<-- The Story so far 

The Ebbw Valley Railway Scheme is an exciting project involving the re-opening of an existing freight railway line to passenger services. Passenger services last operated on the line in 1962. The project is a key part of plans to regenerate Blaenau Gwent following the closure of the Corus Works in Ebbw Vale in 2002. 

There are six new stations (at Rogerstone, Risca and Pontymister, Crosskeys, Newbridge, Llanhilleth and Ebbw Vale Parkway).  Services are planned to commence with an hourly passenger service. Dedicated feeder bus services will link the line to Ebbw Vale and Abertillery town centres and Newport City Centre.

Construction work to allow the Cardiff service to operate was programmed to finish in December 2007 and the line was handed back to Network Rail in that month. Further checks and tests as well as a programme of train driver familiarisation were necessary before passenger services can begin.

Proposed future phases of the scheme include additional stations and an hourly service to Newport.

The new passenger services will have significant regeneration benefits. They will enable viable access to employment, education, health and leisure opportunities in Cardiff and (initially via the bus link at Rogerstone) to Newport. The Ebbw Valley Railway will also provide an environmentally sustainable alternative to the car.