FLIRTing around the Valley Lines!

FLIRTing around the Valley Lines! I spent the day riding on TfW's class 231 FLIRT trains and visiting some stations along both the Rhymney and Barry Island Lines.
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[@TicTacTrolleyServiceTico]

Right so it's been nearly 2 years since I did a count but: Gilfach Fargoed: 10 Changing the Plan: 3 Been fun to watch as the day went from Flirting to almost melons up! 😂😂

[@GLovesTrains]

Haha yay I love your counts! 😀

[@ianr]

We need more counts Tico! They are great! 🙂👍

[@TransportVloggerIan]

Count returning confirmed?

[@MrGreatplum]

Do we have to have a count of how many times that Tico does a count? 😜

[@paultaylor9652]

You do bring a smile to my face, you always manage to produce great videos.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks Paul 😀

[@meiriondavies978]

After being a follower for a while now, it’s lovely to see you fairly local to my home turf. The Rhymney line used to be worked by class 37s with mk2 coaches…..

[@Phil-evans77]

Loved the vlog as usual. The reservoir at Llanishen has an interesting story. Built originally as part of a grand Victorian scheme for bringing fresh water from the Brecon Beacons to Cardiff, it was decommissioned in the 70’s and eventually bought by Western Power the American utilities company. Their plan was to drain and demolish the structure in order to develop housing. This was opposed by local residents, who formed an action group . A twenty year legal fight then followed, with David eventually beating Goliath. Today, as your video shows, the reservoir has been restored and now forms a fantastic nature and leisure amenity in the city. The victory in the end was due to a small innocuous fungi. The discovery of a vary rare type of waxcap mushroom which was found to be growing in the unique environment offered by the banks of the reservoir, led to an SSSI designation and the site was saved. It was opened to the public again in 2023.

[@TimothyWorel-f8j]

You should try the T4 from Cardiff, over the Beacons to Newtown (for Cambrian Line) via Brecon, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells (for Heart of Wales Line). It's only a five minute walk from Pengam to Gilfach, and it's on the flat. From Pengam, it's uphill.

[@John-l4u4e]

Yet again you bring a smile on my face

[@davidpierce3217]

@4:23: Train driver: "Oh look! It's GLoves waiting for me on the platform!"

[@joachimbiddulph1001]

😅

[@Zaphods-Third-Arm]

Barry used to be a wondaful place to go to in the seventies and eighties. We all used to go there on the bikes (not pushbikes or choppers but Japanese Suzuki's, Kawasaki's, Honda's and Yamaha's), we spent many a happy day there in the sunshine that we used to have in the summers. I remember all the old steam engines sitting there. I went there a years ago - it no longer feels like anything.

[@ReecesTrains]

Great vlog, G! Some lovely scenery down there! Never knew there was a Cardiff Queen Street! Got confused with Glasgow Queen Street for a second! 😂 I've been on the Greater Anglia FLIRT's, and I still need to try the TfW FLIRT's to see if they're just as FLIRTatious!

[@GLovesTrains]

Haha yep Cardiff Queen Street, Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay! Thanks Reece 😀

[@MrGreatplum]

Great stuff, G! Love the FLIRT trains - they have them on the Great Eastern lines out of Liverpool Street - probably my favourite new rolling stock!

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks! They're great trains 😀

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

the TfW FLIRTS are amazing & i got to sample them when i visited Cardiff last year & they are amazing & i love the FLIRT trains & its amazing to see them now running to Barry Island as last year it was 150s that ran to Barry Island & talking of which i visited Barry Island one day last year & its amazing & a lot of my friends at work kept telling me that its where Gavin & Stacy was filmed even tho i never watched it anyway talk about a small station with those platforms & all the other stations look like lovely stations & that resivior looks amazing brillant vlog

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks! Yeah I'm the same I've heard about Gavin and Stacey but not watched it yet

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Thanks!

[@GLovesTrains]

Thankssss!

[@ianbolton9309]

Fantastic blog G everyone they just get better and better ,your humour is brilliant you make them so magic flirt trains look superb and finishing in barry island 🏝️ a place i like so much myself cheers 👌🤗

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks Ian 😊

[@bobsrailrelics]

Good fun. The reservoirs are lovely, used to supply water to the steel works. Off there on a team awayday next week. The 756's are due possibly next month(November) on the Pontypridd lines where they are testing right now. Hope you enjoyed another trip down to Cardiff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@GLovesTrains]

Amazing, thanks a lot!

[@Sim0nTrains]

I lost count on Gilfach Fargoed lol But Shame that it went Melons up but was a good replan! There is a Station in the West Midlands called Lake which has small platforms but the shortest platform in Scotland, you said that right! Still need to ride those Class 231s

[@GLovesTrains]

Lol! Might have to come to Lake then 😀

[@TicTacTrolleyServiceTico]

No worries Cyber I did the counts lol

[@LuperSoop69]

​@@GLovesTrainsthink cyber meant "The Lakes" - Lake is on the IOW !!

[@donovanemery597]

Flirt Trains are used by Greater Anglia Trains as well. Not sure which classes though.

[@theoasisvlogs5954]

Love your channel. Top videos. Keep up the train spotting and journeys.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks a lot!

[@lastofthebrownies]

Brought back memories, that. We did Barry Island ( and Barry Wetherspoons) recently, walked a lot of the same paths to the two headlands as well. Good stuff.

[@GLovesTrains]

Amazing!

[@lyonnesse100]

Oh my God! Those chips look fantastic! Now I want some!

[@GLovesTrains]

I want some more now too!! Yum

[@alanrose523]

You amaze me how much knowledge you have about the rail industry…keep up the good work 👍

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks 😀

[@alanrose523]

@@GLovesTrains let me know when you visit Scarborough and I will buy your dinner. You’re a legend..

[@SamsVlogstrainsmore]

Great vlog G riding the 231 TFW Flirt trains. I’ve only ridden them once last year as I’ve not been into Wales this year but I think I have plans to next year.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks Sam! 😀

[@KirbyONeilDJSpeed]

Lovin this Vlog, its good when all go's well when you re arranges your journey, great views G , not forgetting the Cool Train's, hope you enjoyed yourself after ending this great Vlog and thanks again G take care

[@kristiwanders-o1m]

Beautiful trains and beautiful scenery, not just the "island", but all of it. Yeah I was wondering how you would eat chips while holding a camera! Thanks!!!

[@chris-io1ki]

I love the FLIRTS. They're great units. Make sure you always sit by the thrash cupboard though😂😂😂. I've been chasing the 755s this week around Ipswich and Cambridge as well as having 2 on the Norwich-Great Yarmouth routes and up the Felixstowe branch and part of the Lowestoft route. Rode on 21 different ones. And saw all of them except for 755411 which must have been hiding😅 Btw,Great vid G.

[@GLovesTrains]

Sounds amazing! I wanna get over to the east some time 😀. Thanks!

[@chris-io1ki]

@@GLovesTrains The 755s usually work Norwich to Sherringham* Norwich to Great Yarmouth* Norwich to Lowestoft* Ipswich to Felixstowe * Ipswich to Lowestoft * Ipswich to Peterborough * (* in diesel mode) Norwich to Cambridge And Ipswich to Stanstead Airport via Cambridge in both modes. A triple set also currently working 2 trips on Norwich to Liverpool Street as well due to a 745 shortage from what I was told.

[@camotech1314]

Looks like an awesome place, hope you find time to go back there for a day out. Maybe take blueberry with you! 💙

[@dpld70]

So glad I subscribed to this channel last week! Your energy in your videos is so uplifting 🤩

[@GLovesTrains]

Aw thanks! 😀

[@richard-riku]

The flirt trains are really nice. We have them in Finland but they are wider than the normal version because our track gauge is wider. Ours have 3+2 seats and there is still room for a really wide aisle.

[@SuperMOGSTER]

Didn’t think I would end up watching a video on trains this evening but a very enjoyable watch, didn’t realise Wales had trains that high tech

[@GLovesTrains]

Haha thanks! They're lovely trains 😀

[@ianhudson2193]

Thanks for this...... .......not done the route since it was 33/37/47/50 hauled services...... .......shows There's no reason to go back.....😂

[@JAMESDEMU-RailwayModeller]

You're brave, chips on the beach. Last time I tried that, I ended up with a plate of sand and an entourage of gulls 😂

[@christopherbraiden6713]

Thanks for the video G,love the flirt trains, beautiful line too. Got total lost with all those Welsh names lol!!😎🎃🚃🚃🚃🚃🇬🇧💚

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks a lot 😀

[@falconjet0186]

Well spotted! You are correct...it was a TUI 737 in the climbout from Cardiff airport 👌😀

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks 😀

[@randomdoodles1470]

I thoroughly loved this video. Never seen your videos before. Immediately watched it and shared.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks very much 😀

[@jeanbletsoe1885]

Great, interesting video as usual. Scenery was lovely.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@davejoey]

Enjoyable video as usual G! You like, canals, flowing water and now chips by the sea. You're turning into Jen!

[@petewatson6864]

I was thinking that

[@camotech1314]

Guess that's would depend on who is older 😂

[@davejoey]

@@camotech1314 🙂I think Jen may be older

[@MarkBinning]

Great video, always positive even when things go a bit wrong 😊😊

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks, its better to live positively 😀

[@Baddroneflying]

The 756s are doing trial runs down the TAM lines every day (ive seen them going over the pontypridd viaducts a few times), theyre expected around the 11th november i believe

[@carlwilson1772]

Great vlog as usual G. Love your enthusiasm and your can do attitude. Barry Island has a railway connection. Back in the day it was where lots of steam locomotives ended their days.

[@GLovesTrains]

Awesome thanks Carl!

[@Anonymoususer_8823]

I’ve noticed that some of the stations on the Valley lines are getting the upgraded including electrification so that Class 398 Citylink tram-trains are to operate on that are also being built by Stadler. Some improvements are happening in South Wales.

[@IronHorseRailways]

At the 8:15 mark, you can see the moment G lost her remaining units of sanity 😂 Also "Gilfach Fargoed" sounds a bit like a character from a video game or novel, that sells spuriously acquired articles...

[@vincentneale2620]

Gilfach Fargoed stop was opened to be used by coal miners that worked at Bargoed Colliery which was just yards from the platform. You are in my neck of the woods now My local Staion is Tir-phil

[@bobbythedesertwalker594]

Such a beautiful journey, I love all that flowing water! I truly appreciate those beautiful cloudy days because I live in a baking broiling desert and long for a respite from this fanatical sun. ☀️ 😎

[@GLovesTrains]

Haha let's swap for a bit!

[@dennisgoulding6185]

Great stuff 👍👍✅✅

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks 😀

[@Thornaby37]

Brilliant video flirting with the Flirts 👍 If you like stations with diddy platforms, you'll love Avoncliff on the Bristol to Westbury line (which is near an aqueduct) That was a cute looking tortoise at Llanishen 😂

[@GLovesTrains]

Avoncliff sounds lovely! Thanks Thornaby 😀

[@barnabynorman157]

Wow I loved this, so much energy and trains! I really want to visit Barry. Thanks for sharing.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@theshowmanuk]

Nice memories for me as my Dad and uncles designed and built fairground rides at Barry Island. Must visit Barry again someday. Nice vlog.

[@GLovesTrains]

Lovely stuff- I need to ride some of them rides next time!

[@ReubenAshwell]

Brilliant video G, them Flirts are brilliant trains, shame one of them didn't stop and melons it up a bit though. Barry Island is amazing. :)

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks Reuben! 😀

[@AaronD_]

07:31 I love how the Osmo 3 works, it makes it look like you have a camera operator almost! My Pocket 2 has a similar function but is obviously the less quality version!

[@markthomas2577]

I went to Barry Island from Manchester in the 1960s with the school Trainspotting Club to look around the steam locomotive scrap yard and collect the engine numbers

[@kevinbrennan304]

I went to the Butlins holiday camp at Barry in 1983 usually we went to skegness but I Conned the wife to go to Barry with my intention to go to the scrap yard best holiday ever although there was only about 50 left that included a king and quite a few merchant navy class

[@gedhuffadine1873]

G love your vids. I recently did the line from Shrewsbury to Swansea just for the ride loved it. Didn't put me pants on me head though.😢

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks haha!

[@Andrewjg_89]

The TfW Class 231 and Class 756 FLIRTs are amazing trains that Stadler have built. Mind you Stadler could manufacture more Class 231 and Class 756 to use them on other lines in Wales.

[@JessesGrandDaysOut]

I rode those trains to Barry Island last Saturday (I did the same walk as you too) - the trains are so much nicer than what I'm used to 😊

[@GLovesTrains]

Nice one! 😀

[@TheAlien1974]

Last time I went to rhymney was when the 37s ran at peak times, sat in the leading carriage behind the loco, sounded great 😂

[@JB-ek4yx]

i had rides on all the 231 flirts in the winter, as well as all the TFW 67's, thanks to regular hospital appointments at Cardiff Heath hospital!

[@birdsbodger]

Strange how you can see a Turtles Head in Llanishen station 😂 great video love the randomness as usual !

[@owenwilliams9666]

Really enjoyed your blog, your Welsh pronunciations were interesting! I remembered clambering over the train scrap yard at Barry forty years ago as a student.

[@gettingoldereveryday]

I would say she butchered the welsh towns names

[@Valleys56xx]

I live in Barry opposite Barry Station and its interesting to see the changes that are happening across the network. I remember playing on the locos at Dai Woodham's scrapyard and I still knpw his son.

[@paulharvey9149]

The very first Valley Lines train I ever went on was a first generation DMU between Cardiff and Caerphilly - who destination screen suggested it would terminate at Gilfach Fargoed! It was a Sunday and there were engineering works - I think it was actually terminating at Bargoed!

[@QALibrary]

Hi G - I hope you well and good - the FLIRTs look like a great upgrade over the 150, 158 and esp the Pacer

[@GLovesTrains]

I'm good thanks, hope you are too!

[@paulburton9386]

Great video! Pretty sure they're the same kind of trains as on the Norwich to Cromer route. BTW, amazed you didn't mention Gavin & Stacey when you visited Barry Island!!

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks! (Not seen it yet 😂)

[@paulburton9386]

@@GLovesTrains You've got a real treat to come!! Catch-up on the series before the final episode at Christmas!

[@oreilly1237878]

Im on my way full speed to Barry island and Cardiff.Thanks for your fascinating travel vlog

[@GLovesTrains]

Awesome! 😀

[@steely666]

I just found this channel. I enjoyed your travels. I'll be watching more. 😮

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks! 😀

[@lincolncityful1]

Great watch and I do love a Flirt with those high seats.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@kevg707]

Always a delight your Videos G..im scheduled to go to south wales trip i this month to tick of more of the stations on the visit all station challenge only to find out now that a fair bit will be closed off for engineering work and ill be cut off from the western side.. so annoying especially as holiday time is something i dont have ..anyways ill just have to come back again..

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks Kev and thats a shame about the engineering works!

[@paul-88E]

Thanks for posting. Really enjoyed this one as I live in the south Wales valleys. Must do those reservoirs as they are only a half hour drive from me. You've also given me some ideas for walks in the area. You need to work on your pronunciations though 😊

[@willjones945]

Firstly, well done on your Welsh pronunciations!! Da iawn! A really enjoyable video…,I have some really fond memories of having the commuter services between Bargoed and Cardiff pretty much to myself during the pandemic. I have some freaky photos of a deserted Cardiff Central at rush hour. It was Divine! (I’m a nurse, by the way: I wasnt joyriding) 😊

[@GLovesTrains]

I bet the announcements were still going off all the time! 😂

[@willjones945]

@@GLovesTrains they were! And there were as many security people as usual, too ….. and me 😆

[@StuRBarber]

A great video! I really want to visit Cardiff and the area again soon.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@ALANSHEPPARD77]

Another great video,love those Swiss built Flirt trains

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

I’ve seen a (Queen’s Road) on a map somewhere before and for an old queen like me, this was a real treat 😂

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Excellent video

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@andrewbutler6477]

A great video of the rhymney valley line which has changed so much my late dad was a guard on the line back in the 70s even before the 150 s appeared so a very long time ago the stadlers are good trains

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks Andrew 😀

[@stmisbehavin662]

It is Beauly, and it's technically on the Far North line but before the Kyle of Lochalsh line branches off, so it serves trains on both lines.

[@MartinPiper6502]

Love your content. The scenery is lovely. Running water! Now I want chips.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks, chips are yum!

[@Timbar2]

Really like the videos. I would love to see a video where you explain. How do you plan your journeys,how you go about buying the tickets, what apps you use to buy the tickets?

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks, and usually I use trainpal 😀

[@sonsofanoraks]

Like the flowing water you love, your plans that day were fluid!!

[@GLovesTrains]

Yum!

[@Anonymoususer_8823]

Stadler FLIRTs are such loveable trains to flirt with. I nearly had a date with the Class 745 and Class 755 😂

[@GLovesTrains]

Nearly.. give it another go! 😂

[@billygeorgepricespackland]

Amazing video! keep up the good work

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@5q55.]

Rhymney regular 37411s cab is outside the Alexandra pub in Derby, don’t think I’ve been back to Rhymney or the Farmers Arms since the 37s stopped.

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

5:10 you could always ask the cute young Welsh train conductors - I’ve seen loads of them on the North Wales line and they brighten my day 😍😍😍😍

[@Joseph.creates.content4you]

Hi G I loved this video the flirts look really nice and would love to get up to Barry Island and ride them.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks, would recommend!

[@cheshuntvlogs]

Fantastic video

[@GLovesTrains]

Cheers 😀

[@cheshuntvlogs]

@GLovesTrains You're welcome and one day can you do the Lee Valley Line in Hertfordshire please

[@stuartbroome1258]

Really enjoyed the video G, did you know there used to be a big Scrapyard near there for steam locomotives, most of which were saved to be preserved. 🎉

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks, and I didn't know that!

[@НиколайКотляр-б3ф]

Very interesting!

[@trainglen22]

Great video!

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@chrisfollows2513]

Barry island looks really nice...so did the chips 😊

[@ianzthingz1]

You're such a Flirt, G, LOL!! Great vlog as always, be well x

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@grahamandrew907]

Great video as always, well done.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@htt232101]

The last member of my family to go FLIRTing in Wales ended up getting married and having 2 kids 😂 great Vlog this week though, another part of the UK I haven't seen and had no idea about but it's a beautiful beach at Barry Island

[@GLovesTrains]

Haha! Thanks a lot 😀

[@rupertnewham3540]

That was a fun one,loved the waterfall.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@sadmanonatraintoo9781]

Not been to Barry Island for years, used to help run a youth holiday group and Barry Island was one of the places we used to visit, happy memories :)

[@GLovesTrains]

Happy days!

[@Jimmy-sy2xh]

Only been to Barry Island once as well as Cardiff, loved it, spotting all the filming locations for Gavin and Stacey and some of the film locations for Doctor Who😊

[@GLovesTrains]

I'm curious now which Doctor Who scenes were filmed at Barry 🤔

[@Jimmy-sy2xh]

@GLovesTrains mostly scenes from series 1, 2, 3 and 4 during the Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant era of Doctor Who, like the large water fountain near Cardiff Bay, and streets in Cardiff and other towns near Cardiff not far away by train.

[@djtraxxehv1058]

I already have my experience with FLIRT's since 2011 when me and my parents took a few rides with SAD in northern Italy. I have to agree that it's a great and very innovative sort of rolling stock!

[@GLovesTrains]

SAD what a name! 😆

[@djtraxxehv1058]

@@GLovesTrains If you would look on it like that then indeed it would be hillarious. But SAD(Südtiroler Automobieldienste/Servizio Autobus Dolomiti) actually means Automobile Services for South Tyrol. This company already drives with FLIRT's since late 2008 through the region of South Tyrol

[@Del-bm]

I love them Welsh trains

[@peternelson6142]

Me and wife and doggy will be in Barry Island tomorrow. Getting the train from Bargoed. Next time your there go for something to eat at Marcos! Its a sort of blue circular cafe near the public toilets.

[@GLovesTrains]

Cheers, have a great time ay Barry!

[@huwclements3862]

Next year or something, the Class 231 will be moving onto the Ebbw Vale line

[@GLovesTrains]

Will be interesting to see!

[@huwclements3862]

It will definitely be interesting to see them on the Ebbw Vale line next year. The class 756 will hopefully be on the Rhymney line next year when the electrification gets completed on the Rhymney. The class 756 will look similar to the class 231.

[@tomwallace-g1i]

756s due to come in on 11th November. . Great video.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@mikefoster5045]

Love it :-) and yes that would have been a TUI Boeing 737

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@jakewynn]

Watching this as I mourn the loss of the 323s on the cross city lines having just ridden a 730. I miss the 80s vibes so much :(

[@JenOnTheMove]

If you don't take me to Barry Island I'm going to be so disappointed!

[@GLovesTrains]

Well I will take you then! 😊

[@therealmasonicbwe]

The plane you did see in Barry Island is actually a TUI! Good guessing G

[@GLovesTrains]

Yay great! 😀

[@ChristopherPin]

Great video 😊 I feel the title should of been filtering with trains but they had other ideas 😅 What was the final count in the end? And i liked the sarah jane adventures trickster mention at then end

[@GLovesTrains]

Haha 10 I think! The trickster was so scary! 😂

[@ChristopherPin]

@@GLovesTrains appertanly the trickster was meant to have an episode before Elizabeth Sladens passing that it was to be revealed that sky was going to be his daughter. I think it was going to be called battle for banomon read

[@SamsonOhsem]

Impressive train system