Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375431/28355/22] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 15:08, 24th May 2026 |      |
Everything was running late at Oxford on Friday afternoon, but while waiting for my train home I noticed the 1700 to Bristol was very healthily loaded. It left Oxford 22 minutes late but was only 9 late by Bristol, by the looks of it thanks partly to a scheduled six-minute dwell at Bath. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G15077/2026-05-22/detailed
| Re: Paddington <-> Bristol: service updates and amendments - ongoing discussion In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [375430/18525/10] Posted by Mark A at 15:08, 24th May 2026 | |
Catching the 10:13 Bath Spa to Chippenham this morning to hear a thing at Chippenham's folk festival, platform at Bath was cheerfully very busy, with staff to manage it, the train came in, also cheerfully busy, everyone aboard somehow and off up we all went. Quite a few off at Chippenham and very many more waiting to board. Chippenham Station forecourt on a Sunday morning was a surprise as it was by no means devoid of bus services and I could have chosen several destinations including, heaven help us, Castle Combe. Not sure if Melksham was an option but a bus did leave for Trowbridge, so, perhaps.
Also to be seen, that commendable covered bicycle parking provision, albeit with just two bikes in it. Useful to know that that's there. Wishing Bath had something like it.
The festival, very cheerful, and the park by the river hosting the public part of it with stalls + music - pretty ideal as the trees were providing copious shade and cooled air. It runs tomorrow as well.
Back on the 13:38 which was announced as arriving full and standing, passengers please spread out along the platform (the platform was on the way to being as busy as the one at Bath earlier). It took a little while to motivate the people standing aboard the train to free up the copious (standing) space in the carriages at each side, but once that was done, all aboard and... off we all went down the line. About 8027 people alighted at Bath, but from its appearance, the train was still pretty full when it left for Bristol. Good, well used public transport even if the route could probably have run to three trains an hour to soak up both existing and suppressed demand this sunny Sunday.
Mark
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375429/31359/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 14:04, 24th May 2026 | |
Very interesting stats, Graham. Thanks for providing them so quickly.
I think that means that the TransWilts is now broadly in line with the rest of GWR in terms of cancellations, which is broadly in line with the rest of the country.
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/newbury-weekly-news/20260514/281689736443730
So, GWR wide they're gone from a woeful position in 2025, to a poor but much better position in 2026. Still much to be done, but encouraging nonetheless.
A disappointing couple of days, but given the heat arriving very suddenly after a period of low temperatures, and the fact it's a Bank Holiday weekend, that's probably not too surprising. Expected, if not to be accepted.
I think that means that the TransWilts is now broadly in line with the rest of GWR in terms of cancellations, which is broadly in line with the rest of the country.
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/newbury-weekly-news/20260514/281689736443730
So, GWR wide they're gone from a woeful position in 2025, to a poor but much better position in 2026. Still much to be done, but encouraging nonetheless.
A disappointing couple of days, but given the heat arriving very suddenly after a period of low temperatures, and the fact it's a Bank Holiday weekend, that's probably not too surprising. Expected, if not to be accepted.
So what would you say GWR has done/is doing differently to upgrade performance from "woeful" to "poor"?
| Re: Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [375428/13608/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:51, 24th May 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Steam railway installs solar panels to cut bills
A steam railway in Kent has installed rooftop solar panels to cope with rising energy costs.
The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway fitted panels to two engine sheds, its cafe and its exhibition hall at New Romney station, as well as its restaurant at Dungeness station.
Kent Community Energy, the group behind the project, estimated the scheme could cut up to £18,000 from the miniature heritage railway's annual energy bill.
Railway general manager Stuart Ross said that running costs had "increased hugely" in recent years because of "spiralling energy costs".
The solar panels are forecasted to generate 110,000 kWh per year, according to Kent Community Energy.
The railway has not had to invest in the panels themselves but instead will buy the electricity they generate at a "lower cost" for the duration of the 20-year contract, it said.
Ross said it would "help us to improve our environmental credentials while making cost savings".
Michael Bax, of Kent Community Energy, said: "Later this year, we hope to install a charger for electric vehicles in their car park and further solar to help a coal-burning railway keep saving on carbon emissions."
It is the first rooftop project for the group.
The railway, which opened in 1927, is to cut the ribbon on the new installation on Friday.
The government has committed up to £1bn of funding for local energy projects such as solar panels on community buildings.
"We are going further and faster in getting off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and onto clean homegrown power we control, because it is the only route to lower bills for good," a government spokesperson said.
A steam railway in Kent has installed rooftop solar panels to cope with rising energy costs.
The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway fitted panels to two engine sheds, its cafe and its exhibition hall at New Romney station, as well as its restaurant at Dungeness station.
Kent Community Energy, the group behind the project, estimated the scheme could cut up to £18,000 from the miniature heritage railway's annual energy bill.
Railway general manager Stuart Ross said that running costs had "increased hugely" in recent years because of "spiralling energy costs".
The solar panels are forecasted to generate 110,000 kWh per year, according to Kent Community Energy.
The railway has not had to invest in the panels themselves but instead will buy the electricity they generate at a "lower cost" for the duration of the 20-year contract, it said.
Ross said it would "help us to improve our environmental credentials while making cost savings".
Michael Bax, of Kent Community Energy, said: "Later this year, we hope to install a charger for electric vehicles in their car park and further solar to help a coal-burning railway keep saving on carbon emissions."
It is the first rooftop project for the group.
The railway, which opened in 1927, is to cut the ribbon on the new installation on Friday.
The government has committed up to £1bn of funding for local energy projects such as solar panels on community buildings.
"We are going further and faster in getting off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and onto clean homegrown power we control, because it is the only route to lower bills for good," a government spokesperson said.
| Re: A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375427/32057/30] Posted by RobT at 13:35, 24th May 2026 | |
7. Trowbridge.
| Kent rail line closes for nine days for upgrade work - May 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [375426/32065/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:27, 24th May 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Rail line closes for nine days for upgrade work
A railway line in Kent has closed for nine days so that upgrade works can be completed.
The line between Borough Green & Wrotham and Ashford International, via Maidstone East, will be closed until 31 May as Network Rail complete works for the "long-term reliability" of the line.
During the closure, buses will replace trains with services running from Borough Green to London and also from Ashford. Stations that will have no service include West Malling, Bearsted and Lenham.
Passengers have also been told they can use services from Maidstone West to Paddock Wood to connect with services to London, which is 17 minutes quicker than using a bus and train to the capital.
Works will include improving drainage in the Wheeler Street tunnel between Maidstone East and Bearstead, replacing nearly 2,500 yards of track between Harrietsham and Charing, and the replacement of the level crossing at Ryarsh Lane near West Malling.
The line had to partially close in 2021 after a landslip in the Bearsted area.
(BBC article continues)
A railway line in Kent has closed for nine days so that upgrade works can be completed.
The line between Borough Green & Wrotham and Ashford International, via Maidstone East, will be closed until 31 May as Network Rail complete works for the "long-term reliability" of the line.
During the closure, buses will replace trains with services running from Borough Green to London and also from Ashford. Stations that will have no service include West Malling, Bearsted and Lenham.
Passengers have also been told they can use services from Maidstone West to Paddock Wood to connect with services to London, which is 17 minutes quicker than using a bus and train to the capital.
Works will include improving drainage in the Wheeler Street tunnel between Maidstone East and Bearstead, replacing nearly 2,500 yards of track between Harrietsham and Charing, and the replacement of the level crossing at Ryarsh Lane near West Malling.
The line had to partially close in 2021 after a landslip in the Bearsted area.
(BBC article continues)
| Pakistan: Blast targeting train kills at least 20 - 24 May 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [375425/32064/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:41, 24th May 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Blast targeting train kills at least 20 in Pakistan
At least 20 people have been killed and 70 others injured in an explosion targeting a train transporting military personnel in Pakistan.
The blast occurred while the train was travelling through Chaman Phatak station in Quetta, the capital of the western Balochistan region, on Sunday morning.
Railway officials told BBC Urdu that three coaches and the engine were derailed while two were overturned. The shuttle service had primarily been transporting service personnel and their families who had been returning home for Eid.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a suicide bombing. Pakistani officials have not yet confirmed this.
(BBC article continues)
At least 20 people have been killed and 70 others injured in an explosion targeting a train transporting military personnel in Pakistan.
The blast occurred while the train was travelling through Chaman Phatak station in Quetta, the capital of the western Balochistan region, on Sunday morning.
Railway officials told BBC Urdu that three coaches and the engine were derailed while two were overturned. The shuttle service had primarily been transporting service personnel and their families who had been returning home for Eid.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a suicide bombing. Pakistani officials have not yet confirmed this.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: EPF conference 2026 - 5th and 6th June, Maastricht In "Diary - what's happening when?" [375424/31013/34] Posted by grahame at 12:03, 24th May 2026 | |
From https://www.epf.eu/wp/join-us-at-the-23rd-epf-conference-in-maastricht-5-6-june-2026
Join us at the 23rd EPF Conference in Maastricht (5-6 June 2026)
We are pleased to invite you to register for and attend the 23rd Conference of the European Passengers’ Federation, bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, passenger organisations and other stakeholders to exchange views on the future of passenger mobility in Europe.
This year’s conference will take place on 5-6 June 2026 in Maastricht, the Netherlands, at the Gouvernement aan de Maas (Provincial House of Limburg), and is organised by EPF member organisation Reizigersvereniging Rover.
continues - speaker and loads of other details
We are pleased to invite you to register for and attend the 23rd Conference of the European Passengers’ Federation, bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, passenger organisations and other stakeholders to exchange views on the future of passenger mobility in Europe.
This year’s conference will take place on 5-6 June 2026 in Maastricht, the Netherlands, at the Gouvernement aan de Maas (Provincial House of Limburg), and is organised by EPF member organisation Reizigersvereniging Rover.
continues - speaker and loads of other details
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375423/31359/18] Posted by IndustryInsider at 11:34, 24th May 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, ChrisB, GBM | |
Very interesting stats, Graham. Thanks for providing them so quickly.
I think that means that the TransWilts is now broadly in line with the rest of GWR in terms of cancellations, which is broadly in line with the rest of the country.
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/newbury-weekly-news/20260514/281689736443730
So, GWR wide they're gone from a woeful position in 2025, to a poor but much better position in 2026. Still much to be done, but encouraging nonetheless.
A disappointing couple of days, but given the heat arriving very suddenly after a period of low temperatures, and the fact it's a Bank Holiday weekend, that's probably not too surprising. Expected, if not to be accepted.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375422/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 11:27, 24th May 2026 | |
We have already been informed of 2/14 (14%) cancellation rate for today ... let's see what the next week brings before we make any longer term judgement.
And as soon as I write that, 4/14 = 28% ... seems to happen disproportionatly on nice sunny Bank Holiday weekends ...
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375421/31359/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 11:23, 24th May 2026 | |
20:38 Westbury to Swindon due 21:23
20:38 Westbury to Swindon due 21:23 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375420/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 11:15, 24th May 2026 Already liked by IndustryInsider, Mark A | |
In the end, the final round trip train ran yesterday, and indeed the [Melksham time] 08:02 and 09:09 that were "cancelled" earlier in the week had been re-instated, giving a 11.8% cancellation rate for the last week.
What's the TransWilts cancellation rate so far for the year? Is it worse, the same, or better than the same point last year? And is there any trend to the rate for each individual month, year on year?
Last ...
7 days - 11.9%
14 days - 6.3%
28 days - 5.1%
56 days - 4.0%
112 days - 3.7%
From 1st January - 3.8%
I am wondering if the last - back to the 2025 sub-standard running rate - is a glitch or the system creaking again for the summer, and the jury is out on that.
My monitoring URL is https://www.wellho.info/sh4.php?daze=56 (replace the final number with the number of days you want to look back)
Notes
* The stats given are actual running and , and my view is that once a train is cancelled and notified as such it should be included in the failures. Four trains in the last seven days have been advertised as cancelled but have ended up running - not much good to passengers who have made other arrangements based on advice given, or been put off travelling.
* These are MELKSHAM calls - and where a train is terminated short, for example at Chippenham and it never reaches Chippenham, it shows up above as running AOK
* Where an alternative train makes a call at Melksham - this now sometimes happens when our train in cancelled to make way for a longer distance diverted service - it does not show up in the report / stats
We have already been informed of 2/14 (14%) cancellation rate for today ... let's see what the next week brings before we make any longer term judgement.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375419/31359/18] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:48, 24th May 2026 | |
In the end, the final round trip train ran yesterday, and indeed the [Melksham time] 08:02 and 09:09 that were "cancelled" earlier in the week had been re-instated, giving a 11.8% cancellation rate for the last week.
What's the TransWilts cancellation rate so far for the year? Is it worse, the same, or better than the same point last year? And is there any trend to the rate for each individual month, year on year?
| Re: A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375418/32057/30] Posted by stuving at 10:02, 24th May 2026 | |
4. Oxford. An unfamiliar livery, on a poor little unloved WMR unit wondering if it will ever get a chance to run in service before it's given a more garish makeover.
| Re: Wokingham station - improvements, resignalling and siding - merged posts In "South Western services" [375417/11448/42] Posted by bobm at 10:02, 24th May 2026 Already liked by GBM, Mark A | |
Some photos from yesterday for the record.
| Re: Wokingham station - improvements, resignalling and siding - merged posts In "South Western services" [375416/11448/42] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 09:48, 24th May 2026 | |
Some previous posts on this topic, which refer specifically to the reading of Ordnance Survey maps generally, have been split off and put into their own new topic in "introductions and chat', at https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=32063.0
| Re: [otd] 24th May 2002 - opening of Falkirk Wheel In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [375414/32062/47] Posted by Oxonhutch at 08:36, 24th May 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, Mark A | |
... Knowing that the Falkirk Wheel has attracted a number of our members to take a look (has anyone here ridden it?) and it's talked about on our member's area - yes - I'm posting. My own picture (probably one of my worst pictures of any time) is via https://www.wellho.info/share/falkirk.html
I have taken a full revolution of said structure not long after it opened visiting family in that part of the world. We used the touring narrowboat, with half a turn up; through the tunnel and return finishing with a half a turn back down. A wonderful piece of engineering.
| Re: A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375413/32057/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 08:36, 24th May 2026 | |
I was on the point of posting exactly what Oxonhutch did.
| Re: A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375412/32057/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 08:28, 24th May 2026 | |
Under the 24 hr rule, can I please add
3: Fleming Way, Swindon.
| Re: A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375411/32057/30] Posted by grahame at 08:06, 24th May 2026 | |
So far
1. Stratford (not-upon-Avon) - eightonedee
2. Melksham - ChrisfromNailsea
Indeed, this is the nearest bus stop "for" the station; it's a 6 or 7 minute walk (physically quite close but no direct route) and involves crossing a busy "A" road with no pedestrian crossing.
6. Beaulieu Park - stuving
No lifts / slopes on this bridge - so it must be the secondary way between platforms with another route available. The width of the steps looks astonising - very optimistic? -
8. Paddington - Oxonhutch
| Re: Torbay Airshow - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [375410/21539/24] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:05, 24th May 2026 | |
The 2026 show kicks off Friday evening 645pm-2145pm with the Red Arrows flying. Fireworks at 10pm to finish.
No extra trains.
Saturday from Noon-4pm with the Red Arrows again.
Shuttle train between Newton Abbot-Paignton was to be operated by a probable 175 but since has changed to the usual 80x.
Also a steam train picked up at Taunton for a Wolverhampton-Kingswear tour.
Sunday 1pm-4pm
Shuttle between Newton Abbot and Paignton with an 80x.
As a side issue 16 travellers caravans have parked up on Paignton Green since last tuesday
No extra trains.
Saturday from Noon-4pm with the Red Arrows again.
Shuttle train between Newton Abbot-Paignton was to be operated by a probable 175 but since has changed to the usual 80x.
Also a steam train picked up at Taunton for a Wolverhampton-Kingswear tour.
Sunday 1pm-4pm
Shuttle between Newton Abbot and Paignton with an 80x.
As a side issue 16 travellers caravans have parked up on Paignton Green since last tuesday
Probably thought with an airshow going on they'd have an opportunity to tarmac a runway?
Oddly a temporary tarmac pavement has been laid in front of the new sea defences that will be paused for the summer.
If it was laid by those new residents of Paignton Green, it will be very temporary indeed.
| Re: [otd] 24th May 2002 - opening of Falkirk Wheel In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [375409/32062/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 07:55, 24th May 2026 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
I am a great fan of David Johns' video blog 'Cruising the Cut' on YouTube.
For some fascinating footage of the Falkirk Wheel, see https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2022/06/06/vlog-267b-wheel-meet-again/ (19 minutes)
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375408/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 07:54, 24th May 2026 | |
If all trains cancelled for the day, taxis will be provided. They can't leave you stranded
Indeed - if you know to ask ... the industry systems that talk to passengers should as a matter or course (IMHO) suggest practical alternatives to tell people how they can make their journeys and not leave it up to the wannabe-passengers to say "oy!". The systems for this have improved, but remain patchy as illustrated yesterday.
In the end, the final round trip train ran yesterday, and indeed the [Melksham time] 08:02 and 09:09 that were "cancelled" earlier in the week had been re-instated, giving a 11.8% cancellation rate for the last week. There are two more cancellations already flagged up for today, so the stats in this report will get worse unless the cancellation are then reversed.
| Re: UK sees hottest day of year as bank holiday travellers face queues In "Across the West" [375407/32055/26] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 07:47, 24th May 2026 Already liked by GBM, old original | |
From the BBC:
.....Passengers travelling to Europe from the Port of Dover earlier faced delays of several hours, due to the introduction of a new entry and exit system.....
.....Passengers travelling to Europe from the Port of Dover earlier faced delays of several hours, due to the introduction of a new entry and exit system.....
Rather amusingly, at around 09:30 on Saturday due to the queues becoming unmanageable the French Border Police stopped using the EES and reverted to the good old stamping of passports. This has been confirmed by Simon Calder.
So it is not just our government that are crap at designing & implementing technology!
| [otd] 24th May 2002 - opening of Falkirk Wheel In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [375406/32062/47] Posted by grahame at 07:40, 24th May 2026 | |
From https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/visit/canals/visit-the-forth-clyde-canal/attractions/the-falkirk-wheel
The world’s only rotating boat lift, The Falkirk Wheel links the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal 35 metres above, allowing vessels to sail through the sky thanks to a unique fusion of art and engineering – and the same power it would take to boil eight kettles.
Transforming the contaminated site of a former tar works, The Falkirk Wheel opened in 2002 and replaced a flight of 11 locks that once stepped the Union Canal down to the level of the Forth & Clyde, more than 100 feet below. Whereas weary travellers once had a day’s heavy work opening and closing 44 lock gates to complete the journey between the two canals, The Falkirk Wheel allows vessels to transit between the two waterways in just a few minutes.
Transforming the contaminated site of a former tar works, The Falkirk Wheel opened in 2002 and replaced a flight of 11 locks that once stepped the Union Canal down to the level of the Forth & Clyde, more than 100 feet below. Whereas weary travellers once had a day’s heavy work opening and closing 44 lock gates to complete the journey between the two canals, The Falkirk Wheel allows vessels to transit between the two waterways in just a few minutes.
Should I be posting this? Are we off topic? Knowing that the Falkirk Wheel has attracted a number of our members to take a look (has anyone here ridden it?) and it's talked about on our member's area - yes - I'm posting. My own picture (probably one of my worst pictures of any time) is via https://www.wellho.info/share/falkirk.html
| Re: Torbay Airshow - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [375405/21539/24] Posted by REVUpminster at 07:09, 24th May 2026 Already liked by TaplowGreen | |
The 2026 show kicks off Friday evening 645pm-2145pm with the Red Arrows flying. Fireworks at 10pm to finish.
No extra trains.
Saturday from Noon-4pm with the Red Arrows again.
Shuttle train between Newton Abbot-Paignton was to be operated by a probable 175 but since has changed to the usual 80x.
Also a steam train picked up at Taunton for a Wolverhampton-Kingswear tour.
Sunday 1pm-4pm
Shuttle between Newton Abbot and Paignton with an 80x.
As a side issue 16 travellers caravans have parked up on Paignton Green since last tuesday
No extra trains.
Saturday from Noon-4pm with the Red Arrows again.
Shuttle train between Newton Abbot-Paignton was to be operated by a probable 175 but since has changed to the usual 80x.
Also a steam train picked up at Taunton for a Wolverhampton-Kingswear tour.
Sunday 1pm-4pm
Shuttle between Newton Abbot and Paignton with an 80x.
As a side issue 16 travellers caravans have parked up on Paignton Green since last tuesday
Probably thought with an airshow going on they'd have an opportunity to tarmac a runway?
Oddly a temporary tarmac pavement has been laid in front of the new sea defences that will be paused for the summer.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375404/31359/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 05:48, 24th May 2026 | |
16:43 Frome to Swindon due 17:34
24/05/26 16:43 Frome to Swindon due 17:34 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.
This is due to a shortage of train crew
17:44 Swindon to Salisbury due 18:55
24/05/26 17:44 Swindon to Salisbury due 18:55 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Torbay Airshow - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [375403/21539/24] Posted by TaplowGreen at 22:25, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by REVUpminster, GBM, Bob_Blakey | |
The 2026 show kicks off Friday evening 645pm-2145pm with the Red Arrows flying. Fireworks at 10pm to finish.
No extra trains.
Saturday from Noon-4pm with the Red Arrows again.
Shuttle train between Newton Abbot-Paignton was to be operated by a probable 175 but since has changed to the usual 80x.
Also a steam train picked up at Taunton for a Wolverhampton-Kingswear tour.
Sunday 1pm-4pm
Shuttle between Newton Abbot and Paignton with an 80x.
As a side issue 16 travellers caravans have parked up on Paignton Green since last tuesday
No extra trains.
Saturday from Noon-4pm with the Red Arrows again.
Shuttle train between Newton Abbot-Paignton was to be operated by a probable 175 but since has changed to the usual 80x.
Also a steam train picked up at Taunton for a Wolverhampton-Kingswear tour.
Sunday 1pm-4pm
Shuttle between Newton Abbot and Paignton with an 80x.
As a side issue 16 travellers caravans have parked up on Paignton Green since last tuesday
Probably thought with an airshow going on they'd have an opportunity to tarmac a runway?
| Re: Rail worker set colleague's clothes on fire: said it was common practice! In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [375402/32060/51] Posted by Electric train at 22:17, 23rd May 2026 | |
I find this hard to believe and cannot find any other corroboration. I have put out feelers into the Welsh community.
From Wales Online Facebook Also on their website, but behind paywall.
Interestingly, the site won't allow me to copy 'n paste any more of this article, truncating it to that above!
From Wales Online Facebook Also on their website, but behind paywall.
A railway worker who set his colleague on fire at the end of a shift said he was fooling around and things like this are common practice at work. However the victim (not the person pictured) was left with burns to his face, chest, and stomach and spent more than a week in hospital
Interestingly, the site won't allow me to copy 'n paste any more of this article, truncating it to that above!
If you had posted this 30 years ago I might have agreed " things like this are common practice at work"
I my recent working experience whist there is "leg pulling" "banter" what is outlined in the reported incident indicates lack of / bad management
| Re: UK sees hottest day of year as bank holiday travellers face queues In "Across the West" [375401/32055/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:46, 23rd May 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Hottest day of year as 30.5C recorded and temperatures set to soar
Temperatures will continue to soar across the bank holiday weekend following the hottest day of the year so far on Saturday.
A high of 30.5C was recorded at Frittenden in Kent, beating Friday's maximum temperature of 28.4C at Heathrow in London, Cranwell in Lincolnshire and Cambridge.
The Met Office said it was very rare for the UK to record temperatures above 30C in May, with the last time being on 25 May 2012.
The heat is forecast to intensify throughout the long weekend, reaching heatwave criteria in a number of locations. Daytime highs are forecast to reach the upper 20s Celsius in many areas, with the low 30s Celsius likely in the week ahead.
Amber heat health alerts remain in effect for the Midlands, eastern and south-east England.
Amber alerts mean there is a risk of a significant impact across health and social care services, with children and those aged over 65 at risk of negative health implications.
The remainder of England is under yellow heat health alerts, meaning adverse weather is "likely to affect vulnerable groups".
(BBC article continues)
Temperatures will continue to soar across the bank holiday weekend following the hottest day of the year so far on Saturday.
A high of 30.5C was recorded at Frittenden in Kent, beating Friday's maximum temperature of 28.4C at Heathrow in London, Cranwell in Lincolnshire and Cambridge.
The Met Office said it was very rare for the UK to record temperatures above 30C in May, with the last time being on 25 May 2012.
The heat is forecast to intensify throughout the long weekend, reaching heatwave criteria in a number of locations. Daytime highs are forecast to reach the upper 20s Celsius in many areas, with the low 30s Celsius likely in the week ahead.
Amber heat health alerts remain in effect for the Midlands, eastern and south-east England.
Amber alerts mean there is a risk of a significant impact across health and social care services, with children and those aged over 65 at risk of negative health implications.
The remainder of England is under yellow heat health alerts, meaning adverse weather is "likely to affect vulnerable groups".
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Just in case you hadn't noticed.
