5507
|
All across the Great Western territory / Fare's Fair / Re: Tribulations for newcomers - and oldcomers too
|
on: March 13, 2014, 23:29:01
|
This evening, I tried to book a sleeper ticket from Melksham to Glasgow on Sunday night, and back next Wednesday. Trains identified as 17:31 Melksham / change Swindon to London, and 21:45 thence to Glasgow. Could you not aim for the 20:38 from Melksham to Westbury, change onto the 21:05 to Paddington. Arrive at 22:38 and depart on the lowland sleeper from Euston at 23:50 and into Glasgow Central at 07:18? Having said that, while I can get that on the FGW▸ website, it still won't offer me any fares - although it will for the return journey on Wednesday. However to get it I have to do it "backwards" and ask to arrive before 08:00 on the Monday, rather than depart after 19:00 on the Sunday....
|
|
|
5512
|
Sideshoots - associated subjects / The Lighter Side / Re: Where were bobm and bignose today?
|
on: March 13, 2014, 01:26:44
|
Mind you it is hard to know what's running at the moment and whether you need a bus.
Bignosemac asked platform staff at Bristol Temple Meads which way the 09:45 Cross Country Service was going to Exeter, as it has been diverting via Westbury because of the closure at Bridgwater. He was told, despite the line having re-opened, the train would still go via Bath and Westbury.
As we stood at the far west end of platform eight we became less convinced that was going to be the case. So my travelling companion took the obvious step of asking the driver who was waiting to take over the train and lo and behold it was running via the direct route and arrived in Exeter 20 minutes early, allowing us to make a brief trip down the Exmouth branch.
|
|
|
5515
|
Journey by Journey / TransWilts line / An extra service calling at Melksham for St George's Day
|
on: March 12, 2014, 23:37:35
|
From the Melksham Independent NewsTHE Cathedrals Express steam train will be visiting Melksham next month, where it will pick up locals for a special St George^s Day trip to Oxford, Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon. On Wednesday 23rd April, the train which is appropriately scheduled to be hauled by 70000 Britannia, will arrive at Melksham at 09:20hrs. The Cathedrals Express will make its way through the beautiful undulating countryside of Wiltshire, arriving at its first destination of Oxford at 11:30hrs, where passengers may like to stay for a long afternoon. Alternatively, they could choose to stay on the train to visit either Warwick or the historic market town of Stratford-upon-Avon.In Oxford there will be several hours to enjoy this picturesque city, with its stunning architecture and many independent shops, art galleries and museums. For passengers visiting the ancient County town of Warwick, a tour of the world famous castle with its Capability Brown landscaped gardens is highly recommended. There will also be plenty of time to explore the rest of this charming town, well known for its fascinating antique shops. Those opting for a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon will be in for a real treat as the town prepares to mark the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare^s birth. Holy Trinity Church, Nash^s House and New Place are just a few of the many attractions which celebrate the life of the world^s greatest playwright. As always on The Cathedrals Express passengers have the opportunity to travel in four classes. These range from Premium Standard at ^99 where they are seated at tables for four, with white tablecloths and complimentary tea and coffee at their seats, right up to Pullman Style Dining at ^239 per person. Passengers in Pullman Style will enjoy a two course champagne breakfast or brunch on the outward journey and a five course dinner on the return. The Steam Dreams chairman, Marcus Robertson said, ^It seems very fitting that as we celebrate St George^s Day, Britannia will be the hauling The Cathedrals Express through stunning English countryside to Shakespeare^s birthplace on the 450th anniversary of his birth. With two other fantastic destinations for passengers to choose from, this is one of our most popular day trips of the season.^ For this memorable journey The Cathedrals Express will also be picking up passengers along the route at Chippenham and Swindon before heading to Oxford, Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon. Anyone interested in travelling on The Cathedrals Express should call the booking office on 01483 209888 or visit www.cathedralsexpress.co.uk.
|
|
|
5516
|
Journey by Journey / London to the West / Re: Army shell lands near main railway line in Wiltshire (WDP 10th March 2014)
|
on: March 12, 2014, 23:30:23
|
An update from the BBC» Wiltshire farmer gets apology from Army for stray shellIt is believed the gun was fired northwards from near Tilshead and was intended to land inside the danger zone, but went five miles further north to Patney The Army has apologised after an artillery shell landed in a farmer's field in Wiltshire. A spokesman said it had launched a "thorough investigation" after the round landed on Andrew Snook's land. The shell left a 6ft (1.8m) wide crater when it hit the ground 980 ft (300m) from a railway line at Patney, near Devizes. Nobody was hurt and live firing will remain suspended until the investigation is completed. According to the spokesman, the officer "responsible for the safe use of the range" has now apologised to the land owner. He added that local residents would be kept informed and "if deemed appropriate, additional safety measures" would be put in place. "The safety of both our own personnel and of the general public is our priority in all training serials." Salisbury Plain is the UK▸ military's largest training area, with live firing taking place on average 340 days a year. The shell left a crater in farmland in Wiltshire
|
|
|
5518
|
All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture - related rail and other transport issues / Re: Southeastern Submit Plans To Extend High Speed Services
|
on: March 12, 2014, 22:34:09
|
Over the last 2 years or so there has been the delivery of, what has been planned for quite a few years, traction power supply improvements on the Kent Routes mainly on the line between Rochester and Ebbsfleet to accommodate 10 car class 395 and to lift the dc power restriction from 4kA to 6kA. This will enable the splitting of 395 at Faversham.
There is also some power supply improvement along the North Kent Coast although there is a limit due to the nature of the National Grid Network on the isle of Thanet, this also impacts as far a field as Tonbridge, Canterbury, Maidstone due to the nature of the Grid Network and that of NR»
If anyone saw "Bang goes the theory" on BBC» ONE on Monday, it seems once again there's still talk of the lights going out all over the UK▸ and not just Kent in 10 years time if we close the coal fired powered stations and reduce the number of nuclear ones and fail to provide adequate new capacity.
|
|
|
|