Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: 13th January 2026 / West Wilts Radio In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [371013/31432/49] Posted by grahame at 17:40, 13th January 2026 |      |
Sadly no "listen back" ... but here are my notes wot I woz gonna say.
Notes for West Wilts Radio
Graham Ellis on the WWRUG committee. 5 urban stations on the main line - WMN, DMH (Dilton Marsh and Westbury Leigh), WSB, TRO and BOA. You also have MKM on the side shoot and the AVF village station. Also with narrower MTUG (just the town) and wider TWSW (South West)
Much has improved over 20 years, but some slips back. For B-o-A for example up to 3 trains an hour, but loss of many through services – all those from Brighton, from London, from Great Malvern, from West Wales and from Manchester. Passenger numbers have doubled, but train lengths have not kept pace and there are overcrowding issues, and as the trains get older they break down more often. Financial squeezing on track and train maintenance and numbers of staff mean that cancellations are far above what would be regarded as "reliable". But yet typically people get where they want, all be that on the next train. The exceptions are Melksham and Dilton Marsh, where the cancellation of one train when the next isn't due for several hours puts people off using the service at all.
But the train - and buses - are a good and much more sustainable way for the future and we look forward to HMG stated reliability aims and successes, with a not of caution that we don't want to see that done by thinning out trains as they have just done at DMH.
Fares, ticket offices, information systems, parking at stations, connecting buses, safety at stations - there is so much to consider and more and more it's the rail industry and the government that both specifies and monitors these, all micromanaged by the DfT and at times passengers feel they are the pawns in a game. We were staggered at the Dilton Marsh cuts in December - although we liaise and are informed somewhat by GWR, they had neglected to tell us about these and even their own timetable poster team put up a new poster advertising trains that no longer ran.
WWRUG committee meets every 2 months and the group 4 times a year - next on March 20th at the Bethesda Church Hall in Trowbridge (7 for 7:30) across from the station behind Trinity church. Newsletter 4 times a year - all eight items £8 or £10 for a family. We are, truly, independent of the DfT that funds virtually everything else directly or indirectly. We also have a WWRUG group on Facebook committee meets every 2 months and the group 4 times a year - next on March 20th at the Bethesda Church Hall in Trowbridge (7 for 7:30) across from the station behind Trinity church.
Looking ahead - increased capacity through Melksham, reliability, "simplification" of fares. Be careful those don't mean fewer trains and higher prices. This year, the regular "inflation plus" rises are not happening.
Encourage engagement and membership. Search and find us online. Personally retired and now travelling very widely - but still there, learning and advocating for the passenger and different future while taking a pragmatic view and accepting the need for change and for financial prudence. Look forward to coping with all new housing and a minimum 30 minute service with cancellations less than 2% and bus and train fare and network integrtaion.
Canon in D is a piece scored for three violins and bass by the German composer Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706). YouTuber Pavel Jirásek has reworked if for train horns and this version brings a big smile to my face as it recalls the sounds of the railway both locally and around Europe.
Graham Ellis on the WWRUG committee. 5 urban stations on the main line - WMN, DMH (Dilton Marsh and Westbury Leigh), WSB, TRO and BOA. You also have MKM on the side shoot and the AVF village station. Also with narrower MTUG (just the town) and wider TWSW (South West)
Much has improved over 20 years, but some slips back. For B-o-A for example up to 3 trains an hour, but loss of many through services – all those from Brighton, from London, from Great Malvern, from West Wales and from Manchester. Passenger numbers have doubled, but train lengths have not kept pace and there are overcrowding issues, and as the trains get older they break down more often. Financial squeezing on track and train maintenance and numbers of staff mean that cancellations are far above what would be regarded as "reliable". But yet typically people get where they want, all be that on the next train. The exceptions are Melksham and Dilton Marsh, where the cancellation of one train when the next isn't due for several hours puts people off using the service at all.
But the train - and buses - are a good and much more sustainable way for the future and we look forward to HMG stated reliability aims and successes, with a not of caution that we don't want to see that done by thinning out trains as they have just done at DMH.
Fares, ticket offices, information systems, parking at stations, connecting buses, safety at stations - there is so much to consider and more and more it's the rail industry and the government that both specifies and monitors these, all micromanaged by the DfT and at times passengers feel they are the pawns in a game. We were staggered at the Dilton Marsh cuts in December - although we liaise and are informed somewhat by GWR, they had neglected to tell us about these and even their own timetable poster team put up a new poster advertising trains that no longer ran.
WWRUG committee meets every 2 months and the group 4 times a year - next on March 20th at the Bethesda Church Hall in Trowbridge (7 for 7:30) across from the station behind Trinity church. Newsletter 4 times a year - all eight items £8 or £10 for a family. We are, truly, independent of the DfT that funds virtually everything else directly or indirectly. We also have a WWRUG group on Facebook committee meets every 2 months and the group 4 times a year - next on March 20th at the Bethesda Church Hall in Trowbridge (7 for 7:30) across from the station behind Trinity church.
Looking ahead - increased capacity through Melksham, reliability, "simplification" of fares. Be careful those don't mean fewer trains and higher prices. This year, the regular "inflation plus" rises are not happening.
Encourage engagement and membership. Search and find us online. Personally retired and now travelling very widely - but still there, learning and advocating for the passenger and different future while taking a pragmatic view and accepting the need for change and for financial prudence. Look forward to coping with all new housing and a minimum 30 minute service with cancellations less than 2% and bus and train fare and network integrtaion.
Canon in D is a piece scored for three violins and bass by the German composer Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706). YouTuber Pavel Jirásek has reworked if for train horns and this version brings a big smile to my face as it recalls the sounds of the railway both locally and around Europe.
Elements of the above were skipped. And it became stronger in tone as we discussed who actually sets the service levels, on what criteria, and who and how a two hour peak gap can be put into an hourly service without notice. We discussed the need for freight, the prospects for Melksham, the crucial nature of reliability and how it's that much more important on an infrequent service than on a frequent one. And we discussed management motivation in the rail industry - private and public operations - at the current times of change and how "more reliability" can be achieved by withdrawing unreliable services, which looks good for statistics but leaves customers in the lurch.
| Re: Speed cut approved for walking and cycling route In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [371012/31439/50] Posted by Red Squirrel at 17:31, 13th January 2026 | |
I was in Wokingham a few months ago - I was surprised at how intimidating the combination of narrow pavements and 30mph limits was. But I'm less surprised that Wokingham folk tend to oppose 20mph limits; it's a different world there.
This road/cycle route isn't in Wokingham at all, except (for the time being) it's part of the Borough (Unitary) area. It's in Woodley, Earley, and bit of Greater Reading that has no specific name. All very suburban.
And while Woodley doesn't have Wokingham town centre's big traffic problem (two A roads going through it) it does lack custom-built access roads. Woodlands Avenue is the only access to the west/southwest, the A3290 ex-motorway acting as a barrier to the south. So I'm sure a lot of people resent being forced onto this unsuitable road, and now forced off it in favor of hypothetical (and "vulnerable") cyclists.
I probably should have restrained myself from commenting on this - it's not in my area. In mitigation, my blood pressure may have been slightly elevated by a collision in Bristol on Sunday in which an unhypothetical cyclist, vulnerable without ironic quotes, was killed by a hit-and-run driver.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czdqygnp5gzo
| Re: Test thread In "News, Help and Assistance" [371011/31443/29] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:02, 13th January 2026 | |
... (fellow admins and moderators), please do not tidy it up ...
Whoever would do such a thing? Image not available to guests
| The Red Arrows, RAF display team - popular with members of the Coffee Shop forum In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371010/31444/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:59, 13th January 2026 | |
Since the launch of this Coffee Shop forum, our members have posted on many boards and topics about The Red Arrows.
Indeed, doing a simple search here (with the intention of my doing some merging), I was presented with "Found 177 posts in 110 threads".
I will therefore post this particular news item as a fresh topic here. From the BBC:
Red Arrows get first woman leader
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Wing Cdr Sasha Nash says she hopes "to inspire future generations of aviators" during her time in the role
The Red Arrows will be led by a woman for the first time in its history.
Wing Cdr Sasha Nash, who has taken over from Wing Cdr Adam Collins as the most senior officer in the Royal Air Force aerobatic team, described it as the "opportunity of a lifetime".
Nash said she was "incredibly proud", adding she hoped to "inspire future generations of aviators from all backgrounds".
In 2023, the team faced criticism after an inquiry found predatory behaviour towards women within the team was "widespread and normalised".
Image not available to guests
The Red Arrows team has performed thousands of displays in more than 50 countries
Nash, a former Tornado pilot who has flown tours in Afghanistan, will command 150 RAF and civilian personnel at the team's headquarters at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, and have responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the operation.
"This is a career opportunity of a lifetime," she said. "If someone had told me 20 years ago that, one day, I'd be Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows, I don't think I would have believed it."
Talking about her passion for aviation, she said it had all started when she was a child. "I was a six-year-old little girl when I decided to join the Royal Air Force and to fly fast jets – inspired by air shows and seeing the speed and excitement of aircraft displaying at those events. That ambition stayed with me throughout school, where I achieved a sixth form scholarship and subsequent university bursary to join the RAF."
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Wing Cdr Sasha Nash has taken over from Wing Cdr Adam Collins
Nash, who has previously worked alongside the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, and played lacrosse for England at junior and senior level, paid tribute to her predecessor. "I've worked alongside Adam over the last couple of years and witnessed, first hand, his utter dedication to both the team and the RAF."
Collins, whose career saw him lead the team during its 60th anniversary season, as well as a five-week tour of Canada, wished his successor well. "I am confident that, under her leadership, the Red Arrows will continue to demonstrate our recipe of precision, excellence and teamwork across the globe," he said.
Speaking in 2024, Collins said the team had moved on from the harassment claims, saying at the time it was his job to "make people feel included, valued and respected".
Image not available to guests
Wing Cdr Sasha Nash says she hopes "to inspire future generations of aviators" during her time in the role
The Red Arrows will be led by a woman for the first time in its history.
Wing Cdr Sasha Nash, who has taken over from Wing Cdr Adam Collins as the most senior officer in the Royal Air Force aerobatic team, described it as the "opportunity of a lifetime".
Nash said she was "incredibly proud", adding she hoped to "inspire future generations of aviators from all backgrounds".
In 2023, the team faced criticism after an inquiry found predatory behaviour towards women within the team was "widespread and normalised".
Image not available to guests
The Red Arrows team has performed thousands of displays in more than 50 countries
Nash, a former Tornado pilot who has flown tours in Afghanistan, will command 150 RAF and civilian personnel at the team's headquarters at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, and have responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the operation.
"This is a career opportunity of a lifetime," she said. "If someone had told me 20 years ago that, one day, I'd be Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows, I don't think I would have believed it."
Talking about her passion for aviation, she said it had all started when she was a child. "I was a six-year-old little girl when I decided to join the Royal Air Force and to fly fast jets – inspired by air shows and seeing the speed and excitement of aircraft displaying at those events. That ambition stayed with me throughout school, where I achieved a sixth form scholarship and subsequent university bursary to join the RAF."
Image not available to guests
Wing Cdr Sasha Nash has taken over from Wing Cdr Adam Collins
Nash, who has previously worked alongside the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, and played lacrosse for England at junior and senior level, paid tribute to her predecessor. "I've worked alongside Adam over the last couple of years and witnessed, first hand, his utter dedication to both the team and the RAF."
Collins, whose career saw him lead the team during its 60th anniversary season, as well as a five-week tour of Canada, wished his successor well. "I am confident that, under her leadership, the Red Arrows will continue to demonstrate our recipe of precision, excellence and teamwork across the globe," he said.
Speaking in 2024, Collins said the team had moved on from the harassment claims, saying at the time it was his job to "make people feel included, valued and respected".
All images in that BBC news item are copyright Ministry of Defence (MOD).
| Test thread In "News, Help and Assistance" [371009/31443/29] Posted by grahame at 16:38, 13th January 2026 | |
I normally set up tests and check code in a side area that's not public / member / guest visible before unleasing it on the world. However, I'm testing various permissions things here so having to ask you, pretty please, to ignore the thread and (fellow admins and moderators), please do not tidy it up Image not available to guests [CC]
Image not available to guests
| Re: Bath Spa: postwar rail ambitions In "Railway History and related topics" [371008/31442/55] Posted by grahame at 16:13, 13th January 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Didn't take long to answer my own musings as a web search looped straight back to this very web site.
Mark
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/t30230.html
Mark
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/t30230.html
A good / excellent indicator that the Coffee Shop provides a significant knowledge resource to a far wider public making general enquiries online.
| Re: Speed cut approved for walking and cycling route In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [371007/31439/50] Posted by stuving at 16:06, 13th January 2026 | |
I was in Wokingham a few months ago - I was surprised at how intimidating the combination of narrow pavements and 30mph limits was. But I'm less surprised that Wokingham folk tend to oppose 20mph limits; it's a different world there.
This road/cycle route isn't in Wokingham at all, except (for the time being) it's part of the Borough (Unitary) area. It's in Woodley, Earley, and bit of Greater Reading that has no specific name. All very suburban.
And while Woodley doesn't have Wokingham town centre's big traffic problem (two A roads going through it) it does lack custom-built access roads. Woodlands Avenue is the only access to the west/southwest, the A3290 ex-motorway acting as a barrier to the south. So I'm sure a lot of people resent being forced onto this unsuitable road, and now forced off it in favor of hypothetical (and "vulnerable") cyclists.
| Re: Bath Spa: postwar rail ambitions In "Railway History and related topics" [371006/31442/55] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:03, 13th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
| Re: Bath Spa: postwar rail ambitions In "Railway History and related topics" [371005/31442/55] Posted by Mark A at 15:48, 13th January 2026 | |
Didn't take long to answer my own musings as a web search looped straight back to this very web site.
Mark
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/t30230.html
| Bath Spa: postwar rail ambitions In "Railway History and related topics" [371004/31442/55] Posted by Mark A at 15:43, 13th January 2026 | |
Before the closures, did BR have ambitions to sort out Bath's rail infrastructure? One being that they would close the constricted Bath Spa Station and replace it with a higher capacity station on the site of Westmoreland goods yard? This with the intentions, among other things, to plumb the Midland line, for the purposes of passenger trains, into the GWR route, with the Midland into the city being retained for freight?
Mark
| Re: Line closure Exeter - Barnstaple / Okehampton, March 2026 In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [371003/31425/24] Posted by red cuillen at 15:36, 13th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Several of us have commented on the car parking at Tiverton though. On my infrequent trips to the parkway I would guess that there are 40 plus more cars during Barnstaple closures, leading to parking on grass verges and awkward parking on the road into the village. Isn't there any way of getting more accurate figures, there has never been any ticket checks for me at Tivy or on trains from there to EXD, though the barriers there have always been working - would that register the necessary information?
| MOVED: OTD -13th January (2012) - When will I be able to get a GroupSave from the TVM? In "Railway History and related topics" [371002/31441/55] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:29, 13th January 2026 | |
This topic has been moved to Fare's Fair and merged with an existing topic there.
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=25858.0
| Northern Powerhouse Rail - plans for east to west high speed rail links In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371001/30707/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:27, 13th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
New Birmingham-Manchester rail link to be proposed
Image not available to guests
The Northern Powerhouse rail project is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns
The government is set to announce its intention to build a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester, the BBC understands.
Previous plans for the HS2 high-speed rail line had included a line between the two cities, but that part of the project was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's government.
On Wednesday, the government is also expected to confirm proposals for new and improved rail links across the North of England in a scheme known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). Little detail about a new Birmingham to Manchester route is anticipated, other than the intention to build it after NPR is completed, meaning it may not happen for decades.
Plans to bring high-speed rail to the north of England were first put forward by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne in 2014.
A new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester is seen a central piece of the overall Northern Powerhouse rail project, which is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns as well as boosting the UK economy outside of London. But expected announcements from the current government were put on ice several times last year due to cost concerns.
Insiders said an extended review process of the project was under way in a bid to avoid mistakes made with HS2, which has been dogged by problems and costly delays.
HS2 is currently tens of billions of pounds over budget and around a decade behind schedule. Reports state that the now-shortened line between Birmingham and London could cost £81bn. Accounting for inflation, that would mean at least £100bn will be spent but only 135 miles of railway built.
HS2 Ltd, the company created by the Department for Transport, has accepted it failed to keep overall costs under control and said delivery has not matched what it described as the unrealistic early expectations.
Image not available to guests
The Northern Powerhouse rail project is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns
The government is set to announce its intention to build a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester, the BBC understands.
Previous plans for the HS2 high-speed rail line had included a line between the two cities, but that part of the project was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's government.
On Wednesday, the government is also expected to confirm proposals for new and improved rail links across the North of England in a scheme known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). Little detail about a new Birmingham to Manchester route is anticipated, other than the intention to build it after NPR is completed, meaning it may not happen for decades.
Plans to bring high-speed rail to the north of England were first put forward by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne in 2014.
A new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester is seen a central piece of the overall Northern Powerhouse rail project, which is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns as well as boosting the UK economy outside of London. But expected announcements from the current government were put on ice several times last year due to cost concerns.
Insiders said an extended review process of the project was under way in a bid to avoid mistakes made with HS2, which has been dogged by problems and costly delays.
HS2 is currently tens of billions of pounds over budget and around a decade behind schedule. Reports state that the now-shortened line between Birmingham and London could cost £81bn. Accounting for inflation, that would mean at least £100bn will be spent but only 135 miles of railway built.
HS2 Ltd, the company created by the Department for Transport, has accepted it failed to keep overall costs under control and said delivery has not matched what it described as the unrealistic early expectations.
| Harlington, Bedfordshire: New station footbridge to last more than a century In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371000/31440/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:53, 13th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
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The new footbridge is set to open to the public in spring 2026
A new £7.9m footbridge connecting platforms at a railway station has been installed.
Network Rail says the new bridge over the Midland Mainline at Harlington Station, Bedfordshire, is designed to last for 120 years. It replaces an older bridge which had shown signs of corrosion.
Shak Munshi, project manager for Network Rail, said the bridge "represents a significant investment in modern, reliable infrastructure that will improve safety and create a better experience for everyone who uses the station".
Image not available to guests
New bridge components were lifted into place over Christmas when trains were not running
Network Rail said the installation was a key part of the station investment project, which also includes the renewal of platform surfaces, paving and yellow lines.
It was lifted into place over Christmas when trains were not running, meaning there was no disruption for passengers.
A 300-tonne crane with a 40m boom was used to lift sections weighing as much as 9.1 tonnes.
Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said: "We look forward to the opening of the new footbridge, after which the car park will once again become fully available."
The project is set to be completed in spring 2026. Part of Harlington station's car park remains closed to accommodate construction facilities.
Image not available to guests
A 300-tonne crane with 40m boom lifted into place new bridge components weighing as much as 9.1 tonnes
The new footbridge is set to open to the public in spring 2026
A new £7.9m footbridge connecting platforms at a railway station has been installed.
Network Rail says the new bridge over the Midland Mainline at Harlington Station, Bedfordshire, is designed to last for 120 years. It replaces an older bridge which had shown signs of corrosion.
Shak Munshi, project manager for Network Rail, said the bridge "represents a significant investment in modern, reliable infrastructure that will improve safety and create a better experience for everyone who uses the station".
Image not available to guests
New bridge components were lifted into place over Christmas when trains were not running
Network Rail said the installation was a key part of the station investment project, which also includes the renewal of platform surfaces, paving and yellow lines.
It was lifted into place over Christmas when trains were not running, meaning there was no disruption for passengers.
A 300-tonne crane with a 40m boom was used to lift sections weighing as much as 9.1 tonnes.
Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said: "We look forward to the opening of the new footbridge, after which the car park will once again become fully available."
The project is set to be completed in spring 2026. Part of Harlington station's car park remains closed to accommodate construction facilities.
Image not available to guests
A 300-tonne crane with 40m boom lifted into place new bridge components weighing as much as 9.1 tonnes
| Re: Belmond Britannic Explorer In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [370999/30661/47] Posted by Mark A at 14:24, 13th January 2026 | |
I'm wondering how much of an issue it is to find the space to stable these trains for overnight stops, especially when i recall one particular winter railtour behind the Duke of Gloucester, where the train called at Moreton in Marsh and needed to be out of the way for a service train. The refuge siding wasn't passed for passenger use, and it was one of those winter-almost-snowing days as we were put out onto Moreton's up platform for one of the longest 50 minutes of everyone's life, it being winter, grey, cold, spotting with rain.
Mark.
| Re: MetroWest services begin In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [370998/25753/21] Posted by johnneyw at 14:10, 13th January 2026 | |
That's coming on quite quickly now by the look of it. The platform edge block laying that was shown in the footage looks like it's a fairly speedy process and I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of those blocks are now in situ. It's really beginning to look like a station.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [370997/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 14:01, 13th January 2026 | |
Delays to services at Reading
Due to trespassers on the railway at Reading all lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from this station may be delayed. Disruption is expected until 15:00 13/01.
| Re: Speed cut approved for walking and cycling route In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [370996/31439/50] Posted by Red Squirrel at 13:27, 13th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I was in Wokingham a few months ago - I was surprised at how intimidating the combination of narrow pavements and 30mph limits was. But I'm less surprised that Wokingham folk tend to oppose 20mph limits; it's a different world there.
| Speed cut approved for walking and cycling route In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [370995/31439/50] Posted by CyclingSid at 11:37, 13th January 2026 | |
Give and take https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce9yvmj9m9vo.
Despite majority opposing speed reduction. Council would possibly cover themselves better if they introduced other 20 mph limits elsewhere in the borough.
| Cyclists raise safety concerns after slips and near misses on new cycle lane In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [370994/31415/50] Posted by CyclingSid at 11:32, 13th January 2026 | |
Comments on new cycle lane in South Gloucestershire https://road.cc/content/news/slips-and-near-misses-new-cycle-lane-317607
The wet leaves on the path are a common problem at this time of year. The problem is probably due to funding, the new path might have come from central government funds, but the local authority has to fund maintenance. If councils sweep roads they very rarely sweep cycle paths (and pavements?).
He added that the raised edge separating the cycle track from the pedestrian path also could pose a risk to cyclists.
as the Ranty Highwayman will tell you the form of edging between paths is critical. The elected members got their photo in the press, which is normally the most important part of any project.| Re: Belmond Britannic Explorer In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [370993/30661/47] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 11:03, 13th January 2026 | |
I'm with Grahame on this; not my world at all. Added to which, given its appalling reliability in 2025 when completing a tour seemed the exception rather than the norm, there seems a high likelihood of being let down.
| Re: Closure between Didcot and Oxford 1-8 February 2026 In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [370992/31436/9] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 10:52, 13th January 2026 | |
Nope - GWR error there, combining both Bicester stations
...and Kings Sutton should also be shown on the Marylebone line. Is it just me, or is GWR's quoted advice over-complicated and cumbersome?| Re: Three children fall from window of double-decker bus - Manchester, 7 Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370991/31399/51] Posted by GBM at 10:47, 13th January 2026 | |
Every bus driver has a tale (or three) about school and College pupil transportations on the upper deck.
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370990/569/25] Posted by GBM at 10:15, 13th January 2026 | |
Looe branch now confirmed as being closed until the 23 January.
Alterations to services between Liskeard and LooeDue to flooding between Liskeard and Looe the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations have been suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 23/01/26.
Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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Heavy rainfall during December combined with high tides resulted in the water levels at several bridges along the branch line being above the level which allows us to safely run trains. This had caused some damage to structures along the line which will require repairs.
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What are we doing about it?
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The water levels dropped allowing Network Rail to inspect the bridges, and it has been found that repairs to the infrastructure are required before we are able to run trains again.
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Storm Goretti brought strong winds and rain to the area overnight Thursday into Friday which has caused the water levels to rise again, which is now delaying the start of the repair work.
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Once the water levels drop again, repair work will be able to begin, and we should then be able to give a more accurate date for the line reopening. Currently we do not expect to run trains until Friday 23rd January at the earliest.
| Re: MetroWest services begin In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [370989/25753/21] Posted by Noggin at 09:41, 13th January 2026 Already liked by johnneyw | |
New track and first platform blocks laid at Brabazon over Christmas.
https://x.com/networkrailwest/status/2010729478755115050
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370987/30562/5] Posted by Mark A at 08:50, 13th January 2026 | |
People might find 'Rain-X' (other products are available) a boon for this. It's a hydrophobic coating for glass. An application lasts for months. Good in town and lovely on motorways at speed as the airflow takes over and windscreen wipers can often be stood down for the duration. Rail companies should use it too for carriage glass as a matter of course and hopefully the also important cab glass.
Mark
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [370986/31371/14] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 07:03, 13th January 2026 | |
Not sure what’s going on this morning, but the 0523 from Hereford disappeared after Norton Junction (presumably sent via Stroud?) and the 0643 from Shrub Hill is nowhere to be seen. Please don’t say everyone is going to have to squeeze onto the Halts train…
| Re: Belmond Britannic Explorer In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [370985/30661/47] Posted by grahame at 06:38, 13th January 2026 | |
Program for this year ...
https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/britannic-explorer/journeys
I have taken a look through some of these including (in our GWR area) the long weekend from Victoria to Cornwall. I'll be giving them a miss; they feel like a different world in which I would feel uncomfortable, and the cost - sure, for a weekend it could be done as a one-off bucket-list pension-lump-sum spend, but not for me. And the offer or arranging a limo at Victoria to get me back to an airport for my flight home ... does not work ... for Melksham.
| Re: Multi garden miniature railway - is this a first (and other spoofs) In "The Lighter Side" [370984/31433/30] Posted by grahame at 06:11, 13th January 2026 Already liked by matth1j, rogerw | |
https://www.facebook.com/reel/685427777987125
BREAKING: Doris Whitcombe, 81, from Chislehurst didn’t expect to remove her shoes in public before 10am and neither did anyone else!
Visitors to the newly opened Bramblewick & Lower Puddlecombe Heritage Railway were left confused, shoeless and slightly damp this weekend after management introduced full airport style security screening for anyone boarding or leaving the platform.
The unexpected measures appeared without warning on Saturday morning, complete with plastic trays, metal detectors, handheld scanners and several very serious looking volunteers wearing high visibility vests and expressions normally reserved for international departures.
Passengers hoping to enjoy a gentle ride behind the railway’s pride and joy, a gleaming LMS Black 5 steam locomotive, instead found themselves queuing politely while being instructed to remove belts, shoes, watches, loose change, sandwiches and in one case a suspiciously large fruit cake.
Visitors to the newly opened Bramblewick & Lower Puddlecombe Heritage Railway were left confused, shoeless and slightly damp this weekend after management introduced full airport style security screening for anyone boarding or leaving the platform.
The unexpected measures appeared without warning on Saturday morning, complete with plastic trays, metal detectors, handheld scanners and several very serious looking volunteers wearing high visibility vests and expressions normally reserved for international departures.
Passengers hoping to enjoy a gentle ride behind the railway’s pride and joy, a gleaming LMS Black 5 steam locomotive, instead found themselves queuing politely while being instructed to remove belts, shoes, watches, loose change, sandwiches and in one case a suspiciously large fruit cake.
