I have now amended (again) the date on our Coffee Shop forum calendar. 

CfN.

 

That should not be necessary. Where there are alternative fares for the same journey with different "via" routeings, a more expensive fare is always valid by any cheaper routes. As the instructions document to the Routeing Guide puts it:

In some cases the tickets make this clear. The most expensive ticket is likely to be marked "valid via any permitted route". This is the case for the GWR-priced ticket from Wokingham to London that is valid via Reading. The cheapest ticket for this journey is marked "valid only via Staines", as it can't be used on any other route.

There is another fare in between those two, via Guildford. This route's short name is "Ascot/Guildford", which is confusing. As I've never bought one I don't know how the tickets are marked. However, the TVM information for the Ascot/Guildford option on the selector page says: "valid only for travel via (changing trains or passing through) Ascot or Guildford". Given the ticket has space for just oner line of routeing text, I imagine that would be "valid only via Ascot or Guildford".

As far as I know it is permitted to travel on a train with a ticket for the right journey by the wrong route. You just have to pay the relevant excess fare if asked to to so. However, the NCoT (and NCoC before that) doesn't really address the point. The bit about excess fares in the 2013 NCoC related to travel not by a permitted route at all, and in the current NCoC even that's not present. What is there mixes up a ticket being valid for your journey with being valid on the service used - so explicitly missing exactly the point in question!

 
That lift has been problematic for a few weeks but in recent days it seems to have suffered a  fault which needs a more permanent repair.

I am aware of one person who arrived at Swindon for a TransWilts service and needed the lift.  They were put on a train from platform 4 (which has both a lift and level access) to Chippenham where they could change onto the following TW train a few minutes later.   Not sure what would have happened if they had arrived closer to the TW departure time.

I understand the favoured option for people heading east is to stay on the train to Reading.   There is level access to platform 1 at Didcot Parkway but it involves going through the gateline and out into the car park to get there.   There is no lift for platform 1.   There is also a more frequent service from Reading back to Swindon - although of course don't catch one to Cheltenham Spa!

I have asked what the prognosis is for the lift at Swindon and am awaiting an answer.

 

The issue with that could be if there's pressure on time. Sods law leans towards the train loo turning out to be the UK's most occupied toilet / is out of order / the type of train is provided with only one loo etc.

Mark

 
Will Lord Hendy make another announcement confirming this? 

 
Still 1 out of 10, GWR. No indication of how long it is likely to be, what the problem is and how long on the current knowledge it might take to resolve it (technical failure or closure on a long term basis), what is being done about it and what the other places you may have to travel to to get back to Platform 4 (and that you'll not be charged - assuming that's the case) - or even which trains call at which platforms and are therefore either affected by lack of step-free access or available for the suggestion to go to the next available station and return to platform 4 to get out of the station.

Worse still, the main GWR website (where I expect most non-regular passengers would check to see what disabled facilities are available still does not alert passengers, either in the "Travel Updates" on the landing page or on the information for Swindon in the "Stations" section.

Quite appositely, the video uploaded today by Jago Hazzard on You Tube (see - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkxZRJHsQo) gives some examples of inadequate information on problems for passengers, one from GWR, but also an example of good practice from them by way of contrast.   

 

JourneyCheck has this as a station update:

So some text exists, but could do with copying to other places enquirers may land.

 

I would think so - and even Reading on a train non-stop Didcot!!

Might just be quicker via Chippenham & taxi though....

 
Alterations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to severe weather between London Paddington and Reading:

Train services running to and from these stations will be running non stop. Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford will not be served. Disruption is expected until 21:00 29/07.

Additional Information
With the high temperatures today, a contingency plan is in place to reduce the strain on the points which allow trains to move between lines. As a result, our local stopping services between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway are not calling at Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford in either direction until later this evening.
-
The Elizabeth line services will continue to call at Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford and you may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on their services. Elizabeth line use platforms A & B at London Paddington outside the main station concourse.
-

 

Sort of occurred to me - can they not use the loos on the train when they stop at a station, or indeed the loos at a station itself?

I also feel for bus drivers though, a different set of circumstances altogether without either of those options, I think it's one of the most undervalued and underpaid jobs there is, especially when compared to train drivers.

 

I'd generally take a chance on the train/public transport to Heathrow as there are several fallbacks (Elizabeth Line, Picadilly Line, HEx, bus in extremis), but for any of the other airports it's simply too risky, and that's even before thinking about having to carry luggage around.

 
It might be a knock-on effect of disruption on the main line, with a slew of cancellations today.

Mark

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:LSK/2026-07-29/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/network-rail-sets-new-date-for-botley-road-reopening

Now reopening on the 20th September

 
Trying to recall how much retail stuff there is on that island platform too, and whether there may be a second lift for... goods.

Mark

 
A bit away from the coffee shop area: I *think* this is the last known sighting of the provision for personal needs breaks for staff at a rather obscure railway junction on the line from... somewhere to who knows where. Google streetview link.

Mark

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tpFZjTRqJnagqttK6

 
Well, here's something I hadn't expected to see
11:54 Liskeard to Looe due 12:24
11:54 Liskeard to Looe due 12:24 will no longer call at St Keyne Wishing Well Halt, Causeland and Sandplace.
This is due to overcrowding.

 
There's also concern for provision for bus drivers, something I'd wondered about with services to Bath: even before the current road works, several services did not include the bus station, and with Manvers Street closed, most/all Faresaver services are turning round short too. Happy to hear more how the employer handles/doesn't handle this, especially given the weather. Warm work environments combined with restricting fluid intake has implications for health, both short and long term.

Mark

 

Indeed, and unconfirmed data suggests that "until further notice" may be for a significant period, with the lift "condemned" and needing to be replaced.

Knowing that some of our members are at the annual TransWilts meeting today - is / was anything said there about the loss of accessibly to the town for those who can't use stairs at the terminus at one end of the line? 

 
Lifts out at platforms 1,2, 3 at Swindon is a bit high impact on some of the travelling public...

Mark

 
I checked the main GWR website, assuming that there would be something there explaining what had happened and when they expected to rectify matters. Nothing about this I could find! On the Swindon station page, under "Step-free access" it assures passengers "Step Free Category A Station - This station has step free access to all platforms via subway and the lifts via the main entrance subway"

The only warning information is that the ticket office opening hours will be different between 26 July and 1 August.

What can you say?

 
They don't want to sit on train loos basically. elitist clap-trap....

 
Here we go again (or perhaps don't go, subject to facilities) 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/28/train-drivers-consider-strike-action-lack-of-toilets

 
From Journey Check


Does this mean that passengers for Swindon with mobility issues from the west may travel to Didcot and double back there at no extra charge?

 
This Saturday - 1st August 2026 - GWR are making a special stop at Avoncliff at 09:35 on 2O73 to provide a direct service to Weymouth for residents of Avoncliff, Winsley and Westwood for a day out.

If you are reading this and coming to Weymouth that day from the WECA area, please condsider taking the 08:45 Warmister train from Bristol Temple Meads (08:53 Keynsham, 09:00 Oldfield Park, 09:04 Bath Spa, 09:13 Freshford) and breaking your journey at Avoncliff - should be no extra cost / no extra ticket needed.  And have 20 minutes to look around Avoncliff Station and perhaps join in a group photo.

If you are a resident of Westwood / Winsley / Avoncliff, we look forward to seeing you on Saturday. And if you are coming to Weymouth with us, DIRECT return trains leave Weymouth at 17:34 and 20:40.

Thanks!

 
Absolutely, yes. The Hanbury flight usually has volunteer lock-keepers on duty, who either operate the sideponds themselves or show boaters how to do it.

 
I'd long forgotten that programme!

 
One wonders how much of this additional overcrowding is caused by increased numbers of trains being short formed/formed of smaller trains?

Not sure if that's as big an issue elsewhere as it is for GWR?

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/chance-of-getting-seat-on-london-commuter-train-is-at-all-time-low/ar-AA28SUWf?ocid=socialshare

 
Onward ...