The problem in my view is that Dilton Marsh stops have to use the front door.  On SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) trains the front door is locked out of passenger use (presumably a union requirement as no other TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) does this with 158s).  There would be two solutions to this. Allow the front door to be used under the supervision of a staff member - Andy Mellors told me last year that this was under investigation. Or, NR^» (Network Rail - home page) to erect stops boards at a suitable location for the rear door of the front coach to be opened - this might confuse passengers but they would soon get used to it especially if on board announcements were made.

With the problems today being caused by signal problems there should be no cost to the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) as NR^» (Network Rail - home page) would have to pick up the tab

There did appear to be some disruption on Sunday. On arrival at Farringdon the display said Circle Line 1 min; Hammersmith 2 min; Hammersmith 3 min.  Next Uxbridge 5 min

I was up there 6 weeks ago on an excursion which gave a bit longer at Stanhope.  It is lovely well restored station, although, as you would expect, not up to dealing with an influx of 400 passengers so that it was somewhat crowded on our visit.  The line itself is attractive following the river for most of its length.

Weardale railway. Bishop Auckland station

One other thing I have noticed on my various trips on the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train).  I don't know what the external cleaning regime is, but every one I have travelled on has had dirty windows

Could a local explain where the San Andreas roundabout is. I assume we are not talking about California

Even straightforward tickets will not always operate other companies gates.  This weekend my single Trowbridge to Stevenage would not operate LU gates at Paddington (H&C) or Kings Cross and LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) gates at Kings Cross or Stevenage.  Coming back today gates at Stevenage would not work. I then did a cross platform change at Farringdon (so no gates) but the ticket worked the gates at Paddington, both LU at Praed Street and mainline. As anaside my train from Farringdon to Paddington was an old fashioned circle service, heading for High Street Ken. - Didn't know they existed at all nowadays

External carriage displays that I observed were correct.  The internal display in my carriage clearly showed "C".  Don't know about reservations in other carriages although another passenger stated that there were no reservations on the train so there may have been an announcement before Chippenham. Certainly nothing afterwards.

Trans Wilts rail replacement not working too well at mid day today.  I ended up on the 1250 ex Westbury which left 16 minutes late following the 25 minute late arrival of the inbound service, which thus missed all onward connections

Another down side of privatisation. In BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days they could have travelled for nothing in most cases.  However in the case of the Cardiff - Holyhead journey there would also have been considerable time savings.

No, it was coach C where my reservation should have been

Travelled today on 1456 CPM^» (Chippenham - next trains) -PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) on set 800034, middle coach(813034). No reservations posted, just a sea of green lights. The ride was very rough. It brought back memories of Pacers. Not good enough for what is virtually a new train. The trolley appeared at Didcot but could only offer cold drinks. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) should really sort this out.

Don't rely on the scrolling information to find your carriage. Twice on last three journeys to London I have found myself at the wrong end of the platform for my reserved seat as the information has been wrong.

1519 definitely left Swindon with some passengers on board