I wasn't remotely suggesting that you are not entitled to your opinion (we all are).  I just wanted to understand how you felt you had reached a conclusion before all of the facts come to light.  No offence intended.

...and from a train today I noted the hedges along the approach road leading up to the level crossing have been covered with green netting (obviously to stop nesting birds).

Well thanks a bunch.  The 'special' left a track circuit failure on behind it at Kintbury and my train behind it (and that was supposed to overtake it at Newbury) was delayed by 12 minutes as a consequence

Where might that be then?  The remit looks quite broad to me at the moment.

Nor can I.  I have been travelling with most of them on and off for the past 30 years.  Usually they only struggle when Swindon Control fails to keep them up to date.

Well I hope the return trip keeps to time as I will be on a train that is scheduled to overtake it at Newbury

Saw this on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Spotlight.  The funeral director was...well...directing traffic around the coffin....

I wonder how many times he will be asked for the time of the next fast train to Edinburgh........

Yes.  First real test of the sea wall since its rebuild

Very good BB.  At least the trains keep moving (unlike some modern signalling systems we have)

OK I'll bite. What signalling is that?............

I did use the past tense in my post.  Only ever travel that part in the 'off peak' these days. However, I didn't suggest a reduction in the total number of trains between Baker Street an Moorgate, just a reconfiguration of the originations.

My past experience is that MET Line extensions from Baker Street to Aldgate are not so heavily used.  It would be better then to terminate more MET Line services at Baker Street and extend the Circle Line services from Edgware Road to Moorgate thus creating an overflowing 'Teacup' 

....and I just followed like a wild sheep.  Apologies.

Just joined a train at Plymouth.  Looks like a 4 car local from Penzance has hit a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) sitting in Platform No.6.  Front end of the Class 150 well stoved in.  One of the station staff said the HST moved forward about 4ft so quite a bit of inertia involved (rumours the local was coming in at a higher speed than expected). Wishing a speedy recovery to those involved.