Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Sydney Gardens No. 2 Tunnel, Bath. Navigation and towpath closed. In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [381416/32604/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:24, 28th October 2026 |      |
From the BBC:
Calls to remove liveable neighbourhood road
A single lane closure is in place over the bridge, and engineers are "closely monitoring" the structure - Image © LDRS
Hundreds of people are calling for a road to be reopened to traffic after damage to a nearby tunnel caused further disruption on a major route.
More than 860 people have signed a petition demanding motorists be able to use Sydney Road in Bath, which was closed to traffic in 2024 as part of the city's liveable neighbourhoods scheme.
The petitioners say a single-lane closure on the alternative A36 Beckford Road, after contractors accidentally broke through the roof of a canal tunnel, has meant long queues.
A Bath and North East Somerset Council spokesperson said safety was its "priority" and engineers were closely monitoring the bridge, but the lane and bridge closure would continue.
Sydney Road was previously used as a shortcut from the A36 at Beckford Road and around Sydney Gardens, until bollards were placed at the end of the road.
People living on the road say it is better for cyclists and pedestrians, but Beckford Road residents say it has pushed all the traffic past them.
Petition organiser Kay Martin said stopping traffic had caused "significant disruption and frustration". She said people using the A36 into and out of the city had been further impacted by the 200-year-old tunnel roof being damaged by contractors building a shared-path and the subsequent lane closure.
Martin said she was concerned about longer journeys, increased pollution from idling vehicles and delays for emergency services. "Reopening Sydney Road is not just a matter of convenience, but a necessity," she said.
The tunnel is closed to both boats and pedestrians on safety grounds, leaving all narrowboats south of the closure trapped on the last mile of the canal - Image © LDRS
The Kennet and Avon Canal and towpath have also been closed.
Keith, of Bath Narrowboats, said boaters could face months of disruption and backed calls to reopen Sydney Road. He said it was the time of year when river boaters moved onto the canal to avoid flooding.
"In the next couple of weeks it's all going to kick off because all those boats on the river are coming up and they've got nowhere to go," he said. "If they opened that, they would not have a queue of traffic miles back." He also raised concerns about heavy lorries continuing to cross the affected structure.
A Bath and North East Somerset Council spokesperson confirmed the eastbound lane closure on Beckford Road would continue, alongside the closure of the canal and towpath at the north end of Sydney Gardens.
The BBC has contacted the council about the petition.
A single lane closure is in place over the bridge, and engineers are "closely monitoring" the structure - Image © LDRS
Hundreds of people are calling for a road to be reopened to traffic after damage to a nearby tunnel caused further disruption on a major route.
More than 860 people have signed a petition demanding motorists be able to use Sydney Road in Bath, which was closed to traffic in 2024 as part of the city's liveable neighbourhoods scheme.
The petitioners say a single-lane closure on the alternative A36 Beckford Road, after contractors accidentally broke through the roof of a canal tunnel, has meant long queues.
A Bath and North East Somerset Council spokesperson said safety was its "priority" and engineers were closely monitoring the bridge, but the lane and bridge closure would continue.
Sydney Road was previously used as a shortcut from the A36 at Beckford Road and around Sydney Gardens, until bollards were placed at the end of the road.
People living on the road say it is better for cyclists and pedestrians, but Beckford Road residents say it has pushed all the traffic past them.
Petition organiser Kay Martin said stopping traffic had caused "significant disruption and frustration". She said people using the A36 into and out of the city had been further impacted by the 200-year-old tunnel roof being damaged by contractors building a shared-path and the subsequent lane closure.
Martin said she was concerned about longer journeys, increased pollution from idling vehicles and delays for emergency services. "Reopening Sydney Road is not just a matter of convenience, but a necessity," she said.
The tunnel is closed to both boats and pedestrians on safety grounds, leaving all narrowboats south of the closure trapped on the last mile of the canal - Image © LDRS
The Kennet and Avon Canal and towpath have also been closed.
Keith, of Bath Narrowboats, said boaters could face months of disruption and backed calls to reopen Sydney Road. He said it was the time of year when river boaters moved onto the canal to avoid flooding.
"In the next couple of weeks it's all going to kick off because all those boats on the river are coming up and they've got nowhere to go," he said. "If they opened that, they would not have a queue of traffic miles back." He also raised concerns about heavy lorries continuing to cross the affected structure.
A Bath and North East Somerset Council spokesperson confirmed the eastbound lane closure on Beckford Road would continue, alongside the closure of the canal and towpath at the north end of Sydney Gardens.
The BBC has contacted the council about the petition.
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [381415/31017/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:47, 28th October 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Train attacker asked man 'do you want to die?', trial hears
The jury has been shown this image of Anthony Williams at Peterborough railway station, where he boarded the train - Image © British Transport Police
Train passengers fled "in sheer terror" from a knife attacker who asked one victim "do you want to die?", a trial has heard.
Anthony Williams, 33, is accused of attempting to murder 10 passengers and staff on a train that had to make an emergency stop in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on 1 November 2025. He is also accused of trying to kill three people in Peterborough the day before and then a boy at a London railway station.
Opening the prosecution case at Cambridge Crown Court, Christopher Paxton KC said that of those on the train "some stood tall, to protect others trying to de-escalate his rampage".
Williams, of Langford Road in Peterborough, denies 14 counts of attempted murder.
Williams is accused of attempting to murder Jonathan Gjoshe, Sachin Balakrishnan, David Presland, Scott Bletcher, Scott Green, Kevin Deely, Stephen Crean, Raza Aslam, Michael Paffett and Samir Zitouni on the train between Peterborough and Huntingdon on that Saturday evening.
He is also accused of attempting to murder a 14-year-old boy and Dawid Taborski on a footbridge near Henry Penn Walk in Peterborough on 31 October, and William Ogelby at Railworld car park in the city shortly afterwards.
Williams was then seen swigging from a bottle of alcohol outside Ritzy Barber Shop in Fletton in Peterborough, before going into the shop brandishing a knife.
The jury heard he then travelled to east London, where he stabbed a 17-year-old on a Docklands Light Railway train at Pontoon Dock in Silvertown in the early hours of 1 November.
During that attack, jurors were told a witness said she heard the defendant repeatedly say: "Are you trying to beef with the devil?"
(BBC article continues)
The jury has been shown this image of Anthony Williams at Peterborough railway station, where he boarded the train - Image © British Transport Police
Train passengers fled "in sheer terror" from a knife attacker who asked one victim "do you want to die?", a trial has heard.
Anthony Williams, 33, is accused of attempting to murder 10 passengers and staff on a train that had to make an emergency stop in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on 1 November 2025. He is also accused of trying to kill three people in Peterborough the day before and then a boy at a London railway station.
Opening the prosecution case at Cambridge Crown Court, Christopher Paxton KC said that of those on the train "some stood tall, to protect others trying to de-escalate his rampage".
Williams, of Langford Road in Peterborough, denies 14 counts of attempted murder.
Williams is accused of attempting to murder Jonathan Gjoshe, Sachin Balakrishnan, David Presland, Scott Bletcher, Scott Green, Kevin Deely, Stephen Crean, Raza Aslam, Michael Paffett and Samir Zitouni on the train between Peterborough and Huntingdon on that Saturday evening.
He is also accused of attempting to murder a 14-year-old boy and Dawid Taborski on a footbridge near Henry Penn Walk in Peterborough on 31 October, and William Ogelby at Railworld car park in the city shortly afterwards.
Williams was then seen swigging from a bottle of alcohol outside Ritzy Barber Shop in Fletton in Peterborough, before going into the shop brandishing a knife.
The jury heard he then travelled to east London, where he stabbed a 17-year-old on a Docklands Light Railway train at Pontoon Dock in Silvertown in the early hours of 1 November.
During that attack, jurors were told a witness said she heard the defendant repeatedly say: "Are you trying to beef with the devil?"
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Storms Austen and Boelo, with following strong winds: modified rail services and infrastructure In "Across the West" [381414/32650/26] Posted by stuving at 20:12, 28th October 2026 | |
If anyone is interested, this is the list of storm names for 2026 / 2027:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cn0n01vrw9vo
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cn0n01vrw9vo
You can also look up the Met Office's list of storm names and naming dates.
| Re: Storms Austen and Boelo, with following strong winds: modified rail services and infrastructure In "Across the West" [381413/32650/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:43, 28th October 2026 | |
Thanks for posting, Surrey 455.
See also https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=32461.msg379194#msg379194
That is no doubt where the Scottish press got their inspiration, naming the next Storm before it was formally named by the Met Office. I shall never trust anything the Scottish press write, ever again.
Chris.
| Re: Starting homeward bound In "Introductions and chat" [381412/32671/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:30, 28th October 2026 | |
Thanks for posting that update, grahame.
Your photos seem to indicate that there is something of a shortage of natural water in Portugal and Spain?
CfN.
| Re: Storms Austen and Boelo, with following strong winds: modified rail services and infrastructure In "Across the West" [381411/32650/26] Posted by Surrey 455 at 19:19, 28th October 2026 | |
If anyone is interested, this is the list of storm names for 2026 / 2027:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cn0n01vrw9vo
| Re: Landline switchover could cut people off in emergency, minister warned In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381410/32670/31] Posted by Surrey 455 at 19:09, 28th October 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
We were switched to the new system a few years ago. It's still a copper wire I believe. At least once a month I have to reboot the router as it goes offline for no apparent reason.
EDIT - just a few minutes after I wrote this, my router went offline but this time the phone was unaffected. I've no idea what happened last time,
| Starting homeward bound In "Introductions and chat" [381409/32671/1] Posted by grahame at 18:34, 28th October 2026 Already liked by Mark A, Chris from Nailsea | |
We have arrived - somewhat tired the International train back from Portugal to Spain, and are booked in here for a couple of nights. Time for food, and a a good sleep. Explore the town and post more in the morning. Here are some pictures out of the train window (the ones clear of reflections) and of the train itself.
| Landline switchover could cut people off in emergency, minister warned In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381407/32670/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:03, 28th October 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Landline switchover could cut people off in emergency, minister warned
Plans to switch off the UK's traditional landline phone network could leave people in remote areas unable to contact help in an emergency, MPs have warned.
Landline operators aim to complete the switch to an internet-based network instead of copper-wire cables by the end of January next year.
The government and operators say the move to digital landlines will offer a more reliable service. But MPs representing remote areas of the UK urged security minister Dan Jarvis to ensure that scrapping the copper-wire network did not make their communities more vulnerable in a storm or other emergency. Unlike digital services, the traditional landline network does not rely on mains electricity and continues to work in a power cut.
Labour MP Torcuil Crichton, who represents the Western Isles constituency of Na h-Eileanan an Iar, said: "Resilience is inbuilt in the islands but we have major problems with connectivity because of this move from analogue to digital phone lines." He said that "when the power goes out people don't have the phone, they don't have the internet and often they don't have a mobile signal either".
Retail service providers have been giving back-up battery packs to vulnerable customers, which can keep landline phones operating for an hour or more.
But Crichton said this was "simply not adequate" and that mobile phone providers "simply don't have the means to maintain or keep their signal going during storms". He urged the minister to get telecoms firms to "up their digital game" to protect places "on the edge where people are vulnerable, isolated from their neighbours, where the ambulance is an hour away and the storm is 70 miles an hour".
Similar concerns were raised by MPs from the West Country and the Lake District.
Markus Campbell-Savours, Labour MP for Penrith and Solway, said: "I ask the minister to imagine an elderly constituent living alone in an isolated Lake District valley where copper phone lines have been replaced by fibre. A storm takes out the power to their router in the night and by the time they wake, the modest battery back up has failed, as has the mobile mast, does the minister share my concerns that they would have no way to raise an alarm in an emergency and agree that we need a new technological solution to protect the elderly?"
Conservative MP Julian Lewis also raised concerns about the lack of a "back-up system" if digital phone services go down in the event of a cyber attack or other emergency. He told Jarvis the copper-wire network "could have given us useful levels of resilience in an emergency".
Jarvis, who is spearheading the government's Be Ready campaign, which is advising people to stock up on supplies to be prepared for emergencies, said he would "look very closely" at the Tory MP's point. He also assured West Country MPs that their concerns would be addressed at a government resilience summit, which was due to take place in Cornwall next month, and promised to raise concerns about telecoms firms with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. "Our telephone networks are a vital part of our critical national infrastructure and our emergency response in weather-related crisis supports the functioning of essential services and keeping people connected when they need it most," he told MPs.
The government says the switch to digital phone services is needed because the traditional analogue network is becoming increasingly unreliable. Digital signals will be sent over copper telephone wires where they have not yet been replaced by fibre connections.
The government's =https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-informed-about-hazards/phone-broadband-outages/Be Ready campaign advises people who have not yet "migrated to a modern digital network" to contact their landline provider. If you are a vulnerable customer, for example if you are a telecare user, your communication provider must provide a free back‑up battery unit," it adds.
More information is available on the government's digital switchover site.
Plans to switch off the UK's traditional landline phone network could leave people in remote areas unable to contact help in an emergency, MPs have warned.
Landline operators aim to complete the switch to an internet-based network instead of copper-wire cables by the end of January next year.
The government and operators say the move to digital landlines will offer a more reliable service. But MPs representing remote areas of the UK urged security minister Dan Jarvis to ensure that scrapping the copper-wire network did not make their communities more vulnerable in a storm or other emergency. Unlike digital services, the traditional landline network does not rely on mains electricity and continues to work in a power cut.
Labour MP Torcuil Crichton, who represents the Western Isles constituency of Na h-Eileanan an Iar, said: "Resilience is inbuilt in the islands but we have major problems with connectivity because of this move from analogue to digital phone lines." He said that "when the power goes out people don't have the phone, they don't have the internet and often they don't have a mobile signal either".
Retail service providers have been giving back-up battery packs to vulnerable customers, which can keep landline phones operating for an hour or more.
But Crichton said this was "simply not adequate" and that mobile phone providers "simply don't have the means to maintain or keep their signal going during storms". He urged the minister to get telecoms firms to "up their digital game" to protect places "on the edge where people are vulnerable, isolated from their neighbours, where the ambulance is an hour away and the storm is 70 miles an hour".
Similar concerns were raised by MPs from the West Country and the Lake District.
Markus Campbell-Savours, Labour MP for Penrith and Solway, said: "I ask the minister to imagine an elderly constituent living alone in an isolated Lake District valley where copper phone lines have been replaced by fibre. A storm takes out the power to their router in the night and by the time they wake, the modest battery back up has failed, as has the mobile mast, does the minister share my concerns that they would have no way to raise an alarm in an emergency and agree that we need a new technological solution to protect the elderly?"
Conservative MP Julian Lewis also raised concerns about the lack of a "back-up system" if digital phone services go down in the event of a cyber attack or other emergency. He told Jarvis the copper-wire network "could have given us useful levels of resilience in an emergency".
Jarvis, who is spearheading the government's Be Ready campaign, which is advising people to stock up on supplies to be prepared for emergencies, said he would "look very closely" at the Tory MP's point. He also assured West Country MPs that their concerns would be addressed at a government resilience summit, which was due to take place in Cornwall next month, and promised to raise concerns about telecoms firms with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. "Our telephone networks are a vital part of our critical national infrastructure and our emergency response in weather-related crisis supports the functioning of essential services and keeping people connected when they need it most," he told MPs.
The government says the switch to digital phone services is needed because the traditional analogue network is becoming increasingly unreliable. Digital signals will be sent over copper telephone wires where they have not yet been replaced by fibre connections.
The government's =https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-informed-about-hazards/phone-broadband-outages/Be Ready campaign advises people who have not yet "migrated to a modern digital network" to contact their landline provider. If you are a vulnerable customer, for example if you are a telecare user, your communication provider must provide a free back‑up battery unit," it adds.
More information is available on the government's digital switchover site.
| Re: Historical Record Perception - Correction / Confirmation Required In "South Western services" [381406/32665/42] Posted by Mark A at 16:36, 28th October 2026 Already liked by bradshaw, PrestburyRoad, PhilWakely | |
I've probably slung this photo before - and am trying to recall the date. Taken from what is possibly an obscure location for photography - an overbridge south of Stowell Hill just west of Templecombe - while visiting a friend who had a work placement in the area, and out on bikes for an explore. Late afternoon, a distant sound from an approaching locomotive before the train swept in to sight from the cutting.
| Re: Oxford station & Botley Road - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [381405/593/9] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:46, 28th October 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby, Mark A | |
From the BBC:
Business installs mock blue plaque in project protest
Iqbal has installed the sign on his garage - Image © Isabella Harris/LDRS
A disgruntled business owner has installed a mock blue plaque to recognise the "unprecedented disruption" caused by a three-year road closure.
Zack Iqbal has fitted the sign to his garage First Stop Spanner Works on Ferry Hinksey Road in Oxford, which sits just off Botley Road.
Botley Road, a main route into the city centre, reopened to traffic in September after much-maligned Network Rail works which first began in April 2023 and were beset by repeated delays.
Throughout the road closure, local traders reported drops in custom and footfall, with some - including Courtney Pianos - failing to survive the period.
(BBC article continues)
Iqbal has installed the sign on his garage - Image © Isabella Harris/LDRS
A disgruntled business owner has installed a mock blue plaque to recognise the "unprecedented disruption" caused by a three-year road closure.
Zack Iqbal has fitted the sign to his garage First Stop Spanner Works on Ferry Hinksey Road in Oxford, which sits just off Botley Road.
Botley Road, a main route into the city centre, reopened to traffic in September after much-maligned Network Rail works which first began in April 2023 and were beset by repeated delays.
Throughout the road closure, local traders reported drops in custom and footfall, with some - including Courtney Pianos - failing to survive the period.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Historical Record Perception - Correction / Confirmation Required In "South Western services" [381404/32665/42] Posted by bradshaw at 14:38, 28th October 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
In some ways the change to a two hourly service calling at all stations was preferable to the older express and stopper service. For most of the stations, like Crewkerne, we now had a direct service to Waterloo and Exeter. No more changing from the stopper on to the express at Yeovil.
I would suggest that this direct service was the turning point for the customer base.
The obvious downside was the unsuitability of the diesel hydraulics running this type of service. Many times we had a class 33 on its own or piloting a failed Warship.
Around 1972 the 33s took over, their consist reduced in winter by one coach. Probably switching iff the eth when extra power was needed! There followed the Class 47s and 50s
| Re: Spain - At least 68 dead after two trains collide south of Madrid - 28 Oct 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [381402/32669/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:55, 28th October 2026 | |
Sadly, the death toll has now risen to 'at least 68', as well as many more injured.
I have amended the heading of this topic accordingly.
CfN.
| Re: HOW late is your public transport journey? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [381401/29213/51] Posted by grahame at 13:00, 28th October 2026 | |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwj342k62exyo
A luxury cruise ship on a years-long voyage around the world said it suspended operations due to extraordinarily high fuel costs, leaving passengers stranded in Cambodia.
The US-based operator of the Villa Vie Odyssey said it was working with passengers on disembarkation plans and "temporary living arrangements".
It is unclear how many were on board but the nearly 200m (656ft) vessel can carry up to 650 passengers. It departed Belfast in October 2024 for a "continuous voyage around the world".
The US-based operator of the Villa Vie Odyssey said it was working with passengers on disembarkation plans and "temporary living arrangements".
It is unclear how many were on board but the nearly 200m (656ft) vessel can carry up to 650 passengers. It departed Belfast in October 2024 for a "continuous voyage around the world".
| Re: Sydney Gardens No. 2 Tunnel, Bath. Navigation and towpath closed. In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [381400/32604/47] Posted by Mark A at 12:57, 28th October 2026 | |
Bridge data: the site below is useful, as canal bridge numbers, on maps, can be elusive/absent.
Thinking back a couple of years, a phone call from people on the boat to the effect 'We've passed bridge 122 on the 15 mile pound, see you later' caused some head scratching while I found out exactly where bridge 122 might be.
The site below doesn't help with the two Sydney Gardens structures, mind. I recall checking the identification of the tunnel with the issue, and not using A.I. either. K&A bridge numbers are numbered east to west, and, these two structures are numbered west to east... apparently, Bruce Tunnel, on the summit, is referred to as number 3, so the numbering of the two in Sydney Gardens may be... questionable, but cast in stone.
https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/3bad9280-3167-4a8f-ad12-4fa93297bf51/bridges
| Re: Spain - At least 68 dead after two trains collide south of Madrid - 28 Oct 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [381399/32669/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:37, 28th October 2026 Already liked by 1st fan | |
Thank you for that confirmation that you and Lisa are safe, grahame.
Sadly, the death toll is increasing. From the BBC live news report (which does contain some upsetting scenes):
Dozens feared dead after two trains collide south of Madrid
CfN.
| Re: Historical Record Perception - Correction / Confirmation Required In "South Western services" [381398/32665/42] Posted by Witham Bobby at 11:16, 28th October 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I have lived alongside the Waterloo to Exeter line in or near Pinhoe for all bar three years of my Seventy years and have always been interested in the fortunes of the line. My A-Level Statistics project, which gained an A grade was on the subject of 'Re-doubling the railway between Wilton and Pinhoe'.
However, one significant event in the history of the line puzzles me and I'd like confirmation or correction of my memory please.
Every article I read on the reasons for reducing Wilton South to Pinhoe to mainly single track and thus the route to Secondary status, was down entirely to Dr Beeching. However, my recollection is that was only the beginning - with the closure of several intermediate stations. My recollection is that control of the Salisbury to Exeter route was transferred from BR(S) to BR(W) in the early 60s and that Senior Management of BR(W) did not want two fast routes into the westcountry (the ACE was faster to Exeter than the Cornish Riviera at the time). So, BR(W) throttled the ACE in the timetable and made the decision to reduce the route to Secondary status.
Can somebody confirm / correct my perception please?
*** Correction of unfortunate typo in the first sentence ***
However, one significant event in the history of the line puzzles me and I'd like confirmation or correction of my memory please.
Every article I read on the reasons for reducing Wilton South to Pinhoe to mainly single track and thus the route to Secondary status, was down entirely to Dr Beeching. However, my recollection is that was only the beginning - with the closure of several intermediate stations. My recollection is that control of the Salisbury to Exeter route was transferred from BR(S) to BR(W) in the early 60s and that Senior Management of BR(W) did not want two fast routes into the westcountry (the ACE was faster to Exeter than the Cornish Riviera at the time). So, BR(W) throttled the ACE in the timetable and made the decision to reduce the route to Secondary status.
Can somebody confirm / correct my perception please?
*** Correction of unfortunate typo in the first sentence ***
I'd not be surprised in the least bit if the Western management wanted to throttle the Southern road to Exeter (The Mule). You have only to look at what they did to their own lines with closure of stations and routes wholesale, and singling to "save money". The S&D was wiped out without much thought.
Having encountered some of the senior management through the 1970s and their unimaginative attitudes, it's quite believable that they just wanted to unburden themselves of loss-making routes and stations. They were all true believers in the numbers that the closure-orientated accountants came up with. It's widely understood that the books were cooked to help make the case for closures.
The easy thing to do was to propose closures. In preference to producing imaginative ways of using the assets and infrastructure to operate the railway less expensively and boost income.
The theory would have been that singling The Mule (with a starting point exactly on the regional boundary at Wilton) and reduction of the service on that route would drive more traffic onto the Western line. I'm not sure how much that happened. I suspect that people would have either tolerated the thin service or resorted to their cars for the full journey, rather than bookend a journey to/from London with car or 'bus travel to/from a station remote from where they were starting from or wanted to be
| Re: Spain - At least 68 dead after two trains collide south of Madrid - 28 Oct 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [381397/32669/52] Posted by grahame at 11:10, 28th October 2026 Already liked by Western Pathfinder, 1st fan | |
For the absence of doubt, Lisa and I are safe in Portugal. May be interesting getting home as that's potentially on a line we would have used.
| Re: Historical Record Perception - Correction / Confirmation Required In "South Western services" [381396/32665/42] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:53, 28th October 2026 | |
Are you sure about that?
| Re: Sydney Gardens No. 2 Tunnel, Bath. Navigation and towpath closed. In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [381395/32604/47] Posted by Mark A at 10:34, 28th October 2026 Already liked by JohnM | |
More likely I've got it wrong. It's either 1 or 2 though.
| Spain - At least 68 dead after two trains collide south of Madrid - 28 Oct 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [381394/32669/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:30, 28th October 2026 | |
Live reporting, from the BBC:
At least 10 dead after two trains collide south of Madrid, regional official says
Summary
At least 10 people have died after two trains collide south of Madrid, a regional official says - here's what we know so far
More than 500 passengers were travelling on the trains involved, and the death toll "will almost certainly rise", the spokesperson for the regional government says
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says he is "shocked by the serious train accident" and is in constant contact with the transport minister
Rail operator Adif says the incident occurred between a Renfe train and another of the Iryo company, which covers the Madrid to Seville route
A spokesperson for the Spanish emergency services tells AFP "all resources are currently being deployed" including "several fire crews, three helicopters, and two mobile intensive care units"
| Re: Historical Record Perception - Correction / Confirmation Required In "South Western services" [381393/32665/42] Posted by bradshaw at 09:43, 28th October 2026 | |
Castle Cary to Dorchester singled May 1968
| Re: Sydney Gardens No. 2 Tunnel, Bath. Navigation and towpath closed. In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [381392/32604/47] Posted by JohnM at 09:28, 28th October 2026 | |
Update here: https://bathnewseum.com/2026/10/27/canal-tunnel-update/
BTW it says "Officially known as the Bath Number 1 tunnel" - have they got that wrong?
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381391/32456/31] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:29, 28th October 2026 Already liked by Western Pathfinder, Witham Bobby, IndustryInsider | |
It would NOT have to be nuclear bomb to require use of a reserve of water..
Mechanical failures, water works blown up the enemy, power failure etc. are other possibilities
Mechanical failures, water works blown up the enemy, power failure etc. are other possibilities
Damn!
In my keenness to plough ahead with digging and equipping my bunker I overlooked the rather obvious possibility of my waterworks being blown up by the enemy....................back to the drawing board!
(I have however picked up some discounted gherkins, marmalade and garlic as of yesterday thanks to the generosity of the Chancellor so my hard tack and salted beef may be a little more palatable as I await the sounding of the all clear, I am hoping for similar reductions in the duty on certain fortified wines later so that I can stock up a little more)
| Re: Historical Record Perception - Correction / Confirmation Required In "South Western services" [381390/32665/42] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:24, 28th October 2026 Already liked by PhilWakely | |
I have loved alongside the Waterloo to Exeter line in or near Pinhoe for all bar three years of my Seventy years
Love this! too much info maybe?
Possibly explains the need for reinforcement work to the embankments?
| Re: Historical Record Perception - Correction / Confirmation Required In "South Western services" [381389/32665/42] Posted by grahame at 08:08, 28th October 2026 | |
Singling took place in 1967 ...
I am NOT an expert on what happened and what didn't ... but I do note that 1967 was also when Thngley Junction to Bradford Junction and Swindon to Kemble were singled, so the singling looks like it was part of a wider process; whether there was any bias towards being more Draconian on the Salisbury to Exeter line, I know not.
When was Castle Cary to Dorchester singled?
| Re: Abbreviations and acronyms resolved within our pages In "News, Help and Assistance" [381388/24783/29] Posted by grahame at 07:36, 28th October 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
I am quite deliberately dredging up an old topic here - in the spirit of 'news, help and assistance'. 
If any of our new members on the Coffee Shop forum are perhaps puzzled by any abbreviations or acronyms, which haven't already been defined, please do let me know.
My contact details are available in my forum profile - 'personal message' is probably the quicker.
CfN.
If any of our new members on the Coffee Shop forum are perhaps puzzled by any abbreviations or acronyms, which haven't already been defined, please do let me know.
My contact details are available in my forum profile - 'personal message' is probably the quicker.
CfN.
This page is - VERY MUCH used, and thank you for continued modernisations / updates.
A couple of days ago, I made some security updates that set a net slightly too wide, and I have had a number of reports of people being forbidden from the page. I have put in an update - a tunnel through the new, added security and it should be working again. https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/acronyms.html
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381387/32456/31] Posted by broadgage at 01:20, 28th October 2026 | |
It would NOT have to be nuclear bomb to require use of a reserve of water..
Mechanical failures, water works blown up the enemy, power failure etc. are other possibilities
