Last weekend saw works to transform the railway on the Aberdare line as part of the South Wales Metro project.
Working around the clock, teams from Transport for Wales and Balfour Beatty worked on preparation works for the electrification of the line in the future.
Almost 200 metres of railway track at Old Colliery between Fernhill and Cwmbach stations was lowered, thereby increasing clearance between the track and the overbridge.
Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, the South Wales Metro project should significantly improve connectivity through South Wales.
Ken Skates, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, said: “This is another step forward for this important transport development. Our Metro systems will increase passengers' access to convenient public transport, and I want to thank the staff who worked so hard to deliver the work in particularly challenging weather conditions.”
Karl Gilmore, Transport for Wales Rail Programme Director said: “This weekend marked the first major railway track transformation work for the South Wales Metro at Old Colliery on the Aberdare Line.
“Our teams worked constantly from the Friday through to the Monday morning and successfully lowered the track, which in the future will run our brand-new metro trains.
“I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our teams and delivery partners Balfour Beatty for delivering this scheme. Due to Covid 19, we have faced many challenges and the weekend weather presented difficult working conditions, but our teams worked hard to deliver safely, on time and with minimum disruption.”
“The successful delivery was testament to the collaborative behaviours being displayed across the Transformation Programme.
Alasdair Macdonald, Balfour Beatty Project Director said: “We are delighted to have successfully lowered the first section of tracks under the bridge at Old Colliery, marking the start of the essential track enhancements for the Core Valley Lines transformation project. With these tracks in place, we continue to progress the delivery of a project that will provide reliable journeys as well as connecting communities throughout Wales.
“As an alliance, Balfour Beatty has worked collaboratively with Transport for Wales and supply chain partners to ensure this first milestone was reached safely and efficiently, completing ahead of schedule.”
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And with Transport for Wales Class 398 and Class 756 units to operate on the Aberdare Line. And maybe inherit the Class 379 Electrostars from Greater Anglia and install batteries so they can operate on newly electrified and non-electrified lines in the Cardiff area and around South Wales.