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{{short description|Train operating company in Wales, United Kingdom}}
{{for|the urban rail network around Cardiff, formerly operated by this franchise but today by Arriva Trains Wales|Valley Lines}}
{{for|the urban rail network around Cardiff, formerly operated by this franchise but today by Transport for Wales|Valleys & Cardiff Local Routes}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2012}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox Rail companies
{{Infobox Rail companies
|name=Valley Lines
|name = Valley Lines
⚫
|image_filename = Cardiff DMU1.png
|bgcolor=
⚫
|caption = [[British Rail Class 143|Class 143 ''Pacer'']] at {{stnlnk|Cardiff Central}} in 2000
⚫
|image_filename=
|widthpx=200px
|image_size = 200px
|franchise=Valley Lines<br>13 October 1996 - 13 October 2001
|franchise = Valley Lines<br>13 October 1996 – 13 October 2001
|logo_filename= Valley lines logo.svg
|logo_filename = Valley lines logo.svg
|nameforarea=region
|nameforarea = region
|regions=[[Cardiff]] and [[South Wales Valleys]]
|regions = [[Cardiff]] and [[South Wales Valleys]]
|secregions=[[Bridgend]] and [[Vale of Glamorgan]]
|secregions = [[Bridgend]] and [[Vale of Glamorgan]]
|fleet= 36
|fleet = 36
|abbr= VL
|abbr = VL
|parent_company=[[Prism Rail]]
|parent_company = [[National Express]]
|website=
|website =
|successor=[[Wales and Borders]]}}
}}

'''Valley Lines'''<ref>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03007927 Companies House extract company no 3007927] Cardiff Railway Company Limited</ref> was the trading name of the Cardiff Railway Company, a [[train operating company]] owned by [[Prism Rail]] that ran local services around Cardiff from October 1996 until October 2001.


'''Valley Lines'''<ref>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03007927 Companies House extract company no 3007927] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014137/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03007927 |date=19 April 2014 }} Cardiff Railway Company Limited</ref> was the trading name of the Cardiff Railway Company, a [[train operating company]] owned by [[Prism Rail]] and later [[National Express]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Osborne |first=Alistair |date=19 July 2000 |title=National Express buys Prism for £166m |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4458960/National-Express-buys-Prism-for-166m.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122152744/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4458960/National-Express-buys-Prism-for-166m.html |archive-date=22 November 2020 |access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Harper |first=Keith |date=19 July 2000 |title=National Express buys Prism for £166m |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/jul/19/5 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023081315/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/jul/19/5 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref> that ran local services around Cardiff from October 1996 until October 2001.
In July 2000 [[Prism Rail]] was purchased by [[National Express]].<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4458960/National-Express-buys-Prism-for-166m.html National Express buys Prism for £166m] ''The Telegraph'' 19 July 2000</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/jul/19/5 National Express buys Prism for £166m] ''The Guardian'' 19 July 2000</ref>


==Services==
==Services==
Valley Lines operated passenger services around [[Cardiff]] and the [[South Wales Valleys]] in [[South Wales]].
Valley Lines operated passenger services around [[Cardiff]] and the [[South Wales Valleys|Valleys]] in [[South Wales]].


Routes operated consisted of four northern branches to Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert, which were interworked with the shorter southerly branches to Penarth, Barry Island and Cardiff Bay. The City Line between Radyr and Coryton also formed part of the franchise, with all services calling at Cardiff Queen Street.
Routes operated consisted of four northern branches to Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert, which were interworked with the shorter southerly branches to Penarth, Barry Island and Cardiff Bay. The City Line between Radyr and Coryton also formed part of the franchise, with all services calling at Cardiff Queen Street.


The operator originally undertook to introduce new services from Pontypridd to Manchester and Portsmouth,<ref>http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP97-72/RP97-72.pdf</ref> but this did not take place.
The operator originally undertook to introduce new services from Pontypridd to Manchester and Portsmouth,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP97-72/RP97-72.pdf|title=The Railway Passenger Companies - Research Paper 97/72|last=Poole|first=Fiona|date=30 May 1997|work=House of Commons Library|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025101939/http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP97-72/RP97-72.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> but this did not take place.


The franchise predates the introduction of services that are now generally included under the 'Valley Lines' umbrella, such as those via the Vale of Glamorgan line and to Ebbw Vale.
The franchise predates the introduction of services that are now generally included under the 'Valley Lines' umbrella, such as those via the Vale of Glamorgan line and to Ebbw Vale.


==Rolling stock==
==Rolling stock==
Valley Lines inherited a fleet of [[British Rail Class 143|Class 143s]] and [[British Rail Class 150|Class 150s]] from [[British Rail]]. Starting in 1998, the operator changed its fleet by exchanging its Class 150 units for [[British Rail Class 142|Class 142]] units from the north of England.
Valley Lines inherited a fleet of [[British Rail Class 143|Class 143s]] and [[British Rail Class 150|Class 150s]] from [[British Rail]]. Starting in 1998, the operator changed its fleet by exchanging some of its Class 150s for [[British Rail Class 142|Class 142]]s from the north of England.


Valley Lines also used [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2 carriages]] on [[Rhymney Line]] services with [[British Rail Class 37|EWS Class 37]] and [[British Rail Class 50|''Fifty Fund'' Class 50s]] among the locomotives used.
Valley Lines also used [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2 carriages]] on [[Rhymney Line]] services with [[British Rail Class 37|EWS Class 37]]s and [[British Rail Class 50|''Fifty Fund'' Class 50]]s among the locomotives used.


===Fleet===
===Fleet===
Line 49: Line 49:
!km/h
!km/h
|-
|-
|[[British Rail Class 142|Class 142 ''Pacer'']]
|[[British Rail Class 142|142 ''Pacer'']]
|[[Image:142069 Cardiff Central GMPTE.png|100px]]
|[[File:142069 Cardiff Central GMPTE.png|100px]]
|[[Diesel multiple unit]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Diesel multiple unit]]
| rowspan="2" |75
|75
|120
| rowspan="2" |120
|15
|15
|1985–1987
|1985-1987
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[British Rail Class 143|Class 143 ''Pacer'']]
| rowspan="2" |[[British Rail Class 143|143 ''Pacer'']]
| rowspan="2" |[[Image:143607 at Gloucester.JPG|100px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:143607 at Gloucester.JPG|100px]]
|[[Diesel multiple unit]]
|75
|120
|14
|14
|1985–1986
|1985-1986
|-
|-
| colspan="5" |[[File:Class 143 Diagram, Valley Lines.png|633x633px]]
| colspan="5" |[[File:Class 143 Diagram, Valley Lines.png|633px]]
|-
|-
|[[British Rail Class 150|Class 150 ''Sprinter'']]
|[[British Rail Class 150|150 ''Sprinter'']]
|[[Image:150279 at Gloucester.JPG|100px]]
|[[File:150279 at Gloucester.JPG|100px]]
|[[Diesel multiple unit]]
|[[Diesel multiple unit]]
|75
|75
|120
|120
|6
|6
|1984–1987
|1984-1987
|}
|}


<gallery>
⚫
File:Cardiff DMU1.png|A Valley Lines [[British Rail Class 143|Class 143]] at [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff Central]] in 2000
|Bridge north of [[Cardiff Queen Street railway station|Cardiff Queen Street]] with Valley Lines advertising
</gallery>
Valley Lines' fleet was maintained at [[Cardiff Canton TMD|Cardiff Canton]] depot.
Valley Lines' fleet was maintained at [[Cardiff Canton TMD|Cardiff Canton]] depot.


==Demise==
==Demise==
In 2000 the [[Strategic Rail Authority]] announced its intention that a single all-Wales franchise should take over the majority of rail services in Wales.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/798989.stm</ref> Accordingly, in October 2001, various operations of the [[Wales and West]] franchise were merged with those of Valley Lines to create [[Wales and Borders|Wales and Borders Trains]].
In 2000 the [[Strategic Rail Authority]] announced its intention that a [[Wales & Borders franchise|single all-Wales franchise]] should take over the majority of rail services in Wales.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/798989.stm|title=Plan for single Welsh rail franchise|date=20 June 2000|work=BBC News|access-date=2 September 2020|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831002740/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/798989.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Accordingly, in October 2001, various operations of the [[Wales & West]] franchise were merged with those of Valley Lines to create [[Wales & Borders]].


== References ==
== References ==
Line 90: Line 83:


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Regional Railways]]'''<br><small>As part of [[British Rail]]</small>}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Regional Railways]]<br /><small>As part of [[British Rail]]</small>}}
{{s-ttl|title=Operator of Valley Lines franchise
{{s-ttl|title=Operator of Valley Lines franchise
|years=1996 - 2001}}
|years=1996–2001}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Wales & Borders]]<br><small>Wales & Borders franchise</small>}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Wales and Borders]]<br /><small>[[Wales & Borders franchise]]</small>}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}
{{Defunct UK TOCs}}
{{UK TOCs|defunct|state=collapsed}}
{{NEXG}}
{{NEXG}}
{{Transport in Wales|state=collapsed}}


[[Category:Defunct train operating companies]]
[[Category:Defunct train operating companies in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:National Express companies]]
[[Category:Mobico Group]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 1996]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 1996]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1996]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1996]]

Latest revision as of 04:43, 22 October 2024

For the urban rail network around Cardiff, formerly operated by this franchise but today by Transport for Wales, see Valleys & Cardiff Local Routes.

Valley Lines
Class 143 Pacer at Cardiff Central in 2000
Overview
Franchise(s)Valley Lines
13 October 1996 – 13 October 2001
Main region(s)Cardiff and South Wales Valleys
Other region(s)Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan
Fleet size36
Parent companyNational Express
Reporting markVL
SuccessorWales and Borders

Valley Lines[1] was the trading name of the Cardiff Railway Company, a train operating company owned by Prism Rail and later National Express,[2][3] that ran local services around Cardiff from October 1996 until October 2001.

Services

[edit]

Valley Lines operated passenger services around Cardiff and the Valleys in South Wales.

Routes operated consisted of four northern branches to Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert, which were interworked with the shorter southerly branches to Penarth, Barry Island and Cardiff Bay. The City Line between Radyr and Coryton also formed part of the franchise, with all services calling at Cardiff Queen Street.

The operator originally undertook to introduce new services from Pontypridd to Manchester and Portsmouth,[4] but this did not take place.

The franchise predates the introduction of services that are now generally included under the 'Valley Lines' umbrella, such as those via the Vale of Glamorgan line and to Ebbw Vale.

Rolling stock

[edit]

Valley Lines inherited a fleet of Class 143s and Class 150s from British Rail. Starting in 1998, the operator changed its fleet by exchanging some of its Class 150s for Class 142s from the north of England.

Valley Lines also used Mark 2 carriages on Rhymney Line services with EWS Class 37s and Fifty Fund Class 50s among the locomotives used.

Fleet

[edit]
Class Image Type Top speed Number Built
mph km/h
142 Pacer Diesel multiple unit 75 120 15 1985–1987
143 Pacer 14 1985–1986
150 Sprinter Diesel multiple unit 75 120 6 1984–1987

Valley Lines' fleet was maintained at Cardiff Canton depot.

Demise

[edit]

In 2000 the Strategic Rail Authority announced its intention that a single all-Wales franchise should take over the majority of rail services in Wales.[5] Accordingly, in October 2001, various operations of the Wales & West franchise were merged with those of Valley Lines to create Wales & Borders.

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Valley Lines.
  1. ^ Companies House extract company no 3007927 Archived 19 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine Cardiff Railway Company Limited
  2. ^ Osborne, Alistair (19 July 2000). "National Express buys Prism for £166m". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  3. ^ Harper, Keith (19 July 2000). "National Express buys Prism for £166m". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  4. ^ Poole, Fiona (30 May 1997). "The Railway Passenger Companies - Research Paper 97/72" (PDF). House of Commons Library. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Plan for single Welsh rail franchise". BBC News. 20 June 2000. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
Preceded by Operator of Valley Lines franchise
1996–2001 		Succeeded by
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