Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [379068/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 15:48, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
Apparently 175s cannot operate in the dark anymore. You couldn't make it up.
Today 2C05 0655 Exeter- Penzance was operated by 166207 to Plymouth then 175006 took over the diagram.
Yesterday the diagram 2E28 1915 Penzance- Exeter was cancelled from Par; getting dark. There is a real contempt for passengers in the southwest as that is the connecting train at Exeter for the last Bristol
The same tonight???
| Re: Same word - different meanings - public transport context In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [379065/32449/20] Posted by grahame at 13:52, 2nd September 2026 Already liked by JohnM | ![]() |
Maybe we chant together for a more reliable and frequent service!

This image is a fictional representation of us singing in a the Coffee Shop
| Re: 3rd and final (for now) "Rail related but no trains" In "The Lighter Side" [379064/32437/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 13:42, 2nd September 2026 Already liked by grahame | ![]() |
Looks like Dublin Connolly
| Re: Railways but no trains - 1 of 3 In "The Lighter Side" [379063/32425/30] Posted by grahame at 13:39, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
4: must be the Museo delle Ferrovie dello Stato Sardegnavapore at (next door to) Cagliari station. The picture shows a sampler display in the main station. I'm sure Sardinia counts as a semi-detached bit of Italy.
Yes - it's within Cagliari main station in the entrance hall area - their "Lawn" if you like.
| Re: Railways but no trains - 1 of 3 In "The Lighter Side" [379062/32425/30] Posted by stuving at 13:28, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
4: must be the Museo delle Ferrovie dello Stato Sardegnavapore at (next door to) Cagliari station. The picture shows a sampler display in the main station. I'm sure Sardinia counts as a semi-detached bit of Italy.
And he name checked Pill and Portishead in his first PMQs and raised why Bristol and Leeds haven't got a mass transit system...
| Scot Nats unhappy with GBR branding at Glasgow In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [379060/32450/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 13:19, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
How to upset people with too much time on their hands.................
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/union-jack-style-great-british-railways-branding-at-major-glasgow-station-angers-scottish-government-officials/ar-AA2bhsJ1?ocid=socialshare
| Re: Change to Number 8 service at Temple Meads In "Buses and other ways to travel" [379058/32445/5] Posted by Red Squirrel at 13:16, 2nd September 2026 Already liked by Mark A | ![]() |
Looking at the route for the No 8,, the Avon Street / Temple Way junction is or was left turn only so has presumably been very recently heavily remodelled...
Indeed it has. They think of everything.
| Re: Railways but no trains - 1 of 3 In "The Lighter Side" [379057/32425/30] Posted by grahame at 13:14, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
No 9 Milazzo Sicily. New station 3 km out of town, replacing one in the centre of town.
Nope - I've not been there. I suspect it's a standard station design
| Re: Railways but no trains - 1 of 3 In "The Lighter Side" [379056/32425/30] Posted by chuffed at 13:04, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
No 9 Milazzo Sicily. New station 3 km out of town, replacing one in the centre of town.
| Re: Same word - different meanings - public transport context In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [379055/32449/20] Posted by GBM at 12:24, 2nd September 2026 Already liked by JohnM | ![]() |
Maybe we chant together for a more reliable and frequent service!
2b. Our Great Western Coffee Shop (where you are reading this) has nothing to sell financially. A coffee shop is somewhere to sit around and chant with others of similar interests - to share stories and news, exchange views and learn from them in a convivial and friendly environment.

| Re: Change to Number 8 service at Temple Meads In "Buses and other ways to travel" [379053/32445/5] Posted by Phantom at 11:38, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
That's an issue, as the direct route is presumably back through the station barriers.
**snip**
**snip**
Looking at the map and putting my brain into gear, the station-barriers-free route (and ~100 yards shorter) is head down the station ramp to the rather savage T1 stop.
I spent 25 years commuting to Brislington, I still have nightmares about that stop

| Re: 3rd and final (for now) "Rail related but no trains" In "The Lighter Side" [379052/32437/30] Posted by PrestburyRoad at 11:17, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
C7 looks to be on the Dublin tram network, because of the sign headed LUAS. There appears to be a station name sign in the centre of the picture but I haven't managed to work out what it says.
| Re: 2 of 3 - rail related but no trains In "The Lighter Side" [379051/32435/30] Posted by DR7835 at 10:28, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
Similarly I'd guess at B9 being somewhere in Germany judging by the general appearance, signs and the PZB inductor on the track.
| Re: 3rd and final (for now) "Rail related but no trains" In "The Lighter Side" [379050/32437/30] Posted by DR7835 at 10:09, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
thanks DR7835
C9-Milan
Happy to oblige and that was also my answer - well Milano Centrale to be precise.C9-Milan
Dave
| Re: 3rd and final (for now) "Rail related but no trains" In "The Lighter Side" [379049/32437/30] Posted by grahame at 10:08, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
I think that third set might be a bit harder - correct so far
C0 Mora - Chris from Nailsea
C2 Rotterdam Centraak - stuving
C3 London Bridge - rogerpatenall
C4 Beauly - eightonedee
C5 Corfe Castle - bradshaw
C9 Milan - eightonedee
C10 Antwerpen Centraal - stuving
C12 Castlebar - stuving
C13 Göschenen - DR7835
C14 Bewdley - DR7835
so outstanding:
C1.

C6.

C7.

C8.

C11.

| Re: 2 of 3 - rail related but no trains In "The Lighter Side" [379048/32435/30] Posted by PrestburyRoad at 10:03, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
B5 looks to be in France, from the 'Sor' or 'Sort' as the beginning of the possible word 'Sortie' on the sign at the top right of the picture.
| Re: Call for improved catering (a Coffee Shop!) in Cornwall In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [379047/32440/28] Posted by GBM at 09:51, 2nd September 2026 Already liked by JohnM, Mark A | ![]() |
Being related to "Cornish News", I think I can safely say this is not to be taken seriously.
:-)
Thank you Andy.:-)
Was about to post the same in case anyone took the item seriously!
Cornish News is a spoof site (running throughout the year, rather than April 1st only).
| Re: Railways but no trains - 1 of 3 In "The Lighter Side" [379046/32425/30] Posted by grahame at 09:46, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
0 Paddington - stuving
1 Saltash - stuving
2 Prague hlavní nádraží - DR7835
3 Arbroath - broooklea
4 Italy (somewhere!) - eightonedee
5 York - Chris from Nailsea
6 Marlow - Mark A
7 Usti nad Labem - Chris from Nailsea
8 King's Cross - eightonedee
10 Ebbw Vale - stuving
11 Brighton - TonyN
12 Amsterdam Zuid - Chris from Nailsea
13 Plymouth - Chris from Nailsea
14 Prague hlavní nádraží - DR7835
Just two left, and I think we have established that both are Italian, but the towns not yet mentioned in this thread
4.

9.

| Re: Bus journeys in west of Scotland to be capped at £2 from Monday In "Buses and other ways to travel" [379045/32448/5] Posted by grahame at 09:28, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
The Highlands are already covered by a £2 cap
Noted - and the distinction may be between the Highlands which does NOT include Oban and the Highlands and Islands which does
From https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Maps/LocalAuthorityRegions.aspx

| Re: 2 of 3 - rail related but no trains In "The Lighter Side" [379044/32435/30] Posted by grahame at 09:26, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
B0 Reading - ChrisB
B1 Arnhem - stuving
B2 Wuppertal - PrestburyRoad
B3 Cattewater (Plymouth) - Chris from Nailsea
B4 Bregenz - stuving
B6 Taunton - Chris from Nailsea
B7 Inverness - eightonedee
B8 (London) St Pancras - TonyN
B11 Leven - brooklea
B12 Melksham - Phil
B13 Liege - oxviem
B14 Potsdam - DR7835
Just 3 to go - anyone?
B5.

B9.

B10.

| Same word - different meanings - public transport context In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [379043/32449/20] Posted by grahame at 09:14, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
1. What's the difference between a Group (1a) and a group (1b)?
2. What's the difference between a shop (2a) and our Shop (2b)?
3. What's the difference between a station (3a) and a station (3b)?
4. What's the difference between a stop (4a) and a halt (4b)?
5. What's the difference between reading (5a) and Reading (5b)?
Words are confusing with dual use!
1a. The West Wiltshire Rail Users Group (WWRUG) is an independent association which aims to maintain and enhance the rail services serving West Wiltshire. Meetings are held throughout the year, with prominent speakers from the rail industry, local government, and other relevant organisations giving informative talks on rail related issues. Members receive a regular newsletter in return for an annual subscription, currently £8 for an individual and £10 for a family. Web site at https://www.wwrug.org.uk . Next meeting 16th September 2026, when we welcome Peter West, who for many years was the Franchise Manager for Great Western for many years at the Department for Transport. 19:00 for 19:30 at the Bethesda Church Hall in Trowbridge - about 100 yards from the station. Guests are welcome, but are asked to pay £2 per meeting (better to pay £8 up front to join?)
1b. A Facebook group is a community that connects people who share specific interests, and the West Wiltshire Rail Users (Facebook) group - note the lower case "G" - does exactly that. https://www.facebook.com/groups/wwrug I'm one of the administrators of that group, and the other two are both WWRUG Committee members. It's public readable and so everyone can read and with admin approval anyone can contribute - and we welcome and encourage people to do so, to chat, to post news, to share views on west Wiltshire rail topics.
1c. Online group members are welcome at public Group meetings and encouraged to join - bringing them quarterly meetings, newsletters and opportunities to get involved deeper at committee level, which is the heart of our campaigning and partnering for better services.
2a. A shop is where you buy things. Typically lots of products all in one place where you go (physically or online) to select what you want, and which becomes yours for a financial consideration.
2b. Our Great Western Coffee Shop (where you are reading this) has nothing to sell financially. A coffee shop is somewhere to sit around and chant with others of similar interests - to share stories and news, exchange views and learn from them in a convivial and friendly environment. The Great Western Coffee Shop is - in this vein - a meeting point of like and enquiring minds with a shared interest in rail travel across the wedge of Great Britain from London headed west to the Cotswolds, Wessex, South Wales and the South West of England. And being a meeting point amongst friends, talk often turns to related topics such as other public transport, trains in neighbouring area and sometimes beyond, and other topics of tangential interest in the areas covered
3a. A railway Station is a place where trains stop - a station on the railway.
3b. A fire station is - you hope - the last place you'll find a fire!
4a. A stop is where a train or bus stops for passengers to get on or off; on the railway, it's very much the same as a "railway station" and in the UK can range from Waterloo with goodness knows how many platform and passenger to Beauly where the only platform is so short that just one door of the train opens.
4b. A halt is where a train will stop - but only if there are passengers to drop off or pick up. There are a few remaining in GWR territory, including Lympstone Commando and Dilton Marsh where the passenger numbers are such that the train almost always stops anyway. Others in the GWR area include places like Thornford, Sandplace and Portsmouth Arms (which is nowhere near Portsmouth) on lines that are quieter too, and the "halt" designation and operation remains logical.
5a. reading is a skill we learn - before or at school for the majority of us in the UK these days - that sets us up for life's progress in modern society
5b. Reading is a town in Berkshire, and one of the biggest railway interchanges in the region. South Western Railway, Cross Country, Great Western and Transport for London all operate scheduled passenger trains there, and for most people travelling, who's operating the train you arrive on and the train you leave on is of little practical consequence. You just need to know who's website to drill down into for things like delay/repay claims, and if you're travelling as a group whether you groupsave ticket is valid on this or that operator.
Try also -
6. Flying Scotsman v The Flying Scotsman
7. Passenger v Customer
8. Barry Island v Barry Links
9. Usual (standard English usage) and usual as in "more trains needing repair than usual"
| Re: 2 of 3 - rail related but no trains In "The Lighter Side" [379042/32435/30] Posted by ChrisB at 08:31, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
Yes, indeed. Fair amount of damp to sort out before they sign a contract though
| Re: Bus journeys in west of Scotland to be capped at £2 from Monday In "Buses and other ways to travel" [379041/32448/5] Posted by ChrisB at 08:25, 2nd September 2026 | ![]() |
The Highlands are already covered by a £2 cap
https://svr.co.uk/news/bewdley-express-rolls-out-for-first-commuter-journey-on-the-svr/
Bewdley Express rolls out for first commuter journey on the SVR
The Severn Valley Railway’s Bewdley Express commuter trial got off to a flying start today [Tuesday 1 September] as the first heritage train carried passengers from Bewdley towards Birmingham, marking the beginning of an eight-week experiment in connecting the town directly with the wider West Midlands rail network.
The inaugural service, which departed Bewdley at 6.40am, attracted plenty of interest, with press and photographers on hand to capture the historic first journey.
Representatives of Bewdley Town Council and Worcestershire County Council were also present, alongside representatives of the three organisations that have worked together to make the trial possible: the Severn Valley Railway (SVR), West Midlands Railway and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).
The Bewdley Express operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the eight-week trial, with two morning services departing Bewdley at 6.40am and 7.40am. Passengers change at Kidderminster for West Midlands Railway services, with the first service reaching Birmingham Snow Hill at 7.46am and the second at 8.46am.
Evening return services leave Birmingham Snow Hill at 4.46pm and 5.46pm, connecting at Kidderminster with SVR trains back to Bewdley, arriving at 5.57pm and 7.02pm respectively.
The Severn Valley Railway’s Bewdley Express commuter trial got off to a flying start today [Tuesday 1 September] as the first heritage train carried passengers from Bewdley towards Birmingham, marking the beginning of an eight-week experiment in connecting the town directly with the wider West Midlands rail network.
The inaugural service, which departed Bewdley at 6.40am, attracted plenty of interest, with press and photographers on hand to capture the historic first journey.
Representatives of Bewdley Town Council and Worcestershire County Council were also present, alongside representatives of the three organisations that have worked together to make the trial possible: the Severn Valley Railway (SVR), West Midlands Railway and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).
The Bewdley Express operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the eight-week trial, with two morning services departing Bewdley at 6.40am and 7.40am. Passengers change at Kidderminster for West Midlands Railway services, with the first service reaching Birmingham Snow Hill at 7.46am and the second at 8.46am.
Evening return services leave Birmingham Snow Hill at 4.46pm and 5.46pm, connecting at Kidderminster with SVR trains back to Bewdley, arriving at 5.57pm and 7.02pm respectively.
I wish the trial well. I ... worry ... that people may try it out, but many who could make long term use of it will just make the odd journey knowing it's only running - err - 3 days a week for 8 weeks.
I bought a new car because it said it could be reversed faster than any other. It was a Kia Starmer.















