Cardiff Central (Welsh: Caerdydd Canolog) is the largest train station in Wales, having 7 platforms. It is the only station in Cardiff on the London to South Wales main line. It is an interchange station for local services on the South Wales main line, Crosscountry express trains, and also for services to the suburbs and the Cardiff Valleys rail network. The station is operated by Arriva Trains Wales, and is located in Central Square, next to the Central bus station. It was formerly known as Cardiff General.

Platform 1 is a platform which houses up to 3 short DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) trains, providing eastbound services to destinations such as Crewe, Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester (Piccadilly according to the maps, Oxford Road according to the trains). Platform 2 is the usual stopping point for eastbound High Speed Trains (HSTs) to London Paddington.

Platform 3 is where westbound HSTs normally stop, whether terminating, or continuing to Swansea or Carmarthen. Platform 4 is the usual location for westbound Regional Express services to Swansea, Carmarthen, and beyond to Fishguard, Milford Haven or Pembroke Dock.

Platforms 6 and 7 are used for services under the Valley Lines brand. Platform 6 is for services running via Queen Street east of the River Taff, to Rhymney, Caerphilly, the Rhondda valleys and the single-track Coryton line. Platform 7 is used for services to Maesteg, Barry, Penarth and the occasional Rhondda or Radyr service via the "City Line", which runs through the Riverside and Canton areas of the city, staying west of the Taff.

In the walkway beneath the platforms, the old GWR decorations are still visible, including the lettering "TO PLATFORMS 3, 4 & 5". Platform 5 was a bay platform, the remains of which can be seen at the west end of the station. The new seventh platform, Platform 0, is an old staff platform which is now used as an overflow at busy times, and most usually used in regular service for the Central Trains Turbostar services via Gloucester and Birmingham New Street to Nottingham.

There were formerly more platforms south of platform 7 (known as the Riverside station), which served the line to Barry and Penarth and a branch which ran parallel to the east bank of the River Taff to Butetown. These platforms have been demolished and the site is now occupied by the signalbox.

External links

• Location (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&db=pc&addr1=&client=public&addr2=&advanced=&addr3=&pc=CF101RH&cidr_client=none)
• Timetable (http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/ldb/summary.aspx?T=CDF)