Passenger train drivers are once again based in Barry for the first time since the 1990s after work was completed on their depot.
The move sees the number of people working at Barry rise to 58.
Transport for Wales took over the depot in 2022 and have been proceeding to develop it alongside partners in Network Rail.
Some 39 drivers will be based there alongside depot colleagues, cleaners and train crew managers.
Most of the Class 756 and Class 231 fleets will be stabled there to serve the lines between Rhymney and Barry Island, as well as the Treherbert, Merthyr and Aberdare lines (until the Class 398 fleet enter service).
Depot Manager Alun Davies said, “This is transformational for people and the area and is testament to the hard work of so many to make it happen. It’s incredible to have the drivers coming back here.
“When we took the depot on it required a major clean up operation. We took a really joined up approach to it, putting safety and sustainability at the forefront, as well as looking ahead and planning for the future.”
More than 100 platform shelters in southeast Wales have either been replaced or refurbished as part of a £2 million, 18-month long station project.
The work, which has predominantly covered the Core Valley Lines, was described as a “targeted improvement for customers”.
Several different designs of shelter have been installed including barrel roof, green roof and Voyager.
Work has taken place on more than 60 different stations from Barry Island in the south to Merthyr, Aberdare and Rhymney in the north.
Some designs, including Penarth and Grangetown, saw combination shelters built with bike storage in the same design.
