The fact that the title doesn't reveal the 'famous' person, means they aren't really that headline worthy and go for the click bait option instead. If it was a genuinely famous person, you would definitely want their name on your headline rather than saying 'a famous passenger'!

For the record, and to save everyone a click (I googled it rather than using that link) - it's Francis Bourgeois.

It's the 1203 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-PNZ service which is having a relief service provided for it 

It'll run non-stop from Paddington to Exeter St Davids (to pick up only) then non-stop to Plymouth before all the usual stops in Cornwall.

It's relief service departs at 1205 stopping at Reading (to pick up only), Taunton, Exeter St Davids, Newton Abbot, Totnes and Plymouth.

A very sad event and my sympathies go to the Signaller's family and friends.

Most likely when Taunton-Cardiff services were covered by top'n'tail loco and MkII coaches. But it's definitely Weston-super-Mare.

As already mentioned, both sets are in temporary warm storage. Both are due to return at some stage.

WSR has been allowed to use one set over the weekend of 23/24 September. This will operate the 1000 and 1430 from Minehead, and the 1230 and 1635 from Bishops Lydeard on both days.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Airport vice Planeport.

To the benefit of those who'd rather not surrender to clickbait...here's their list:

1. Huddersfield
2. Cardiff Central
3. London Kings Cross
4. Edinburgh Waverley
5. Corfe Castle
6. Wemyss Bay
7. Berwyn
8. London St Pancras
9. Bristol Temple Meads
10. Cromford
11. Dawlish
12. Norwich

I would certainly relegate Bristol Temple Meads and Dawlish for the work that's taking place at both stations currently. In their place I'd have Great Malvern and Crowcombe Heathfield

The tactile paving closest to the edge of the platform is standard edging warning slabs. The grooved tactile paving in the middle of the platform acts as a 'guided walkway' for those using white canes. The grooves rotate 90 degrees at turning points. I believe this is to be standard at all new stations

Yeovil Pen Mill had it's lower quadrant signals Weymouth-bound starting signals replaced with upper quadrants a decade or so ago.

Whilst Greenford retains semaphore signals, all West Ealing-Greenford shuttles are controlled by colour light signals. Semaphores used for turning runs however.

Having the St Dennis line in would have helped greatly but still plenty of positives. Lots of news outlets are choosing to focus on the Newquay-Falmouth direct element of it, but for me, the bigger benefits lie within:

• Hourly services to/from Newquay = better connectivity and attractiveness
• Earlier/later services than currently
• Direct St Austell-Newquay journeys
• Direct St Austell-Falmouth journeys
• More capacity on the Newquay branch for special events
• Direct London-Newquay services to supplement the hourly timetable
  

It will be interesting to see how the clay traffic fits around this timetable.

The problem was caused by a failed hydraulic power pack in the barrier. As broadgage reports, the issue has now been fixed. I certainly hope so as I'm the signalman there tomorrow!

Repair works to the level crossing have now been completed and normal working has been restored.

As II rightly said in an earlier post, the barriers are designed to break without damaging the moving gear so it turned out to be a simple replacement of the broken barriers but understandable that the WSR wanted to investigate properly before fixing.

Staff training and various ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) movements will now take place before Minehead welcomes its first passenger train in over 2 years on 19 March.

This isn't a new idea to replace the existing 'stick you hand out' method. This is an addition to the existing method to make request stops more accessible. You'll still be able to wave at the driver if you so wish 

Today's 1032 EXC-OKE was recorded as having just over 100 people on board.

Although it's probably not what you're after, the bus that serves Barlaston and Wedgewood is technically a parliamentary replacement bus, although in reality it's just a regular bus service that happens to accept rail tickets.

There used to be an actual parliamentary replacement bus for Watford West and Croxley Green stations that ran for seven years before the stations officially closed.