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A pair of Class 756 FLIRT trains in the light grey and red livery of Transport for Wales wait at Taffs Well station. The station sits in a valley and is equipped with accessible lifts to complement the level boarding found on the train.

The South Wales "Metro" is local rail as it should be. Frequent, accessible and user friendly. There's even the option to pay contactless like on the tube... It's difficult to see how just 5 years ago, this network ran using Pacer trains, but the investment has clearly paid off!

The accessibility problems with Alstom's new TGV-M train - with implications for future Channel Tunnel operators - #CrossBorderRail There is no way to sweeten this: my original conclusion that Alstom’s Avelia Horizon (known as TGV-M with SNCF) is not legal at higher station platforms outside France was incorrect. Because transpare...

"no level boarding *again* - the Avelia Horizon trains have a complicated onboard wheelchair lift" crossborderrail.trainsforeurope.eu/the-accessib...

This campaign made railways better for everyone | #Railnatter 275 YouTube video by Gareth Dennis

Celebrating level-boarding in future stock procurement for ScotRail.
Congrats and thx to @garethdennis.uk 🍾🥂🥳

www.youtube.com/live/cbbHBw8...

Talgo is indeed a credible option. The carriages of ENR🇪🇬 have higher floor, meeting 🇬🇧-heigth platforms.👍👏

🔜

A new Tyne & Wear Metro train departing Seaburn station.

The interior of a new Tyne & Wear Metro train, showing the open gangway and the view along the full length of the train.

Level boarding on the new T&W Metro train.

The end of the carriage behind the driving cab. The seats are longitudinal and there is artwork on the cab bulkhead.

First ride on the new Tyne & Wear Metro trains.

A close relation of the trains on Merseyrail, these are a big improvement over the old trains.

£9.8M opportunity for complex track works and accessibility improvements at Cardiff stations | New Civil Engineer This contract forms part of TfW’s ongoing commitment to modernising rail infrastructure across the region. The contract encapsulates a series of major

Transport for Wales has issued a tender notice seeking a qualified contractor to undertake a significant package of complex track works and associated level boarding improvements on its Core Valley Lines network, focusing on Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay stations

Full story:

Brand-new electric trains running daily on the Coryton and Penarth lines | GOV.WALES Customers travelling on the Coryton and Penarth lines are now enjoying the benefits of brand-new electric trains.

New Class 756 electric trains now run daily on the Coryton and Penarth lines, offering better comfort, faster journeys, more space, Wi-Fi, and level boarding. It’s part of Transport for Wales’ full rollout across the South #Wales Valleys network.
www.gov.wales/brand-new-el...

Mend the Gap

Looking for train access campaigners!
I am in the process of updating our zine on level boarding and need more experts and information to make it the best it can be. Current version is here : files.libcom.org/files/2025-0...

Talgo logra homologar sus trenes en Alemania para desatascar el contrato con Deutsche Bahn Talgo ha superado el hito regulatorio que amenazaba el mayor contrato en firme de su historia, en de la entrega de 56 trenes al operador alemán Deutsche Bahn por 1.400

Talgo gets its ICE-L trains approved to run in Germany, paving the way for these new level-boarding trains to run Amsterdam-Berlin & Hamburg-Copenhagen. www.lavanguardia.com/dinero/20250...

A detailed 3D rendering of a railway station surrounded by greenery. The station features a traditional architectural style with brick buildings, multiple platforms, and a variety of trees and shrubs integrated into the landscape. The scene includes railway tracks and a bridge in the background.

A 3D graphic rendering of a railway station, showcasing two red brick towers flanking a pedestrian bridge that connects the platforms. The design includes detailed tracks with a yellow train positioned on one side. Surrounding the station are green areas and a backdrop of white buildings, with a billboard visible in the scene. The overall layout emphasizes modern architectural features and functionality.

Lifts are being installed at Aigburth and Rock Ferry stations, with two more to follow, as part of a £9.5m plan to make Merseyrail fully accessible by 2030. This supports new level-boarding trains and aims to create the UK’s most accessible rail network.
www.merseytravel.gov.uk/news/work-to...

A class 777 departing Birkenhead Central

A class 777 departing James Street station

The more I travel on the 777s the more I think the only good thing about them is the level boarding aspect!

By the usual Stadler standard these just feel below par!

I’m interested to know people’s thoughts on these units beyond the excellent level boarding aspect…

Gap fillers are especially important in the US because we have so many lines with joint passenger and freight, especially in the Chicagoland area. Agencies can build a high platform set back far enough for freight, but still allow level boarding

It’s Flirt Friday and the sun is shining 😊 You know what, time to put down Bluesky and go enjoy the afternoon!

Off you pop, enjoy!

I can’t help but notice you’re still here…

Do I have to shunt you into the sunshine myself? 🤷‍♂️

It's interesting to contrast South Wales Metro Project's priorities (electrification and basic stations accessibility) with Ottawa's Trillium line modernization (faregates and architectural features).

Much ado, or not to do, about Level Boarding on Network Rails: Part 2 - London Reconnections The leading source for independent news and analysis about transport in London and beyond. Award-winning coverage of transport infrastructure and politics alongside stories about the history of the Ca...

I'd written an article about level boarding on trains in the UK, with a bit on some European countries: www.londonreconnections.com/2024/much-ad.... This is potentially an issue as N America generally buys intercity passenger carriages from overseas, so can have different floor heights. 1/2

Was heavily rumoured, now Flix has indeed signed to buy 30 trains from Talgo, framework allows up to 50 to be ordered. 230km/h, possible operation in 🇩🇪 🇦🇹 🇳🇱 🇩🇰 🇸🇪

Don’t forget Liverpool and Newcastle. Also Northern Trains and South Eastern trains have level boarding train orders pending.

I also hear rumours that Transpennie Express are now adjusting their tender for new trains to make them of Level boarding design.

Well isn’t that an interesting take. Fact is ScotRail got new trains under privatisation. So nationalisation is a con. I’m sure disabled passengers are delighted.

‘less than 2% of stations have level access to trains’. The figure 2% is on bright orange electrical tape, with orange arrows pointing to it. The image has a pale orange background.

We all need to get around, but in the UK many disabled people like us are blocked from travelling because of large gaps and steps between the train and the platform. Level boarding solves that issue, so stations are more accessible to everyone - accessibility should be standard.

But no new trains…….

How the Railways Will Fix the Future by Gareth Dennis | Waterstones Buy How the Railways Will Fix the Future by Gareth Dennis from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.

(bit.ly/HowTheRailways by the way)

three very large fans sat on the floor of a large railway station and blowing hot air in all directions

Ah here we go! Fans!

The modern TfW fleet 🙏

231004 on 2R44 Barry Island - Caerphilly
756110 on 1F86 from Aberdare
197002 on 1B92 to Milford Haven & 756103 on 5M48 to swap from Cardiff P7 to P6

📸 - 13/04/2025 💙

A TfW tram-train at the platform of Abercynon during testing

A new tfw tram-train at the platform of Abercynon is seen testing the level boarding

A new tfw tram-train at the platform of Abercynon

A new tfw tram-train is seen approaching Abercynon

Fantastic to see the new TfW tram-trains out on day time tests! They might be ugly, they might not have any toilets on them, but overall they will be transformational for the valley lines!

Great to see the level boarding getting tested! Game changing for generations to come!

More bikes by the hbf as we get set for our next destination. While I post some photos of more bikes and some DB level boarding (some trains you have to step down into) anyone want to guess our next (and final) destination?

#travelthread

😬♿️

Class 756 at Aberdare station

A bay of four seats around a table with a big window

The accessibility area with the accessibility toilet near by

The open doors with the level boarding enabled

These are ace! Absolutely game changing for the Welsh valleys!

Level boarding all the way please!

YouTube video by Ruth Cadbury Ruth's Liason Q Part 1 20250408

Last week I questioned the Prime Minister about investment in new rail infrastructure.

New rail capacity, such as the Northern Powerhouse Rail & HS2 north of Birmingham would play a huge role in boosting economic growth & connecting communities.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zN-...

No, but Northern Rail are about to to order a sizeable level boarding train order, which should replace those trains on that line.

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I have Cerebral Palsy and live in the UK. I refuse to ride in the CAF Civity UK model for the same reason.