OK, it's a long time ago, but I visited Torbay a lot from 1999 to 2005 and services to Exmouth were notorious for being overcrowded, especially during term-time.

...  I remember back at about the time this forum started, an FGW manager who had transferred from Wessex Trains explained to me the very high cost of adding a carriage to a peak train for just a single morning journey when declining for FGW to do anything to alleviate the problem.  Bad old days, perhaps ...

The Leamington to Coventry line... I'm trying to recall if it went out of use completely before being brought into use for crosscountry services needing Birmingham International.

Passenger services were withdrawn from the line on 18 January 1965 as a result of the Reshaping of British Railways report, and the station was closed, although the line remained open for goods traffic. The cut-off line to Berkswell was closed in 1969, and much of the remaining line was singled during 1972, although some double track was retained through Kenilworth to form a passing loop a short distance north of the station site. Passenger services over the line were restarted in 1977, but as these were long distance, and not local services the station was not reopened[at that time]

On 18 January 1965 British Railways (BR) withdrew passenger services from the line and closed Bedworth station, along with all of the other intermediate stations on the line. BR resumed passenger services on the line in 1987 and reopened Bedworth station in 1988.

Readers of Harry Potter will know this would have been Dementors

200 miles on a rattly old D-set at 30 mph would have been enough to suck the soul out of anyone

I recall commenting that a 2-carriage train full to bursting with angry passengers is more profitable/sustainable than a three carriage train with everyone having a seat.

 

On a slightly more serious note: where was this picture (as used in the BBC News item) originally taken?

Cross Country, single track. I really don't know. 

Contributor:PA Images
File size:30.8 MB (1.6 MB Compressed download)

Releases:Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?
Dimensions:4096 x 2631 px | 34.7 x 22.3 cm | 13.7 x 8.8 inches | 300dpi
Date taken:4 June 2015
Photographer:Joe Giddens
More information:
This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.
A Cross Country train approaches Berkswell train station in Solihull

'Significant' bank holiday travel delays expected



Commuters across the West Country are being warned of "significant" travel disruption over the bank holiday weekend.

Passengers on CrossCountry trains are being urged to carefully consider travel times due to on-going strikes with all services cancelled on Saturday 23 August and a reduced service running from 0800–1600 BST on Monday 25 August.

Managing Director of CrossCountry, Shiona Rolfe, said the Rail and Maritime Unions (RMT) decision to strike on Saturday and Monday left the company "disappointed for our passengers".

Meanwhile, the RAC has warned motorists of long delays on the roads with millions of additional journeys being taken over the August bank holiday period.



Ms Rolfe said CrossCountry understood the "inevitable disruption" a rail strike would cause over the bank holiday, assuring users they were in talks with the RMT to "try and reach an agreement".  There will be no CrossCountry service between Birmingham, Reading and the South Coast, and no service between Leicester, Cambridge and Stansted Airport with only a very limited service to the South West and north of York.

Network Rail joined CrossCountry in urging passengers to check ahead of travelling over the weekend with the providers current engineering projects potentially affecting rail travel.

Transport company Inrix predicts the M5 between Bristol and Devon to have the most severe holiday traffic, with junction 15, north of Bristol, to junction 23 (Bridgwater) likely to see delays of more than 40 minutes on Friday and Saturday.

Nick Mullender, RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, said: "With this bank holiday being the last opportunity to enjoy a long weekend before Christmas, our study shows a real eagerness to get out and about with nearly 18 million drivers planning getaway trips.  More traffic on the roads will inevitably lead to more vehicle breakdowns, especially if the sun makes an appearance and people decide on the day to visit popular destinations," he added. They are expecting roads to airports and coastal getaways to be "extremely busy," he added.

15:00 London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads due 16:35

Facilities on the 15:00 London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads due 16:35.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. Service full and standing. First class is declassified. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service.

17:00 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington due 18:38

Facilities on the 17:00 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington due 18:38.
Will be formed of 10 coaches instead of 5. Reservations have been applied.

A new partnership aims to make an airport more accessible by providing adapted aviation opportunities for those with disabilities.

Flynqy Pilot Training, Aerobility and Cornwall Airport Newquay said they wanted to make the airport a "hub for accessible flight training, trial flights and aviation experiences for the disabled community in the South West".

Aerobility said making aviation more inclusive was an essential part of its ongoing commitment to accessibility.

Andrew Boomer, operations director at Cornwall Airport Newquay, said: "We are proud to welcome this partnership between Aerobility and Flynqy Pilot Training to Cornwall Airport Newquay."

Flynqy Pilot Training, a flight training school based at Cornwall Airport Newquay, has worked on introducing adaptations to aircraft with accessibility modifications tailored for those with limb differences and reduced mobility.

Aerobility said these adaptations would allow more people to experience the "freedom" and "confidence" flying could bring. It added the team would undergo specialist training to ensure "safe and dignified access" to aircraft for those who needed assistance.

Zara Dinnacombe and George Weller, who recently took over as directors of Flynqy Pilot Training in April 2025, said they wanted to bring "inclusive aviation opportunities to our local community all year round".  They added: "Aerobility is an inspiring and passionate charity dedicated to making a difference to the lives of people living with disabilities, allowing them to try something new and empowering them to realise their true capabilities."

Al Rosser, Aerobility's chief flying instructor, said the partnership "allows us to reach even more people who can benefit from the euphoric power of flight. We're really excited to help make aviation accessible to people living with a disability in the South West."

A British Airways flight attendant was found naked in an onboard toilet while under the influence of drugs, a court has heard.

Haden Pentecost, 41, was working on a flight from California to London when he started to become agitated and was described as "sweating" and "babbling".

A blood test later revealed Pentecost had methamphetamine and amphetamines in his system.

Pentecost, who has been sacked, pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court to performing an aviation function while impaired by drugs.

The court heard Pentecost had to be stood down by his manager when he failed to help with any pre-flight safety checks.

After complaining of cramps and saying he had to change his clothes, he locked himself in one of the toilets - where a colleague later found him naked and oblivious to the fact, the court was told.

He had dilated pupils, a high heart rate, and had to be checked every 20 minutes until the plane arrived at Heathrow. Paramedics then took Pentecost to hospital.

Pentecost, of Basingstoke, was granted bail and will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court at a later date.

British Airways has been approached by the BBC for comment.

Erm ... where's Melksham?   

CfN 

Awful journalism yet again. What has the BBC become? (don't answer that!)