Just ensuring sufficient tractive effort to climb the bank from St Davids to Central perhaps?

Thanks grahame. I suspected 'reasons' with a 5 year old link.

I may rock up to Westbury on the 18th if I've nothing better to do that day, and if my newly arthritic (well, newly diagnosed) knee is in a better mood than currently.

The Severn Tunnel was closed late afternoon, 2nd May 2024 after a passing train driver noticed water shooting out from the tunnel wall on the up side approximately 1/4 mile from the Welsh portal.

Inspections confirmed water ingress and some dislodged brickwork.

Lots of cancellations to regional services with some London<>Wales services diverted via Lydney.

The tunnel reopened around 9.45pm. Down services at line speed. Up services cautioned through the affected area.

Why does the link in the first post in this thread take to me to a website discussing buses in Dallas, Texas? 

And back then just an orange, not very reflective, bib. Not head to toe in orange hi-vis with highly reflective striping and piping, like today.

Take their toys and go home?

It could be done very slowly. Whenever a tender for new rolling stock is made the stock could be purchased by GBR^▸ (Great British Railways).

However, I suspect the RoSCos will want some guarantees from the next government, including a promise that GBR will not buy their own stock in the future.

The Labour Party have broken cover on their plans for the railways. They will nationalise all TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) as and when their contracts end. However, they have no plans to nationalise the RoSCos. Rolling stock will remain in the private sector.

www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68889345

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh is due to make the announcement today, 26th April 2024.

Excellent news. Of course, the tories have poured scorn on the plan. Saying it is pointless and uncosted. We are over three years on from the Great British Railways announcement, and nearly six years since the Williams review was announced, and only at the stage of a draft bill, with legislation unlikely before the general election. They can find the money for new and interesting ways to kill people (£2.5bn for 'defence' announced this week). And can find parliamentary time to force through expensive and unnecessary legislation to send refugees to a tinpot dictatorship. Yet, sorting out the railways in a timely manner is beyond their wit.

I've had a look at the Steam Dreams drinks list for those opting for Pullman dining.

FOUR types of Port!

Great to see my favourite locomotive of all types back on the mainline. Looking splendid in Rail Blue.

2 chains shy of ½ mile. So £4.20 a mile or thereabouts.

It still is.
https://shorturl.at/hqzA5

Exeter Central to Exeter St Davids is £2.10 for ¾ mile. £2.80 per mile.

1st Class is £10. So £13.33 per mile.

A quick and dirty video of 1001 as I passed it at Gillingham, Dorset on my way home.
https://youtu.be/eQCBAx1KcIs?si=PqJWzBw_MKlP_cUj