Cardiff and the Valleys Observation Day

On Wednesday 16th July 2025 the Solent Branch had an observation day in the Cardiff Valleys.

Starting from Romsey at 06:59  five of us travelled to Cardiff where we spent half an hour before setting off to Taffs Well to see the class 398’s where it was possible to get the numbers for 12 of the 17 visible.

We then travelled to Barry Island via a quick stop at Cardiff Queen Street. We hoped to get some 756’s at Barry but those that were there were no identifiable examples due to the Buddleia which were in abundance.

We then travelled back to Cardiff Central and set off to Maesteg  and returned therefrom to Ebbw Vale and thence back to Cardiff Central and some more observing followed by a meal in The Great Western before catching the 19:28 train back to Romsey arriving at 21:55. An enjoyable day out, to be repeated next year. A list of what was observed follows along with some photos taken by our Chairman John Godfrey.