Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378177/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 13:02, 13th August 2026 |      |
Journeycheck doesn't seem to be awake to this one - from National Rail.............
Route(s) affected
Elizabeth line between Shenfield and Heathrow Terminal 5, and also between between Abbey Wood and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead / Reading
All Great Western Railway routes to / from London Paddington
Heathrow Express between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5
Description
A failure of the electricity supply between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals / Reading means all lines are disrupted. As a result, trains will be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Major disruption is expected until 15:00.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378176/31163/26] Posted by grahame at 12:55, 13th August 2026 | |
The day that rail industry people, as part of disruption information, stop mansplaining components will be a good day. It' a really bizarre practice.
Mark
Mark
I'm inclined to disagree, Mark - it's not there for you, me and other Coffee Shop members who know these things. It's there for the other people - many of whom are bright - who have other skills and knowledge that fill their brains in preference to "points", "overhead electrics", and "staff". From an IT viewpoint, having the explanations come up as rollovers might be worth them considering.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378175/31163/26] Posted by ChrisB at 12:51, 13th August 2026 | |
Why should it?
Nothing to do with GWR where any fault can be pinned. It's climate change & network Rail infrastructure. GWR are the affected customer.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378174/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 12:47, 13th August 2026 | |
I came on to the Coffee Shop a few minutes ago to record / summarise yesterday's performance or lack thereof ... but find myself again reporting on new cancellations.
12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:01
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
For the record, from yesterday ... train summary. Only replacement flagged to be provided was a late pair of buses.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378173/31163/26] Posted by Mark A at 12:41, 13th August 2026 | |
*snip*
Points are the moving pieces of metal that enable trains to change tracks.
*snip*
Points are the moving pieces of metal that enable trains to change tracks.
*snip*
The day that rail industry people, as part of disruption information, stop mansplaining components will be a good day. It' a really bizarre practice.
Mark
| Re: Solar eclipse 12/08/2026 In "Across the West" [378172/32340/26] Posted by Mark A at 12:31, 13th August 2026 | |
That last photo... a drop of cloud really helps. Sorry about your 1999 absence.
Mark
| Re: Solar eclipse 12/08/2026 In "Across the West" [378171/32340/26] Posted by Mark A at 12:29, 13th August 2026 | |
Liking those. Your phone seems very good at either not producing, or its suppressing, lens flare which in the case of a direct photo of the sun, the flare can actually be good at recording the sun's disk itself.
Mark
| Re: Online buying pitfalls In "Fare's Fair" [378170/32356/4] Posted by Mark A at 12:27, 13th August 2026 | |
To be fair, the BRfares purchasing site is lightning-fast, informative and avoids the annoyances of e.g. the National Rail site and others. It's not straying into advance purchase travel territory though.
Mark
| Re: Hot weather - changes for 13th August 2026 In "Across the West" [378169/32358/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 12:11, 13th August 2026 | |
Sharing for GWR and Network Rail
Ahead of tomorrow's (Thursday 13 August) anticipated hot weather and the accompanying amber weather warning, our teams are working together to ensure the vast majority of planned services operate as usual. We are advising customers to check before they travel and carry water, and we're very grateful for their patience and understanding during this period.
We are also planning some reductions in service to help minimise further disruption and reduce the stress on rail infrastructure in the extreme heat. This includes:
* In the Thames Valley, we anticipate changes to our stopping services between London and Reading/Didcot Parkway, with trains not calling at Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford.
* Services between Truro and Falmouth will be reduced to hourly from half-hourly.
* The Okehampton branch will not operate, with replacement buses running instead. Services on the Barnstaple line will run as usual.
* The local stopping service between Bristol and Salisbury will not run. Cardiff/Bristol-Portsmouth services will continue to run as usual
* The shuttle service between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood will not run. Tickets will be valid on local bus services.
More information is available on our dedicated webpage at www.gwr.com/weather, and we've also issued a joint media release which you can read here: https://news.gwr.com/news/gwr-and-network-rail-advise-customers-to-check-before-travelling-as-new-amber-weather-warning-issued
Any help you can give to make your networks aware would be much appreciated, and as ever if there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
We are also planning some reductions in service to help minimise further disruption and reduce the stress on rail infrastructure in the extreme heat. This includes:
* In the Thames Valley, we anticipate changes to our stopping services between London and Reading/Didcot Parkway, with trains not calling at Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford.
* Services between Truro and Falmouth will be reduced to hourly from half-hourly.
* The Okehampton branch will not operate, with replacement buses running instead. Services on the Barnstaple line will run as usual.
* The local stopping service between Bristol and Salisbury will not run. Cardiff/Bristol-Portsmouth services will continue to run as usual
* The shuttle service between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood will not run. Tickets will be valid on local bus services.
More information is available on our dedicated webpage at www.gwr.com/weather, and we've also issued a joint media release which you can read here: https://news.gwr.com/news/gwr-and-network-rail-advise-customers-to-check-before-travelling-as-new-amber-weather-warning-issued
Any help you can give to make your networks aware would be much appreciated, and as ever if there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
According to the Met Office the temperature in Truro is currently 24 degrees, expected to reach a maximum of 25 degrees today.
Does this really constitute "extreme heat"?
| Re: Solar eclipse 12/08/2026 In "Across the West" [378168/32340/26] Posted by Mark A at 11:54, 13th August 2026 | |
An eclipse of some sort would now have a 'tick' against it on my bucket list if I actually had one. Agreed that it didn't score particularly highly on the spectacular scale. The expected Sound Of Silence was completely ruined by Gulls & Magpies, which creatures frequently invade our peace and quiet around here.
We were on the lower slopes of Mount Teide in Tenerife for the 1999 eclipse but had no idea it was happening. Didn't matter because most of the island was shrouded in thick cloud.
We were on the lower slopes of Mount Teide in Tenerife for the 1999 eclipse but had no idea it was happening. Didn't matter because most of the island was shrouded in thick cloud.
That reminds me of Plymouth - the total eclipse arrived and the various seabirds that had been flying around blithely taking no notice of the evidence in front of their own eyes that something was about to happen. Complete panic and a series of rather hairy dives as they ran for cover and safety.
Mark
| Re: Online buying pitfalls In "Fare's Fair" [378167/32356/4] Posted by JohnM at 11:15, 13th August 2026 | |
Looking at the BRFares website, it's good to see they don't waste their efforts on presenting a nice looking UI
| Re: Interesting "What3Words" In "The Lighter Side" [378166/32322/30] Posted by grahame at 11:04, 13th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
///kicks.irritable.shop ... somewhat amused because of what you can buy there, how annoyed you can get when you can't find the product you want, and the action you are tempted to take when the machine is out or order.
Topic drift ...
BrilliantPeacock4284
SilverWolf6121
CuriousHamster1843
ResilientCaribou791
DynamicSeal940
EmeraldStrawberry4929
EmpatheticFalcon2062
BrilliantKangaroo5708
Some of the "nicknames" seen on current social media posts where people select to have an alter-ego in groups they are members of. I'm concerned at people posting with their own names and also with nicknames in a group and find myself wondering "why?". Having said which, Coffee Shop member names in essence are nicknames / handles. I guess my concern is people having multiple personalities in a group, and using the two supposedly unlinked to setup phishing traps. Hence our "one name/account only" policy here, with a handful of exceptions where good cause is demonstrated.
It may surprise readers ... I am personally accepting of anonymous posting where there is reason on such groups - such as where a surprise holiday is being researched.
Anyway - to end the aside, Facebook is now giving group admins the ability to turn off posting under nicknames; that will put paid to any discussions of meeting up with Dynamic Seal when on a visit to Budapest, just to discover later that you've set up a clandestine liaison with your own wife. Example fictstious.
| Re: Online buying pitfalls In "Fare's Fair" [378165/32356/4] Posted by Trowres at 10:03, 13th August 2026 | |
As I understand it - and I have not looked in detail - BRFares is unlikely to be able to offer quotaed fares on specific trains such as Advance fares.
That is correct.
| Re: Solar eclipse 12/08/2026 In "Across the West" [378164/32340/26] Posted by bobm at 08:49, 13th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A, GBM, johnneyw | |
With its view of the western horizon, I chose Weston-super-Mare to view the event.
Although it did get noticeably busier as we neared the time of the maximum eclipse it was by no means crowded and plenty of seats available. I opted not to take a tripod with me so the shots were all handheld, although there were others there who were clearly making a production number out of it.
I did hear some reports of people's views elsewhere being obscured by cloud. At Weston there were just a few towards the end.
| From around Europe - some lessons for Melksham and other towns? In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378163/32360/18] Posted by grahame at 08:35, 13th August 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
I have blogged 24 picture with brief titles at https://grahamellis.uk/blog2051.html showing things I noticed. Many are transport related, so sharing here. Although no longer a Town Councillor, I retain an interest in transport, environment and planning. And I thank goodness that I have been able to let others pick up entertainment, parks, dog exercise, splash features, and food and drink and am now purely a user / consumer of those.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378162/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:33, 13th August 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to severe weather between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run on some lines.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
The extreme heat that is forecast for today can lead to an increase in points failures.
Points are the moving pieces of metal that enable trains to change tracks.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
To reduce the risk of this happening, a number of points will be set for one route and not moved, protecting the route to and from London Paddington.
| Re: Hot weather - changes for 13th August 2026 In "Across the West" [378161/32358/26] Posted by grahame at 08:20, 13th August 2026 | |
Sharing for GWR and Network Rail
* The local stopping service between Bristol and Salisbury will not run. Cardiff/Bristol-Portsmouth services will continue to run as usual
As far as I can see - not quite as usual. The cancellation of the local services withdraws almost all services (certainly daytime ones) at Avoncliff, Dilton Marsh and Freshford. Correct in the circumstances, the Cardiff to Portsmouth trains will be making extra calls at Avoncliff and Frsehford. However, it appear that they are not calling at Dilton Marsh - at least according to JourneyCheck. Which is an oddly unbalanced decision, considering that the walking area catchment of Dilton Marsh probably exceeds the walking area catchment of Freshford and Avoncliff combined.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378160/31163/26] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 08:09, 13th August 2026 | |
.....Looks like it was brought under control before it caused thousands of pounds worth of improvements.
Similarly the joke about the fallout from the long predicted massive Cumbre Vieja (La Palma) rockslide; 'A tsunami hit Plymouth yesterday, causing an estimated £15 million worth of improvements."
| Re: Solar eclipse 12/08/2026 In "Across the West" [378159/32340/26] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 07:43, 13th August 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
An eclipse of some sort would now have a 'tick' against it on my bucket list if I actually had one. Agreed that it didn't score particularly highly on the spectacular scale. The expected Sound Of Silence was completely ruined by Gulls & Magpies, which creatures frequently invade our peace and quiet around here.
We were on the lower slopes of Mount Teide in Tenerife for the 1999 eclipse but had no idea it was happening. Didn't matter because most of the island was shrouded in thick cloud.
| Re: Solar eclipse 12/08/2026 In "Across the West" [378158/32340/26] Posted by GBM at 07:12, 13th August 2026 | |
Posting here from my desk in the South-facing study in our house in Nailsea, I can say that I was very underwhelmed at this eclipse.
I noticed a slight reduction in the exterior daylight, and there were just a few squawking birds flying about - but that was about it, really.
Chris from Nailsea.
Yes, underwhelming here as well.I noticed a slight reduction in the exterior daylight, and there were just a few squawking birds flying about - but that was about it, really.
Chris from Nailsea.
A bit less sun, cooler. Then dusk!
Agree with Marlburian as well.
| Re: Online buying pitfalls In "Fare's Fair" [378157/32356/4] Posted by grahame at 06:19, 13th August 2026 | |
It appears, Hafren, that BRFares.com now offers that "buy a ticket now" functionality. I haven't tried it yet.
I noted that too as a potential solution to a problem I have had buying online - where I have known the ticket I need, but struggled to find a train to which it applies. That may sound odd - but if I want to go from - say A to C with a break of journey in B, I may well know (because I'm a sad geek) the best fare, but there may not be any specific / individual train and connections that would normally offer it on the routing I want because it's always quicker direct from A to C, not going via B.
As I understand it - and I have not looked in detail - BRFares is unlikely to be able to offer quotaed fares on specific trains such as Advance fares.
| Re: Railway Accident Photography In "Railway History and related topics" [378156/32353/55] Posted by JayMac at 00:27, 13th August 2026 | |
Me too!
The old timetables particularly.
| Re: Solar eclipse 12/08/2026 In "Across the West" [378155/32340/26] Posted by JayMac at 00:26, 13th August 2026 Already liked by GBM, johnneyw | |
At least I didn't miss this one. I was poorly and slept through 1999's total eclipse.
No eyewear to look directly at this one. I did the colander trick to show Mum, then headed out with Finn. It was like a very quick dusk coming down. We had some cirrocumulus here in Taunton that crossed the path of the sun during the eclipse.
Best I could do with my phone...
| Re: 29th Nov 2026 - GWR trains to/from Euston via East West Route In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [378154/32359/10] Posted by Mark A at 23:01, 12th August 2026 | |
A route between the GWML eastbound at Old Oak Common, and eastbound on the West Coast Main Line - it physically exists? But perhaps not for passenger use or not cleared for Class 80x for some reason?
Mark
Mark
They did something like that over xmas (2024?)... but it looks like this work requires closure right out to Maidenhead.
It's the sort of situation where a Bristol-Waterloo service would be perfect!
While the Bristol Waterloos were valued seven days a week, the argument that they'd be particularly appreciated as a mitigation for the impact of HS2 work on the GWML was, I think, made - and like all the other representations, duly ignored.
I still recall the ire with which two (women) members of the public left that Trowbridge meeting half way through - their internal 'We're never going to be listened to here' klaxon had rung loud and clear.
The DfT probably weren't expecting the blowback that they experienced as a result of their decision but they weren't going to budge.
Mark
| Re: 29th Nov 2026 - GWR trains to/from Euston via East West Route In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [378153/32359/10] Posted by bobm at 22:43, 12th August 2026 | |
Similar will also happen between Christmas and New Year.
Between 27th December and 4th January most Great Western Railway long-distance services will start and finish at Reading, rather than operating through to London Paddington. Local services will generally terminate at Maidenhead or Slough. Replacement travel arrangements will be in place for passengers travelling onwards towards London.
In addition, two trains per hour from South Wales and Bristol Temple Meads will be diverted at Swindon via Didcot and Oxford (not calling) and will operate to and from London Euston instead of London Paddington throughout the works.
The programme of work includes the renewal of signalling equipment at Dolphin Junction, together with preparatory work for the future HS2 railway. These improvements are designed to make the railway more reliable, helping to reduce delays caused by equipment failures in this area.
In addition, two trains per hour from South Wales and Bristol Temple Meads will be diverted at Swindon via Didcot and Oxford (not calling) and will operate to and from London Euston instead of London Paddington throughout the works.
The programme of work includes the renewal of signalling equipment at Dolphin Junction, together with preparatory work for the future HS2 railway. These improvements are designed to make the railway more reliable, helping to reduce delays caused by equipment failures in this area.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378152/31163/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:38, 12th August 2026 Already liked by rogerw, Marlburian, IndustryInsider | |
Looks like it was brought under control before it caused thousands of pounds worth of improvements.
You monkey, II.
| Re: 29th Nov 2026 - GWR trains to/from Euston via East West Route In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [378151/32359/10] Posted by Hafren at 22:33, 12th August 2026 Already liked by rogerw, Mark A | |
A route between the GWML eastbound at Old Oak Common, and eastbound on the West Coast Main Line - it physically exists? But perhaps not for passenger use or not cleared for Class 80x for some reason?
Mark
Mark
They did something like that over xmas (2024?)... but it looks like this work requires closure right out to Maidenhead.
It's the sort of situation where a Bristol-Waterloo service would be perfect!
| Re: Online buying pitfalls In "Fare's Fair" [378150/32356/4] Posted by Trowres at 22:20, 12th August 2026 | |
It appears, Hafren, that BRFares.com now offers that "buy a ticket now" functionality. I haven't tried it yet.
| Re: Solar eclipse 12/08/2026 In "Across the West" [378149/32340/26] Posted by eightonedee at 22:13, 12th August 2026 | |
For anyone planning ahead for 2081, I can report that the colander approach was only partly successful. I was eventually able to work out that I needed a greater distance from it to the piece of paper I used as a screen in time for the peak eclipse, and the diffusion of light around the edge of the moon diminished the effect of the claimed 90%+ eclipse by increasing the extent of apparent uncovered sun.
Here in the Goring Gap there was a considerable reduction in light levels, and a very welcome dip in the temperature.
| Re: Solar eclipse 12/08/2026 In "Across the West" [378148/32340/26] Posted by Marlburian at 21:52, 12th August 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
Just a slight dimming here in Tilehurst. Had I not been waiting for it, I probably wouldn't have noticed a thing.
