Or, as discussed, other trains will be shortformed.  There are still some trains running around as MULTIPLE units (IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)), Turbos and sprinters) - and it would be possible though unpleasant to inadequate - to provide shorter trains on some services.

From the Metro


Lots more explanation of the spat between Ryanair and Aena, Spain’s state-controlled airport operator.   The reasons for scrapping the flights may be wrong, but perhaps this might push at least a few people to look at rail or ferry alternatives.

Even without engineering works, there are times that terms, conditions, routings, etc, are too complex for all the staff providing services or checking tickets to have the knoweledge they need to get it right every time.   If doing somethingI know to be unusual, I tend to print out evidence ahead of time though in practise rarely have to use it.

The 271 from Bath is hardly "unusual" - it's emblazoned all over the station ...

The original engineering alternatives planned for the current closure did not include the 271/2/3. It was added later at my suggstion to Great Western Railway, who said "we will ask Faresaver and add it if it doesn't cost too much" and then it got added ... how this came about suggests that it has been commercially negotiated between First (GWR) and Faresaver, and that Faresaver are happy (or at least satisfied) with the commercial terms on it.

I was delighed to pick up a new ranger and rover leaftet at Trowbridge station at lunchtime today - and with a useful map in the back showing the lines covered by the rovers (but not by the rangers).  The map is labelled "Information correct as of May 2019" and is (or was), therefore, definitive; it does not say "errors and omissions excepted" or any other disclaimer.



I note:

The Freedom on Devon and Cornwall Rover is NOT valid from Exeter St. Davids via Exeter Central to either Exmouth or Axminster.

The Freedom of Severn and Solent is not valid on direct trains from Bristol Parkway to Newport

The Freedom of the South West and Freedom of Severn and Solent tickets are valid to Cheltenham Spa and stations to Malvern, but only via Gloucester and not on trains that avoid that city.

The Great West Way tickets are no longer valid from Swindon to Bristol Temple Meads on services that run via Bristol Parkway, nor to Frome.  However, they have additonal validity from Reading to Basingstoke

The Freedom of Severn and Solent (but not the Freedom of the South West) includes Southampton to Weymouth (including Lymington Pier and Swanage), direct trains from Romsey to Eastleigh, and services from Salisbury and Yeovil Pen Mill to Axminster.

I think that rangers, rovers, special deals, etc, that are ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies see - here) controlled / regulated change in May rather than in January

This is posted by grahame, testing out facilities from my "sheep bingo" account to see how things work without admin menus ...

Testing ...

Just testing

The "sheepbingo" account I'm posting from is a user account set up for testing ... this is grahame making sure that things work for regular users as well as for the admin. 

That may be a good idea -  I [grahame] posting this from a test account to show you the sort of thing we could do 

Sorry folks - grahame trying something else out.    I know you don't want a whole lot of spam threads, so I'll merge it in a minute.

Edited to add ... now merged

Hi ... this is grahame with a test post.   I'm checking a couple of things with forum settings, for which I need to use an account that doesn't have admin permissions.  Sheepbingo is a long story that I'll have to tell you about some time ... except it doesn't relate to trains, nor the South West!