Great Western Coffee Shop

After discussion amongst the Moderator and Admin team we have decided on arranging two opportunities for Coffee Shop Forum members to meet up in the coming weeks.

The first will be on Sunday 24th July taking in a day out at the seaside in Weymouth, utilising the additional train service from Swindon at 0820 via Melksham to the coast.

This will be an ideal opportunity for forum members to come along and support the additional 'Summer Sunday Specials' on the TransWilts route. As well as an opportunity to meet fellow members and some of the team behind the Coffee Shop.

It's possible for members using Bristol Temple Meads to connect into the additional Weymouth train at Chippenham and members from the Exeter, Tiverton and Taunton areas can connect at Castle Cary. Alternatively a later direct train can be taken from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth at 0920, with some connection possibilities from across the west.

I'll look at finding a suitable pub (ideally child and dog friendly) where we can all meet up in Weymouth for lunch and a chinwag and I'll post further details here - suggestions welcome!

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As Weymouth will not be easy to get to for forum members living east of Swindon there will also be another opportunity to meet up on Sunday 21st August.

This will be a trip to Bourne End via Maidenhead, a walk along the Thames Path to Marlow (Approx 3^ miles) where we shall stop for lunch in the Marlow Donkey (http://www.gkpubs.co.uk/pubs-in-marlow/marlow-donkey-pub/) pub (family and dog friendly), then train home. Those not wishing to do the walk can, of course, stay on the train to Marlow and await the walkers' arrival! Looking at train times, the ideal arrival into Bourne End will be 1147. That's the 1135 from Maidenhead. Plenty of connection opportunities from across the network.


Both trips are open to all forum members, the first being a great idea for a family day out.

Fares info I can provide via this thread if needed.

If you're interested in either trip then do please register that interest on this thread!

The Coffee Shop team look forward to seeing you!

I will definitely be there on August 21st. (although I did vow never to walk that part of the Thames path again after my recent London Moonwalk training when I spent a lot of time there)..

Will certainly try to get to one. Been thinking a meet up would be a good idea for a while. As mentioned elsewhere I'm in the process of moving so it's sods law that on the date of the first one I'm likely to be in Berkshire and on the second one in Wiltshire. However nothing is impossible!! (Specially as there are some quite cheap advance fares from Swindon to Reading on the weekends)

Is there some event on in the Swindon area on the 16/17th July?  Just been looking at Travelodges for the night of the 16th and the Central Swindon one is ^119. I don't think I've ever seen a price over ^100 before. The ones nearer Bath are only slightly cheaper.

I might join you on the Bourne End / Marlow, to save a bit on the cost of the rail ticket I would embark and disembark from the train at Furze Platt  ;D

And if there isn't,  then you can always do the Didcot splits!

I'd love to do both but as I'm moving house on the 15th the 17th is not really feasible.  Also, wth my transport being in Ireland I would be constrained by buses to and from temple meads or a taxi (at 25 quid each way) so I think that one is going to be out of bounds.

Therefore count me in on the 21st!  I'll be travelling in from nailsea/bristol do when a bigger roll call has announced maybe the bristol lot of us can plan togther and save some pennies

If I get the time or after a pint or three I will try and write a bit of a line guide for the Maidenhead Marlow line

The Bristol Mafia on a GroupSave!   ;D

Although it needs an update - First Great Western Link anyone? -  this (http://www.thames-path.org.uk/thames_bourne_end_henley.html) gives a bit of detail on the Thames walk and some nice photos.

Afraid I'm driving to Bristol on the 17th for graduation the following day.  No plans for the 21st August yet, will come back nearer the time when/if I manage to get a job by then :-\

Regret not available for 21st will be playing trains up at Fawley Between Marlow and Henley that day.

*bump*

..... to remind folks about these two opportunities to hook up with fellow coffee-shop members and the forums admins/mods.

I might reconsider the sunday meet up if I'm not in ireland on the monday - and I might not be!

After careful consideration by the forum moderators it has been decided that we will change the date of the first meeting to Sunday 24th July. This has been done as the trip to Weymouth on the 17th is likely to be extremely busy with folks from Wiltshire Chamber of Commerce.

All timings and connection opportunities remain as in the opening post.

As for somewhere to meet up in Weymouth, then best I can come up with is The Swan Inn on St Thomas St, a 'Spoons pub. If anyone can recommend somewhere with a bit more character (serves food) then do please speak up!

I'll definitely be there then!

Bennett's fish and chips is dead good, I can recommend it highly. Ages since I went but it looks as if they have a restaurant bit as well as a takeaway:

http://www.waterfrontweymouth.co.uk/members/bennetts.htm (http://www.waterfrontweymouth.co.uk/members/bennetts.htm)

I can confirm attendance at Weymouth! 

I would have done Weymouth, that was until the date changed and now I can't.

Not sure about the 21st August yet.

I've moved this topic here, from our 'frequent posters' area, just to include any other interested readers - now that we've resolved the dates of these get-togethers!

Anyone is welcome to travel with us - and please do introduce yourself to one (or more) of us, en route!

Chris.  ;) :D ;D

Just need some info as to what trains people are getting - im back up to grotwick on the sunday evening so weymouth not that bad for me in the scheme of things!

I (and bignosemac, I think) will be travelling on the 07:45 Bristol Temple Meads to Chippenham service, then the 08:37 Chippenham to Weymouth.  :)

Yep.

Having moved into Swindon yesterday (don't start all those comments again) I plan to be on the 08:20 ex Swindon.

Well.... Sorry to hear you've now moved to Swindon, bobm. :P ;) ;D

But glad to hear that you'll be joining one or two us on the jolly down to the seaside!

Look if you keep going on about Swindon I won't come!   ;D

Forgive me. Lovely town.  ;)

I'm actually visiting STEAM next Weds. Should've been today but I got rainchecked by a mate.

Yes, Swindon is an easy target for negativity. It's not just me though. Was traveling to Swindon today (and beyond as it turned out) and bumped into a FGW TM who is a forum member. He saw my ticket and said, "Swindon? Why?"

Struggled to find an answer, except to say that I was breaking my journey at Chippenham.....

That's walking distance from me. Closer than the railway station.

Is there a connection from nailsea?

Swindon......um..... the one place I can't get a simile for@

Maybe SCumdon!

I believe the plan is for grahame and I to be on the 0730 Westbury-Swindon (debate about whether we join at Westbury or Melksham is ongoing) and 0820 Swindon-Weymouth. The last I heard, Peter Blackburn of Melksham Rail Development Group will also be with us, and maybe even a dog as well..

I'm expecting a heavy day of training on Sunday  ;) - as much of the following as necessary with at least the core Melksham - Weymouth section)

07:30 Westbury - Swindon
08:20 Swindon - Weymouth, arrive 10:42

17:56 Weymouth - Swindon
20:45 Swindon - Bath
21:38 Bath - Westbury, arrive 22:02

(almost looks like a unit diagram, doesn't it!)

Which pubs in Weymouth welcome dogs?

75 and growing waiting for the 08:20 from Swindon.

Where are you, bobm? We are in the middle carriage with the laptops  ;D

Not had a chance to post on this one until now. A very good day on Sunday with a well, but not uncomfortably, loaded train from Swindon to Weymouth. The guard was very much in evidence ensuring people had the right ticket and from the conversations I overheard it seemed many were new to rail - certainly for leisure travel.

A couple of observations FGW should take note of. The ticket office at Swindon were unsure if the Heart of Wessex Day Ranger was valid for the journey and had to search out a Fares Manual to confirm it was. At ^14 it is ^1.60 cheaper than a return from Swindon so worth insisting on one.

The second concerns the automated announcements. The 08:20 from Swindon is formed by the 07:30 from Westbury. Owing to over-running engineering work it was late arriving at Swindon. Network Rail therefore took the sensible decision to run it into Platform 3 rather than the bay on Platform 2. However this prompted a plethora of automated announcements. First to advise that the terminating service would arrive at a different platform. Then that the Weymouth service would depart from a different platform. These were both repeated twice. Then as the train arrived passengers were advised to stand clear as the "train terminates here".  In between platform staff were making manual announcements regarding the Weymouth service. However the overall impression for the occasional traveller must have been one of organised chaos.

Those points made it was still a good day and hopefully the take up of the journey opportunities offered by the train will be noticed by the powers that be and feature in future timetables.

I just thought I'd bump this up the list.. Since the second "meet" on August 21st is only two weeks away now (And I hope for better weather than today)  :)

Me too. Thunder, lightning and torrential rain is not conducive to a relaxing riverside walk.

Just looking at my ticket options now.....

This is only a week away now.. So I thought it would be worth finding out who is intending to come along...
I will be going.. :)

I am likely to attend, provided my knee stops being painful.

What departure from Maidenhead?

From the start of this thread....


So assuming it's not changed then I hope that it is still the plan...

Hope your knee feels better soon?  :)

I'm a bit achey after walking from Ashton Court to Clifton via the Suspension Bridge. Twas uphill all the way. Think I knackered young Ollie as well!  ;D

A slight disappointment that we had no mass ascent of balloons this evening. Too windy. bignosemac's jinx continues. Five out of the last seven Balloon Fiestas I've attended and I've still yet to see a mass ascent from Ashton Court. Two years I didn't go and up they went.  :'( Red Arrows were cracking though.

Should be sufficiently recovered for next Sunday. Times as johoare re-posted, 1135 from Maidenhead. Connections from east or west available.

I would love to be coming .... but we've extended our TransWilts CRP support for the 07:30 Westbury to Swindon and 08:20 Swindon to Weymouth (as far as Westbury) to providing someonetwo at Weymouth from about 17:00 so that we can direct people to the 17:56 to Swindon.  We had 307 people to direct today, with the train dividing at Westbury, and with many people being very new to rail travel. The continuity of knowing that the same people would be around in the evening really seemed to help some of them.  And so it's "same again" next weekend and the following for me.

P.S. Good to meet a forum member at Weymouth on the return (you know who you are) ... sorry I had to be brief; there was that final flurry of "ah - a familiar face - YOU can tell us where to go";  the information available otherwise at Weymouth fell a bit short.

If that was me, then it was good to see you albeit briefly, and I fully understand why you were preoccupied getting the masses onto the train home. Let's hope the remaining trains are as well patronised, and that the success encourages further development of the Trans Wilts.

It was great to see Weymouth station absolutely packed this evening, with a combination of Trans Wilts passengers and the excursion to Bristol filling the station. 

Indeed it was you, John.   

Arrival ...
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/weycrowd2.jpg)

Prior to departure ... this was just before we met - when everyone was waiting at platform 3 as shown on the electronic display ... then the stock came in to platform 1.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/weycrowd1.jpg)

I'm delighted with the turnout ...

Edit to correct use of English

150 today!

What a fantastic turnout!

Fully understand your reasons for needing to be on hand next Sunday, grahame.

With a fair wind I should be able to make it for a trip down to Weymouth the week after on the 28th for the 'Summer Sundays' finale.

I really do hope that the powers that be are taking serious note of the untapped market that is out there for improved TransWilts services. Keep up the good work!  ;D

A bit perhaps - not as bad as you though.

Will I attend... I expect so - but this could change at last minute.

You can look after your own jacket this time if you do attend!!!*



*Sorry folks, private joke. Ollie can explain if he likes.....

Really pleased to hear it has gone so well.  I enjoyed my day out.  Apart from the TWR stalwarts I wonder if anyone has made the trip more than once.  I'm still hoping to get to Maidenhead/Bourne End/Marlow on Sunday but depends on work at the moment.   The perils of self employment!!

Can't believe I've only seen this today! How bad am I?

I might be able to attend this on Sunday - I'm at a housewarming party in Shepherd's Bush on Saturday and it could go on quite late so that could be interesting!

If I am coming I will probably be on the 10:50 from Ealing Broadway which arrives at Maidenhead at 11:31 - does anyone know which platform at Maidenhead this usually arrives on as it doesn't say on the National Rail site and I don't want to have to leg it in four minutes to platform 5B which it looks like the 11:35 to Marlow will leave from - to be honest I might get an earlier train from EBY like the 10:24 which arrives at Maidanhead at 10:57 just so I have a chance of connecting with the 11:35.

Will let you know later in the week if I'm definitely going to make it - should be a good day out (and a nice cheap one for me with my 16-25 railcard!)

James assuming the relief lines are open you will come in on Platform 3. So you would have to go under the subway - easily done in 4mins assuming nothing is late :)

Thanks Ollie  ;) Hopefully see you Sunday if you're going to come (or maybe before then if you're working this week!)

Delighted to say Unfortunately I'm not at work until next Monday. :P

Currently believe I will be attending on Sunday though.

Soo. anyone else?  ;D ;D

Me (hopefully).  ::)

For those attending on Sunday, I've just spotted a special offer available at the pub we'll be calling at following the walk from Bourne End, the Marlow Donkey (http://gkpubs.co.uk/pubs-in-marlow/marlow-donkey-pub/).

They have a typical 'pub grub' menu (http://gkpubs.co.uk/uploads/Prem-Comm-Ext-P-PB5.pdf), as well as Sunday roasts. On their website there is an offer of two free drinks (choice of red/white/ros^ glass of wine, IPA/John Smiths, Fosters/Carling/Carlsberg, or a coke) when two main meals are ordered.

Offer requires registration and printing of a voucher, so can I suggest that attendees print off a voucher and then they can double up with those ordering a meal and bag themselves a free drink.

Bit of a unsubtle hint on my part - I have no working printer at the mo and I'm always on the lookout for a free pint!

Just done the voucher.  The qualifying free drinks are

Fosters, Carling or Carlsberg
IPA or John Smiths
Red, white or rose wine
Coke or Lemonade

Like Grahame I am heading to Weymouth that day - with the "mandatory" trip from Trowbridge to Swindon first.
Grahame, if you need any help on the day please let me know.  It might enable someone else to join the Thames walk.

OK, having purchased tickets I have committed myself to coming on Sunday, but I shan't be held responsible for the state I arrive in following the party I'll be at the night before (more a state of tiredness rather than alcohol, as I don't drink!)

I'll be there sunday

Takings in the pub could be up if the BBC five day forecast for Sunday is right!

I am writing up a little article which I hope to post tomorrow as a little guide to the line.  Its not likely to win any Booker prizes though so don't hold your breath   ::)

25-26 degrees and light/heavy rain?

Which forecast were you looking at?  ;D

Same as you. Strange combination of high temperatures and heavy rain. Sounds like a recipe for thunderstorms to me!

Brolly it is then. If it really is roiking it down when we arrive at Bourne End, then it'll probably be best if we continue by train to Marlow and repair straight to the pub for lunch.

Brolly in a thunderstorm. Didn't you learn anything!   ;D ;D

I'll be car to bourne end due to following week plans!

Wots the parking like or should I go to marlow and meet others there?

From memory there's quite a bit of off street (free at weekends) parking at Bourne End. Not so sure about Marlow but suspect there is similar there.

Bourne End: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=bourne+end+station&hl=en&ll=51.577203,-0.710281&spn=0.000007,0.009624&sll=51.580567,-0.713872&sspn=0.009102,0.012764&vpsrc=6&fll=51.577876,-0.711097&fspn=0.004974,0.009624&z=17&layer=c&cbll=51.577125,-0.710254&panoid=0bwwHv6FUm4JPLrzjaj2Dg&cbp=12,254.74,,0,8.14 (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=bourne+end+station&hl=en&ll=51.577203,-0.710281&spn=0.000007,0.009624&sll=51.580567,-0.713872&sspn=0.009102,0.012764&vpsrc=6&fll=51.577876,-0.711097&fspn=0.004974,0.009624&z=17&layer=c&cbll=51.577125,-0.710254&panoid=0bwwHv6FUm4JPLrzjaj2Dg&cbp=12,254.74,,0,8.14)

Outside pub/area near Marlow station: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=DONKEY+PUB+MARLOW&hl=en&ll=51.571165,-0.768378&spn=0.000003,0.004812&z=18&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=51.571544,-0.768898&panoid=n1IibWtmmX9GI1Qp3m9Hcw&cbp=12,201.76,,0,10.13 (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=DONKEY+PUB+MARLOW&hl=en&ll=51.571165,-0.768378&spn=0.000003,0.004812&z=18&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=51.571544,-0.768898&panoid=n1IibWtmmX9GI1Qp3m9Hcw&cbp=12,201.76,,0,10.13)

Met Office now says sunny on Sunday!

It'll be more changeable than the markets over the weekend!

Come on, keep it railway relevant... "more changeable than an Advance ticket", surely...?  ;D

Talking of changeable - the BBC's latest forecast now suggests thunderstorms for London on Sunday, but Maidenhead still seems to be hanging on to its sunshine!

Looking at the Atlantic chart for Sunday it still looks to be a mixed bag there is a high pressure system filling from the Southwest which is meet the cold(ish) low system we have currently; warm are mixing with cold are is great English cricket weather

Anywho here is a short write up on the line, there are a few hyperlinks that go to website relating to the line

First Great Western Coffee Shop ^ Forum Gathering

The great train journeys on the GW - The Marlow Branch 21st August 2011

The line between Maidenhead and High Wycombe was opened in 1854 as Broad Gauge with the Marlow branch from Bourne End opening in 1873.   The Line was truncated at Bourne End in 1970.  The line has always been a single line since it opened; originally there was a passing loops at Cookham, Bourne End and Loudwater.  This link takes you to a website with a photos and write up on the history of the line with quite a lot of infor on the closed section http://pete63.me.uk/pete63_010.htm  (http://pete63.me.uk/pete63_010.htm)
the section from Bradshaw^s is amusing http://pete63.me.uk/pete63_047.htm (http://pete63.me.uk/pete63_047.htm)
Allen Henbest^s website has a good section the line with many photos taken in the 1960^s http://sites.google.com/site/signalaninterest/platform6-bourneendbranch  The station still open would be worth looking at so that you can compare them to what you see on Sunday.  The Marlow & District Railway Society newsletter has a write up reflecting on Loudwater station http://www.mdrs.org.uk/documents/donkey127.pdf 

Electric Key Token Block working is still used between Maidenhead and Bourne End with the Bourne End section uses Train Staff a description on the Bourne End signalling system can be found here on the Marlow & District Railway Society newsletter http://www.mdrs.org.uk/documents/donkey120.pdf

Also of interest may be Marlow & Maidenhead Passenger^s Association website  http://www.mmpa.org.uk/

Our Journey

As we journey along it is worth noting the remaining brick and flint buildings of the original Wycombe Railway company at Furze Platt, Cookham and Bourne End.   (Furze Platt is now a private dwelling on the East side of the crossing this originally would have been the crossing keeper^s house)

The Marlow train departs form platform 5 which has the unique train shed, we head West past signal S174, (trains can also depart from platform 4 where signal S172 is the controlling signal), the Token machine is located in a wooden shed on the west end of the build on platform 4; we pass where Maidenhead Middle Signal Box was located before its control was moved to Slough Panel.  The line soon turns North the line speed is 15 mph until we cross over Silco Drive where the line speed increases to 25 mph.   There is a steady climb of 1:176

As we pass under Grenfell Road bridge the line speed increases to 50 mph between this bridge at Castle Hill bridge the original Maidenhead Boyn Hill station the entrance was from Castle Hill.  The line continues its climb until we reach the over bridge at Gringer Hill (A308) where the line descends toward Furze Platt.

We approach the ABCL level crossing and arrive at Furze Platt, this staion opened in 1937.   Furze Platt crossing originally known as North Town, the crossing keepers hut name plate proudly calling it North Town Signal Box while the crossing keeper had Distant signals in either direction there were never any block instruments just block repeater bells from Maidenhead Middle and Cookham.

The line proceeds North towards Cookham under Spencer^s bridge.  Just North of Half Way Cottages there is an accommodation crossing although this is not used as such now but is used to on and off track maintenance machines.

As we approach the Cookham road over bridge just North of the houses was the location of an accommodation level cross which was the scene in 1961 of the only fatality on the line (link to Railway Archive site) http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=1048
Cookham station was the first passing point you can see the remains of the down platform, there was a small goods yard at Cookham.   As we cross over the ABCL the signal box was located across the crossing on the East side.   Cookham level crossing has been the scene of a collision between a train and road vehicle (link to Railway Archive site) http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/HSE_Cookham1999.pdf

The line climbs at 1:84 for approx. 500 yards before descending at 1:82, we pass under Terry^s Lane bridge we are now passing through Winter Hill Golf course which Rowborrow Road Bridge is a public foot path through the course.

The county side starts to open out the area is known as Cockmarsh Common to the West can be seen the Winter Hill escarpment and the first sights of the River Thames.   We pass over Cockmarsh Common viaduct (44 yrds) and then over the Thames on the Bourne End Bridge (162 Yrds), this Bridge had a foot bridge added a few years ago, locals used to use to trespass on the railway to cross the river perhaps after visiting The Bounty public house on the Berkshire side more a stagger back as the only other way to the pub from Bourne End was by a small row boat.   Our train will arrive at platform 1, the Marlow branch can only be accessed from platform 1.   The Drive hands the single line token to the Guard / Conductor who goes the Ground Frame which is realised by placing the Token in the Token Machine; once the Token is locked in the points are moved, this then allows another train to depart Maidenhead which happens during the week in the morning and evening peaks these trains arrive at platform 2, these run as a max of 5 cars the Marlow^s run as 2 cars.

Before the line was truncated in 1970 the line went through where the stop blocks are now there was a level crossing the signal box was across the road from the station

The journey is now described from Marlow to Bourne End.   The current Marlow station is on the site of the goods yard, Marlow has at one time private sidings into a sawmill it also had a small steam shed which closed in 1962.
The line speed is a steady 40 mph there are a number of accommodation level crossings alone the line, once under the Marlow bypass (A404) bridge we pass the Scout^s Longridge site.  As we proceed there some good views of the Winter Hill escapement and the river although there are fleeting at times.   As we approach Bourne End the line speed drops and we cross Marina level crossing closely followed by Brooksby level crossing both ABCL, the line turns from its Easterly course to a northerly on and we arrive at Bourne End^s platform 1, the Driver changes ends while the Guard / Conductor carries out moving the points and receiving the token.

Bourne End (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/bne/details.html): Station Car Park - 61 spaces

Marlow (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/mlw/details.html): Car park x No

Probably more room to park your tank (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=7606.msg76311#msg76311) at Bourne End, then.  ;) :D ;D

The tank is no more!  I am picking up a *new to me* vehicle tomorrow

Wot!?!  Not the Titan (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=9007.msg92059#msg92059) ??  :o ??? ;D

Mercedes E220

You could park in Maidenhead if not? You'd pay to park at the station car park (s) but places nearby for free if you need them

Thanks Electric Train for your post - good read :)

why oh why? what possessed you, unless of course its pre 1998? post 1998 be prepared for a life time of electric probs and rust!

I was hoping for an F150. Even though they're only available as left-hand drive automatics...  ;D

I may have to work now tomorrow and therefore not be able to come along to this.... I've got two weeks off and yesterday was so hectic at work that I've still got quite a few things to finish before Monday... :( :)

A final reminder.

Plan is to catch the 1135 from Maidenhead to Bourne End arriving there at 1147. From there a walk to Marlow along The Thames and then lunch in The Marlow Donkey pub.

Anyone not wishing to walk or unable to make the 1135 can of course head straight to The Marlow Donkey, where the walkers should arrive around 1330.

At Maidenhead/Bourne End, look for the guy with the grey flat cap - that'll be me!

So... who's confirmed?

Me: I'll be the one distancing himself as far as possible from 'the guy with the grey flat cap' ...  ::) ;D

The BBC weather forecast, by the way, looks good: sunny intervals, 24^oC, wind westerly 9mph.  8)

I shall be attending.

I'll be on the 11:20 departure from FZP arrives at MAI 11:24 ............... hope it connects with the 11:35 departure  ::)  :P  ;D

I'm gonna play it safe - so I will get the 11:25 from TWY getting into MAI at 11:32.

Funnily enough, the train that bignosemac and I will be travelling on also arrives at Maidenhead at 11:32 ... :o

3 minutes is tight, but official for the 1135 to Bourne End.

Fingers crossed for no network problems tomorrow morning. Else we may be looking for a bus to Bourne End or waiting an hour......

I've also called The Marlow Donkey pub and reserved a table for 6-8 peeps so that we can all sit together.

Oh, and should anyone have any issues tomorrow en route then feel free to call me:

Justin: 07906 455143

My plan is to pick up the 10:50 from Ealing Broadway to Maidenhead (Pad-Oxford service) arriving at Maidenhead at 11:31 - then a quick dash to meet up with the 11:35 service to Marlow. I shall be wearing a rather appropriate hat and t-shirt combination, so should be easily identifiable!

James I do hope you will be wearing more than just a hat and t-shirt.

Ollie - yes of course! I'll be wearing a smile too!!  ;D

Oh - and I might wear some trousers! lol

I will be there - joining the 10.29 at Swindon.  Was tempted to double back via Bath as I have a FOSW Rover just to have another trip through Box Tunnel but that seems a waste of a box and it also means getting out the house earlier!!

No point wasting a box for Box!

Look for the grey flat cap in coach D, bobm!

Be the most famous flat cap on FGW that will.  Hopefully Coach D better than Coach E on the one I had tonight.  Drunken racing fans from Newton Abbot going back to Taunton - one of whom was rather unwell underneath the seat in front of him.  Then at Bristol Temple Meads we picked up the nightclubbers who managed to work out how to turn the lights off - it seems you don't need a key - then the toilet ran out of water and wouldnt flush.

The only highlight was a rather attractive girl in a tutu.  I kid you not!  God alone knows how she planned to get home.

I'm definitely not going to be able to attend today.. sorry..  :( .. Hope everyone has a good time and it doesn't rain on the walkers  :)

Was more a coffee kiosk than a coffee shop outing today, never the less an enjoyable stroll along the river bank some good food a beer or three and good conversation with those that were able to make it.

I had a good day  :)

Yes, it was a bit of a "Pumpkin" affair, wasn't it?  :P

A good day was had indeed - even if I did have a head start on drinking (NON-alcoholic beverage may I add!) I look forward to the next one - hopefully a few more will be able to make it :)

You can tell how far away people live by the order of the posts!

Yes it was a good day.  The rain cleared at the right moment.  Got some exercise.  Lively informative conversation - and not all about railways - and a thoroughly good day out. 

Next to post?........ bignosemac!

Nope..me..saying sorry.

I had explained to Justin previously that I was expecting to have to leave earlier - in the end I unfortunately couldn't come at all.

So apologies for missing it.

Oh dear I feel a bit guilty now for not going.. But at least I got all my work finished so I can enjoy my fortnight off :-)

bignosemac checking in - not long in the door. Would've been home sooner, but I bumped into the BBC who were busy filming for Autumnwatch around the Kingsweston Estate (my backyard), so I hung around to see what's what. Met Chris Packham and had a chat about urban foxes - somehow the BBC have ended up with my address and contact details and may be calling on me next week for info about fox dens and badger setts that I know of to the rear of where I live.

Delightful day out; thanks to bobm, James Vertigan and Electric train. I'll post some musings on the day presently.....

Good to hear it went well ... sorry I missed the day.  Probably a good job I gave a hand on the TransWilts - very busy today  ;)

its a shame that i have not been in the position to join you all on these trips, i have been on the forum for a  while now and while i know i quite frequently talk utter baloney to quote judge judy, i do enjoy reading and providing input where i can

I was still doing my accounting at 2pm dammit - I used to pay someone to do that now he who would like to be obeyed doesn't like the cost - next month he  sn do it

As promised, my musings on the day:

First off, irrelevant to the day out, but whilst waiting at Bristol TM for my 0948 to Reading, I had the pleasure of seeing 71000 Duke of Gloucester (http://www.71000trust.com/) roll into the station at the head of that day's 'Torbay Express'. Looking well polished and resplendent as she arrived onto Platform 6. After pulling up to the signal I heard loud banging emanating from the cab of said loco. On closer inspection the fireman was busy banging the roof of the cab, above the regulator, with a lump hammer. For what reason I know not. Being a nosy beggar I enquired of one of the loco crew as to why the fireman was attacking the roof of the cab with a gurt hammer. I got the reply, "We have to do that to make her go!" The 'Torbay Express' was due off Temple Meads at 0915:00 and it was pleasing to see the wheels roll exactly on time, to the second. The XC Voyager on Platform 3 left 4 late for no apparent reason.....

Onward to Swindon and I stuck my grey flat-capped head (the cap being grey, not my head) out of the droplight on the approach to the Wiltshire's finest town ( :P) so that bobm could identify me. Hooked up with bobm for the run to Reading. A (little early) snifter was had from the buffet - Whisky and Dry for bobm, G&T for me. 18 minutes to kill at Reading so time enough for me to pop outside and satisfy my nicotine craving. I was stood right next to a massive sign pointing peeps in the direction for the Rail Replacement buses to Wokingham - that didn't stop a random bloke asking me where he could find the buses to Wokingham!

1118 off Reading heading for Maidenhead and things started to go wrong. Dunno quite what happened but we were 4 mins down by Twyford and it appeared very likely that we would miss the connection at Maidenhead onto the 1135 to Bourne End. And lo, it came to pass. Arrived into Maidenhead at 1136 and The Donkey was long gone.

A shufty around Maidenhead station to see whether there was the option of a bus to Bourne End, but it would appear that the good folk of Berks don't really feel the need for buses across the border to Bucks on a Sunday. Enquiring at the ticket office drew a blank ("sorry mate, I don't live round here. I've no idea about buses") but the clerk suggested I go speak to the Duty Station Manager.

Now, here was the highlight of the day. I spoke with the DSM, explaining that myself and a friend had just missed the train to Bourne End because of our late arrival into Maidenhead. I know full well that, by the rules, we weren't entitled to free onward transport as there would be another train to Bourne End within the hour. That said, the DSM made a call to FGW Control to seek authorisation for a taxi for us, but he couldn't get through. He then made an executive decision and walked with me and bobm to the taxi rank and procured us a free taxi to Bourne End! Customer Service above and beyond from Pete*. Top work fella!

At Bourne End, myself and bobm hooked up with Electric train and after discovering that James Vertigan was already cosily ensconced at The Marlow Donkey pub, the three of us set off for our walk along The Thames to Marlow. Spitting with rain initially but the sun was trying its hardest to break through the cloud. A nice walk (a little muddy in places) that did a good job in building up a thirst and hunger. The three of us got slightly geographically challenged when we reached the outskirts of Marlow, but we eventually found our way to The Marlow Donkey Pub. James was easy to spot as he was a walking billboard for 'First - Transforming Travel' (BTW James - where can I get one of those t-shirts?)

Beer, chat, lunch (I had a very nice Ploughmans - but by cripes the piccalilli was tart), beer, chat, beer, Vodka & Tonic, chat. Then the long walk (150yds) to Marlow station for the train home. I'd failed to empty my bladder whilst I had the chance in the pub and was unable to avail myself of the facilities onboard the Class 165 as, not untypically, the onboard toilet was locked out of use. Was able (just) to hold it in until Maidenhead.

Most interesting chat throughout the afternoon with Electric train about, unsurprisingly, electrification. Being from deep in Diesel land I maintain that that sparky stuff is the Devil's work!  ;)

Also very nice to put faces to the names of bobm and James Vertigan. A special thanks to bobm for donating the apple from his Ploughmans and for shouting me an M&S sandwich at Reading on the way home. Oh, and a couple more postprandial snifters were had on the train back to Swindon.

Finally, the return from Reading saw me travelling via Bristol Parkway ('cos of a Didcot split) but that worked out fine. Late running XC at BPW saw me get back to Temple Meads in time for the last service down the SVB line. That cost me one whole Pound though, as I'd gone for the PlusBus option rather than a ticket from/to Shirehampton. Still, the walk home from Shire saw me stumble upon a BBC Natural History Unit film crew......

*Not his real name. I've toyed with the idea of writing to FGW CS in praise of this guy, but identifying him may get him into trouble for doing something 'outside the rules'. That said, he made the decision, and myself and bobm are eternally grateful.

http://www.btcwebstore.co.uk/firstexternal/index.php/  ;)

The phot attached is the service from Maidenhead at Bourne End that bignosemac and bobm missed which getting ready to depart as the Donkey Marlow

(I would do but the message board tells me the down load folder is full, the phot is 95kb!!!) Thank you Admin team for rummaging around in the depths of the Coffee Shop and fixing the image posting problem hope it was not too nasty down there in the cellar  :D

Anywho phot attached its not award winning