposed to a close up view. Telephoto lenses are required as the distance between you and the subject can be measured in miles as opposed to feet.Newport is a large town in Gwent, South Wales. It is situated on the Great Western Main Line between the Severn Tunnel and Cardiff. It is also adjacent to the M4 motorway. The Docks are located south of the town centre and station alongside where the River Usk joins the Severn Estuary. Railway type and traffic Rail traffic on the GWML is a mix of freight and local, medium-distance and inter-city passenger traffic. The Docks branch leaves the GWML at Alexandra Dock Junction. The branch sees occasional coal traffic conveyed in HAA and HTA wagons. The branch is also used for removing newly-imported locomotives from South Dock onto the national network. |
 | Location Name: TS443 - Newport StationLocation Notes: Newport is in South Wales, about 10 minutes by train from Cardiff.Trains leaving Cardiff Central for London, Bristol, Southern, Northern and Eastern England will pass through Newport. Railway type and traffic Although the station is managed by Arriva Trains Wales, the main operator through Newport is First Great Western. Arriva Trains Wales, Virgin XC and Central Trains also run services through Newport. The main passenger traffic through Newport is HSTs and class 158s. You also get 150s, 153s, 170s, 175s, 180s, Voyagers and the occasional Pacer.Cardiff is a popular charter destination so many charter trains will pass through Newport throughout a year with vintage diesel or steam locos. It is usually busy for freight during the day, in the evening and over night. DB Schenker 08s, 09s, 59s, 60s and 66s pass through here as do Freightliner 66s. |
 | Location Name: TS1066 - Pellet Street Footbridge, CardiffLocation Notes: Inner City, near to University accommodation close to Cardiff Central station. The bridge overlooks the lines to Newport and you can also view the Cardiff Queen Street lines.Railway type and traffic HSTs, Class 43s, 60s, 66s and various DMUs. Plentiful passenger and freight trains to be seen. |
 | Location Name: TS627 - PontlottynLocation Notes: South of Pontlottyn is a scenic photo in both direction of the Rhymney valley line. The location is from a farm track next to a field about a mile south of the station. Photos could be taken from inside the field, but is best avoided as the farmers are known to, rightly, get cross and kick you off!Railway type and traffic Mostly units but one commuter service into Cardiff in the morning and back to Rhymney. |
 | Location Name: TS998 - PontypriddLocation Notes: This location is situated just north of Cardiff (about 10 miles). Pontypridd is a junction on the Valleys lines serving The Treherbert line, Merthyr line and the Aberdare line.Railway type and traffic Usual classes through the station are class 142,143 and 150s. Class 66s and the occasional class 60 (very rare) also pass through the station on coal/stone trains to Tower Colliery.Who knows how long this freight flow will carry on because Tower colliery is due for closure soon. |
 | Location Name: TS279 - Seven Tunnel Junction StationLocation Notes: A station and overbridge on the South Wales main line just after the junction of the line from Gloucester and the line from under the River Severn from Bristol. Station is quiet with a small car-park. The road over the bridge leads to a few farms and not much else.There are open flat areas around the line and station without trees to obstruct the views. Some of this used to be the location of Severn Tunnel Junction Freight Yard but all the track now lifted. Railway type and traffic On the South Wales main-line so passenger service are in the hands of Voyagers, HSTs and 158s. There are also class 67s top and tailing Cardiff to Taunton services.Freight consists of oil tanks, steel ingots, steel rolls and various other freightliner and DB Schenker workings. Usually powered by 60s, 66s with other motive power occasionally. Something usually passes every 5 to 10 minutes during the day. |
 | Location Name: TS572 - UndyLocation Notes: Undy is situated on the South Wales mainline between Newport and Severn Tunnel Junction.Railway type and traffic Passenger services operated by First Great Western, Arriva Trains Wales and Wessex Trains.There are freight services operated by DB Schenker and Freightliner. |
 | Location Name: TS344 - Ystrad MynachLocation Notes: Ystrad Mynach is a small town in the Rhymney valley between Caerphilly and Bargoed on the Cardiff to Rhymney line.Railway type and traffic Most services on the line are operated by classes 142,143 and 150 units. |
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.