Full Journey Onboard on an Arriva Trains Wales Class 158 on the return Journey from Ebbw Vale Town to Cardiff Central. It's the longest video I have filmed and on a hot day it was very difficult in particular the sun reflected off the windows on some of the shots as well.
It's actually the service from Ebbw Vale Town to Swansea however it's only as far as Cardiff Central this Journey was filmed. Afterwards the train itself would continue on to Swansea calling at Bridgend, Pyle, Port Talbot Parkway, Baglan, Briton Ferry, Neath, Skewen, Llansamlet and Swansea.
The Ebbw Valley Railway is a branch line of the Great Western Mainline originally opened on December 21st 1850 between Newport Courtybella and Blaina. In April 1852 the line was extended south to Newport Dock Street which opens on April 4th and 2 weeks later the line North from Aberbeeg on April 19th.
The line was controversially closed to passengers on April 30th 1962 prior to the Beeching Axe. Goods traffic to Ebbw Vale Town continued until December 1st 1969 however some freight services continued to serve the Corus Ebbw Vale Steelworks until 2002 which in fact was one of the reasons for campaigns were made in reopening the line for passengers again.
However after local campaigns restoration of the rail line began in 2006 with planned date of completion being December 2007 however due to difficulties driver training wasn't started until December 18th and it wouldn't until February 6th 2008 when after nearly 46 years the 06:35 service from Cardiff Central left to travel on the branch which was only restored as far as Ebbw Vale Parkway. However Ebbw Vale Parkway station is located 2 miles from the town of Ebbw Vale itself.
Aberbeeg station located between Llanhilleth and Ebbw Vale Parkway didn't have it's platforms restored although the site of the original station still exists however at present disused.
It wasn't until May 17th 2015 when the full original branch was restored when the line was extended to Ebbw Vale Town.
Some sections are doubled however to enable a service to be provided to Newport the section of line between Aberbeeg Junction and Crosskeys is being doubled and Newbridge station being given a 2nd platform.
Train Services Monday to Saturday are hourly from Cardiff Central with some being extended to Bridgend and other stations as far as Swansea however services on Sundays are 1 train every 2 hours.
Pye Corner was a new addition opening on December 14th 2014 which is close to the site of the original of Bassaleg Junction station.
Filmed on Saturday June 23rd 2018 on iPhone 8 and edited on iMovie.
