Valley Lines (train operating company)

For the urban rail network around Cardiff, formerly operated by this franchise but today by Arriva Trains Wales, see Valley Lines

Valley Lines

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 size	36
Parent company	Prism Rail
Reporting mark	VL

Valley Lines 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.

In July 2000 Prism Rail was purchased by National Express.

Services

Valley Lines operated passenger services around Cardiff and the South Wales 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 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

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

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

Fleet

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

• 
  A Valley Lines Class 143 at Cardiff Central in 2000
• Bridge north of Cardiff Queen Street with Valley Lines advertising
  Bridge north of Cardiff Queen Street with Valley Lines advertising
• Former logo of Valley Lines from 1997
  Former logo of Valley Lines from 1997

Depot

Valley Lines fleet was maintained at Cardiff Canton depot.

Demise

In 2001 the Strategic Rail Authority decided to reorganise the Valley Lines and Wales & West franchises, both being operated by National Express. Valley Lines was absorbed by the Wales & Borders franchise from October 2001 which was later transferred to Arriva Trains Wales on 8th December 2003.