Transport for Wales (TfW) electrified a significant part of track on its historic Core Valleys Lines (CVL) after National Grid connected two new circuits at its Upper Boat substation near Pontypridd, enabling the rail operator to replace noisy and less environmentally friendly diesel trains with faster, greener, battery-electric hybrid solutions.
The connection forms a key part of the wider program of rail improvements being undertaken by TfW to upgrade 170km of track on the CVL to Aberdare, Coryton, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert.
The achievement marks a significant milestone in the Welsh Government’s wider plans to provide a South Wales Metro to better connect the communities of South Wales with an integrated network of bus, rail and active travel that make sustainable travel easier across the region.
The on-board battery storage capabilities of the innovative trains procured by TfW allow for sections of the route to be operated without overhead line equipment (OLE) above the train, avoiding the need for re-engineering complex areas – such as large town-center stations, long tunnels, and low bridges – some of which have local historical value.
The resilience of the power supply remains paramount to the network’s operation as the trains’ batteries will need to be recharged when operating under the live OLE.
As National Grid’s standard trackside transformers were three times the capacity required for this project, its project team worked with TfW to engineer a bespoke solution for the connection – investing in the design, delivery, installation, and commissioning of two 275/25kV traction transformers to make the connection. The connection also required an extension to the existing National Grid Upper Boat 275kV substation.
Paul Taunton, lead project manager at National Grid, said, “It’s a fantastic achievement from all involved to connect these new circuits at Upper Boat and help Transport for Wales progress its transformation of the Core Valleys Lines into cleaner, greener rail services.”
Dan Tipper, Chief Infrastructure Officer at TfW, added, “The energization of the first section of the Core Valley Lines is a key milestone in the progression of the South Wales Metro scheme and a historic moment for the rail industry in Wales. Securing the transformers needed for the project and delivering them to South Wales was a global operation requiring a huge amount of logistical planning.”