Arriva Trains Wales: Difference between revisions
10mmsocket (talk | contribs) per WP:ACCESSIBILITY smaller font serves no good purpose and may hinder readability by those with visual impairment |
|||
(45 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|British transport company that operated in Wales, United Kingdom}} |
{{Short description|British transport company that operated in Wales, United Kingdom}} |
||
{{About|the train operating company operated by Arriva between 2003 and 2018|the Wales & Borders franchise operator from 2018 until 2021|Transport for Wales Rail Services}} |
|||
{{EngvarB|date=February 2018}} |
{{EngvarB|date=February 2018}} |
||
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}} |
||
Line 7: | Line 6: | ||
|name = Arriva Trains Wales |
|name = Arriva Trains Wales |
||
|image = Hugh llewelyn 175 003 (6453646265).jpg |
|image = Hugh llewelyn 175 003 (6453646265).jpg |
||
|caption = [[British Rail Class 175|Class 175 ''Coradia'']] at Cardiff Central in 2009 |
|caption = [[British Rail Class 175|Class 175 ''Coradia 1000'']] at Cardiff Central in 2009 |
||
|franchise = [[Wales & Borders franchise|Wales & Borders]]<br />7 December 2003 –<br />13 October 2018 |
|franchise = [[Wales & Borders franchise|Wales & Borders]]<br />7 December 2003 –<br />13 October 2018 |
||
|logo_filename = Arriva Trains Wales logo.svg |
|logo_filename = Arriva Trains Wales logo.svg |
||
Line 15: | Line 14: | ||
|secregions = [[North West England|North West]]<br />[[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]]<br />[[South West England|South West]] |
|secregions = [[North West England|North West]]<br />[[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]]<br />[[South West England|South West]] |
||
|fleet=125 units<br />3 locomotive hauled sets |
|fleet=125 units<br />3 locomotive hauled sets |
||
|stationsop=247<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/OurCompany/|title=Our Company|publisher=Arriva Trains Wales|access-date=28 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202150351/https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/OurCompany/|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
|stationsop=247<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/OurCompany/ |title = Our Company |publisher = Arriva Trains Wales |access-date = 28 April 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170202150351/https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/OurCompany/ |archive-date = 2 February 2017 |url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref> |
||
| |
|length = {{cvt|1623.8|km}}{{cn|date=April 2023}} |
||
|parent_company = [[Arriva UK Trains]] |
|parent_company = [[Arriva UK Trains]] |
||
|website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20181013031113/https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ www.arrivatrains.co.uk] |
|website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20181013031113/https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ www.arrivatrains.co.uk] |
||
|predecessor=[[Wales and Borders]]|successor=[[KeolisAmey Wales]]}} |
|predecessor = [[Wales and Borders]] |
||
|successor = [[KeolisAmey Wales]]}} |
|||
'''Arriva Trains Wales'''<ref>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04337645 Companies House extract company no 4337645] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205104/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04337645 |date=29 October 2013 }} Arriva Trains Wales/Trenau Arriva Cymru Limited</ref> (ATW; {{lang-cy|Trenau Arriva Cymru}}) was a British [[train operating company]] owned by [[Arriva UK Trains]] that operated the [[Wales & Borders franchise]]. It ran urban and inter-urban passenger services to all railway stations in [[Wales]], including {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Central}}, {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Queen Street}}, {{Stnlnk|Newport}}, {{Stnlnk|Swansea}}, {{Stnlnk|Wrexham General}} and {{Stnlnk|Holyhead}}, as well as to certain stations in [[England]] such as {{Stnlnk|Hereford}}, {{Stnlnk|Shrewsbury}}, {{Stnlnk|Chester}}, [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]], {{Stnlnk|Manchester Piccadilly}} and {{Stnlnk|Birmingham New Street}}. |
|||
'''Arriva Trains Wales'''<ref>{{cite web |url = http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04337645 |title = Arriva Trains Wales/Trenau Arriva Cymru Limited: company no. 4337645 |publisher = Companies House extract |access-date = 27 May 2022 |archive-date = 29 October 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205104/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04337645 |url-status = dead }}</ref> (ATW; {{langx|cy|Trenau Arriva Cymru}}) was a British [[train operating company]] owned by [[Arriva UK Trains]] that operated the [[Wales & Borders franchise]]. It ran urban and inter-urban passenger services to all railway stations in [[Wales]], including {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Central}}, {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Queen Street}}, {{Stnlnk|Newport}}, {{Stnlnk|Swansea}}, {{Stnlnk|Wrexham General}} and {{Stnlnk|Holyhead}}, as well as to certain stations in [[England]] such as {{Stnlnk|Hereford}}, {{Stnlnk|Shrewsbury}}, {{Stnlnk|Chester}}, [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]], {{Stnlnk|Manchester Piccadilly}} and {{Stnlnk|Birmingham New Street}}. |
|||
The company began operating in December 2003, taking over from [[Wales and Borders]]. Following the introduction of the [[Railways Act 2005]] and [[Transport (Wales) Act 2006]], responsibility for the franchise was held by the devolved [[Welsh Government]]. Arriva Trains Wales' franchise expired in October 2018, and the company did not bid to renew. It was succeeded by [[Transport for Wales Rail Services|KeolisAmey Wales]]. |
|||
In August 2003, [[Arriva UK Trains]] was awarded the newly created Wales & Borders franchise by the [[Strategic Rail Authority]], Arrival Trains Wales began operation during December 2003, taking over from [[Wales and Borders]]. Following the implementation of the [[Railways Act 2005]] and [[Transport (Wales) Act 2006]], responsibility for the franchise was devolved to the [[Welsh Government]], which worked closely with Arriva Trains Wales during its period of operations. Numerous service changes were made under the company's management; on 6 February 2008, the [[Ebbw Valley Railway]] was partially re-opened to passenger services for the first time in over 40 years. Another high-profile change during December of that year was the inauguration of the locomotive-hauled Holyhead to Cardiff [[Premier Service]]. |
|||
In March 2010, Arriva Trains Wales' application to reinstate a direct Aberystwyth to [[Marylebone railway station|London Marylebone]] service was rejected by the [[Office of Rail & Road|Office of Rail Regulation]] due to concerns over its financial viability, as well as the potential severe revenue abstraction from other operators such as [[Wrexham & Shropshire]]. In July 2012, the [[Department for Transport]] announced that the Cardiff Valley Lines would be electrified, although this ambition would not be substantiated during Arriva Train Wales' franchise period. During the mid-2010s, as the franchise period was nearing its end, tenders were sought for its next operator; Arriva Trains Wales' publicly withdrew from the process in October 2017 despite having been shortlisted. On 23 May 2018, [[KeolisAmey Wales]] was selected as the winning bid. On 13 October 2018, Arriva Trains Wales' franchise came to an end, operations being transferred to successor operator KeolisAmey that same day. |
|||
==History== |
==History== |
||
During March 2000, the UK government announced its plans to create a separate [[Wales & Borders franchise]].<ref name=Select>{{cite web |url = https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmwelaf/458/45807.htm |title = The Wales and Borders Franchise: House of Commons Select Committee on Welsh Affairs Third Report |publisher = [[Parliament]] |date = 17 March 2004 |access-date = 30 August 2017 |archive-date = 6 August 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170806181949/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmwelaf/458/45807.htm |url-status = dead }}</ref> In October 2001, the two [[National Express]]-operated franchises, [[Valley Lines]] and [[Wales & West]], were reorganised, after which the new [[Wales & Borders]] franchise assumed responsibility for the majority of services in Wales as shown on its map.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030614202259/http://www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk/uploads/documents/106.pdf |url = http://www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk/uploads/documents/106.pdf |
|||
|title= Route map |publisher= Wales & Borders |archive-date= 14 June 2003}}</ref> The services from [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] to [[Chester railway station|Chester]], [[Cambrian Line|Aberystwyth, and Pwllheli]] operated by [[Central Trains]] were also transferred.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20011021194557/http://www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk/ |title= More than just a new name for Wales & West in Wales |publisher=Wales & Borders |archive-date=21 October 2001}}</ref> |
|title = Route map |publisher = Wales & Borders |archive-date = 14 June 2003}}</ref> The services from [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] to [[Chester railway station|Chester]], [[Cambrian Line|Aberystwyth, and Pwllheli]] operated by [[Central Trains]] were also transferred.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20011021194557/http://www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk/ |title = More than just a new name for Wales & West in Wales |publisher = Wales & Borders |archive-date = 21 October 2001}}</ref> In October 2002, a shortlist of [[Arriva UK Trains|Arriva]], [[Veolia Transport|Connex]]/[[GB Railways]], [[National Express]] and [[Serco-Abellio]] were invited to bid for the new franchise period.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Four still in race for Wales & Borders | magazine = [[Rail Magazine]] |issue=446 |date= 16 October 2002 |page=12}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Dutch plan a Welsh invasion | magazine = [[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=1221 |date= January 2003 |page=6}}</ref> |
||
On 1 August 2003, the [[Strategic Rail Authority]] awarded |
On 1 August 2003, the [[Strategic Rail Authority]] awarded the new franchise to [[Arriva UK Trains]].<ref>{{cite press release |url = http://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=200308010700462243O |title = SRA Announces Preferred Bidder for New Integrated Wales Franchise |publisher = Strategic Rail Authority |date = 1 August 2003 |access-date = 25 September 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160625065059/http://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=200308010700462243O |archive-date = 25 June 2016 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title = Arriva to operate Wales & Borders |magazine = The Railway Magazine |issue = 1230 |date = October 2003 |page = 35}}</ref> The new franchise was for fifteen years, with performance reviews every five years; Arriva Trains Wales took over the services operated by [[Wales & Borders]] on 7 December 2003.<ref name="atocFranchise">{{cite web |url = http://www.atoc-comms.org/franchised-passenger-services-arriva-trains-wales.php |title = Passenger Franchise Information: Arriva Trains Wales |publisher = ATOC |year=2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080305051256/http://www.atoc-comms.org/franchised-passenger-services-arriva-trains-wales.php| archive-date = 5 March 2008 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The next five-yearly review period concluded on 31 March 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/rail-franchising-timetable/rail-franchising-timetable.pdf |title = Rail Franchising Timetable |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 1 July 2012 |access-date = 16 October 2012 |archive-date = 24 September 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120924220649/http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/rail-franchising-timetable/rail-franchising-timetable.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref> On 28 September 2003, the services from [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]], [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] and [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] to [[Llandudno railway station|Llandudno]] and [[Holyhead railway station|Holyhead]], as well as those between [[Borderlands Line|Bidston and Wrexham Central]] and between [[Conwy Valley Line|Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog]], operated by [[First North Western]], were transferred to the new Wales & Borders franchise.<ref name=Select/><ref>{{cite magazine |title = First North Western in split |magazine = [[The Railway Magazine]] |issue = 1202 |date = June 2001 |page = 11}}</ref> |
||
As a result of the [[Railways Act 2005]] and the [[Transport (Wales) Act 2006]], responsibility for the franchise was later devolved to the [[Welsh Government]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://wales.gov.uk/topics/transport/rail/?lang=en |publisher= Welsh Government |title= Transport: Rail |date= 3 October 2012 |access-date= 24 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120630054029/http://wales.gov.uk/topics/transport/rail/?lang=en |archive-date= 30 June 2012 |url-status= live |df= dmy-all }}</ref> |
As a result of the [[Railways Act 2005]] and the [[Transport (Wales) Act 2006]], responsibility for the franchise was later devolved to the [[Welsh Government]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://wales.gov.uk/topics/transport/rail/?lang=en |publisher = Welsh Government |title = Transport: Rail |date = 3 October 2012 |access-date = 24 October 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120630054029/http://wales.gov.uk/topics/transport/rail/?lang=en |archive-date = 30 June 2012 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> Subsequently, the Welsh Government closely coordinated with Arriva Trains Wales in the management and development of the railway network within Wales. Changes included the introduction of direct services between [[North Wales|North]] and [[South Wales]],<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw0511e.htm |title = North Wales Railway Notice Board – That new Arriva Timetable |last = Hulme |first = Chris |access-date = 26 March 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071014014328/http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw0511e.htm |archive-date = 14 October 2007 }}</ref> and the reintroduction of passenger services on previously freight-only portions of the [[Vale of Glamorgan Line]] and [[Ebbw Vale Line]]. |
||
At its height, ATW operated over a route length of 1691 km, with 253 DMU cars and 22 locomotive-hauled passenger carriages. Its busiest Welsh stations were {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Central}}, {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Queen Street}} and {{Stnlnk|Newport}} in South Wales, and {{Stnlnk|Bangor (Gwynedd)}} and {{Stnlnk|Wrexham General}} in North Wales.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}} |
At its height, ATW operated over a route length of 1691 km, with 253 [[diesel multiple unit]] (DMU) cars and 22 locomotive-hauled passenger carriages. Its busiest Welsh stations were {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Central}}, {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Queen Street}} and {{Stnlnk|Newport}} in South Wales, and {{Stnlnk|Bangor (Gwynedd)}} and {{Stnlnk|Wrexham General}} in North Wales.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}} |
||
ATW operated almost all services in Wales, with the exception of: |
ATW operated almost all services in Wales, with the exception of: |
||
Line 42: | Line 45: | ||
==Performance== |
==Performance== |
||
[[File:ATW passenger numbers.png|thumb|300px|ATW passenger numbers from 2011 to 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/1c4a75a8-bebc-4b64-91b6-655ba9888189%7Ctitle=ORR |title=ATW Key stats |access-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921045539/https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/1c4a75a8-bebc-4b64-91b6-655ba9888189%7Ctitle=ORR |archive-date=21 September 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/2b2e2c38-c822-4e1f-9fb4-b049b3c13899 |title=ORR Passenger rail usage by TOC |access-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921045645/https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/2b2e2c38-c822-4e1f-9fb4-b049b3c13899 |archive-date=21 September 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>]] |
[[File:ATW passenger numbers.png|thumb|300px|ATW passenger numbers from 2011 to 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/1c4a75a8-bebc-4b64-91b6-655ba9888189%7Ctitle=ORR |title = ATW Key stats |access-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170921045539/https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/1c4a75a8-bebc-4b64-91b6-655ba9888189%7Ctitle=ORR |archive-date = 21 September 2017 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/2b2e2c38-c822-4e1f-9fb4-b049b3c13899 |title = ORR Passenger rail usage by TOC |access-date = 20 September 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170921045645/https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/2b2e2c38-c822-4e1f-9fb4-b049b3c13899 |archive-date = 21 September 2017 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref>]] |
||
In October 2006, ATW was ranked seventh best (out of 21 companies) with an above average 89.9% of trains 'on time' according to [[Network Rail]] statistics.<ref> |
In October 2006, ATW was ranked seventh best (out of 21 companies) with an above average 89.9% of trains 'on time' according to [[Network Rail]] statistics.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.networkrail.co.uk/about/performance/ |title = Public Performance Measure |publisher = Network Rail |access-date = 4 May 2013 |archive-date = 4 December 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121204023404/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/about/performance/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> The latest figures released by NR (Network Rail) rate punctuality ([[Public Performance Measure]]) at 96.1% for period 7 of the 2013/14 financial year.<ref name="PerfP7">{{cite web |title = Rail performance results period 7 |url = http://www.networkrail.co.uk/about/performance/ |publisher = Network Rail |access-date = 26 December 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121204023404/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/about/performance/ |archive-date = 4 December 2012 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all }}</ref> The MAA (Monthly Annual Average) figure for the 366 days up to 12 October 2013 is currently at 93.9%.<ref name="PerfP7"/> |
||
In September 2017, a review on the conditions during a regular peak commute was published by 'Stu's Reviews'. |
In September 2017, a review on the conditions during a regular peak commute was published by 'Stu's Reviews'. This review was publicised through several of the national news networks, including [[Wales Online]],<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/shocking-common-scenes-filmed-one-13645913 |title = The shocking but all too common scenes filmed on one Welsh train journey |work = Wales Online |date = September 2017 |access-date = 27 January 2018 |archive-date = 28 January 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180128021253/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/shocking-common-scenes-filmed-one-13645913 |url-status = dead }}</ref> and [[BBC Wales]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-41361701 |title = Arriva Trains Wales reports 'huge rise' in commuters |work = BBC News |date = September 2017 |access-date = 20 June 2018 |archive-date = 28 September 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180928120944/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-41361701 |url-status = dead }}</ref> |
||
==Welsh-language services== |
==Welsh-language services== |
||
[[File:Llandudno Junction bilingual station sign.jpg|thumb|A bilingual station sign]] |
[[File:Llandudno Junction bilingual station sign.jpg|thumb|A bilingual station sign]] |
||
The [[Welsh Language Act 1993]] requires all public bodies to provide services to the public through the medium of Welsh as well as English. As a private company and not a public body, Arriva Trains Wales was not legally required to provide service in Welsh,<ref name="icwales">{{cite news |url= http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid=15040160&method=full&siteid=50082-name_page.html |work=Western Mail |title=Train firm's web site hits the buffers over Welsh language |location =Cardiff | |
The [[Welsh Language Act 1993]] requires all public bodies to provide services to the public through the medium of Welsh as well as English. As a private company and not a public body, Arriva Trains Wales was not legally required to provide service in Welsh,<ref name="icwales">{{cite news |url = http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid=15040160&method=full&siteid=50082-name_page.html |work = Western Mail |title = Train firm's web site hits the buffers over Welsh language |location = Cardiff |last = Clark |first = Rhodri |date = 5 January 2005 |access-date = 15 April 2008 }}</ref> but it did conduct some business in Welsh. All stations previously run by Arriva Trains Wales where the Welsh and English names differed had both names displayed, with a few minor omissions.<ref name="icwales"/> Arriva did not display Welsh names in the English stations which it managed, such as Chester ({{langx|cy|Caer}}), Shrewsbury ({{langx|cy|Amwythig}}), or Hereford ({{langx|cy|Henffordd}}), but included the Welsh names in its now discontinued printed timetables and other publicity material.<ref name="herefordtimes">{{cite news |url = http://www.herefordtimes.com/archive/2004/01/08/Herefordshire+Archive/5669169.Welsh_signs_would_be_on_wrong_track/ |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120418232224/http://www.herefordtimes.com/archive/2004/01/08/Herefordshire+Archive/5669169.Welsh_signs_would_be_on_wrong_track/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = 18 April 2012 |work = Hereford Times |title = Welsh signs would be on wrong track |date = 8 January 2004 |access-date = 20 October 2013 }}</ref> There were bilingual signs at Hereford, for example, warning against trespassing on the railway. |
||
Arriva Trains Wales introduced bilingual display screens and announcements in at least 46 stations.<ref name="arrivaphone">{{cite press release |url= http://www.arriva.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/2004/june/2004-06-10.aspx?sc_lang=en |title=Rail company launches Welsh language phone line |publisher=Arriva Trains Wales |date=10 June 2004 |access-date=23 June 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131025154831/http://www.arriva.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/2004/june/2004-06-10.aspx?sc_lang=en | archive-date = 25 October 2013 | url-status = dead}}</ref> |
Arriva Trains Wales introduced bilingual display screens and announcements in at least 46 stations.<ref name="arrivaphone">{{cite press release |url = http://www.arriva.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/2004/june/2004-06-10.aspx?sc_lang=en |title = Rail company launches Welsh language phone line |publisher = Arriva Trains Wales |date = 10 June 2004 |access-date = 23 June 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131025154831/http://www.arriva.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/2004/june/2004-06-10.aspx?sc_lang=en | archive-date = 25 October 2013 | url-status = dead}}</ref> |
||
In 2004, ATW introduced a Welsh-language telephone line.<ref name="arrivaphone"/> Its website was named the "Best Website of The Year in the Technology Wales Awards 2004".<ref name="imaginet">{{cite press release |url=http://www.imaginet.co.uk/news/awards/arriva-trains-wales-secures-top-internet-award/ |publisher=Imaginet |title=Arriva Trains Wales secures top internet communications award |date=28 May 2004 |access-date=20 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033755/http://www.imaginet.co.uk/news/awards/arriva-trains-wales-secures-top-internet-award/ |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
In 2004, ATW introduced a Welsh-language telephone line.<ref name="arrivaphone"/> Its website was named the "Best Website of The Year in the Technology Wales Awards 2004".<ref name="imaginet">{{cite press release |url = http://www.imaginet.co.uk/news/awards/arriva-trains-wales-secures-top-internet-award/ |publisher = Imaginet |title = Arriva Trains Wales secures top internet communications award |date = 28 May 2004 |access-date = 20 October 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033755/http://www.imaginet.co.uk/news/awards/arriva-trains-wales-secures-top-internet-award/ |archive-date = 24 September 2015 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
||
==Services== |
|||
Typical ATW weekday off-peak service was as follows:<ref>[http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ Timetables] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811165843/http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ |date=11 August 2007 }}. Arriva Trains Wales.</ref> |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#{{ArrivaWales colour}}; color:White" | North Wales Coast Line |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Cardiff Central}} to {{rws|Holyhead}} || {{abbr|0.5|1 train every 2 hours}} || {{rws|Newport}}, {{rws|Cwmbran}}, {{rws|Pontypool & New Inn}}, {{rws|Abergavenny}}, {{rws|Hereford}}, {{rws|Leominster}}, {{rws|Ludlow}}, {{rws|Craven Arms}}, {{rws|Church Stretton}}, {{rws|Shrewsbury}}, {{rws|Gobowen}}, {{rws|Chirk}}, {{rws|Ruabon}}, {{rws|Wrexham General}}, {{rws|Chester}}, {{rws|Flint}}, {{rws|Prestatyn}}, {{rws|Rhyl}}, {{rws|Colwyn Bay}}, {{rws|Llandudno Junction}}, {{rws|Bangor|Wales}}, {{rws|Llanfairpwll}}, {{rws|Bodorgan}}, {{rws|Ty Croes}}, {{rws|Rhosneigr}} and {{rws|Valley}}<br/>0534 from Holyhead and 1716 from Cardiff Central is ''[[Premier Service]]'' ||{{brc|175|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
|Cardiff Central to Holyhead (''Premier Service'') |
|||
|1tpd |
|||
|Newport, Cwmbran (Holyhead-bound only), Pontypool (Holyhead-bound only), Abergavenny (Holyhead-bound only), Hereford, Ludlow (Cardiff-bound only), Shrewsbury, Wrexham General, Chester, Flint, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction and Bangor |
|||
|[[British Rail Class 67|67]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Birmingham International}} to Holyhead || {{abbr|0.5|1 train every 2 hours}} || {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}, {{rws|Smethwick Galton Bridge}}, {{rws|Wolverhampton}}, {{rws|Telford Central}}, {{rws|Wellington|Shropshire}}, Shrewsbury, Gobowen, Chirk, Ruabon, Wrexham General, Chester, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction, {{rws|Conwy}}, {{rws|Penmaenmawr}}, {{rws|Llanfairfechan}} and Bangor || {{brc|158|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Manchester Airport}} to {{rws|Llandudno}} || 1 || {{rws|East Didsbury}}, {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}}, {{rws|Manchester Oxford Road}}, {{rws|Newton-le-Willows}}, {{rws|Earlestown}}, {{rws|Warrington Bank Quay}}, {{rws|Runcorn East}}, {{rws|Frodsham}}, {{rws|Helsby}}, Chester, {{rws|Shotton}}, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, {{rws|Abergele & Pensarn}}, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction and {{rws|Deganwy}}<br/>6 inter-peak trains each day begin/end at the airport, 1 early morning and 2 late evening trains do too, not calling at East Didsbury. Other trains begin at Manchester Piccadilly. || {{brc|175|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Crewe}} to Chester || 1 || ''shuttle'' || {{brc|150|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#{{ArrivaWales colour}}; color:White" | South Wales - Manchester |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Milford Haven}} to Manchester Piccadilly || {{abbr|0.5|1 train every 2 hours}} || {{rws|Johnston}}, {{rws|Haverfordwest}}, {{rws|Clarbeston Road}}, {{rws|Clunderwen}}, {{rws|Whitland}}, {{rws|Carmarthen}}, {{rws|Pembrey & Burry Port}}, {{rws|Llanelli}}, {{rws|Swansea}}, {{rws|Neath}}, {{rws|Port Talbot Parkway}}, {{rws|Bridgend}}, Cardiff Central, Newport, Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Hereford, {{rws|Leominster}}, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, {{rws|Whitchurch|Shropshire}}, {{rws|Nantwich}}, Crewe, {{rws|Wilmslow}}, {{rws|Stockport}} || rowspan="2" | {{brc|175|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly || {{abbr|0.5|1 train every 2 hours}} || {{rws|Ferryside}}, {{rws|Kidwelly}}, Pembury & Burry Port, Llanelli, {{rws|Gowerton}}, Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot Parkway, Bridgend, Cardiff Central, Newport, Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Craven Arms, Church Stretton, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Nantwich, Crewe, Wilmslow, Stockport |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#{{ArrivaWales colour}}; color:White" | Cambrian Line |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| Birmingham International to {{rws|Aberystwyth}} ||rowspan="2" | {{abbr|0.5|1 train every 2 hours}} || Birmingham New Street, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Wolverhampton, Telford Central, Wellington, Shrewsbury, {{rws|Welshpool}}, {{rws|Newtown|Wales}}, {{rws|Caersws}}, {{rws|Machynlleth}}, {{rws|Dovey Junction}} and {{rws|Borth}}<br/>Trains run joined to Pwllheli trains Birmingham - Machynlleth || rowspan="2" | {{brc|158|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| Birmingham International to Pwllheli || Birmingham New Street, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Wolverhampton, Telford Central, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Newtown, Caersws, Machynlleth, Dovey Junction, {{rws|Penhelig}}, {{rws|Aberdovey}}, {{rws|Tywyn}}, {{rws|Tonfanau}}, {{rws|Llwyngwril}}, {{rws|Fairbourne}}, {{rws|Morfa Mawddach}}, {{rws|Barmouth}}, {{rws|Llanaber}}, {{rws|Talybont}}, {{rws|Dyffryn Ardudwy}}, {{rws|Llanbedr}}, {{rws|Pensarn}}, {{rws|Llandanwg}}, {{rws|Harlech}}, {{rws|Tygwyn}}, {{rws|Talsarnau}}, {{rws|Llandecwyn}}, {{rws|Penrhyndeudraeth}}, {{rws|Minffordd}}, {{rws|Porthmadog}}, {{rws|Criccieth}}, {{rws|Penychain}} and {{rws|Abererch}}<br/>Trains run joined to Aberystwyth trains Birmingham - Machynlleth |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#{{ArrivaWales colour}}; color:White" | Heart of Wales Line |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tpd|trains per day}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| Carmarthen to {{rws|Llandovery}} || 1 || Gowerton, Llanelli, {{rws|Bynea}}, {{rws|Llangennech}}, {{rws|Pontarddulais}}, {{rws|Pantyffynnon}}, {{rws|Ammanford}}, {{rws|Llandybie}}, {{rws|Ffairfach}}, {{rws|Llandeilo}}, {{rws|Llangadog}} and {{rws|Llanwrda}} || rowspan="4" | {{brc|150|n}}, {{brc|153|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Llandrindod}} to Crewe || 1 || {{rws|Pen-y-Bont}}, {{rws|Dolau}}, {{rws|Llanbister Road}}, {{rws|Llangynllo}}, {{rws|Knucklas}}, {{rws|Knighton}}, {{rws|Bucknell}}, {{rws|Hopton Heath}}, {{rws|Broome}}, Craven Arms, Church Stretton, Shrewsbury, {{rws|Yorton}}, {{rws|Wem}}, {{rws|Prees}}, Whitchurch, {{rws|Wrenbury}} and Nantwich |
|||
|- |
|||
| Swansea to Shrewsbury and Crewe || 4 || Gowerton, Llanelli, Bynea, Llangennech, Pontarddulais, Pantyffynnon, Ammanford, Llandybie, Ffairfach, Llandeilo, Llangadog, Llanwrda, Llandovery, {{rws|Cynghordy}}, {{rws|Sugar Loaf}}, {{rws|Llanwrtyd}}, {{rws|Llangammarch}}, {{rws|Garth|Powys}}, {{rws|Cilmeri}}, {{rws|Builth Road}}, Llandrindod, Pen-y-Bont, Dolau, Llanbister Road, Llangynllo, Knucklas, Knighton, Bucknell, Hopton Heath, Broome, Craven Arms and Church Stretton <br/> 2tpd extend to/from Crewe, calling at Yorton, Wem, Prees, Whitchurch, Wrenbury and Nantwich |
|||
|- |
|||
| Shrewsbury to Crewe || 5 || Yorton, Wem, Prees, Whitchurch, Wrenbury and Nantwich <br/>creates an every-2-hours service alongside trains beginning further south |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#{{ArrivaWales colour}}; color:White" | Conwy Valley Line |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tpd|trains per day}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Blaenau Ffestiniog}} to Llandudno || 6 || {{rws|Roman Bridge}}, {{rws|Dolwyddelan}}, {{rws|Pont-y-Pant}}, {{rws|Betws-y-Coed}}, {{rws|Llanrwst}}, {{rws|North Llanrwst}}, {{rws|Dolgarrog}}, {{rws|Tal-y-Cafn}}, {{rws|Glan Conwy}}, Llandudno Junction and Deganwy || {{brc|150|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#{{ArrivaWales colour}}; color:White" | Borderlands Line |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Wrexham Central}} to {{rws|Bidston}} || 1 || Wrexham General, {{rws|Gwersyllt}}, {{rws|Cefn-y-Bedd}}, {{rws|Caergwrle}}, {{rws|Hope|Wales}}, {{rws|Penyffordd}}, {{rws|Buckley}}, {{rws|Hawarden}}, {{rws|Shotton}}, {{rws|Hawarden Bridge}}, {{rws|Neston}}, {{rws|Heswall}} and {{rws|Upton}} || {{brc|150|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#{{ArrivaWales colour}}; color:White" | West Wales Locals |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Pembroke Dock}} to {{rws|Swansea}} || {{abbr|0.5|1 train every 2 hours}} || {{rws|Pembroke}}, {{rws|Lamphey}}, {{rws|Manorbier}}, {{rws|Penally}}, {{rws|Tenby}}, {{rws|Saundersfoot}}, {{rws|Kilgetty}}, {{rws|Narberth|Wales}}, Whitland, Carmarthen, Pembrey & Burry Port, Llanelli and Gowerton || rowspan="2" | {{brc|150|n}}, {{brc|153|n}}, {{brc|158|n}}, {{brc|175|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Fishguard Harbour}} to {{rws|Swansea}} || - || irregular service usually calling at {{rws|Fishguard and Goodwick}}, Clarbeston Road, Whitland and Llanelli |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#{{ArrivaWales colour}}; color:White" | Swanline |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| Swansea to Cardiff Central || {{abbr|0.5|1 train every 2 hours}} || {{rws|Llansamlet}}, {{rws|Skewen}}, Neath, {{rws|Briton Ferry}}, {{rws|Baglan}}, Port Talbot Parkway, {{rws|Pyle}} and Bridgend || {{brc|150|n}}, {{brc|153|n}}, {{brc|158|n}}, {{brc|175|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#B06040; color:White" | West Wales-Gloucestershire Line |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Maesteg}} to {{rws|Cheltenham Spa}} || 1 || {{rws|Maesteg (Ewenny Road)}}, {{rws|Garth|Bridgend}}, {{rws|Tondu}}, {{rws|Sarn}}, {{rws|Wildmill}}, Bridgend, {{rws|Pencoed}}, {{rws|Llanharan}}, {{rws|Pontyclun}}, Cardiff Central, Newport, {{rws|Severn Tunnel Junction}}, {{rws|Caldicot}}, {{rws|Chepstow}}, {{rws|Lydney}} and {{rws|Gloucester}} <br/>Some trains terminate at Cardiff Central, rather than Cheltenham Spa || {{brc|150|n}}, {{brc|153|n}}, {{brc|158|n}}, {{brc|175|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#303080; color:White" | Ebbw Valley Railway |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| Cardiff Central to {{rws|Ebbw Vale Town}} || 1 || {{rws|Pye Corner}}, {{rws|Rogerstone}}, {{rws|Risca & Pontymister}}, {{rws|Cross Keys}}, {{rws|Newbridge|Wales}}, {{rws|Llanhilleth}} and {{rws|Ebbw Vale Parkway}} || {{brc|150|n}}, {{brc|153|n}}, {{brc|158|n}}, {{brc|175|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#50B030; color:White" | Rhymney Line |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Penarth}} to {{rws|Bargoed}}/{{rws|Rhymney}} || 4 || {{rws|Dingle Road}}, {{rws|Grangetown}}, Cardiff Central, {{rws|Cardiff Queen Street}}, {{rws|Heath High Level}}, {{rws|Llanishen}}, {{rws|Lisvane & Thornhill}}, {{rws|Caerphilly}}, {{rws|Aber}}, {{rws|Energlyn & Churchill Park}} (2tph), {{rws|Llanbradach}}, {{rws|Ystrad Mynach}}, {{rws|Hengoed}}, {{rws|Pengam}} and {{rws|Gilfach Fargoed}} (1tph), {{rws|Bargoed}}, {{rws|Brithdir}}, {{rws|Tir-Phil}} (1tph) and {{rws|Pontlottyn}} (1tph) || {{brc|142|n}}, {{brc|143|n}}, {{brc|150|n}}, {{brc|153|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#E00810; color:White" | Merthyr and Vale of Glamorgan Lines |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| Bridgend to {{rws|Aberdare}} || 1 || {{rws|Llantwit Major}}, {{rws|Rhoose Cardiff International Airport}}, {{rws|Barry}}, {{rws|Barry Docks}}, {{rws|Cadoxton}}, {{rws|Dinas Powys}}, {{rws|Eastbrook}}, {{rws|Cogan}}, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, {{rws|Cathays}}, {{rws|Llandaf}}, {{rws|Radyr}}, {{rws|Taffs Well}}, {{rws|Trefforest}}, {{rws|Pontypridd}}, {{rws|Abercynon}}, {{rws|Penrhiwceiber}}, {{rws|Mountain Ash}}, {{rws|Fernhill}} and {{rws|Cwmbach}} || rowspan="3" | {{brc|142|n}}, {{brc|143|n}}, {{brc|150|n}}, {{brc|153|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Barry Island}} to Aberdare || 1 || Barry, Barry Docks, Cadoxton, Dinas Powys, Eastbrook, Cogan, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, Fernhill and Cwmbach |
|||
|- |
|||
| Barry Island to {{rws|Merthyr Tydfil}} || 2 || Barry, Barry Docks, Cadoxton, Dinas Powys, Eastbrook, Cogan, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, {{rws|Trefforest Estate}}, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Abercynon, {{rws|Quakers Yard}}, {{rws|Merthyr Vale}}, {{rws|Troed-y-rhiw}} and {{rws|Pentre-bach}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#9060A0; color:White" | Rhondda Line |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| Cardiff Central to {{rws|Treherbert}} || 2 || Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest, Pontypridd, {{rws|Trehafod}}, {{rws|Porth}}, {{rws|Dinas Rhondda}}, {{rws|Tonypandy}}, {{rws|Llwynypia}}, {{rws|Ystrad Rhondda}}, {{rws|Ton Pentre}}, {{rws|Treorchy}} and {{rws|Ynyswen}} || {{brc|142|n}}, {{brc|143|n}}, {{brc|150|n}}, {{brc|153|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#E0B000; color:White" | City & Coryton Lines |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| Radyr to {{rws|Coryton}} || 2 || {{rws|Danescourt}}, {{rws|Fairwater}}, {{rws|Waun-gron Park}}, {{rws|Ninian Park}}, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, {{rws|Heath Low Level}}, {{rws|Ty Glas}}, {{rws|Birchgrove}}, {{rws|Rhiwbina}} and {{rws|Whitchurch|Wales}} || {{brc|142|n}}, {{brc|143|n}}, {{brc|150|n}}, {{brc|153|n}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="4" style="background:#80C0E0; color:White" | Butetown Branch Line |
|||
|- |
|||
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{rws|Cardiff Bay}} to Cardiff Queen Street || 5 || ''shuttle'' || {{brc|142|n}}, {{brc|143|n}}, {{brc|150|n}}, {{brc|153|n}} |
|||
|} |
|||
==Routes== |
==Routes== |
||
Line 183: | Line 63: | ||
Services along the [[North Wales Coast Line]] terminated at {{stnlnk|Holyhead}} and {{stnlnk|Llandudno}}. Llandudno services ran every hour to [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] via {{stnlnk|Chester}} and {{stnlnk|Warrington Bank Quay}}. Holyhead services ran every hour, to {{stnlnk|Shrewsbury}} via Chester and {{stnlnk|Wrexham General}}, then alternately to {{stnlnk|Birmingham International}} or {{stnlnk|Cardiff Central}}. Request stations west of Llandudno Junction ([[Conwy railway station|Conwy]], {{stnlnk|Penmaenmawr}}, {{stnlnk|Llanfairfechan}}, {{stnlnk|Llanfairpwll}}, {{stnlnk|Bodorgan}}, {{stnlnk|Ty Croes}}, {{stnlnk|Rhosneigr}} and {{stnlnk|Valley}}) were generally served by alternate trains. The [[Conwy Valley Line]] were operated by a single train running between Llandudno and {{stnlnk|Blaenau Ffestiniog}}, with six return journeys a day. The private [[Ffestiniog Railway]] operated connecting services between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Minffordd near [[Porthmadog]]. |
Services along the [[North Wales Coast Line]] terminated at {{stnlnk|Holyhead}} and {{stnlnk|Llandudno}}. Llandudno services ran every hour to [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] via {{stnlnk|Chester}} and {{stnlnk|Warrington Bank Quay}}. Holyhead services ran every hour, to {{stnlnk|Shrewsbury}} via Chester and {{stnlnk|Wrexham General}}, then alternately to {{stnlnk|Birmingham International}} or {{stnlnk|Cardiff Central}}. Request stations west of Llandudno Junction ([[Conwy railway station|Conwy]], {{stnlnk|Penmaenmawr}}, {{stnlnk|Llanfairfechan}}, {{stnlnk|Llanfairpwll}}, {{stnlnk|Bodorgan}}, {{stnlnk|Ty Croes}}, {{stnlnk|Rhosneigr}} and {{stnlnk|Valley}}) were generally served by alternate trains. The [[Conwy Valley Line]] were operated by a single train running between Llandudno and {{stnlnk|Blaenau Ffestiniog}}, with six return journeys a day. The private [[Ffestiniog Railway]] operated connecting services between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Minffordd near [[Porthmadog]]. |
||
Services on the [[Borderlands Line]] ran from {{stnlnk|Wrexham Central}} to {{stnlnk|Bidston}} on the [[Wirral Peninsula]], crossing the North Wales Coast Line at {{stnlnk|Shotton}}. This line connected with main-line services at [[Wrexham General railway station|Wrexham General]]; with [[North Wales Coast line]] services at Shotton; and with electrified lines operated by [[Merseyrail]] at Bidston. It may be converted to electric operation in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taith.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Appendices_2_Feb_09.pdf|title=Provisional North Wales Regional Transport Plan (Appendix 2- Railway Development in North Wales|access-date=20 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112852/http://www.taith.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Appendices_2_Feb_09.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
Services on the [[Borderlands Line]] ran from {{stnlnk|Wrexham Central}} to {{stnlnk|Bidston}} on the [[Wirral Peninsula]], crossing the North Wales Coast Line at {{stnlnk|Shotton}}. This line connected with main-line services at [[Wrexham General railway station|Wrexham General]]; with [[North Wales Coast line]] services at Shotton; and with electrified lines operated by [[Merseyrail]] at Bidston. It may be converted to electric operation in the future.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.taith.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Appendices_2_Feb_09.pdf |title = Provisional North Wales Regional Transport Plan (Appendix 2- Railway Development in North Wales |access-date = 20 October 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112852/http://www.taith.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Appendices_2_Feb_09.pdf |archive-date = 24 September 2015 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="NetworkRUSE">{{cite web |url = http://www.networkrail.co.uk/networkrus_electrification.pdf |title = Network RUS Electrification |date = October 2009 |access-date = 20 October 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141012195531/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/networkrus_electrification.pdf |archive-date = 12 October 2014 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
||
===Mid Wales=== |
===Mid Wales=== |
||
[[Cambrian Line]] services consisted of trains from {{stnlnk|Aberystwyth}} to {{stnlnk|Shrewsbury}}, [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] and {{stnlnk|Birmingham International}} every two hours. Services from {{stnlnk|Pwllheli}} joined this train at {{stnlnk|Machynlleth}}. Services were operated exclusively by [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158 ''Express Sprinters'']], as they were the only units fitted with the necessary equipment for the [[ERTMS]] system used on the line. |
[[Cambrian Line]] services consisted of trains from {{stnlnk|Aberystwyth}} to {{stnlnk|Shrewsbury}}, [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] and {{stnlnk|Birmingham International}} every two hours. Services from {{stnlnk|Pwllheli}} joined this train at {{stnlnk|Machynlleth}}. Services were operated exclusively by [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158 ''Express Sprinters'']], as they were the only units fitted with the necessary equipment for the [[ERTMS]] system used on the line.<ref name=ERTMS>{{cite news |url = http://www.europeanrailwayreview.com/rail-industry-news/pioneering-rail-technology-gets-tested-in-wales |work = European Railway Review |title = ERTMS gets tested in Wales |access-date = 16 September 2010 |date = 15 February 2010}}</ref> |
||
The single-track nature of this line, coupled with the busy terminus at Birmingham New Street, meant that delays had in some cases resulted in partial cancellation of services on this line. Beginning December 2008, most services had been extended to the less busy Birmingham International station, giving more flexibility in making up any lost time; this was also intended to help international students at [[Aberystwyth University]] gain easier access to an airport.<ref> |
The single-track nature of this line, coupled with the busy terminus at Birmingham New Street, meant that delays had in some cases resulted in partial cancellation of services on this line. Beginning December 2008, most services had been extended to the less busy Birmingham International station, giving more flexibility in making up any lost time; this was also intended to help international students at [[Aberystwyth University]] gain easier access to an airport.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.saveseverntunnel.co.uk/timetable-08/Arriva%20Dec%2008%20-%20May%202009%20Draft%20Timetable%20Major%20Changes%20Poster%20-%20Dec%202008_3.pdf |title = 2008 timetable alteration summary |publisher = saveseverntunnel.co.uk |access-date = 7 July 2008 |archive-date = 7 January 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090107054004/http://www.saveseverntunnel.co.uk/timetable-08/Arriva%20Dec%2008%20-%20May%202009%20Draft%20Timetable%20Major%20Changes%20Poster%20-%20Dec%202008_3.pdf |url-status = dead }}.</ref> The [[Heart of Wales Line]] had services from {{stnlnk|Swansea}} to Shrewsbury via {{stnlnk|Llanelli}} and {{stnlnk|Llandrindod}} four or five times a day. It was marketed by Arriva Trains Wales as a scenic, rural line, with special rover tickets available.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/HeartofWales/ |title = The Heart of Wales Line |publisher = Arriva Trains Wales |access-date = 20 October 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131021102143/http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/HeartofWales/ |archive-date = 21 October 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=4922 |title = Discover Wales and the Borders by Train – Your Guide to Arriva Trains Wales' Rovers and Rangers |publisher = Arriva Trains Wales |access-date = 25 August 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110728133217/http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=4922 |archive-date = 28 July 2011 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
||
===South Wales=== |
===South Wales=== |
||
ATW operated an hourly long-distance service from {{stnlnk|Carmarthen}} to [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] via {{stnlnk|Cardiff Central}} and the [[Welsh Marches Line]]. Some off-peak services terminated at or originated from Cardiff Central, and continued to or came from {{stnlnk|Milford Haven}} every two hours. There was also one service per day from Fishguard Harbour to Manchester Piccadilly, but not in the other direction. Some services operated to Tenby, Pembroke Dock, Carmarthen and Maesteg from Manchester Piccadilly. |
ATW operated an hourly long-distance service from {{stnlnk|Carmarthen}} to [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] via {{stnlnk|Cardiff Central}} and the [[Welsh Marches Line]]. Some off-peak services terminated at or originated from Cardiff Central, and continued to or came from {{stnlnk|Milford Haven}} every two hours. There was also one service per day from Fishguard Harbour to Manchester Piccadilly, but not in the other direction. Some services operated to Tenby, Pembroke Dock, Carmarthen and Maesteg from Manchester Piccadilly. |
||
ATW also operated a service every two hours from Cardiff Central to {{stnlnk|Holyhead}} via {{stnlnk|Wrexham General}}, other branches of the [[West Wales Line]] as served by trains from Swansea and Cardiff Central. Trains operated a shuttle service between Swansea and Cardiff Central (known as Swanline), calling at more minor stations than the [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] InterCity services did. |
ATW also operated a service every two hours from Cardiff Central to {{stnlnk|Holyhead}} via {{stnlnk|Wrexham General}}, other branches of the [[West Wales Line]] as served by trains from Swansea and Cardiff Central. Trains operated a shuttle service between Swansea and Cardiff Central (known as [[Swanline]]), calling at more minor stations than the [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] InterCity services did.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=20828 |title = Angry rail firm blames cuts in service on Welsh councils | work= LocalGov|access-date = 11 April 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722194935/http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=20828 |archive-date = 22 July 2011 |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/wales/wales%20rus%20-%20summary%20&%20status%20of%20recommendations.pdf |title = Route Utilisation Strategies - Wales |publisher = Network Rail |date = }}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
||
ATW also operated the Heart of Wales line between Shrewsbury and Swansea via {{stnlnk|Llandrindod}}, with four trains per day in each direction. Special trains extending into South East Wales operated to [[Builth Road railway station|Builth Road]] during the [[Royal Welsh Show]] annually in July. |
ATW also operated the Heart of Wales line between Shrewsbury and Swansea via {{stnlnk|Llandrindod}}, with four trains per day in each direction. Special trains extending into South East Wales operated to [[Builth Road railway station|Builth Road]] during the [[Royal Welsh Show]] annually in July.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://walesonline.trem.media/news/wales-news/extra-trains-put-royal-welsh-2235044.amp |title = Extra trains to be put on for Royal Welsh |work = Wales Online |date = 30 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/15831623.special-train-running-from-cardiff-to-the-royal-welsh-show/ |title = Special train running from Cardiff to the Royal Welsh Show |work = Powys County Times|date = 10 July 2010}}</ref> |
||
===Cardiff and Valleys=== |
===Cardiff and Valleys=== |
||
Line 231: | Line 111: | ||
The [[Valley Lines]] network, previously operated as a separate franchise, was a collection of [[Urban rail in the United Kingdom|urban lines]] in Cardiff and the surrounding area, including the [[South Wales Valleys]] and the [[Vale of Glamorgan]]. Arriva Trains Wales also operated a service from {{stnlnk|Maesteg}} to {{stnlnk|Cheltenham Spa}}. Stations in the valleys north of Cardiff experienced strong passenger growth, as a result of which there was a new half-hourly service launched ([[Pontypridd]]-[[Treherbert]], [[Abercynon]]-[[Aberdare]], [[Abercynon]]-[[Merthyr Tydfil]] and in the future [[Bargoed]] to [[Rhymney]]). Service frequency growth at the fringes was a significant problem because of often lengthy single-track sections. Between the larger towns and Cardiff, these services combined to provide at least one train every 15 minutes, with six trains previously ran per hour between [[Pontypridd railway station|Pontypridd]] and Cardiff, and four trains per hour between Bargoed and Cardiff. Stations on the Treherbert and Rhymney branch lines were lengthened to accommodate six-car trains to cope with future growth demand for commuting into and out of the capital. |
The [[Valley Lines]] network, previously operated as a separate franchise, was a collection of [[Urban rail in the United Kingdom|urban lines]] in Cardiff and the surrounding area, including the [[South Wales Valleys]] and the [[Vale of Glamorgan]]. Arriva Trains Wales also operated a service from {{stnlnk|Maesteg}} to {{stnlnk|Cheltenham Spa}}. Stations in the valleys north of Cardiff experienced strong passenger growth, as a result of which there was a new half-hourly service launched ([[Pontypridd]]-[[Treherbert]], [[Abercynon]]-[[Aberdare]], [[Abercynon]]-[[Merthyr Tydfil]] and in the future [[Bargoed]] to [[Rhymney]]). Service frequency growth at the fringes was a significant problem because of often lengthy single-track sections. Between the larger towns and Cardiff, these services combined to provide at least one train every 15 minutes, with six trains previously ran per hour between [[Pontypridd railway station|Pontypridd]] and Cardiff, and four trains per hour between Bargoed and Cardiff. Stations on the Treherbert and Rhymney branch lines were lengthened to accommodate six-car trains to cope with future growth demand for commuting into and out of the capital. |
||
On 6 February 2008, the [[Ebbw Valley Railway]] was partially re-opened to passenger services for the first time in over 40 years. It provided an hourly service from [[Ebbw Vale Town railway station]] (opened 17 May 2015) to Cardiff Central calling at [[Ebbw Vale Parkway railway station|Ebbw Vale Parkway]], {{stnlnk|Llanhilleth}}, [[Newbridge railway station (Wales)|Newbridge]], {{stnlnk|Crosskeys}}, {{stnlnk|Risca and Pontymister}}, {{stnlnk|Rogerstone}}, Pye Corner, and Cardiff Central. One year after opening, the line had carried 573,442 passengers, beating all targets set by the Welsh Assembly Government. Saturday trains ran as four-car formations instead of the standard two. Extra carriages were also added during school holidays when demand was high.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/4113478.Ebbw_Valley_rail_link_marks_first_successful_year/ |title=Ebbw Valley rail link marks first successful year |date=10 February 2009 |access-date=24 March 2009 |work=South Wales Argus |location =Newport |
On 6 February 2008, the [[Ebbw Valley Railway]] was partially re-opened to passenger services for the first time in over 40 years. It provided an hourly service from [[Ebbw Vale Town railway station]] (opened 17 May 2015) to Cardiff Central calling at [[Ebbw Vale Parkway railway station|Ebbw Vale Parkway]], {{stnlnk|Llanhilleth}}, [[Newbridge railway station (Wales)|Newbridge]], {{stnlnk|Crosskeys}}, {{stnlnk|Risca and Pontymister}}, {{stnlnk|Rogerstone}}, Pye Corner, and Cardiff Central. One year after opening, the line had carried 573,442 passengers, beating all targets set by the Welsh Assembly Government. Saturday trains ran as four-car formations instead of the standard two. Extra carriages were also added during school holidays when demand was high.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/4113478.Ebbw_Valley_rail_link_marks_first_successful_year/ |title = Ebbw Valley rail link marks first successful year |date = 10 February 2009 |access-date = 24 March 2009 |work = South Wales Argus |location = Newport |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213213118/http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/4113478.Ebbw_Valley_rail_link_marks_first_successful_year/| archive-date = 13 February 2009 | url-status = live}}</ref> Possible developments that never saw the light of day also included restoring the service between Ebbw Vale and Newport; before Arriva discontinued operations, the proposal awaited Network Rail and Welsh Government approval. If it has been implemented, it would have provided an hourly service between [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] and [[Ebbw Vale]]. Due to the end of Arrival Train Wales' operations, any further plans will now be implemented under TFW.<ref name="RMT 1">{{cite web |url = http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/08/ebbw_valenewport_rail_link_put.html |title = Ebbw Vale-Newport rail link put back into next decade (from National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) |access-date = 11 August 2010 |date = 12 August 2006 |first = Martin |last = Shipton |publisher = [[Western Mail (Wales)|Western Mail]] |work = [[National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers]] website |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720104116/http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/08/ebbw_valenewport_rail_link_put.html |archive-date = 20 July 2011 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-10690944 |work = BBC News |title = Ebbw Vale to Newport rail decision 'in 2011' |access-date = 20 July 2010 |date = 20 July 2010}}</ref> |
||
In July 2012 the [[Department for Transport]] announced that the Cardiff Valley Lines would be electrified, although no timescale has been given. This will entail replacement of the life-expired ''Pacer'' railbuses by new or cascaded stock.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18828866|title=Rail electrification to Swansea and south Wales valleys|work=BBC News|date=16 July 2012|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718235600/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18828866|archive-date=18 July 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This project |
In July 2012, the [[Department for Transport]] announced that the Cardiff Valley Lines would be electrified, although no timescale has been given. This will entail replacement of the life-expired ''Pacer'' railbuses by new or cascaded stock.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18828866 |title = Rail electrification to Swansea and south Wales valleys |work = BBC News |date = 16 July 2012 |access-date = 20 June 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120718235600/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18828866 |archive-date = 18 July 2012 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all}}</ref> This project did not emerge within the Arriva Trains Wales era, and shall now occur under the auspices of successor operator TFW..<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/wales/cardiff-and-valleys/ |title = Cardiff And Valleys Station Upgrades |website = Network Rail |date = 16 May 2018 |access-date = 16 May 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180517010051/https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/wales/cardiff-and-valleys/ |archive-date = 17 May 2018 |url-status = dead}}</ref> |
||
===Welsh Marches and Border=== |
===Welsh Marches and Border=== |
||
Line 240: | Line 120: | ||
===Premier Service=== |
===Premier Service=== |
||
{{Main|Premier Service}} |
{{Main|Premier Service}} |
||
A weekday Premier Service between Holyhead and Cardiff was introduced on 15 December 2008. This was run under contract to the [[Welsh Government]].<ref name="WO91466"/> [[Wrexham & Shropshire]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/trains-carry-true-taste-wales-2185681 |title=Trains carry true taste of Wales |work=Western Mail |location=Cardiff |date=26 April 2008 | |
A weekday Premier Service between Holyhead and Cardiff was introduced on 15 December 2008. This was run under contract to the [[Welsh Government]].<ref name="WO91466"/> [[Wrexham & Shropshire]]<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/trains-carry-true-taste-wales-2185681 |title = Trains carry true taste of Wales |work = Western Mail |location = Cardiff |date = 26 April 2008 |last = Clark |first = Rhodri |access-date = 20 October 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151018112906/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/trains-carry-true-taste-wales-2185681 |archive-date = 18 October 2015 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> and [[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]]<ref name="WO91466">{{cite news |url = http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cost-subsidised-rail-service-secret-2134970 |title = Cost of subsidised rail service a secret |work = Western Mail |location = Cardiff |last = Clark |first = Rhodri |date = 15 December 2008 |access-date = 20 October 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151018112906/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cost-subsidised-rail-service-secret-2134970 |archive-date = 18 October 2015 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> expressed an interest in operating the service, but the contract was awarded to Arriva Trains Wales.<ref name="WO91466"/> At the time of the launch, it was known as ''Y Gerallt Gymro'' ([[Gerald of Wales]]),<ref name="WO91466"/> it was subsequently named as the ''Premier Service''.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/premierservice |title = North-South Wales Premier Service |publisher = Arriva Trains Wales |access-date = 20 October 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131020053751/http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/PremierService/ |archive-date = 20 October 2013 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
||
It departed Holyhead at 05:34, returning from Cardiff departing at 17:16. It featured first-class accommodation and a full dining car with a travelling chef. Normal standard-class fares were valid on the train. First class attracted a supplement and included a complementary breakfast on the morning service and a three-course meal on the evening service. This was the only ATW service to offer first-class accommodation.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} |
|||
It originally ran via [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] but in September 2012 was rerouted via [[Wrexham General railway station|Wrexham General]], which required the train to change direction at [[Chester railway station|Chester]] in addition to having its evening departure moved from 16:15.<ref> |
The Premium Service departed Holyhead at 05:34, returning from Cardiff departing at 17:16. It featured first-class accommodation and a full dining car with a travelling chef. Normal standard-class fares were valid on the train. First class attracted a supplement and included a complementary breakfast on the morning service and a three-course meal on the evening service. This was the only ATW service to offer first-class accommodation.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} It originally ran via [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] but, in September 2012, the service was rerouted via [[Wrexham General railway station|Wrexham General]], which required the train to change direction at [[Chester railway station|Chester]] in addition to having its evening departure moved from 16:15.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1209d.htm |title = All Change for the Premier Service |publisher = North Wales Coast Railway Notice Board |date = 20 September 2012 |access-date = 26 September 2012 |archive-date = 30 October 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121030190718/http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1209d.htm |url-status = dead }}</ref> |
||
In December 2014, the Premier Service was |
In December 2014, the Premier Service was rebranded as the ''Business Class Service'' in an move by Arriva Trains Wales to promote the service and specifically appeal to those travelling to and from Cardiff to work. Ticket prices remained the same and were still sold as first class, and the restaurant service remains, although tablecloths and antimacassars were removed to promote a more work-like environment.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/first-class-retained-controversial-north-8214173 |title = First class to be retained on controversial North to South Wales train after U-turn |work = Daily Post |access-date = 24 January 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160131021615/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/first-class-retained-controversial-north-8214173 |archive-date = 31 January 2016 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
||
===Special services=== |
===Special services=== |
||
For special events such as football or rugby matches, ATW operated additional services to the venue. Wales & Borders had arranged in the past a stopping service to {{stnlnk|Edinburgh Waverley}}. Numerous other services have been operated. ATW usually |
For special events, such as football or rugby matches, ATW commonly operated additional services to the venue. Wales & Borders had arranged in the past a stopping service to {{stnlnk|Edinburgh Waverley}}. Numerous other services have been operated. ATW usually operated shuttle services to Newport on match days. When rugby international matches are held at the [[Millennium Stadium]], ATW often ran an extra Holyhead to Cardiff service using the ''[[Premier Service]]'' rolling stock.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} |
||
In April 2015, ATW were highly criticised and issued an apology for their continual poor performance when dealing with the Judgement Day rugby matches at the Millennium Stadium. Passengers were left queuing for hours due to the lack of services and lack of carriages available, some had to abandon their journeys for other means such as taxi and van hire. A spokesman for the company said “I want to assure all customers that every single train in Wales was out [on Saturday].” He added that the event differed to international rugby events, because the majority of those travelling to the matches travelled from south and south west Wales, placing huge pressure on specific routes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/train-company-apologises-after-rugby-9122035 | |
In April 2015, ATW were highly criticised and issued an apology for their continual poor performance when dealing with the Judgement Day rugby matches at the Millennium Stadium. Passengers were left queuing for hours due to the lack of services and lack of carriages available, some had to abandon their journeys for other means such as taxi and van hire. A spokesman for the company said “I want to assure all customers that every single train in Wales was out [on Saturday].” He added that the event differed to international rugby events, because the majority of those travelling to the matches travelled from south and south west Wales, placing huge pressure on specific routes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Train company apologises after rugby fans left fuming over Judgement Day services |work=Wales Online |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/train-company-apologises-after-rugby-9122035 |url-status=live |access-date=27 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427170121/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/train-company-apologises-after-rugby-9122035 |archive-date=27 April 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
||
===Former services=== |
===Former services=== |
||
Line 256: | Line 134: | ||
===Rejected services=== |
===Rejected services=== |
||
ATW |
During late 2009, ATW filed an application to reinstate a direct Aberystwyth to [[Marylebone railway station|London Marylebone]] service, serving all stations to Birmingham International and additionally calling at [[Leamington Spa railway station|Leamington Spa]] and [[Bicester North railway station|Bicester North]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://www.railtalkmagazine.co.uk/magazine/issue28.pdf |title = Arriva Trains Wales Announces Plans for Direct Aberystwyth – London Services |access-date = 24 October 2012 |magazine = Railtalk Magazine |page = 50 |issue = 28|date = January 2009}}</ref> As proposed, two off-peak trains would have operated each day, while a further service would have been added on Saturdays in high summer. Rolling stock would have been [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158]] ''Sprinters''. |
||
There were |
There were concerns voiced that, if ATW were granted this service, it would push Wrexham General to London Marylebone operator [[Wrexham & Shropshire]] out of business; Wrexham & Shropshire's Managing Director, Andy Hamilton, stated: "We believe that this proposal – if approved – would push the date of profitability of WSMR by at least a year. As a result of this our owning group would be unable to sustain additional and continuing losses and the WSMR service would cease to exist."<ref>{{cite magazine |title= DB Regio to cease funding WSMR if Arriva runs in to London | magazine = [[Rail Magazine]] |issue=630 |date= 4 November 2009 |page= |location=Peterborough}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=May 2023}} In March 2010, it was announced that the application has been rejected by the [[Office of Rail & Road|Office of Rail Regulation]] due to concerns about the financial viability of the service and the potentially high level of revenue abstraction caused to other operators.<ref>{{cite news |title = Aberystwyth to London direct rail route rejected |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/8543836.stm |work = BBC News |date = 1 March 2010 |access-date = 1 March 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100304175140/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/8543836.stm |archive-date = 4 March 2010 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> Wrexham & Shropshire ceased to operate roughly one year later.<ref name="bbc20110126">{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12284468 |title= Wrexham-Shropshire-London direct rail link to end |work = BBC News |date = 26 January 2011 |access-date = 20 June 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160629142859/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12284468 |archive-date = 29 June 2016 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
||
==Stations served== |
==Stations served== |
||
Line 320: | Line 198: | ||
* [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] (Network Rail) |
* [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] (Network Rail) |
||
* [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] (Virgin Trains) |
* [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] (Virgin Trains) |
||
* [[Earlestown railway station|Earlestown]] ( |
* [[Earlestown railway station|Earlestown]] (Northern) |
||
* [[East Didsbury railway station|East Didsbury]] ( |
* [[East Didsbury railway station|East Didsbury]] (Northern) |
||
* [[Newton-le-Willows railway station|Newton-le-Willows]] ( |
* [[Newton-le-Willows railway station|Newton-le-Willows]] (Northern) |
||
* [[Manchester Airport railway station|Manchester Airport]] (TransPennine Express) |
* [[Manchester Airport railway station|Manchester Airport]] (TransPennine Express) |
||
* [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] (Network Rail) |
* [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] (Network Rail) |
||
* {{stnlnk|Manchester Oxford Road}} ( |
* {{stnlnk|Manchester Oxford Road}} (Northern) |
||
* {{stnlnk|Stockport}} (Virgin Trains) |
* {{stnlnk|Stockport}} (Virgin Trains) |
||
* {{stnlnk|Telford Central}} (West Midlands Railway) |
* {{stnlnk|Telford Central}} (West Midlands Railway) |
||
* [[Warrington Bank Quay railway station|Warrington Bank Quay]] (Virgin Trains) |
* [[Warrington Bank Quay railway station|Warrington Bank Quay]] (Virgin Trains) |
||
* {{stnlnk|Wilmslow}} ( |
* {{stnlnk|Wilmslow}} (Northern) |
||
* {{stnlnk|Wolverhampton}} (West Midlands Railway) |
* {{stnlnk|Wolverhampton}} (West Midlands Railway) |
||
* {{stnlnk|Stafford}} (Virgin Trains) |
* {{stnlnk|Stafford}} (Virgin Trains) |
||
Line 337: | Line 215: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
==Rolling |
==Rolling stock== |
||
[[File:57314 Crewe (1).jpg|thumb|[[British Rail Class 57|57314]] at [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] in March 2009]] |
[[File:57314 Crewe (1).jpg|thumb|[[British Rail Class 57|57314]] at [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] in March 2009]] |
||
[[File:Alstom General Motors Class 67 No 67003 (7786994576).jpg|thumb|[[British Rail Class 67|67003]] at [[Holyhead railway station|Holyhead]] in August 2012]] |
[[File:Alstom General Motors Class 67 No 67003 (7786994576).jpg|thumb|[[British Rail Class 67|67003]] at [[Holyhead railway station|Holyhead]] in August 2012]] |
||
{{update section|date=December 2016}} |
{{update section|date=December 2016}} |
||
Arriva Trains Wales services were operated by diesel trains |
Arriva Trains Wales services were exclusively operated by diesel trains. This was largely due to there being no electrified railway lines in Wales at the time of the franchise. Arriva Trains Wales operated a fleet of 125 [[diesel multiple units]]. It also leased three locomotive-haul units for express services between [[Holyhead]] and [[Cardiff]], and had occasionally used hired-in locomotives to run extra services for sporting events. |
||
ATW inherited a fleet of [[British Rail Class 142|Class 142]], [[British Rail Class 143|143]], [[British Rail Class 150|150]], [[British Rail Class 153|153]], [[British Rail Class 158|158]] and [[British Rail Class 175|175s]] from [[Wales & Borders]]. The Class 175s were a common-user fleet, with 11 required by [[First TransPennine Express]] each day. |
ATW inherited a fleet of [[British Rail Class 142|Class 142]], [[British Rail Class 143|143]], [[British Rail Class 150|150]], [[British Rail Class 153|153]], [[British Rail Class 158|158]] and [[British Rail Class 175|175s]] from [[Wales & Borders]]. The Class 175s were a common-user fleet, with 11 required by [[First TransPennine Express]] each day. |
||
In the early years of the franchise, ATW operated locomotive-hauled services using [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]] carriages on services from [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff Central]] to [[Rhymney railway station|Rhymney]] and [[Fishguard Harbour railway station|Fishguard Harbour]] hauled by [[DB Cargo UK|English Welsh & Scottish]] [[British Rail Class 37|Class 37s]] and FiftyFund [[British Rail Class 50|Class 50s]], and from [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] and [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] to [[Holyhead railway station|Holyhead]] hauled by [[Freightliner Group|Freightliner]] [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47s]] and [[Virgin Trains]] [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57s]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rail37.com/Monthly/Pagelist_Monthlycom.html |title=Rail 37 Galleries |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020203910/http://www.rail37.com/Monthly/Pagelist_Monthlycom.html |archive-date=20 October 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> ATW built up a fleet of 20 [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]] carriages to operate these; all had been withdrawn by 2007, most of them being stored at [[Long Marston, Warwickshire|Long Marston]].<ref> |
In the early years of the franchise, ATW operated locomotive-hauled services using [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]] carriages on services from [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff Central]] to [[Rhymney railway station|Rhymney]] and [[Fishguard Harbour railway station|Fishguard Harbour]] hauled by [[DB Cargo UK|English Welsh & Scottish]] [[British Rail Class 37|Class 37s]] and FiftyFund [[British Rail Class 50|Class 50s]], and from [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] and [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] to [[Holyhead railway station|Holyhead]] hauled by [[Freightliner Group|Freightliner]] [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47s]] and [[Virgin Trains]] [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57s]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.rail37.com/Monthly/Pagelist_Monthlycom.html |title = Rail 37 Galleries |access-date = 16 October 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131020203910/http://www.rail37.com/Monthly/Pagelist_Monthlycom.html |archive-date = 20 October 2013 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> ATW built up a fleet of 20 [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]] carriages to operate these; all had been withdrawn by 2007, most of them being stored at [[Long Marston, Warwickshire|Long Marston]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title= | magazine = [[Rail Magazine]] |issue=562 |date= 28 March 2007 |page=45|location=Peterborough}}</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}}<!-----INADEQUATE REFERENCE: needs title of article----> |
||
Following the delivery of new stock to [[First TransPennine Express]] in 2006, all of the Class 175s became available to ATW, resulting in 16 Class 158s being released for transfer to other operators.<ref name=TRUK184>{{cite magazine |title = The Alstom Class 175 DMUs |magazine = [[Today's Railways UK]] |issue = 184 |date = April 2017 |pages = 40–47}}</ref> |
|||
In 2006, heritage unit [[British Rail Class 121|121032]] was purchased by ATW for use on the [[Cardiff Bay]] Shuttle. The unit was overhauled by LNWR, Crewe,<ref> |
In 2006, heritage unit [[British Rail Class 121|121032]] was purchased by ATW for use on the [[Cardiff Bay]] Shuttle. The unit was overhauled by LNWR, Crewe,<ref>{{cite magazine |title= | magazine = [[Rail Magazine]] |issue=544 |date= 19 July 2006 |page=23|location=Peterborough}}</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}} entering service with ATW on 17 August 2006. In 2013, the unit suffered an engine failure. This could not be rectified, meaning that the unit was withdrawn. It was then used as a source of spare parts by sister company [[Chiltern Railways]]. |
||
In November 2007, another |
In November 2007, another nine Class 150s were transferred from [[Central Trains]]. From February 2008, five Class 150s (150278-282) were subleased to [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|First Great Western]]. This was later reduced to four and then two, the last examples being returned during 2011. |
||
In December 2008, the loco-hauled Holyhead to Cardiff ''Premier Service'' was inaugurated. It was hauled by [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57s]] on hire from [[Virgin Trains]], initially in top-and-tail formation and later singularly, hauling three standard class [[British Rail Mark 2|MK2s]] and a [[British Rail Mark 3|MK3]] first/buffet. |
In December 2008, the loco-hauled Holyhead to Cardiff ''Premier Service'' was inaugurated. It was initially hauled by [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57s]] on hire from [[Virgin Trains]], initially in top-and-tail formation and later singularly, hauling three standard class [[British Rail Mark 2|MK2s]] and a [[British Rail Mark 3|MK3]] first/buffet. Four Class 57s were repainted at [[Cardiff Canton TMD|Cardiff Canton]] and six Mark 2s were refreshed at [[Eastleigh Works]]. During March 2012, newer [[British Rail Class 67|Class 67]] locomotives took over from the Class 57s, and Mark 3 carriages refurbished by Pullman Rail replaced the older Mark 2s in October 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1203d.htm |title = Changeover day |publisher = North Wales Coast Railway Notice Board |date = 26 March 2012 |access-date = 25 September 2012 |archive-date = 30 July 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130730163336/http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1203d.htm |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1210c.htm |title = Gerald's Big Day...happens! |publisher = North Wales Coast Railway Notice Board |date = 15 October 2012 |access-date = 16 October 2012 |archive-date = 30 October 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121030092748/http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1210c.htm |url-status = dead }}</ref> From October 2011 until August 2012, 150280 was subleased to [[National Express East Anglia]]/[[Abellio Greater Anglia]]. In December 2014, a further Mark 3 set was introduced on services from Manchester Piccadilly-Holyhead/Llandudno.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.gov.uk/government/news/green-light-for-extra-rail-services-between-england-and-wales |title = Green light for extra services between England and Wales |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 16 July 2014 |access-date = 30 August 2014 |archive-date = 3 September 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140903112223/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/green-light-for-extra-rail-services-between-england-and-wales |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-north-wales-manchester-train-7431144 |title = New North Wales to Manchester train services launched in £1.2 million deal |work = Daily Post |date = 16 July 2014 |access-date = 30 August 2014 |archive-date = 3 September 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140903055224/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-north-wales-manchester-train-7431144 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1407d.htm |title = 'Irish Mancurian' is Go |publisher = North Wales Coast Railway Notice Board |date = 21 July 2014 |access-date = 30 August 2014 |archive-date = 3 September 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140903084754/http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1407d.htm |url-status = dead }}</ref> |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
Line 380: | Line 258: | ||
* Holyhead–Cardiff Central |
* Holyhead–Cardiff Central |
||
* Holyhead (Llandudno)–Manchester Piccadilly |
* Holyhead (Llandudno)–Manchester Piccadilly |
||
|align=center| |
|align=center|{{nowrap|1999{{ndash}}2000}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3]] |
|[[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3]] |
||
Line 386: | Line 264: | ||
|align="center"|[[Passenger car (rail)|Coach]] |
|align="center"|[[Passenger car (rail)|Coach]] |
||
|align="center"|12 |
|align="center"|12 |
||
|align="center"| |
|align="center"|1975{{ndash}}1988 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Driving Van Trailer]] |
|[[Driving Van Trailer]] |
||
Line 402: | Line 280: | ||
| align="center" |15 |
| align="center" |15 |
||
| rowspan="2" |Valley Lines & Cardiff Local Routes |
| rowspan="2" |Valley Lines & Cardiff Local Routes |
||
|align="center"| |
|align="center"|1985{{ndash}}1987 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|rowspan="2"|[[British Rail Class 143|143]] |
|rowspan="2"|[[British Rail Class 143|143]] |
||
|align="center" rowspan="2"|[[File:Ton Pentre railway station - geograph.org.uk - 4413398.jpg|120x120px]] |
|align="center" rowspan="2"|[[File:Ton Pentre railway station - geograph.org.uk - 4413398.jpg|120x120px]] |
||
|15 |
|15 |
||
|align="center"| |
|align="center"|1985{{ndash}}1986 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| colspan="6" |[[File:ATW 2017 143.png|300x300px]] |
| colspan="6" |[[File:ATW 2017 143.png|300x300px]] |
||
Line 422: | Line 300: | ||
* Heart of Wales/West Wales Lines |
* Heart of Wales/West Wales Lines |
||
* Regional services between South and West Wales, North West and South West England |
* Regional services between South and West Wales, North West and South West England |
||
|align="center"| |
|align="center"|1986{{ndash}}1987 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
||[[British Rail Class 153|153 ''Super Sprinter'']] |
||[[British Rail Class 153|153 ''Super Sprinter'']] |
||
|[[File:Abertawe - Arriva 153303.JPG|120x120px]] |
|[[File:Abertawe - Arriva 153303.JPG|120x120px]] |
||
|align="center"|8 |
|align="center"|8 |
||
|align="center"| |
|align="center"|1987{{ndash}}1988 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|rowspan=2|[[British Rail Class 158|158/0 ''Express Sprinter'']] |
|rowspan=2|[[British Rail Class 158|158/0 ''Express Sprinter'']] |
||
Line 437: | Line 315: | ||
* Birmingham International–Aberystwyth |
* Birmingham International–Aberystwyth |
||
* Regional services between South and North Wales, North West and South West England |
* Regional services between South and North Wales, North West and South West England |
||
|align="center"|1990 |
|align="center"|1990{{ndash}}1991 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| colspan="6" |[[File:Class 158 arriva trains wales diagram.PNG|400x400px]] |
| colspan="6" |[[File:Class 158 arriva trains wales diagram.PNG|400x400px]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| rowspan="2" |[[Alstom Coradia]] |
| rowspan="2" |[[Alstom Coradia]] |
||
| rowspan="2"|[[British Rail Class 175|175]] |
| rowspan="2"|[[British Rail Class 175|175 ''Coradia 1000'']] |
||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |[[File:175011 near Marshfield, Newport (28985136302).jpg|120x120px|alt=]] |
| rowspan="2" align="center" |[[File:175011 near Marshfield, Newport (28985136302).jpg|120x120px|alt=]] |
||
|align="center"|[[Diesel multiple unit|DMU]] |
|align="center"|[[Diesel multiple unit|DMU]] |
||
Line 449: | Line 327: | ||
|align="center"|27 |
|align="center"|27 |
||
|Regional services between North West England, North and South Wales |
|Regional services between North West England, North and South Wales |
||
|align="center"| |
|align="center"|1999{{ndash}}2001 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| colspan="6" |[[File:Arriva Wales Class 175 0.png|518x518px]] |
| colspan="6" |[[File:Arriva Wales Class 175 0.png|518x518px]] |
||
Line 482: | Line 360: | ||
|align="center"|95 |
|align="center"|95 |
||
|align="center"|153 |
|align="center"|153 |
||
|align="center"|1964 |
|align="center"|{{nowrap|1964{{ndash}}1967}} (rebuilt 1998{{ndash}}2004) |
||
|align="center"|2012 |
|align="center"|2012 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 490: | Line 368: | ||
|align="center"|100 |
|align="center"|100 |
||
|align="center"|160 |
|align="center"|160 |
||
|align=center| |
|align=center|1972{{ndash}}1975 |
||
|align=center|2007 |
|align=center|{{nowrap|2007{{ndash}}2012}} |
||
|} |
|} |
||
Line 501: | Line 379: | ||
==Demise== |
==Demise== |
||
During the mid-2010s, as Arriva Trains Wales' 15-year franchise period came towards its scheduled end date, the process to select a successor was started. In October 2016, [[Abellio (transport company)|Abellio]], Arriva, [[Keolis]]/[[Amey plc|Amey]] and [[MTR Corporation]] were shortlisted to bid for the next franchise.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/policy/single-view/view/wales-borders-bidders-asked-to-submit-metro-options.html |title = Wales & Borders bidders asked to propose Metro options |work = [[Railway Gazette International]] |date = 13 October 2016 |access-date = 20 October 2016 |archive-date = 19 October 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161019191709/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/policy/single-view/view/wales-borders-bidders-asked-to-submit-metro-options.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> During September 2017, the formal Invitation to Tender was issued.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478018/nov-2015-rail-franchise-schedule.pdf |title = DfT Rail Franchise Schedule |access-date = 13 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151123202906/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478018/nov-2015-rail-franchise-schedule.pdf |archive-date = 23 November 2015 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/wales-borders-franchise-invitations-to-tender-issued.html |title = Wales & Borders franchise invitations to tender issued | work = Railway Gazette |access-date = 10 December 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171211053434/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/wales-borders-franchise-invitations-to-tender-issued.html |archive-date = 11 December 2017 |url-status = bot: unknown |df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
|||
During October 2017, it was announced that Arriva was voluntarily withdrawing itself from the tendering process; the decision was reportedly viewed by some politicians as having raised questions about the franchise process.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/main-line/arriva-pulls-out-of-wales-borders-franchise-contest.html?channel=524 |title = Arriva pulls out of Wales & Borders franchise contest |work = [[International Railway Journal]] |date = 30 October 2017 |access-date = 31 October 2017 |archive-date = 7 November 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171107052659/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/main-line/arriva-pulls-out-of-wales-borders-franchise-contest.html?channel=524 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-41809874 |title = Arriva Trains Wales drops out of Welsh rail franchise bid |work = BBC News |date = 30 October 2017 |access-date = 20 June 2018 |archive-date = 19 June 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180619020355/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-41809874 |url-status = dead }}</ref> In February 2018, rival firm Abellio also opted to withdraw, which was largely due to its partner company [[Carillion]] having effectively collapsed and entered [[liquidation]] one month earlier.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Gerrard |first1 = Bradley |title = Abellio pulls out of rail bid after Carillion collapse |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/02/23/abellio-pulls-rail-bid-carillion-collapse/ | url-access = subscription | access-date = 23 May 2023 |work = The Telegraph |date = 23 February 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180224203009/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/02/23/abellio-pulls-rail-bid-carillion-collapse/ |archive-date = 24 February 2018 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all}}</ref> |
|||
On 23 May, it was announced that [[KeolisAmey Wales]] would run the next [[Wales & Borders franchise]] for 15 years after Arriva Trains Wales' franchise expired.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-44221184 Wales' trains to be run by European firms KeolisAmey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523063434/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-44221184 |date=23 May 2018 }} BBC News 23 May 2018</ref> |
|||
On 23 May 2018, it was announced that [[KeolisAmey Wales]] has been selected to operate the next [[Wales & Borders franchise]], which was set to run for 15 years, following the expiry of Arriva Trains Wales' franchise.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-44221184 |title = Wales' trains to be run by European firms KeolisAmey |work = BBC News |date = 23 May 2018 |access-date = 23 May 2018 |archive-date = 23 May 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180523063434/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-44221184 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-44316772 |title = New trains and more services in £5bn deal |date = 4 June 2018 |work = BBC News |access-date = 4 June 2018 |language = en-GB}}</ref> |
|||
==Notes== |
|||
{{Reflist|group=nb}} |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Line 513: | Line 390: | ||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
*{{Commons category-inline}} |
*{{Commons category-inline}} |
||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20181013031113/https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ Arriva Trains Wales official website] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20181013031113/https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ Arriva Trains Wales official website] |
||
{{s-start}} |
{{s-start}} |
||
{{s-bef|before=[[Wales and Borders]]}} |
{{s-bef |before = [[Wales and Borders]]}} |
||
{{s-ttl|rows=1|title=Operator of [[Wales & Borders franchise]]|years=2003–2018}} |
{{s-ttl |rows = 1 |title = Operator of [[Wales & Borders franchise]] |years = 2003–2018}} |
||
{{s-aft|after=[[KeolisAmey Wales]]}} |
{{s-aft |after = [[KeolisAmey Wales]]}} |
||
{{s-end}} |
{{s-end}} |
||
{{UK TOCs|defunct|state=collapsed}} |
{{UK TOCs|defunct|state=collapsed}} |
||
{{Arriva Group UK}} |
{{Arriva Group UK}} |
||
{{Transport in Wales|state=collapsed}} |
|||
{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
||
[[Category:Arriva Group companies]] |
[[Category:Arriva Group companies]] |
||
[[Category:Defunct train operating companies]] |
[[Category:Defunct train operating companies in the United Kingdom]] |
||
[[Category:Railway companies established in 2003]] |
[[Category:Railway companies established in 2003]] |
||
[[Category:Railway companies disestablished in 2018]] |
[[Category:Railway companies disestablished in 2018]] |
Revision as of 21:16, 7 November 2024
Overview | |
---|---|
Franchise(s) | Wales & Borders 7 December 2003 – 13 October 2018 |
Main region(s) | Wales |
Other region(s) | North West West Midlands South West |
Fleet size | 125 units 3 locomotive hauled sets |
Stations operated | 247[1] |
Parent company | Arriva UK Trains |
Reporting mark | AW |
Predecessor | Wales and Borders |
Successor | KeolisAmey Wales |
Technical | |
Length | 1,623.8 km (1,009.0 mi)[citation needed] |
Other | |
Website | www.arrivatrains.co.uk |
Arriva Trains Wales[2] (ATW; Welsh: Trenau Arriva Cymru) was a British train operating company owned by Arriva UK Trains that operated the Wales & Borders franchise. It ran urban and inter-urban passenger services to all railway stations in Wales, including Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Newport, Swansea, Wrexham General and Holyhead, as well as to certain stations in England such as Hereford, Shrewsbury, Chester, Crewe, Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street.
In August 2003, Arriva UK Trains was awarded the newly created Wales & Borders franchise by the Strategic Rail Authority, Arrival Trains Wales began operation during December 2003, taking over from Wales and Borders. Following the implementation of the Railways Act 2005 and Transport (Wales) Act 2006, responsibility for the franchise was devolved to the Welsh Government, which worked closely with Arriva Trains Wales during its period of operations. Numerous service changes were made under the company's management; on 6 February 2008, the Ebbw Valley Railway was partially re-opened to passenger services for the first time in over 40 years. Another high-profile change during December of that year was the inauguration of the locomotive-hauled Holyhead to Cardiff Premier Service.
In March 2010, Arriva Trains Wales' application to reinstate a direct Aberystwyth to London Marylebone service was rejected by the Office of Rail Regulation due to concerns over its financial viability, as well as the potential severe revenue abstraction from other operators such as Wrexham & Shropshire. In July 2012, the Department for Transport announced that the Cardiff Valley Lines would be electrified, although this ambition would not be substantiated during Arriva Train Wales' franchise period. During the mid-2010s, as the franchise period was nearing its end, tenders were sought for its next operator; Arriva Trains Wales' publicly withdrew from the process in October 2017 despite having been shortlisted. On 23 May 2018, KeolisAmey Wales was selected as the winning bid. On 13 October 2018, Arriva Trains Wales' franchise came to an end, operations being transferred to successor operator KeolisAmey that same day.
History
During March 2000, the UK government announced its plans to create a separate Wales & Borders franchise.[3] In October 2001, the two National Express-operated franchises, Valley Lines and Wales & West, were reorganised, after which the new Wales & Borders franchise assumed responsibility for the majority of services in Wales as shown on its map.[4] The services from Birmingham New Street to Chester, Aberystwyth, and Pwllheli operated by Central Trains were also transferred.[5] In October 2002, a shortlist of Arriva, Connex/GB Railways, National Express and Serco-Abellio were invited to bid for the new franchise period.[6][7]
On 1 August 2003, the Strategic Rail Authority awarded the new franchise to Arriva UK Trains.[8][9] The new franchise was for fifteen years, with performance reviews every five years; Arriva Trains Wales took over the services operated by Wales & Borders on 7 December 2003.[10] The next five-yearly review period concluded on 31 March 2013.[11] On 28 September 2003, the services from Birmingham New Street, Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly to Llandudno and Holyhead, as well as those between Bidston and Wrexham Central and between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, operated by First North Western, were transferred to the new Wales & Borders franchise.[3][12]
As a result of the Railways Act 2005 and the Transport (Wales) Act 2006, responsibility for the franchise was later devolved to the Welsh Government.[13] Subsequently, the Welsh Government closely coordinated with Arriva Trains Wales in the management and development of the railway network within Wales. Changes included the introduction of direct services between North and South Wales,[14] and the reintroduction of passenger services on previously freight-only portions of the Vale of Glamorgan Line and Ebbw Vale Line.
At its height, ATW operated over a route length of 1691 km, with 253 diesel multiple unit (DMU) cars and 22 locomotive-hauled passenger carriages. Its busiest Welsh stations were Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street and Newport in South Wales, and Bangor (Gwynedd) and Wrexham General in North Wales.[citation needed]
ATW operated almost all services in Wales, with the exception of:
- Pembroke Dock/Carmarthen/Swansea/Cardiff Central to London Paddington (Great Western Railway)
- Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour or Taunton (Great Western Railway)
- Cardiff Central to Nottingham or Manchester Piccadilly (CrossCountry)
- Holyhead/Bangor/Wrexham General to London Euston (Virgin Trains West Coast)
- various heritage railways
Performance
In October 2006, ATW was ranked seventh best (out of 21 companies) with an above average 89.9% of trains 'on time' according to Network Rail statistics.[17] The latest figures released by NR (Network Rail) rate punctuality (Public Performance Measure) at 96.1% for period 7 of the 2013/14 financial year.[18] The MAA (Monthly Annual Average) figure for the 366 days up to 12 October 2013 is currently at 93.9%.[18]
In September 2017, a review on the conditions during a regular peak commute was published by 'Stu's Reviews'. This review was publicised through several of the national news networks, including Wales Online,[19] and BBC Wales.[20]
Welsh-language services
The Welsh Language Act 1993 requires all public bodies to provide services to the public through the medium of Welsh as well as English. As a private company and not a public body, Arriva Trains Wales was not legally required to provide service in Welsh,[21] but it did conduct some business in Welsh. All stations previously run by Arriva Trains Wales where the Welsh and English names differed had both names displayed, with a few minor omissions.[21] Arriva did not display Welsh names in the English stations which it managed, such as Chester (Welsh: Caer), Shrewsbury (Welsh: Amwythig), or Hereford (Welsh: Henffordd), but included the Welsh names in its now discontinued printed timetables and other publicity material.[22] There were bilingual signs at Hereford, for example, warning against trespassing on the railway.
Arriva Trains Wales introduced bilingual display screens and announcements in at least 46 stations.[23]
In 2004, ATW introduced a Welsh-language telephone line.[23] Its website was named the "Best Website of The Year in the Technology Wales Awards 2004".[24]
Routes
North Wales
Services along the North Wales Coast Line terminated at Holyhead and Llandudno. Llandudno services ran every hour to Manchester Piccadilly via Chester and Warrington Bank Quay. Holyhead services ran every hour, to Shrewsbury via Chester and Wrexham General, then alternately to Birmingham International or Cardiff Central. Request stations west of Llandudno Junction (Conwy, Penmaenmawr, Llanfairfechan, Llanfairpwll, Bodorgan, Ty Croes, Rhosneigr and Valley) were generally served by alternate trains. The Conwy Valley Line were operated by a single train running between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, with six return journeys a day. The private Ffestiniog Railway operated connecting services between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Minffordd near Porthmadog.
Services on the Borderlands Line ran from Wrexham Central to Bidston on the Wirral Peninsula, crossing the North Wales Coast Line at Shotton. This line connected with main-line services at Wrexham General; with North Wales Coast line services at Shotton; and with electrified lines operated by Merseyrail at Bidston. It may be converted to electric operation in the future.[25][26]
Mid Wales
Cambrian Line services consisted of trains from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury, Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International every two hours. Services from Pwllheli joined this train at Machynlleth. Services were operated exclusively by Class 158 Express Sprinters, as they were the only units fitted with the necessary equipment for the ERTMS system used on the line.[27]
The single-track nature of this line, coupled with the busy terminus at Birmingham New Street, meant that delays had in some cases resulted in partial cancellation of services on this line. Beginning December 2008, most services had been extended to the less busy Birmingham International station, giving more flexibility in making up any lost time; this was also intended to help international students at Aberystwyth University gain easier access to an airport.[28] The Heart of Wales Line had services from Swansea to Shrewsbury via Llanelli and Llandrindod four or five times a day. It was marketed by Arriva Trains Wales as a scenic, rural line, with special rover tickets available.[29][30]
South Wales
ATW operated an hourly long-distance service from Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly via Cardiff Central and the Welsh Marches Line. Some off-peak services terminated at or originated from Cardiff Central, and continued to or came from Milford Haven every two hours. There was also one service per day from Fishguard Harbour to Manchester Piccadilly, but not in the other direction. Some services operated to Tenby, Pembroke Dock, Carmarthen and Maesteg from Manchester Piccadilly.
ATW also operated a service every two hours from Cardiff Central to Holyhead via Wrexham General, other branches of the West Wales Line as served by trains from Swansea and Cardiff Central. Trains operated a shuttle service between Swansea and Cardiff Central (known as Swanline), calling at more minor stations than the Great Western Railway InterCity services did.[31][32]
ATW also operated the Heart of Wales line between Shrewsbury and Swansea via Llandrindod, with four trains per day in each direction. Special trains extending into South East Wales operated to Builth Road during the Royal Welsh Show annually in July.[33][34]
Cardiff and Valleys
The Valley Lines network, previously operated as a separate franchise, was a collection of urban lines in Cardiff and the surrounding area, including the South Wales Valleys and the Vale of Glamorgan. Arriva Trains Wales also operated a service from Maesteg to Cheltenham Spa. Stations in the valleys north of Cardiff experienced strong passenger growth, as a result of which there was a new half-hourly service launched (Pontypridd-Treherbert, Abercynon-Aberdare, Abercynon-Merthyr Tydfil and in the future Bargoed to Rhymney). Service frequency growth at the fringes was a significant problem because of often lengthy single-track sections. Between the larger towns and Cardiff, these services combined to provide at least one train every 15 minutes, with six trains previously ran per hour between Pontypridd and Cardiff, and four trains per hour between Bargoed and Cardiff. Stations on the Treherbert and Rhymney branch lines were lengthened to accommodate six-car trains to cope with future growth demand for commuting into and out of the capital.
On 6 February 2008, the Ebbw Valley Railway was partially re-opened to passenger services for the first time in over 40 years. It provided an hourly service from Ebbw Vale Town railway station (opened 17 May 2015) to Cardiff Central calling at Ebbw Vale Parkway, Llanhilleth, Newbridge, Crosskeys, Risca and Pontymister, Rogerstone, Pye Corner, and Cardiff Central. One year after opening, the line had carried 573,442 passengers, beating all targets set by the Welsh Assembly Government. Saturday trains ran as four-car formations instead of the standard two. Extra carriages were also added during school holidays when demand was high.[35] Possible developments that never saw the light of day also included restoring the service between Ebbw Vale and Newport; before Arriva discontinued operations, the proposal awaited Network Rail and Welsh Government approval. If it has been implemented, it would have provided an hourly service between Newport and Ebbw Vale. Due to the end of Arrival Train Wales' operations, any further plans will now be implemented under TFW.[36][37]
In July 2012, the Department for Transport announced that the Cardiff Valley Lines would be electrified, although no timescale has been given. This will entail replacement of the life-expired Pacer railbuses by new or cascaded stock.[38] This project did not emerge within the Arriva Trains Wales era, and shall now occur under the auspices of successor operator TFW..[39]
Welsh Marches and Border
Services between Chester and Newport formed part of other ATW services already mentioned, such as Holyhead to Cardiff Central, or Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly. Coming north, after calling at Shrewsbury (for connections to Mid-Wales), trains for North Wales go to Chester via Wrexham General, and trains for Manchester go to Crewe.
Premier Service
A weekday Premier Service between Holyhead and Cardiff was introduced on 15 December 2008. This was run under contract to the Welsh Government.[40] Wrexham & Shropshire[41] and Grand Central[40] expressed an interest in operating the service, but the contract was awarded to Arriva Trains Wales.[40] At the time of the launch, it was known as Y Gerallt Gymro (Gerald of Wales),[40] it was subsequently named as the Premier Service.[42]
The Premium Service departed Holyhead at 05:34, returning from Cardiff departing at 17:16. It featured first-class accommodation and a full dining car with a travelling chef. Normal standard-class fares were valid on the train. First class attracted a supplement and included a complementary breakfast on the morning service and a three-course meal on the evening service. This was the only ATW service to offer first-class accommodation.[citation needed] It originally ran via Crewe but, in September 2012, the service was rerouted via Wrexham General, which required the train to change direction at Chester in addition to having its evening departure moved from 16:15.[43]
In December 2014, the Premier Service was rebranded as the Business Class Service in an move by Arriva Trains Wales to promote the service and specifically appeal to those travelling to and from Cardiff to work. Ticket prices remained the same and were still sold as first class, and the restaurant service remains, although tablecloths and antimacassars were removed to promote a more work-like environment.[44]
Special services
For special events, such as football or rugby matches, ATW commonly operated additional services to the venue. Wales & Borders had arranged in the past a stopping service to Edinburgh Waverley. Numerous other services have been operated. ATW usually operated shuttle services to Newport on match days. When rugby international matches are held at the Millennium Stadium, ATW often ran an extra Holyhead to Cardiff service using the Premier Service rolling stock.[citation needed] In April 2015, ATW were highly criticised and issued an apology for their continual poor performance when dealing with the Judgement Day rugby matches at the Millennium Stadium. Passengers were left queuing for hours due to the lack of services and lack of carriages available, some had to abandon their journeys for other means such as taxi and van hire. A spokesman for the company said “I want to assure all customers that every single train in Wales was out [on Saturday].” He added that the event differed to international rugby events, because the majority of those travelling to the matches travelled from south and south west Wales, placing huge pressure on specific routes.[45]
Former services
Arriva Trains Wales used to operate services from Manchester Piccadilly, Pembroke Dock, Carmarthen and Swansea to London Waterloo, Brighton, Portsmouth Harbour, Plymouth and Penzance via Cardiff, Bristol and Westbury. Services south of Cardiff are operated by Great Western Railway, while the Bristol Temple Meads to London Waterloo services are operated by South Western Railway
Rejected services
During late 2009, ATW filed an application to reinstate a direct Aberystwyth to London Marylebone service, serving all stations to Birmingham International and additionally calling at Leamington Spa and Bicester North.[46] As proposed, two off-peak trains would have operated each day, while a further service would have been added on Saturdays in high summer. Rolling stock would have been Class 158 Sprinters.
There were concerns voiced that, if ATW were granted this service, it would push Wrexham General to London Marylebone operator Wrexham & Shropshire out of business; Wrexham & Shropshire's Managing Director, Andy Hamilton, stated: "We believe that this proposal – if approved – would push the date of profitability of WSMR by at least a year. As a result of this our owning group would be unable to sustain additional and continuing losses and the WSMR service would cease to exist."[47][page needed] In March 2010, it was announced that the application has been rejected by the Office of Rail Regulation due to concerns about the financial viability of the service and the potentially high level of revenue abstraction caused to other operators.[48] Wrexham & Shropshire ceased to operate roughly one year later.[49]
Stations served
Major stations in Wales
Stations in England
Managed by Arriva Trains Wales
Managed by other companies
- Birmingham International (Virgin Trains)
- Birmingham New Street (Network Rail)
- Crewe (Virgin Trains)
- Earlestown (Northern)
- East Didsbury (Northern)
- Newton-le-Willows (Northern)
- Manchester Airport (TransPennine Express)
- Manchester Piccadilly (Network Rail)
- Manchester Oxford Road (Northern)
- Stockport (Virgin Trains)
- Telford Central (West Midlands Railway)
- Warrington Bank Quay (Virgin Trains)
- Wilmslow (Northern)
- Wolverhampton (West Midlands Railway)
- Stafford (Virgin Trains)
- Bidston (Merseyrail)
- Gloucester (Great Western Railway)
- Cheltenham Spa (Great Western Railway)
Rolling stock
This section needs to be updated.(December 2016) |
Arriva Trains Wales services were exclusively operated by diesel trains. This was largely due to there being no electrified railway lines in Wales at the time of the franchise. Arriva Trains Wales operated a fleet of 125 diesel multiple units. It also leased three locomotive-haul units for express services between Holyhead and Cardiff, and had occasionally used hired-in locomotives to run extra services for sporting events.
ATW inherited a fleet of Class 142, 143, 150, 153, 158 and 175s from Wales & Borders. The Class 175s were a common-user fleet, with 11 required by First TransPennine Express each day.
In the early years of the franchise, ATW operated locomotive-hauled services using Mark 2 carriages on services from Cardiff Central to Rhymney and Fishguard Harbour hauled by English Welsh & Scottish Class 37s and FiftyFund Class 50s, and from Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly to Holyhead hauled by Freightliner Class 47s and Virgin Trains Class 57s.[51] ATW built up a fleet of 20 Mark 2 carriages to operate these; all had been withdrawn by 2007, most of them being stored at Long Marston.[52][full citation needed]
Following the delivery of new stock to First TransPennine Express in 2006, all of the Class 175s became available to ATW, resulting in 16 Class 158s being released for transfer to other operators.[53]
In 2006, heritage unit 121032 was purchased by ATW for use on the Cardiff Bay Shuttle. The unit was overhauled by LNWR, Crewe,[54][full citation needed] entering service with ATW on 17 August 2006. In 2013, the unit suffered an engine failure. This could not be rectified, meaning that the unit was withdrawn. It was then used as a source of spare parts by sister company Chiltern Railways.
In November 2007, another nine Class 150s were transferred from Central Trains. From February 2008, five Class 150s (150278-282) were subleased to First Great Western. This was later reduced to four and then two, the last examples being returned during 2011.
In December 2008, the loco-hauled Holyhead to Cardiff Premier Service was inaugurated. It was initially hauled by Class 57s on hire from Virgin Trains, initially in top-and-tail formation and later singularly, hauling three standard class MK2s and a MK3 first/buffet. Four Class 57s were repainted at Cardiff Canton and six Mark 2s were refreshed at Eastleigh Works. During March 2012, newer Class 67 locomotives took over from the Class 57s, and Mark 3 carriages refurbished by Pullman Rail replaced the older Mark 2s in October 2012.[55][56] From October 2011 until August 2012, 150280 was subleased to National Express East Anglia/Abellio Greater Anglia. In December 2014, a further Mark 3 set was introduced on services from Manchester Piccadilly-Holyhead/Llandudno.[57][58][59]
Family | Class | Image | Type | Top Speed | Number | Routes Operated | Built | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mph | km/h | |||||||
Premier Service | 67 | Loco | 125 | 200 | 3 |
|
1999–2000 | |
Mark 3 | Coach | 12 | 1975–1988 | |||||
Driving Van Trailer | Control car | 3 | 1988 | |||||
Pacer | 142 | DMU | 75 | 121 | 15 | Valley Lines & Cardiff Local Routes | 1985–1987 | |
143 | 15 | 1985–1986 | ||||||
Sprinter | 150/2 | DMU | 75 | 121 | 36[60] |
|
1986–1987 | |
153 Super Sprinter | 8 | 1987–1988 | ||||||
158/0 Express Sprinter | 90 | 140 | 24 |
|
1990–1991 | |||
Alstom Coradia | 175 Coradia 1000 | DMU | 100 | 161 | 27 | Regional services between North West England, North and South Wales | 1999–2001 | |
Class | Image | Type | Top Speed | Built | Withdrawn | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mph | km/h | |||||
121 | DMU | 70 | 112 | 1960 | 2013 | |
57/3 | Loco | 95 | 153 | 1964–1967 (rebuilt 1998–2004) | 2012 | |
Mark 2 | Coach | 100 | 160 | 1972–1975 | 2007–2012 |
Depots
Arriva Trains Wales' fleet were stabled at three depots.
- Chester (Alstom): Class 175
- Cardiff Canton: Class 142, Class 143, Class 150, Class 153 and Mark 3 stock.
- Machynlleth: Class 158
Demise
During the mid-2010s, as Arriva Trains Wales' 15-year franchise period came towards its scheduled end date, the process to select a successor was started. In October 2016, Abellio, Arriva, Keolis/Amey and MTR Corporation were shortlisted to bid for the next franchise.[61] During September 2017, the formal Invitation to Tender was issued.[62][63]
During October 2017, it was announced that Arriva was voluntarily withdrawing itself from the tendering process; the decision was reportedly viewed by some politicians as having raised questions about the franchise process.[64][65] In February 2018, rival firm Abellio also opted to withdraw, which was largely due to its partner company Carillion having effectively collapsed and entered liquidation one month earlier.[66]
On 23 May 2018, it was announced that KeolisAmey Wales has been selected to operate the next Wales & Borders franchise, which was set to run for 15 years, following the expiry of Arriva Trains Wales' franchise.[67][68]
References
- ^ "Our Company". Arriva Trains Wales. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- ^ "Arriva Trains Wales/Trenau Arriva Cymru Limited: company no. 4337645". Companies House extract. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ a b "The Wales and Borders Franchise: House of Commons Select Committee on Welsh Affairs Third Report". Parliament. 17 March 2004. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Route map" (PDF). Wales & Borders. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2003.
- ^ "More than just a new name for Wales & West in Wales". Wales & Borders. Archived from the original on 21 October 2001.
- ^ "Four still in race for Wales & Borders". Rail Magazine. No. 446. 16 October 2002. p. 12.
- ^ "Dutch plan a Welsh invasion". The Railway Magazine. No. 1221. January 2003. p. 6.
- ^ "SRA Announces Preferred Bidder for New Integrated Wales Franchise" (Press release). Strategic Rail Authority. 1 August 2003. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Arriva to operate Wales & Borders". The Railway Magazine. No. 1230. October 2003. p. 35.
- ^ "Passenger Franchise Information: Arriva Trains Wales". ATOC. 2008. Archived from the original on 5 March 2008.
- ^ "Rail Franchising Timetable" (PDF). Department for Transport. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
- ^ "First North Western in split". The Railway Magazine. No. 1202. June 2001. p. 11.
- ^ "Transport: Rail". Welsh Government. 3 October 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ Hulme, Chris. "North Wales Railway Notice Board – That new Arriva Timetable". Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
- ^ "ATW Key stats". Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ "ORR Passenger rail usage by TOC". Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ "Public Performance Measure". Network Rail. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- ^ a b "Rail performance results period 7". Network Rail. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ "The shocking but all too common scenes filmed on one Welsh train journey". Wales Online. September 2017. Archived from the original on 28 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- ^ "Arriva Trains Wales reports 'huge rise' in commuters". BBC News. September 2017. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ a b Clark, Rhodri (5 January 2005). "Train firm's web site hits the buffers over Welsh language". Western Mail. Cardiff. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
- ^ "Welsh signs would be on wrong track". Hereford Times. 8 January 2004. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Rail company launches Welsh language phone line" (Press release). Arriva Trains Wales. 10 June 2004. Archived from the original on 25 October 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "Arriva Trains Wales secures top internet communications award" (Press release). Imaginet. 28 May 2004. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "Provisional North Wales Regional Transport Plan (Appendix 2- Railway Development in North Wales" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "Network RUS Electrification" (PDF). October 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "ERTMS gets tested in Wales". European Railway Review. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ "2008 timetable alteration summary" (PDF). saveseverntunnel.co.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2008..
- ^ "The Heart of Wales Line". Arriva Trains Wales. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "Discover Wales and the Borders by Train – Your Guide to Arriva Trains Wales' Rovers and Rangers". Arriva Trains Wales. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2008.
- ^ "Angry rail firm blames cuts in service on Welsh councils". LocalGov. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ "Route Utilisation Strategies - Wales" (PDF). Network Rail.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ "Extra trains to be put on for Royal Welsh". Wales Online. 30 March 2013.
- ^ "Special train running from Cardiff to the Royal Welsh Show". Powys County Times. 10 July 2010.
- ^ "Ebbw Valley rail link marks first successful year". South Wales Argus. Newport. 10 February 2009. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
- ^ Shipton, Martin (12 August 2006). "Ebbw Vale-Newport rail link put back into next decade (from National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers)". National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers website. Western Mail. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ "Ebbw Vale to Newport rail decision 'in 2011'". BBC News. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
- ^ "Rail electrification to Swansea and south Wales valleys". BBC News. 16 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Cardiff And Valleys Station Upgrades". Network Rail. 16 May 2018. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d Clark, Rhodri (15 December 2008). "Cost of subsidised rail service a secret". Western Mail. Cardiff. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ Clark, Rhodri (26 April 2008). "Trains carry true taste of Wales". Western Mail. Cardiff. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "North-South Wales Premier Service". Arriva Trains Wales. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "All Change for the Premier Service". North Wales Coast Railway Notice Board. 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ^ "First class to be retained on controversial North to South Wales train after U-turn". Daily Post. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ "Train company apologises after rugby fans left fuming over Judgement Day services". Wales Online. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
- ^ "Arriva Trains Wales Announces Plans for Direct Aberystwyth – London Services" (PDF). Railtalk Magazine. No. 28. January 2009. p. 50. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ "DB Regio to cease funding WSMR if Arriva runs in to London". Rail Magazine. No. 630. Peterborough. 4 November 2009.
- ^ "Aberystwyth to London direct rail route rejected". BBC News. 1 March 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "Wrexham-Shropshire-London direct rail link to end". BBC News. 26 January 2011. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ Geographically on the English side of the Border
- ^ "Rail 37 Galleries". Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
- ^ Rail Magazine. No. 562. Peterborough. 28 March 2007. p. 45.
{{cite magazine}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "The Alstom Class 175 DMUs". Today's Railways UK. No. 184. April 2017. pp. 40–47.
- ^ Rail Magazine. No. 544. Peterborough. 19 July 2006. p. 23.
{{cite magazine}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "Changeover day". North Wales Coast Railway Notice Board. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Gerald's Big Day...happens!". North Wales Coast Railway Notice Board. 15 October 2012. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
- ^ "Green light for extra services between England and Wales". Department for Transport. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
- ^ "New North Wales to Manchester train services launched in £1.2 million deal". Daily Post. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
- ^ "'Irish Mancurian' is Go". North Wales Coast Railway Notice Board. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
- ^ "Fleet - Class 150 - Arriva Trains Wales". Porterbrook. Archived from the original on 11 July 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
- ^ "Wales & Borders bidders asked to propose Metro options". Railway Gazette International. 13 October 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ^ "DfT Rail Franchise Schedule" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ "Wales & Borders franchise invitations to tender issued". Railway Gazette. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Arriva pulls out of Wales & Borders franchise contest". International Railway Journal. 30 October 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ^ "Arriva Trains Wales drops out of Welsh rail franchise bid". BBC News. 30 October 2017. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ Gerrard, Bradley (23 February 2018). "Abellio pulls out of rail bid after Carillion collapse". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Wales' trains to be run by European firms KeolisAmey". BBC News. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original on 23 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "New trains and more services in £5bn deal". BBC News. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
External links
- Media related to Arriva Trains Wales at Wikimedia Commons
- Arriva Trains Wales official website
- Arriva Group companies
- Defunct train operating companies in the United Kingdom
- Railway companies established in 2003
- Railway companies disestablished in 2018
- Railway companies of Wales
- Rail transport in Shropshire
- Rail transport in Wales
- Transport in Cardiff
- Transport operators of Wales
- 2003 establishments in Wales
- 2018 disestablishments in Wales