5043
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Journey by Journey / Swindon to Gloucester / Cheltenham / Re: Swindon to Kemble re-doubling - ongoing discussion and updates
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on: September 06, 2013, 07:29:53
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Anyone tell me what class ran the 1739 CNM» to SOU last night? I ask here because my sister-in-law made her first journey from KEM to BRI» via SWI» last night. She said the line has been doubled, but she didn't see any train on the other line, and that it took longer than usual to SWI - all of which I could explain using knowledge gained here. But she said it was a much nicer train than usual. Real Time Trains shows the code as 2O00, but is not specific about type. Just for fun, I would love to know.
BTW▸ , the CNM to SOU via SWI was one neither of us were aware of. Is it new?
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5044
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Journey by Journey / Chiltern Railways services / Re: Chiltern Evergreen 3 project - ongoing discussion
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on: September 05, 2013, 19:06:02
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Does it make you think that the poor old bats don't rate such vocal objections if people in the locality actually want the railway to happen?
Paul
It did make me think that at first, Paul7755, even though we know of a few people against the plan. Later, I realised that is demonstrates the correct approach to the problem. The tunnel is a defined space, and was surveyed for evidence of breeding activity. If there had been, it would have been more difficult, but there wasn't. So alternative roosts were provided, and the tunnel sealed so the bats could get out, but not back in. They probably all left within a day. Problem solved, bats inconvenienced but unharmed, tunnel available for re-use. Like it!
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5047
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All across the Great Western territory / Media about railways, and other means of transport / Re: Channel 5 documentary, 'The Railway: First Great Western'
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on: September 02, 2013, 21:42:43
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A rather amusing review, from the Guardian: Hell, as Sartre failed to realise, isn't so much other people as other people on Saturday's 20.45 from Paddington to Swansea. "Do I know where hell is? Hell is in "Hello!"" I finally got to watch the programme on 5 OD, and I rather enjoyed it. I hear what is said about it being a bad day at the office for FGW▸ , rather than a normal boring day, but that's television for you. How you deal with the bad days is, IMHO▸ , the measure of the people dealing with them. FGW came out on top, in my opinion. The travelling British public do not understand that vandals setting fire to lineside equipment is going to impact on services. My favourite bit was the lady telling the Ops Manager that the train was, in her opinion, "dangerous". I would have told her "Well, don't get on it then", but I don't work for FGW. I am in the public sector, and get some stick sometimes, nothing I can't deal with. I have to give out bad news occasionally, similar to telling someone that the train is cancelled. In my (considerable) experience, honesty is always the best policy. Tell it like it is, and no-one can call you to task. Not only that, you don't have to remember what you said.
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5048
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Journey by Journey / London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury / Re: Question concerning luggage restrictions
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on: August 31, 2013, 10:57:58
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Welcome aboard, Tijl! A backpack, a suitcase, and a guitar would not cause any problems, especially if you are travelling outside of the busiest periods. You will not be the only student, Erasmus or otherwise, to be making the journey from Paddington to Oxford, and many of the others will be similarly encumbered. If you can get all of your kit on and off the train quickly and without assistance, and can stow it in the luggage racks, you are unlikely to raise eyebrows. A piano, grand or upright, would be frowned upon. As John R helpfully mentions, there are general conditions of carriage, often honoured more in breach than observance, but common sense is generally sufficient. If you have so much luggage that it needs three trips to get it all off the train, you may find the doors locked and the train on its way before you have finished, and you may never see your kitchen sink again. There are no charges for carrying personal luggage - this is the railway, not Ryanair. The type of train can make a big difference. In the timetable, you will see that many of the services have a letter 'H' in a circle above the times. These signify high speed trains, usually of eight carriages, and with more space for luggage than some of the other offerings. Sadly, what is shown in the timetable is not always what shows up at the station, so you may want to allow yourself the flexibility of a ticket that allows you to get any train, rather than one specific service, although that may come at a greater price. First Great Western offers a luggage forwarding service, with an option especially for students. Details can be found here. I have never used this, and have no idea of how good it is, or what it costs. Enjoy the "City of Dreaming Spires", and don't forget to travel west whilst you are in the UK▸ . Most foreign students (I assume that, as an Erasmus scholar, you are from overseas) visit only Bath, Stratford on Avon, and London, so missing some of the spectacular jewels in the crown that can be found in this Septic Isle.
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5051
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All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom / Re: HS2 - Government proposals, alternative routes and general discussion
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on: August 29, 2013, 19:36:57
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Fair point - I should have said 'the pro-HS2▸ lobby'.
As to things the next Parliament may have to think about; let's hope the monkey knows how to handle a hand grenade - else all bets may be off.
I may have done myself a disservice in my use of the word "informed". I read every argument, on both sides and in the middle, and hope I do so relatively impartially. Even discounting my bias towards rail, though, I find their arguments - and Pete Waterman's - to be persuasive above the others. The transport portfolio seems to be special in Government, in that it can breed long-term interest and even expertise in the right incumbent, far beyond the usual ministerial span of attention.
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5055
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All across the Great Western territory / Diary - what's happening when? / Revealed - the refurbished Warmley signal box
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on: August 29, 2013, 11:36:37
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From the Bristol Post: Official unveiling of refurbished signal box
By The Bristol Post
Thursday, August 29, 2013
THE newly refurbished Warmley Signal Box will be officially unveiled at the launch of the Box of Delights Festival this Sunday.
The event coincides with the 95th anniversary of the signal box and has a 1918 theme with organisers dressed in period outfits.
Attractions include miniature train rides, a traction engine, puppet shows, live music from local musicians, as well as stalls and refreshments.
There will also be a competition on the day to "name the signalman", where visitors will be asked to suggest names for the two mannequins that are now resident in the signal box.
Visitors are invited to go along in costume and can also take a free ride on the vintage bus that will run between the Warmley Signal Box and the Avon Valley Railway between 11am and 5pm. It doesn't say if visitors will be Warmley invited.
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