Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Hornby R3778 Class 66/0 66097 in DB Cargo UK livery​

3 Dec 2025

£140 million funding approved for Cardiff Central station revamp​

CCEP North Concourse


The £140 million revamp of Cardiff Central railway station has been given the green light as funding is approved.

Improvements will include modernising the station to support long-term passenger growth, while still complementing the history and heritage of the building.

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Customers will benefit from a larger concourse to increase capacity, improvements to passenger flow and access, work to alleviate overcrowding and providing better accessibility for those with reduced mobility.

Other customer benefits include improved waiting areas, enhanced retail offerings and cycle storage facilities.

The station will remain open while the construction works are delivered.

The scheme to improve the station is being led by Transport for Wales, with the investment of up to £140 million being provided by the Department for Transport, Cardiff Capital Region and the Welsh Government - full business case proposals have now been approved by all.

As part of the continued rail transformation in Wales, the newly reinvigorated Wales Rail Board will also meet in Cardiff for the very first time today.

Vernon Everitt (current TfW Chair) is taking Chair and Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates will open the meeting.

The Board will oversee the prioritisation of the rail spending review settlement, assess progress on current rail projects and identify projects for future delivery.

Following the meeting, TfW will publish ‘Today, Tomorrow, Together’ - a vision document for the future of rail in Wales later this month.

CCEP North Entrance


Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “This is a major milestone for our ambitious plans to upgrade Cardiff Central station, a key hub on our South Wales Metro and gateway to Wales’ capital city.

“The joint £140m investment between Welsh Government, UK Government and Cardiff Capital Region will modernise and enhance the station, benefitting passengers and accommodating our ambitions for long term growth.

“The newly revamped Wales Rail Board will also meet for the first time today to discuss future projects such as this and relevant funding.

“I’m extremely pleased that Vernon Everitt will Chair the board as he brings a wealth of experience and expertise, that will help lead us into the future.”

CCEP Platform


Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “The UK Government is investing in improving rail services in Wales with new stations, faster trains and more services connecting people with the well-paid jobs we are creating across the country and driving our economic growth. 

“Our contribution to the funding of the redevelopment of Cardiff Central Station is a key part of this programme and will see Wales’s biggest station transformed to improve the experience of passengers by alleviating congestion and making the station more accessible.”

Alexia Course, Chief Commercial Officer at TfW, said: “The approval of the full business case gives us the green light to forge ahead with our plans to deliver much needed enhancements to Cardiff Central station.

“The investment of up to £140 million means we can deliver improvements to the station to make it fit for a capital city and sustain future growth, providing a better experience for our station customers.

“Working with our design and build contractor, we can now move forward with the start of construction works next year.

“The newly formed Wales Rail Board will also ensure we prioritise and identify future projects as we continue transforming travel in Wales.”

CCEP South Concourse


Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council and Deputy Chair, Cardiff Capital Region said: “This is a significant milestone for the future prosperity of Cardiff and the region, helping to deliver long-term and sustainable growth for years to come.

Cardiff has a great reputation as a destination venue for concerts and sporting events such as the forthcoming football Euros in 2028, and the improved Cardiff Central Station will increase our capacity for this considerably.”

Nick Millington, Route Director for Network Rail Wales & Borders said: “This is an exciting step forward in transforming Cardiff Central station into a modern, accessible and welcoming gateway to Wales. As a proudly owned Network Rail asset, we’re committed to ensuring it continues to serve the city and its passengers for generations to come.

“Working with Transport for Wales and our Canolog alliance partners, we’re delighted to play our part in creating a station that reflects the ambitions of the capital city – improving safety, accessibility and connections for everyone who uses it.”

CCEP South Entrance


Please note, images and virtual fly-through are shared are for illustrative purposes only and may change as designs progress.

Full details on what will be delivered through the scheme can be found here: https://tfw.wales/cardiff-central-enhancements

2025 also marks 175 years since Cardiff Central station opened.

An event is taking place on 4 December to celebrate the station’s unique history, heritage and cultural significance, while looking forward to the station’s exciting future.

The planned enhancements will better enable the station, which is owned by Network Rail, to form part of an integrated transport hub in the city centre, known as Metro Central, which will enable accessible, better connected and sustainable ways to travel, as well as supporting a vibrant and diverse economy and providing an iconic gateway to Wales.

The transformative work in Metro Central is being delivered through the Canolog alliance, a partnership of public sector organisations working together to transform travel in the heart of Cardiff.

The Canolog alliance will work collaboratively to deliver transformational change to transport in Cardiff and the wider region to improve connections between bus, rail, walking, wheeling and cycling and encourage sustainable travel.

The scheme will enhance Cardiff Capital Region’s principal transport hub, encouraging public transport use which will help to improve air quality and contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

It’s the gateway Metro station for the Core Valley Lines network, which is undergoing transformation works through the South Wales Metro.

BAM Nuttall has been appointed as the design and build contractor ahead of the start of construction works next year following a tender.

The station will remain open while the construction works are delivered, following planning approval earlier this year.

Wednesday 3 Dec 2025

Railway closure this weekend for essential upgrade work between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog, with further non-disruptive winter maintenance planned.​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders


Blaenau Ffestiniog


The programme of work will allow engineers to safely carry out track renewal, drainage works and vegetation management to keep vital North Wales services running reliably during bad weather.

The line will be closed from 23:00 on Saturday 6 December until 0600 on Monday 8 December, giving engineers uninterrupted access to complete a series of drainage, vegetation management and track renewal activities.

Buses will replace trains all day on Sunday 7 December between Llandudno and Llandudno Junction/Blaenau Ffestiniog, and passengers are advised to check their journey before travelling at nationalrail.co.uk.

Work taking place this weekend

From 23:00 Saturday to 06:00 Monday, engineers will carry out:

• Drainage work at Flint (Saturday night - 8.30am Sunday)
• Vegetation and flailing work from Tyn-y-Morfa level crossing to Llandudno Junction (Saturday - 8.30am Sunday)
• Drainage improvements at Mochdre station (Saturday - 8.30am Sunday)
• Track component renewal at Llandudno Junction (8.30am Sunday - 4am Monday)

This programme of work will help reduce flooding, improve track condition and maintain safe, reliable journeys for passengers.

Further signalling upgrade work later this winter

In addition to this weekend’s closure, Network Rail will continue a wider programme of essential signalling renewals between Llandudno Junction and Bangor across several weekends between December 2025 and February 2026.

Trains will continue to run during this time so that passengers can still make their journeys with minimal disruption.

Transport for Wales Class 197 at Llandudno Junction


Scheduled dates:

Some work must take place overnight or during weekend closures when fewer trains are running, and teams will work hard to minimise noise and disruption where possible.

Passengers travelling during the affected dates should:

• Plan ahead and check before travelling at nationalrail.co.uk.
• Allow extra time for journeys where rail replacement buses are in operation.

170273 at Long Eaton

East Midlands Railway Class 170 train

Close up of new Aurora train

3rd December, 2025

Luxury train to pass through Scotland on its way to York this Friday​

Class 47 and the Statesman at York


The York Christmas Statesman is running this Friday, 5th December 2025, taking passengers from Scotland to York.

Hauled by two Class 47s, the train will depart Perth at 05:46 and will pass through Gleneagles (06:04), Dunblane (06:19), Stirling (06:29), Larbert (06:49), Cumbernauld (07:05), Motherwell (07:29), Carluke (07:45), Carstairs (08:00), Lockerbie (09:16), Carlisle (09:55), Ribblehead (11:11), Keighley (11:54), Shipley (12:02), Castleford (12:44), Church Fenton (13:34) and York at 13:51.

After time in York, the return journey will depart at 16:15 and will head back to Scotland via Castleford (16:47), Shipley (17:22), Skipton (17:56), Garsdale (19:18), Carlisle (20:20), Lockerbie (20:48), Carstairs (21:59), Carluke (22:12), Motherwell (22:23), Cumbernauld (22:45), Larbert (23:01), Stirling (23:13), Dunblane (23:23), Gleneagles (23:41) and Perth at 23:59.

Train on the Looe Valley Line

3rd December, 2025

Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway receives new unit​

Class 313 EMU arrives at Cynheidre


The Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway (LMMR) has a new addition of Electric Multiple Unit Class 313 no. 313201.

The first of three cars arrived at the railway on the 25th November with the other two rriving yesterday (2nd December).

The unit, owned by the 400 Series Preservation Group, was the only Class 313 to be in operational condition and was operating under 3rd rail power earlier this year.

The unit also made an appearance at The Greatest Gathering in August.


It will be at the railway with Class 315 EMU no. 315856 until a permanent home is found.