Butetown branch line

Cardiff Bay Line
Overview
OwnerTransport for Wales
LocaleCardiff
Termini
Stations2
Service
TypeUrban rail
SystemNational Rail
Operator(s)Transport for Wales Rail
Rolling stock
History
Opened1840
Technical
Line length1 mile 6 chains (1.7 km)
Number of tracksSingle track throughout (to be redoubled)
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Route map

(Click to expand)
Cardiff Queen Street
Cardiff Central
Butetown
(opens 2025)
Cardiff Bay

The Butetown branch line, also known as the Cardiff Bay Line, is a 1-mile-6-chain (1.7 km) urban rail line in Cardiff, Wales that starts from Cardiff Bay to Cardiff Queen Street. The service pattern formerly comprised a mixture of shuttle services along the branch, service used to run to Coryton, Rhymney, Merthyr Tydfil, and Aberdare, but after December 2005 was a shuttle service from Queen Street station. However, in May 2024, direct trains to Pontypridd were restored alongside shuttle services. The normal journey time is four minutes.