<-- The Story so far  - Technical Overview

The Ebbw Valley Railway was a largely single track freight-only line which until a few years ago was used for trains carrying steel to and from the Corus Ebbw Vale Works.

Preliminary investigations found that it would be feasible to re-introduce passenger services on the railway line. However substantial works were needed to upgrade the route and construct the new stations.

Investigations looked at how passenger services might be re-introduced. These showed that the most cost effective approach would be to construct the infrastructure necessary to support the two trains per hour service at the outset. However due to financial constraints the infrastructure is being renewed and upgraded in phases. The first phase of the scheme includes a passing loop between Risca and Crosskeys and six new stations. This enables the new hourly passenger service to operate between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale.

The second phase will extend the passing loop from Crosskeys to Aberbeeg. This – in conjunction with other infrastructure works in the Newport area - will enable a second hourly service to run from Newport to Ebbw Vale and also permit freight services to run during the day. The line can be extended with further work (a link to Abertillery) and additional stations (Pye Corner, Cwm and Abertillery).

The schematic route plan shows the infrastructure for the first phase (coloured red) and the proposed subsequent phases of the scheme (blue). The infrastructure that was in place for the freight service (part of which has been renewed) is shown in black.

Distances are shown in miles and chains (one chain = 22 yards).

Schematic Route Plan