The Anonymous Widower

Taff’s Well Station – 22nd November 2023

I took these pictures as I passed through.

Note.

1. A depot for the tram-trains is being built.
2. The depot looks rather small.
3. Four Class 398 tram-trains are lined up in the sidings of the depot.
4. The last picture was taken four years ago , before any work started.

This OpenRailwayMap shows the depot.

Note.

1. Electrified tracks are shown in red.
2. Unelectrified tracks are shown in black.
3. There are nine electrified sidings, which from my picture appear to be able to hold two tram-trains each.
4. From other pictures on the web four of the unelectrified lines are covered tracks in the depot.
5. The final two tracks seem to allow tram-trains to enter and leave the depot and these tracks are partially covered, there could be a washer alongside the building.
6. The unelectrified Merthyr Line runs across the South-West corner of the map.
7. Tram-trains will always enter the depot from the North.
8. Tram-trains will always leave the depot to the North.

It is a slightly unusual layout for a depot, but it seems to fit well into a small site.

This OpenRailwayMap shows the Merthyr Line as it passes Taff’s Well Station and Depot.

Note.

1. The Merthyr Line runs roughly North-West and South-East across the map.
2. The Northern and Southern sections of the Merthyr Line are electrified, but the central section is not.
3. Taff’s Well Depot is the red and black wart on the unelectrified section of the Merthyr Line.
4. Tram-trains going North go to Pontypridd and then on to the three branch terminals at Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil.
5. Tram-trains going South go to Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street stations.

Tram-trains use a mixture of overhead electrisation, battery power and assistance from Newton’s friend for power.

How A Tram-Train Arrives At Taff’s Well Depot

Consider.

• Tram-trains must approach Taff’s Well Depot from the North to enter the depot.
• This shouldn’t be a problem, as there appear to be crossovers at Pontypridd to transfer a tram-train to the right line if needed.
• As they descend from Pontypridd, any braking can be used to charge the batteries on the tram-trains.
• The track layout in the depot appears to allow any entering train to go into any track in the depot.

So depending on the work needed before the next trip, the tram-train can be efficiently placed in the right section.

How A Tram-Train Leaves Taff’s Well Depot

Consider.

• Tram-trains must leave Taff’s Well Depot to the North.
• As the Merthyr Line is not electrified, where the tram-trains leave the depot, they need to leave with enough power in the battery to reach the electrified section of the Merthyr Line.
• Tram-trains can only be charged in the nine electrified sidings.

So do the tram-trains, wait in the electrified sidings until, they have enough power in the batteries to do a circuit of the depot, join the Merthyr Line and go up the hill to the electrification?

If as I suspect, there is a tram-wash behind the depot, they can even take a pass through, so they enter service after a wash.

Conclusion

This could be a very efficient depot.

November 25, 2023 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Aberdare Station, Class 398 Tram-Train, Merthyr Line, Merthyr Tydfil Station, Pontypridd Station, South Wales Metro, Taff's Well Depot, Taff's Well Station, Treherbert Station