Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Can you find the 40 British railway station names hidden in our puzzle? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372103/31556/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:58, 5th February 2026 |      |
Thanks, TonyN. [Image from here is not available to guests]
Having added those, we are now up to 44 of 40 - so clearly a few of them are just 'red herrings'. [Image from here is not available to guests]
Can we identify them?
| Re: London bus driver sacked after chasing and punching thief - 25 June 2024 In "Transport for London" [372100/31547/46] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:35, 5th February 2026 | |
I'm posting here my own personal opinion - not as an administrator, and not representing any official view from the Coffee Shop forum:
As Mark Hehir has been so well supported by members of the public and politicians of all parties, it would be good to see him return to his skilled role as a qualified bus driver - but not with Metroline. 'Other bus company operators are available'.
CfN. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Can you find the 40 British railway station names hidden in our puzzle? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372099/31556/51] Posted by TonyN at 23:22, 5th February 2026 | |
With my thanks for your post, eightonedee, I rather think you have hit the whatsit on the proverbial there. [Image from here is not available to guests]
There are possibly three clues combined into one there: there is a railway station at Barking (which is what the dog is doing); there is one at Riverside (which is where the dog is standing); and there is one at Barking Riverside (combining those two clues).
Derby and Poole I will also add, as they are both absolutely plausible.
There are possibly three clues combined into one there: there is a railway station at Barking (which is what the dog is doing); there is one at Riverside (which is where the dog is standing); and there is one at Barking Riverside (combining those two clues).
Derby and Poole I will also add, as they are both absolutely plausible.
I Think there are some in Reply 23 by plymothian that you have missed.
| Re: HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - Government proposals, alternative routes, discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372098/5138/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:09, 5th February 2026 | |
You must mean HS2: the reopening of the Portishead Line to passengers has only ever been 'just three years away' ... for about the past 30 years.
On that basis, actually, you may be right. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Can you find the 40 British railway station names hidden in our puzzle? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372097/31556/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:55, 5th February 2026 | |
With my thanks for your post, eightonedee, I rather think you have hit the whatsit on the proverbial there. [Image from here is not available to guests]
There are possibly three clues combined into one there: there is a railway station at Barking (which is what the dog is doing); there is one at Riverside (which is where the dog is standing); and there is one at Barking Riverside (combining those two clues).
Derby and Poole I will also add, as they are both absolutely plausible.
| Re: Can you find the 40 British railway station names hidden in our puzzle? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372095/31556/51] Posted by eightonedee at 22:20, 5th February 2026 | |
Unless I have missed them, or haven't worked out the connection with answers listed, there's still the football game and swimming pool on the hill in the upper right.
Are they Poole (no explanation needed) and Derby (the footballers are in red and blue, so could be Man U v Man City or Liverpool v Everton)?
And the barking dog is I think Barking Riverside (a Plymothian/Oxonhutch joint effort!).
I'll stare at the picture a little longer.....
| Re: A379 at Slapton In "Buses and other ways to travel" [372094/31569/5] Posted by TonyK at 22:15, 5th February 2026 | |
I have very fond memories of times around there when my kids (now in their 40s) were little, including walking up to the foot of Start Point lighthouse at the very moment the foghorn was tested, and dinner at the pub. It is going to cost a lot more to fix than the local council has. As yet, no word on how it will be achieved, but Slapton Ley ticks every conservation box there is. If that is breached, then - well, I don't know what will happen for sure, but it would be extremely sad.
| Re: HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - Government proposals, alternative routes, discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372093/5138/51] Posted by TonyK at 21:56, 5th February 2026 Already liked by eightonedee | |
From the BBC:
Second only to HS2 - or possibly the Portishead Line reopening to passengers ? [Image from here is not available to guests]
Parliament revamp could cost £40bn and take 61 years
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The refurbishment of the Houses of Parliament could cost almost £40bn and take 61 years, under proposals presented to MPs and peers.
It's one option presented by the team working on the long-delayed restoration of the historic building, which is falling apart and costs £1.5m a week to maintain.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The refurbishment of the Houses of Parliament could cost almost £40bn and take 61 years, under proposals presented to MPs and peers.
It's one option presented by the team working on the long-delayed restoration of the historic building, which is falling apart and costs £1.5m a week to maintain.
Second only to HS2 - or possibly the Portishead Line reopening to passengers ? [Image from here is not available to guests]
I remember the days when it would only cost £20 billion and take 30 years.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [372092/28982/26] Posted by JayMac at 21:39, 5th February 2026 | |
172002 had brakes locked on at Liskeard. This fault a couple days after it had door interlock issues, also at Liskeard
Today the rescue unit sent wrong road from Plymouth was coupled up to 175002 and the brake problem transferred to the new unit. [Image from here is not available to guests]
Subsequent major disruption in Cornwall.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [372089/28982/26] Posted by a-driver at 21:08, 5th February 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Failed 175 only recently disappeared from Traksy - not sure where the unit has gone.
Dumped in the Yard at Liskeard
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [372087/28982/26] Posted by Southernman at 20:45, 5th February 2026 | |
Failed 175 only recently disappeared from Traksy - not sure where the unit has gone. The 17.50 Penzance - Paddington is formed of 150238 (2 car). Lost 30 minutes or so en-route to Plymouth but still going on! Lost no more time to Totnes. How far will it reach before being relieved of its long distance outing? Or maybe there was a swap of trains at Plymouth?
Presumably off the Falmouth branch shuttle but good bit of initiative!
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [372086/593/9] Posted by ray951 at 20:38, 5th February 2026 | |
Network Rail in this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15YBCJtScht/ have stated that the bridge works at Oxford are on schedule and the new bridge is now in place. There is a video taken from a drone at that link.
The new bridge that will hopefully lead to a Platform 5 is not yet in place.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [372085/31359/18] Posted by Mark A at 20:31, 5th February 2026 Already liked by PrestburyRoad | |
The absolute *joy* of waiting at Kemble in the 80s, when the single track section to Swindon would tend to provoke fun and games.
But also the *joy* after walking four miles to the station in the '82 snow and within a day or five of the thermometer hitting minus 18C up there, when it was necessary to leave the lane as that was choked to hedgerow-depth with snow, and make ones way through the fields alongside - to Kemble Station, and in swept the London-bound HST from the Sapperton direction, with a decent collection of sticky snow on the front end and also between the carriages, passengers... ok, me... once aboard, rocking up to the buffet for something to thaw them out.
Mark
| Re: Can you find the 40 British railway station names hidden in our puzzle? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372082/31556/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:40, 5th February 2026 | |
With my renewed thanks to all Coffee Shop members who have contributed here, I've at least tried to update my previous post with a full list of all those railway stations.
If I have missed any, please do post here, and I'll complete the 40. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - Government proposals, alternative routes, discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372081/5138/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:11, 5th February 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Parliament revamp could cost £40bn and take 61 years
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The refurbishment of the Houses of Parliament could cost almost £40bn and take 61 years, under proposals presented to MPs and peers.
It's one option presented by the team working on the long-delayed restoration of the historic building, which is falling apart and costs £1.5m a week to maintain.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The refurbishment of the Houses of Parliament could cost almost £40bn and take 61 years, under proposals presented to MPs and peers.
It's one option presented by the team working on the long-delayed restoration of the historic building, which is falling apart and costs £1.5m a week to maintain.
Second only to HS2 - or possibly the Portishead Line reopening to passengers ? [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: 19, 38, and 349 ... 80, 93, 151, 154, 155, 163, 164 and 470. In "Transport for London" [372077/31576/46] Posted by John D at 18:12, 5th February 2026 | |
There are too elements to this, TfL has a policy of electric buses, and built to non-standard TfL bus standard (the standard in EU rest of UK is apparently not acceptable to TfL). The cost of the charging infrastructure, and more expensive buses has pushed bus costs up.
They were aiming for 100% electric fleet by 2030 (mayor aspiration) or 2032-34 (dates seem to vary over time). However the latest Business plan (which was draft until ratified by today's TfL Board meeting) refers to target of 6000 electric buses by 2030 with no final cutover date.
The second element is fares revenue (which TfL Finance reports show is about 8% below budget for buses. Usage figures have fallen drastically (especially in central London where roads have been blocked for low traffic neighbourhoods, forcing cars and vans onto bus routes), causing congestion and slower buses. TfL have inadvertently made bus travel diabolically slow.
Of course in last few years, have seen extended East London line, extended DLR, Elizabeth line, improved signalling on Victoria, District, Circle, Met and H&C lines allowing higher frequencies. These alternatives are going to attract former bus passengers.
Pre-pandemic buses were losing around £1 - 1.5m per day, (and could be covered by a surplus on the tube), but in recent months bus losses has jumped to nearer £3.5m per day. Clearly London buses losing over £1bn a year (and rapidly rising) is not sustainable so cuts are inevitable.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [372076/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 17:51, 5th February 2026 | |
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be starting late from Swindon.
This is due to the train departing late to maintain customer connections.
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be starting late from Swindon.
This is due to the train departing late to maintain customer connections.
9 minutes late off Swindon (17:44), maintaining connection from the 16:33 Paddington to Cheltenham Spa train. Had it set off on time at 17:35, it would have got in the way of the Bristol and Taunton train due to leave Swindon at 17:22, but didn't leave today until 17:36. The delay looks like a sensible call.
| 19, 38, and 349 ... 80, 93, 151, 154, 155, 163, 164 and 470. In "Transport for London" [372075/31576/46] Posted by grahame at 17:25, 5th February 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
After our - fury - at the breaking of the 205, another batch of routes may be in for re-organisation
from The Standard
TfL is planning to “simplify” its central London bus network – meaning an unspecified number of routes will be shortened or axed over the next three years, primarily to avoid overlapping services and to limit the number of empty buses.
Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, admitted to the board: “Obviously, moving forward, we as an organisation need to find a way to make the bus subsidy lower.”
Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, admitted to the board: “Obviously, moving forward, we as an organisation need to find a way to make the bus subsidy lower.”
I was - many years ago - a user of the 19 and 38; don't know the other routes. If developments like the Elizabeth Line and the turning of the Overground lines into metro-frequent routes have abstracted traffic from the buses, so reviewed might make sense. The lack of an appropriate decision on the 205, and the lack of any comment about passenger needs in the comment above, mean I am concerned. It could be that only a snippet of what Ms Mann said has been quoted - I certainly hope so.
| Leicestershire councillor says bid to restore Ivanhoe rail line is 'dead' In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [372074/31575/28] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:20, 5th February 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Councillor says bid to restore rail line is 'dead'
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The railway still runs through towns like Coalville, but does not carry passenger trains
A councillor has said a campaign to restore a passenger rail link through the Midlands has no future.
Funding to restore the Ivanhoe line, which connects Leicester and Burton-upon-Trent through North West Leicestershire and South Derbyshire, was withdrawn after the Restoring Your Railway scheme was scrapped following a change in government in 2024.
Reform councillor Adam Tilbury, Leicestershire County Council's cabinet member for highways, transport and waste said despite decades of campaigning, the project is "dead" and unlikely to acquire support from the current Labour government.
Amanda Hack, Labour MP for North West Leicestershire, raised the issue in a debate in Westminster last week.
Referring to Hack's comments in parliament, Tilbury told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Her concerns have fallen on deaf ears unfortunately. We are massively in debt as a country. There is no appetite for it. I don't think it's going to happen in this government's lifetime - it's dead really."
The Ivanhoe line used to connect Leicester with Burton, but closed down as part of the infamous Beeching cuts in the 1960s.
Tilbury said it was "ridiculous" there were currently no passenger routes to link commuters in these areas. "People with no car could go to high paying jobs and bring money back into the area. It's very frustrating. Leicestershire County Council always seems to be at the back of the queue. We have got all the investment coming in around the area but no transport links. We've been promised a rail link for years. We just want the same transport links everyone else has in the country," he said.
Following the debate in Westminster, Hack said: "We want to keep putting the pressure on to get this line up and running for passenger traffic as soon as possible." She said the line would also be beneficial in terms of providing greener transport options for the area.
"Currently, 99 per cent of visitors to local attractions like Conkers travel by car. A train link would provide a greener alternative to reduce carbon emissions and encourage more sustainable travel. It could even be branded the 'National Forest Line', which has a nice ring to it. There is no doubt in my mind, nor in the minds of local people, that restoring passenger rail is a priority," Hack added.
A Network Rail-backed business case to reinstate the line had been with the former Conservative government with hopes work could start in 2024. However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the Treasury needed to find £5.5bn of savings in 2024 and a further £8.1bn in 2025.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The railway still runs through towns like Coalville, but does not carry passenger trains
A councillor has said a campaign to restore a passenger rail link through the Midlands has no future.
Funding to restore the Ivanhoe line, which connects Leicester and Burton-upon-Trent through North West Leicestershire and South Derbyshire, was withdrawn after the Restoring Your Railway scheme was scrapped following a change in government in 2024.
Reform councillor Adam Tilbury, Leicestershire County Council's cabinet member for highways, transport and waste said despite decades of campaigning, the project is "dead" and unlikely to acquire support from the current Labour government.
Amanda Hack, Labour MP for North West Leicestershire, raised the issue in a debate in Westminster last week.
Referring to Hack's comments in parliament, Tilbury told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Her concerns have fallen on deaf ears unfortunately. We are massively in debt as a country. There is no appetite for it. I don't think it's going to happen in this government's lifetime - it's dead really."
The Ivanhoe line used to connect Leicester with Burton, but closed down as part of the infamous Beeching cuts in the 1960s.
Tilbury said it was "ridiculous" there were currently no passenger routes to link commuters in these areas. "People with no car could go to high paying jobs and bring money back into the area. It's very frustrating. Leicestershire County Council always seems to be at the back of the queue. We have got all the investment coming in around the area but no transport links. We've been promised a rail link for years. We just want the same transport links everyone else has in the country," he said.
Following the debate in Westminster, Hack said: "We want to keep putting the pressure on to get this line up and running for passenger traffic as soon as possible." She said the line would also be beneficial in terms of providing greener transport options for the area.
"Currently, 99 per cent of visitors to local attractions like Conkers travel by car. A train link would provide a greener alternative to reduce carbon emissions and encourage more sustainable travel. It could even be branded the 'National Forest Line', which has a nice ring to it. There is no doubt in my mind, nor in the minds of local people, that restoring passenger rail is a priority," Hack added.
A Network Rail-backed business case to reinstate the line had been with the former Conservative government with hopes work could start in 2024. However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the Treasury needed to find £5.5bn of savings in 2024 and a further £8.1bn in 2025.
I do love these emotive lines from current journalists:
The Ivanhoe line used to connect Leicester with Burton, but closed down as part of the infamous Beeching cuts in the 1960s.
CfN. [Image from here is not available to guests]
