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Great Western Coffee Shop
11.7.2025 (Friday) 17:15 - All running AOK
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363102/29073/31]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:49, 11th July 2025
Already liked by Chris from Nailsea
 
Numerous dead gulls have been seen locally. Reported as being due to gorging on flying ants. Some claim that these insects are toxic if eaten in large numbers, others claim that the birds overeat to such an extent that they become too heavy to fly, and expire of heat stress.


Note to self: go easy on flying ant consumption, particularly if intending to fly.

Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363101/29073/31]
Posted by broadgage at 16:47, 11th July 2025
 
Numerous dead gulls have been seen locally. Reported as being due to gorging on flying ants. Some claim that these insects are toxic if eaten in large numbers, others claim that the birds overeat to such an extent that they become too heavy to fly, and expire of heat stress.

Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury
In "TransWilts line" [363100/29726/18]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:47, 11th July 2025
 
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19

17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

seems to be an epidemic affecting Turbos today - or maybe the warm weather.

Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury
In "TransWilts line" [363099/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 16:39, 11th July 2025
 
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19

17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
In "Across the West" [363098/29650/26]
Posted by grahame at 16:37, 11th July 2025
 

The train being used on the Slough to Windsor route has developed a fault, and we have been unable to fix the problem.

No spare trains are currently available, therefore the service along this route is suspended until further notice.

..............unhappy tourists/commuters, happy taxi drivers.


I'm not in the UK at the moment and they seem to do things differently here.  As I understand it earlier today, there was a fault on the train we were waiting in, and we all transferred to another just along the platform. There seems to be an appreciable supply of parked trains at most operating centres, some of which I suspect are spare donors but some are in running order, and this provision of a few spares - no doubt each given a run from time to time - seems to make sense.  I would prefer and older train occasionally to no train.

Such a system could not be easily adopted in the UK due to the rolling stock leasing regime and the need for every train to pay its way every day.

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
In "Across the West" [363097/29650/26]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:22, 11th July 2025
 
Another Turbo has sat down.

Cancellations to services between Newbury and Bedwyn
Due to a broken down train between Newbury and Bedwyn fewer trains are able to run.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

What has happened?
The train operating the Newbury/Bedwyn shuttle has failed.

What are we doing about it?

Some long distance GWR Westcountry services will call additionally and rail replacement transport is being arranged.

...........and another

Cancellations to services between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central

Due to a fault on this train between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central fewer trains are able to run on the line.

Train services running to and from these stations have been cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.


Updated;

Customer Advice

The train being used on the Slough to Windsor route has developed a fault, and we have been unable to fix the problem.

No spare trains are currently available, therefore the service along this route is suspended until further notice.


..............unhappy tourists/commuters, happy taxi drivers.

Re: rail minister says HS2 is 'too fast'
In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [363096/30441/49]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:15, 11th July 2025
 
HS2 was conceived to provide extra capacity (sorely needed in many places, not just on the London to Birmingham route) and to be fit for the future

Lord Hendy now saying that it didn't need to be constructed with such high speed limits in mind does not fully explain the tunnels, many of which are for NIMBY reasons, the viaducts instead of earthworks, the slab track, or the bat tunnel, and several other specification extravagances

Judging by Hendy's comments, it would appear that the 225mph running speed was the greatest "specification extravagance" of them all! 

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
In "Across the West" [363095/29650/26]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:11, 11th July 2025
 
Another Turbo has sat down.

Cancellations to services between Newbury and Bedwyn
Due to a broken down train between Newbury and Bedwyn fewer trains are able to run.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

What has happened?
The train operating the Newbury/Bedwyn shuttle has failed.

What are we doing about it?

Some long distance GWR Westcountry services will call additionally and rail replacement transport is being arranged.

...........and another

Cancellations to services between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central

Due to a fault on this train between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central fewer trains are able to run on the line.

Train services running to and from these stations have been cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
In "Across the West" [363094/29650/26]
Posted by Timmer at 16:09, 11th July 2025
 
Another Turbo has sat down.

Cancellations to services between Newbury and Bedwyn
Due to a broken down train between Newbury and Bedwyn fewer trains are able to run.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

What has happened?
The train operating the Newbury/Bedwyn shuttle has failed.

What are we doing about it?

Some long distance GWR Westcountry services will call additionally and rail replacement transport is being arranged.

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
In "Across the West" [363093/29650/26]
Posted by lbraine at 16:02, 11th July 2025
 
Mini melt down at Reading taking place. Announced as an issue getting u its out of Reading Traincare Depot.

Three missing Thames Valley services (Delayed)
Cancellation to Basingstoke and Newbury

Seems the Class 387 don’t like the heat !

Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury
In "TransWilts line" [363092/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 15:56, 11th July 2025
 
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06

Facilities on the 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3.

I really wish it mattered .. with a reliable service, we could be doing so much more to promote rail use and days out - and because of loadings it could matter.

Pictures through the train window
In "The Lighter Side" [363091/30446/30]
Posted by grahame at 15:52, 11th July 2025
 
from my travels today (11.7.2025)






Re: west somerset railway cancels all day time services Friday 11 July 2025
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363090/30444/47]
Posted by grahame at 15:30, 11th July 2025
Already liked by Chris from Nailsea
 
Flying Scotsman services were due to run today. That's going to be a lot of disappointed folk.

I do hate it when companies say 'operational issues' without explaining further.

"Shortage of train crew"? "More trains than usual needing repair"?

Or "concern at all the people lineside watching the Flying Scotsman that they'll get in the way of all the other trains ..."

Re: west somerset railway cancels all day time services Friday 11 July 2025
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363089/30444/47]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 14:44, 11th July 2025
 
Flying Scotsman services were due to run today. That's going to be a lot of disappointed folk.

I do hate it when companies say 'operational issues' without explaining further.

"Shortage of train crew"? "More trains than usual needing repair"?

Re: Disruption 10/07/2025
In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [363088/30443/20]
Posted by Timmer at 13:52, 11th July 2025
 

*Sits on hands*

*Fails, hands escape and fly to the keyboard*. The utility and value to passengers and to the industry of that Waterloo-Bristol through service that ceased to run only a few years ago. Class 159, three carriages, well timed departures from Waterloo that didn't impose a peak fares massacre (as well as an easier-to-understand fares structure, and, often, advance fares available). Oh, and comfy seats and, though busy, spare seats every trip plus a trolley service for drinks and a bite.

And... if it has a driver and train manager at Waterloo - which it always did, SWR weren't in the habit of dropping the ball when the train split at Salisbury.

Mark
A much missed service Mark for sure. Connecting at Salisbury (the part that GWR is responsible for) always carries a risk that the direct service operated by SWT/SWR didn’t have.

Re: Disruption 10/07/2025
In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [363087/30443/20]
Posted by Mark A at 13:36, 11th July 2025
Already liked by Timmer
 
I had a leisure trip planned for tomorrow that involved going to Kent via Salisbury and Waterloo. I’ve postponed it because I think it could be a very similar picture on the Cardiff-Portsmouth and associated lines again tomorrow if there are poorly 165/166’s out of action due to heat exhaustion.
I’m glad I postponed my trip. Received a text message to say my connecting train this evening from Salisbury had been cancelled. Not heat related but shortage of train crew related. The last thing I’d have wanted after a long hot day.

*Sits on hands*

*Fails, hands escape and fly to the keyboard*. The utility and value to passengers and to the industry of that Waterloo-Bristol through service that ceased to run only a few years ago. Class 159, three carriages, well timed departures from Waterloo that didn't impose a peak fares massacre (as well as an easier-to-understand fares structure, and, often, advance fares available). Oh, and comfy seats and, though busy, spare seats every trip plus a trolley service for drinks and a bite.

And... if it has a driver and train manager at Waterloo - which it always did, SWR weren't in the habit of dropping the ball when the train split at Salisbury.

Mark

Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury
In "TransWilts line" [363086/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 13:17, 11th July 2025
Already liked by Mark A
 
12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:05

12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:05 is being delayed at Westbury.
This is due to train crew being delayed.

Let me guess ... because the crew are coming in on a delayed Berks and Hants semi-fast .... this arrangement does not seem to be robust.

Re: Disruption 10/07/2025
In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [363085/30443/20]
Posted by Timmer at 12:23, 11th July 2025
Already liked by Mark A
 
I had a leisure trip planned for tomorrow that involved going to Kent via Salisbury and Waterloo. I’ve postponed it because I think it could be a very similar picture on the Cardiff-Portsmouth and associated lines again tomorrow if there are poorly 165/166’s out of action due to heat exhaustion.
I’m glad I postponed my trip. Received a text message to say my connecting train this evening from Salisbury had been cancelled. Not heat related but shortage of train crew related. The last thing I’d have wanted after a long hot day.

Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [363084/231/28]
Posted by chuffed at 12:05, 11th July 2025
Already liked by Red Squirrel, Andy, Witham Bobby
 
Portishead railway group are showing the full business case GRIP 5 as being completed. Next stage is initial preparation for construction this Autumn and then full steam ahead proper construction in Spring 2026.

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
In "Across the West" [363083/29650/26]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 11:19, 11th July 2025
 
Delays to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a fault with the signalling system between London Paddington and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines towards Reading.
Train services running to and from these stations will be delayed by up to 15 minutes. Disruption is expected until 1130

Re: west somerset railway cancels all day time services Friday 11 July 2025
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363082/30444/47]
Posted by JayMac at 10:59, 11th July 2025
 
On Scotsman days it's ONLY those special services running. There's no 'normal' public timetable.

Re: Disruption 10/07/2025
In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [363081/30443/20]
Posted by rogerw at 10:55, 11th July 2025
 
And it appears disruption continues into Friday

Not a good start, looks like early trains already being cancelled

05:58 Westbury-Cardiff
06:38 Weymouth-Gloucester

Also seems some Weymouth trains are just 2car units today (shame, it is beach weather)


Fortunately not school holidays yet

Re: west somerset railway cancels all day time services Friday 11 July 2025
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363080/30444/47]
Posted by Phantom at 10:26, 11th July 2025
 
Looking at the WSR timetable it seems that the only services booked to run today and tomorrow are those hauled by Flying Scotsman.

So they are just cancelling all services apart from the Flying Scotsman?

Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury
In "TransWilts line" [363079/29726/18]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:18, 11th July 2025
 
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06

17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Westbury.

It will no longer call at Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a shortage of train crew

Re: west somerset railway cancels all day time services Friday 11 July 2025
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363078/30444/47]
Posted by Oxonhutch at 08:54, 11th July 2025
 
I do hate it when companies say 'operational issues' without explaining further.

Their guard's explaination to me when I enquired about the interrupted start at Bishops Lydeard station - twice. Being a qualified train dispatcher and trainee guard my professional curiosity caused me to seek a more informed reply than the first offering.

Re: west somerset railway cancels all day time services Friday 11 July 2025
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363077/30444/47]
Posted by bradshaw at 08:33, 11th July 2025
 
Looking at the WSR timetable it seems that the only services booked to run today and tomorrow are those hauled by Flying Scotsman.

Re: west somerset railway cancels all day time services Friday 11 July 2025
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363076/30444/47]
Posted by JayMac at 08:04, 11th July 2025
 
Flying Scotsman services were due to run today. That's going to be a lot of disappointed folk.

I do hate it when companies say 'operational issues' without explaining further.

Cancellations to services between Bournemouth & Southampton Central 11/07
In "South Western services" [363075/30445/42]
Posted by Timmer at 07:28, 11th July 2025
 
There will be a much reduced service operating between Southampton and Bournemouth after 10am today.

The signalling on this part of the SWML is fragile at the best of times, so they’ve clearly decided not to take the risk drastically thinning the timetabled service.

Being a Friday in summer with hot weather forecast for the weekend, the trains that do run are liable to be rammed. Best avoided if possible.

Cancellations to services between Bournemouth and Southampton Central

Due to forecast severe weather between Bournemouth and Southampton Central fewer trains are able to run on all lines.

What's Going On:
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

What We're Doing About It:
Due to forecasted severe weather today caused by high temperatures between Bournemouth and Southampton Central, fewer trains are able to run on all lines.

We are having to reduce the amount of trains which are running between these stations, to help minimise delays. This will be in effect from 10:00

Unfortunately we are unable to serve Beaulieu Road and Ashurst New Forest in the direction of Southampton Central from 10:00

Travel Advice from 10:00:
If you are at Beaulieu Road or Ashurst New Forest, wanting to travel in the direction of Southampton, you are advised to travel to Brockenhurst and change for a service towards Southampton Central. For further assistance in planning your journey please press the station help point.

If you are wanting to travel to Beaulieu Road or Ashurst New Forest from the direction of Brockenhurst, you are advised to travel to either Totton or Southampton Central and change for a service towards these stations.

To assist you with your journey, your ticket can be used, at no extra cost, on the following services:
CrossCountry services between Basingstoke and Bournemouth in both directions. CrossCountry tickets can also be used on South Western Railway services in the same area.

Our journey planners have been updated to reflect any changes, and customers are advised to check before you travel.

For further information or onward travel advice please speak to a member of staff or use a station help point.

We are very sorry for any delay that this may cause to your journey.

Further Information
A track circuit is one system used by Signallers to identify where trains are on the tracks. When these fail, trains have to stop at each affected signal and verify that the track beyond the signal is clear. Once they have authority from the Signaller to continue, they must do so at caution until they have completed that signalling section. This process takes up to 10 minutes per affected signal.

west somerset railway cancels all day time services Friday 11 July 2025
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363074/30444/47]
Posted by infoman at 07:04, 11th July 2025
 
From the WSR main page

Due to operational issues all planned daytime services for Friday 11th July 2025 are cancelled.

We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and a decision will be made regarding Friday evening services during the morning.

All affected customers have been contacted.

We apologise for the inconvenience and will provide further updates as soon as they are available.

Re: Disruption 10/07/2025
In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [363073/30443/20]
Posted by John D at 05:57, 11th July 2025
 
And it appears disruption continues into Friday

Not a good start, looks like early trains already being cancelled

05:58 Westbury-Cardiff
06:38 Weymouth-Gloucester

Also seems some Weymouth trains are just 2car units today (shame, it is beach weather)

 
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