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Double lightning strike hits Arriva and FGW services Double lightning strike hits Arriva and FGW services
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of rail passengers across south Wales are facing further delays after a double lightning strike on signals.Thousands of rail passengers across south Wales are facing further delays after a double lightning strike on signals.
Damage has not been repaired and the line between Cardiff and Bridgend remains closed.Damage has not been repaired and the line between Cardiff and Bridgend remains closed.
Arriva Trains Wales said trains are diverted via the Vale of Glamorgan line through Barry but it was having a knock-on effect on Valleys lines.Arriva Trains Wales said trains are diverted via the Vale of Glamorgan line through Barry but it was having a knock-on effect on Valleys lines.
Cardiff to Swansea mainline services face 45 minute delays.Cardiff to Swansea mainline services face 45 minute delays.
Arriva Trains Wales said it did not know when the line will re-open. Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) said it did not know when the line will re-open.
It had been hoped damage to signal equipment in the Llantrisant area at around midnight on Wednesday would have been repaired by 04:00 GMT on Thursday.It had been hoped damage to signal equipment in the Llantrisant area at around midnight on Wednesday would have been repaired by 04:00 GMT on Thursday.
Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) said Network Rail and BT engineers had been working through the night but the problem had not been fixed. ATW said Network Rail and BT engineers had been working through the night but the problem had not been fixed.
The line between Cardiff and Bridgend has been closed, and an emergency train plan introduced.The line between Cardiff and Bridgend has been closed, and an emergency train plan introduced.
All normal Bridgend to Cardiff services via the Vale of Glamorgan are cancelled and replaced by the Manchester to Carmarthen/Milford services which will be diverted via the Vale of Glamorgan line, calling at Rhoose, Llantwit Major and Barry.All normal Bridgend to Cardiff services via the Vale of Glamorgan are cancelled and replaced by the Manchester to Carmarthen/Milford services which will be diverted via the Vale of Glamorgan line, calling at Rhoose, Llantwit Major and Barry.
ATW's website was reporting severe delays on five of the company's valleys services during Wednesday evening's rush hour. ATW reported severe delays on five of the company's Valley lines services during Wednesday evening's rush hour.
These were in addition to the extended journey times and replacement bus services provided for passengers between Cardiff and Bridgend, calling at Pontyclun, Pencoed and Llanharan.These were in addition to the extended journey times and replacement bus services provided for passengers between Cardiff and Bridgend, calling at Pontyclun, Pencoed and Llanharan.
The Cardiff to Maesteg service is only operating between Bridgend and Maesteg, where a shuttle train service is operating.The Cardiff to Maesteg service is only operating between Bridgend and Maesteg, where a shuttle train service is operating.
Delays have affected passengers travelling on First Great Western (FGW) services as far west as Pembrokeshire as well as those travelling through Cardiff Central on Arriva services.Delays have affected passengers travelling on First Great Western (FGW) services as far west as Pembrokeshire as well as those travelling through Cardiff Central on Arriva services.
FGW passengers faced delays of up to 45 minutes between Swansea and Cardiff Central on Thursday morning.FGW passengers faced delays of up to 45 minutes between Swansea and Cardiff Central on Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, ATW spokesman, Eryl Jones, said: "It is having a knock-on effect on Valley Lines services. Initially there were no trains between Cardiff and Bridgend. Network Rail have been working all day. 'Tough time'
"They managed to get one track open in one direction between Cardiff and Bridgend but it's still having a knock-on effect on services." Peter Leppard, ATW's operations director, said the lightning strike caused an "extraordinary amount of damage" and specialist help had been drafted in.
ATW apologised for any inconvenience and advised passengers to check its website. He told BBC Radio Wales he hoped - but could not guarantee - that repairs would be completed on Thursday, adding: "At the moment people are a bit stumped".
Mr Leppard apologised to customers, who he said were having a "tough time at the moment", adding: "Please allow quite a lot of extra time for your journey.
"We will get you there, but please don't expect to get there terribly quickly."