British Railways South Wales Mainline 2011 Almost an Archive.

PLEASE IGNORE THE OPENING FOOTAGE TITLE , IT IS NOT 2004 BUT 2011.
This Video shot on DV Tape nearly 11 years ago at a lovely location of St Georges just west of Cardiff still devoid of overhead wires looks remarkably current , to me anyway, but in reality the transport scene has totally changed.
Mainly clips of units shows full set HSTs ,Alpha Line 158s, Arriva 142s/150/153/175s (all now transport for Wales ) although we have lost the 142s.
And just how long Colas Group have been operating.
Time just doesn't stand still.

[@michaelocyoung]

Few observations from an ex Arriva employee:
So it's interesting that this was 1 year after Arriva took over the Wales franchise. Note how the 150 and 153 had the new livery but the 158 was still in ex-Wales & Borders livery, itself the ex-Wales & West livery after it split into W&B and Wessex. Wessex units were a sort of purpley-pink colour and retained the Alphaline branding. Some 158s stayed in silver right through to the early 2010s until they were all fitted with ERTMS and re-liveried with Arriva colours.
The 2nd HST is in reverse formation with the 1st class at the Swansea end, I'm assuming it's the same set that passes us going the other way later in the vid.
2.5 1st class coaches on the HSTs. This was before the 2007 refresh which introduced high-density seating and, on some sets, the mini buffets and 2 carriages of 1st, and way before the mid 2010s refresh where 1st was cut down to 1.5 including a composite 1st/std coach.
The 142 would probably have been on a Maesteg run. They did run as far as Fishguard from Cardiff, although in later years it was the law that they had to be coupled to a DDA-compliant 150.
175s all outshopped in Arriva horns livery - They would carry that right through to the advent of TfW despite another, darker green "express" livery being introduced for ATW in its twilight years.

[@BrianTuckerRailvideos]

Sorry, as pointed out by others I have my dates wrong , this was Aug 3rd 2011, still great changes ,regards.

[@robmasterman]

Excellent footage from an iconic location Brian..Really enjoyed that...Bob

[@BrianTuckerRailvideos]

Lovely in the warmer months Bob thanks

[@benGBRf]

Great shots on the double bend Brian. 11 years ago but still archive and great to see. Thanks for sharing.

[@BrianTuckerRailvideos]

Thanks,glad you enjoyed it.

[@benjaminbrown9010]

Hi Brian, I think the date/year is wrong. The FL HIA wagons were built and delivered in 2005-2006. I don’t think they were used on Neath Abbey till 2007? May have been later than that, as we had the green JGAs as well.

[@GowertonParkway]

Colas definitely weren’t running 66s in 04 either .

[@BrianTuckerRailvideos]

Thanks will recheck my records

[@BrianTuckerRailvideos]

Yes your right I am totally wrong , have been up to the attic to check my DV Tapes and it is 3rd Aug 2011, what a mistake , thanks for pointing it out ,I am unable to change the online footage ,unless I reupload,so you may see this again, regards Brian.

[@benjaminbrown9010]

No worries Brian! Great footage though!

[@BrianTuckerRailvideos]

@@benjaminbrown9010 Cheers Benjamin .