An on-the-ground account on this Substack blog. The conflict really is dismal.
Mark
https://martinrobbins.substack.com/p/i-visit-britains-most-expensive-farm
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1st May (1971) Amtrak founded (*) |
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May 01, 2025, 11:07:23
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News: the Great Western Coffee Shop ... keeping you up to date with travel around the South West |
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51
All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom / Re: HS2 - Government proposals, alternative routes and general discussion
on: April 29, 2025, 21:23:38
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Started by RailCornwall - Last post by Mark A | ||
An on-the-ground account on this Substack blog. The conflict really is dismal.
Mark https://martinrobbins.substack.com/p/i-visit-britains-most-expensive-farm |
52
All across the Great Western territory / Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them / Re: Longer distance canal walks - public transport for one way section returns
on: April 29, 2025, 20:36:31
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Started by grahame - Last post by bradshaw | ||
Back in the 90s I set out to walk the K & A in a series of stretches, usually around 12 miles. Living in Maiden Newton I set out using the train. The stages I embarked on were Bath to Bradford; Trowbridge to Avoncliff ( for the Cross Guns); Trowbridge to Devizes for bus to Bath; Pewsey to Devizes for bus to Bath; Pewsey to Great Bedwyn; Bedwyn to Hungerford; Hungerford to Kintbury. I never got round to the last section.
The walks were helped by there being an hostelry every four miles or so. In addition these guides were very useful. |
53
All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture Overseas / Three people killed after shooting in Sweden - April 2025
on: April 29, 2025, 20:35:59
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Started by Chris from Nailsea - Last post by Chris from Nailsea | ||
From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):
Quote ![]() Three people have been killed in a shooting in the Swedish city of Uppsala, police have confirmed. The shooting took place at a hair salon close to Vaksala Square in the centre of the city, local media reported. The shooter, who fled on a scooter, is still on the run, according to the reports. Officers have cordoned off a large area and a murder investigation is under way. The incident happened on the eve of the Walpurgis spring festival, which brings large crowds onto the streets of Uppsala, a city located north of the capital Stockholm, and known for its university. "Everything happened so fast. It just went bang, bang, bang," a witness told Swedish channel TV4. Another man said he was cooking at home when he heard "two bangs that sounded a bit like fireworks" going off outside on the street. He told Swedish television he was "very surprised and scared" and shortly after "swarms of police and ambulances" started blocking off the street and telling people to move back. A major effort is under way to find the shooter, with a police helicopter joining in the search, police spokesman Magnus Jansson Klarin told TV4. Train services had been stopped in the area to stop the perpetrator using them to get away, Mr Klarin said, but they have now resumed. (Article continues) |
54
Sideshoots - associated subjects / Campaigns for new and improved services / Re: Shipping services across the Severn
on: April 29, 2025, 20:31:25
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Started by grahame - Last post by broadgage | ||
In years gone by, there was a regular shipping service between Minehead and South Wales, this conveyed coal to the Minehead gas works, and bagged coal for household use.
Gas production ceased decades ago, but the gas holders remained until recent years. Almost no trace remains today, but the location is still known as "gas works beach" by anglers. It was on the edge of town, past the lifeboat station. Seagoing sailing barges were used, and later small steamers. Passengers and livestock were carried in return for a suitable gratuity. The vessels used were not licensed to carry passengers. |
55
All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Warmest day of year as UK temperature hits 24.9C - April 2025
on: April 29, 2025, 20:24:46
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Started by Chris from Nailsea - Last post by Chris from Nailsea | ||
From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):
Quote The UK▸ (United Kingdom) saw its warmest day of the year on Tuesday with a peak of 24.9C (76.8F) recorded - and forecasters predicting that later this week could see the hottest start to May on record. The highest temperatures were seen in Ross-on-Wye in the West Midlands and Trawscoed in the west of Wales - surpassing 2025's previous high of 24.5C recorded at St James's Park in London on Monday. Forecasters say the current warm spell could see temperatures peak at 29C on the first day of the new month on Thursday, as many voters head to the polls for local elections in England. High UV and pollen levels also likely. The weather will gradually cool over the bank holiday weekend, although it will stay dry and sunny for most. Peak temperatures in Scotland on Tuesday varied between 17C in the Northern Isles and 22.4C at Aboyne, while 22.2C was recorded at Derrylin in Northern Ireland. They will widely be in the low to mid-twenties on Wednesday, with the hottest weather likely in the London area at 27C. The last time this temperature was recorded in April was in 2018 in Cambridge. (Article continues) |
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on: April 29, 2025, 19:55:45
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Started by grahame - Last post by Chris from Nailsea | ||
There were - but apparently they weren't wide or intimidating enough!
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
on: April 29, 2025, 19:41:56
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Started by Chris from Nailsea - Last post by TaplowGreen | ||
Cancellations to services between Reading and Newbury Due to a points failure between Reading and Newbury some lines are blocked. Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled, delayed or diverted between Reading and Taunton. Some stations between Reading and Taunton will not be served. Disruption is expected until 13:15 29/04. A few diverted trains resulting. Still ongoing, now forecast disruption until 2000 |
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on: April 29, 2025, 19:29:41
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Started by grahame - Last post by ChrisB | ||
Chippenham? I thought there were barriers there already?
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59
All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom / Re: Driving licences and tests - ongoing discussion, merged topics
on: April 29, 2025, 18:28:35
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Started by grahame - Last post by broadgage | ||
Why is it, and why ever was it, possible for people and bots to buy-up driving tests slots for resale? I presume that no one foresaw any need to prohibit the practice. Back in the days when a driving test was available promptly on payment of the fee, nothing was gained by bulk buying and then reselling test slots. These days there is a clear financial incentive. |
60
All across the Great Western territory / The Wider Picture Overseas / Re: Spain / Portugal power outage
on: April 29, 2025, 18:21:56
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Started by Mark A - Last post by broadgage | ||
I have long held the view that ALL new electric trains should be equipped with either a diesel engine or a battery able to move the train at a much reduced performance for a reasonable distance.
In stating this, I was thinking primarily of UK▸ (United Kingdom) conditions, but it looks as though it would be prudent overseas also. At least affected passengers were allowed off the trains, in contrast to the UK policy of "keep them on the trains no matter what." On a more general note, there appears to have been a regrettable lack of both battery emergency lighting and standby generation in public buildings. |