After cycling 10 miles to Chippenham to get the train back to Bristol, I was dismayed to find all trains cancelled! Another 26 miles to get home riding against the sunset, just made it getting dark.  What happened? Crew shortage?

Had my first trip on one of the new IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) trains the other day.  I had my foldy bike with me, but some joker decided to make the shelves on the luggage racks too close together to get it in, so I had to stand with it in the vestibule. Only a minor inconveniency as it was only a short trip, but this is going to be an issue on longer journeys.

Right, I'm puzzled.  What I thought looked like it was going to be new track bed at Filton Abbey Wood is being raised into a sort of hump...?

Spotted one of those flashy new IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) at the Stoke Gifford depot today being slowly trundled back and forth a few times, no panto raised though.

I broke a metatarsal almost a year ago stepping awkwardly on the edge of the kerb whilst miles from home.  Good job I had my bike, could hardly walk, but could ride without difficulty.

From the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) website:-
What if the train manager is up the other end of the train at the time?

Moaybe you should ask Ponting of Ponting Punting... https://youtu.be/r56wlRsHric

From where I am (I work at the NHS blood centre just to the West of the new depot) it looks like it's on the curve just South of Patchway... part of the main line?

I've noticed they've got wires up at the Stoke Gifford depot, just seem to be single wires, not the full catenary.

Is it just me, or do I detect a hint of sarcasm in the female voiced automated station announcements - 'The next train to arrive at platform 3, is the Great Western "Railway" service...' with the word railway sounding like it's accompanied by air quotes...

Just wondering looking at this, why are there works all the way to Bradford on Avon?  That's well away from the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line)... unless there are plans to electrify to Southampton at some point in the future?

I've noticed some masts around the new Filton depot.
As an aside, what are the works cutting a swathe back through the undergrowth near the Dovercourt Road allotments?

I'm thinking about travelling from Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter on Saturday.  A couple of weeks ago I had a foot injury, cycling isn't so difficult, slows me down when walking though.  The tricky bit is the time putting my bike in the compartment on an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) and then getting back to the door in time.  I have been told that it stays at Exeter a bit longer.  Is this doable?

Noticed some works going on there.  Early preparations to restoring four-track?

Got a copy of this sent by FGW^▸ (First Great Western)... but I live in Bristol?!