Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366664/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 15:15, 8th October 2025 Already liked by Mark A |      |
FWIW I've submitted another complaint to GWR via their online form.
Not that their web software is antiquated or anything but you can't even put brackets or semicolons in the complaint text - "We are unable to submit your form with some of the special characters you’ve used entered" 
EDIT: and I've just noticed how that (copy/pasted) sentence ends!
Could be a precaution against this sort of thing:
https://xkcd.com/327/
Mark
I love little Johnny ...
We had a member sign up to the forum with the user name NULL at one time, and I'm certainly aware of special characters and injection attack issues (which I will not describe here!). Some sympathy with GWR though simple enough coding wise to filter and change - "cook" - special characters.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366663/29726/18] Posted by matth1j at 15:11, 8th October 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
EDIT: and I've just noticed how that (copy/pasted) sentence ends!
Could be a precaution against this sort of thing:https://xkcd.com/327/
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366662/29726/18] Posted by Mark A at 15:04, 8th October 2025 | |
FWIW I've submitted another complaint to GWR via their online form.
Not that their web software is antiquated or anything but you can't even put brackets or semicolons in the complaint text - "We are unable to submit your form with some of the special characters you’ve used entered" EDIT: and I've just noticed how that (copy/pasted) sentence ends!
Could be a precaution against this sort of thing:
https://xkcd.com/327/
Mark
| Re: Free things to see and do - day trip to London In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [366661/30879/31] Posted by JayMac at 14:54, 8th October 2025 | |
Science Museum
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366660/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 14:40, 8th October 2025 | |
Our aim is to get to the bottom of why delays occur and work out how to prevent them. Our focus is also on the things we can directly control, like:
· our timetable,
· how many trains we have and how reliable they are,
· and our train crew and their availability
· our timetable,
· how many trains we have and how reliable they are,
· and our train crew and their availability
For sure, a form letter - and so quickly-out that it had to be.
If the three big issues on the service through Melksham were sorted ...
* Crew availability
* Train availability
* Timetabling for robustness
were worked out and then the steps taken to implement the solutions, much much happier days. It is excellent to see GWR's confirmation that "these are things we can directly control"
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366659/29726/18] Posted by matth1j at 14:15, 8th October 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
FWIW I've submitted another complaint to GWR via their online form.
Today's (prompt!) reply below. Note that it misses the fact that the service was also cancelled today, which is what prompted my complaint; I thought they'd have gathered that from the journey details I had to provide. I've emailed a follow up pointing that out. I'm looking forward to when they start using IETs for the TransWilts services Dear John
Thank you for getting in touch with us.
I’m sorry to hear you were caught up in the disruption on your journey on Monday – and that this isn’t the first time it’s happened. We work hard to run our trains to schedule, but we know we do have problems with delays and cancellations sometimes and it’s disappointing you feel we’ve let you down. I appreciate it must be especially frustrating due to the low volume of services that operate on this route.
Our aim is to get to the bottom of why delays occur and work out how to prevent them. Our focus is also on the things we can directly control, like:
· our timetable,
· how many trains we have and how reliable they are,
· and our train crew and their availability
Good performance also comes from working proactively and collaboratively with our industry partners, and we are we are working with Network Rail (who are responsible for the railway signals, the track, and traffic management) and their Performance Improvement Team to make sure that we continue to drive down delays. We are engaging in an Every Second Counts campaign to focus all our teams on the importance of an on-time railway as we know that is really important to our customers.
Our fleet of Intercity Express Trains deliver improved performance and increased reliability. Coupled with the extensive track improvement and electrification programme undertaken by Network Rail we are confident we can provide a service that is not subject to regular delay, and again, I’m sorry that hasn’t been your recent experience.
Thank you again for getting in touch, and I’m sorry you’ve been disappointed. I hope I’ve reassured you that performance and reliability are really important to us, and that we’re committed to delivering a better service.
Thank you for getting in touch with us.
I’m sorry to hear you were caught up in the disruption on your journey on Monday – and that this isn’t the first time it’s happened. We work hard to run our trains to schedule, but we know we do have problems with delays and cancellations sometimes and it’s disappointing you feel we’ve let you down. I appreciate it must be especially frustrating due to the low volume of services that operate on this route.
Our aim is to get to the bottom of why delays occur and work out how to prevent them. Our focus is also on the things we can directly control, like:
· our timetable,
· how many trains we have and how reliable they are,
· and our train crew and their availability
Good performance also comes from working proactively and collaboratively with our industry partners, and we are we are working with Network Rail (who are responsible for the railway signals, the track, and traffic management) and their Performance Improvement Team to make sure that we continue to drive down delays. We are engaging in an Every Second Counts campaign to focus all our teams on the importance of an on-time railway as we know that is really important to our customers.
Our fleet of Intercity Express Trains deliver improved performance and increased reliability. Coupled with the extensive track improvement and electrification programme undertaken by Network Rail we are confident we can provide a service that is not subject to regular delay, and again, I’m sorry that hasn’t been your recent experience.
Thank you again for getting in touch, and I’m sorry you’ve been disappointed. I hope I’ve reassured you that performance and reliability are really important to us, and that we’re committed to delivering a better service.
| Re: Bus destroyed by fire, A30 Cornwall, 7th October 2025. In "Buses and other ways to travel" [366657/30877/5] Posted by LiskeardRich at 12:19, 8th October 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
Euro 6 bus again. The exhaust systems run ridiculously hot to burn off and reduce emissions. They also have tiny engines compared to buses in the past which works extremely hard.
To my knowledge there has been no electric bus fires caused by mechanical. The only one I know of was arson by a passenger upstairs!
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366656/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 12:07, 8th October 2025 | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Swindon.
It will no longer call at Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Swindon.
It will no longer call at Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will be started from Swindon.
It will no longer call at Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will be started from Swindon.
It will no longer call at Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Is that a shortage of crew in general, or a shortage of crew who know the line? Couldn't the 17:50 from Gloucester run to Westbury at least - arriving 19:26, then form the 20:06 back to Cheltenham Spa? That leaves time for the personal needs breaks of the train crew at Westbury.
Rumour has it that Gloucester staff are no longer able to work south of Swindon. Crew changes at Swindon may work on perfect days when no-one is sick and enough people want overtime, but it feels dangerous to rely on days being perfect. I did ask about timetabling and staffing, and their interaction, at last Friday's GWR briefing. We were reminded of the confidential nature of what GWR told us at that meeting, but then as they told us nothing that seemed to address the question, I think I can share that fact.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366655/29726/18] Posted by bobm at 10:59, 8th October 2025 | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Swindon.
It will no longer call at Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Swindon.
It will no longer call at Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will be started from Swindon.
It will no longer call at Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will be started from Swindon.
It will no longer call at Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366654/29726/18] Posted by matth1j at 10:54, 8th October 2025 | |
FWIW I've submitted another complaint to GWR via their online form.
Not that their web software is antiquated or anything but you can't even put brackets or semicolons in the complaint text - "We are unable to submit your form with some of the special characters you’ve used entered" EDIT: and I've just noticed how that (copy/pasted) sentence ends!
| Re: More 4 car 158s for Portsmouth services In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [366653/27229/20] Posted by John D at 10:47, 8th October 2025 | |
GWR have reverted to reducing some workings on the line to 2car again. No doubt lack of serviceable stock pending transferring some 158s from Devon (if and when sufficient 175s enter service sometime in 2026)
Today's 1F09 Cardiff-Portsmouth is a 2car 158
1F19 Cardiff-Portsmouth also showing a different 2car 158
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366652/29726/18] Posted by matth1j at 10:42, 8th October 2025 | |
FWIW I've submitted another complaint to GWR via their online form.
| Free things to see and do - day trip to London In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [366651/30879/31] Posted by grahame at 10:12, 8th October 2025 | |
Posting in "The West - but not trains in The West" even though London is not The West ... these are 18 places taken - without personal verification from a Facebook Reel of free things to do in London - and I would see to be suitable for day trips to the capital that our members take from the South West
Budhapadipa Temple (%)
Coaldrops Yard
Eden Art Gallery
Forty Hall
Horizon 22 (%)
Horniman Museum
House of MinaLima (%)
Natioanal Portait Gallery
Natural History Museum
Outernet (%)
Regents Park
Richmond Hill
Rickmond Riverside
Sheldon Square Amphitheatre
Sky Garden (%)
St Bartholemews Gatehouse
The Garden at 120
V&A East Storehouse (%)
Some of these I know or have known in the past ... others are new to me. And this list is just that author's 18. I might add (but what is free these days and what is not - at best I would be educated-guessing) so much else - so long since I went to the British Museum, I enjoy walking the Regents Canal, and taking in the sights and sounds of Greenwich riverside and the buildings and parks around. [edit to add - Tower and St Catherine's Dock]
Have you any experieinces / thoughts on the above? Been to any of them? Addiitions to the list?
I have marked - (%) - those which are added to the top of my list to explore. Every day is a learning experience and I learned as I watched that reel. Now for "verify" checks that they really are free and top notch.
| Re: De commissioning of an Electrification Engineer In "Introductions and chat" [366650/30875/1] Posted by Oxonhutch at 09:33, 8th October 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
A great railway career and hopefully you’ll stay as engaged on here as ever.
I think the term is 'energised'.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366649/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 08:54, 8th October 2025 Already liked by matth1j | |
Early yesterday, I sent and shared my open letter to our MP asking him to step in and oil wheels to help restore the train service at Melksham to the same level or reliability as is achieved elsewhere by GWR, which in my view is not brilliant but is at least workable with and something they have demonstrated they can achieve. I have received and automated initial reply to my email. Silence for GWR contacts; that may be, just after the letter sent, a good or a bad thing - a good thing if they are taking it seriously, a bad thing if it's gone into their ignore folders. At least we have avoided kneejerk standardised responses. https://www.mtug.org.uk/lib/bmmp20251006.pdf
We had cancellations on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and already this Wednesday morning. With, typically, a 2 hour gap between trains, every cancellation hurts. I will "forgive" one day - let's call that Saturday - "these things happen" but this morning? Shortage of Crew? Really? I can believe it, but repeated time and again this smells of a failure of management to deliver the product they are contracted to provide.
Question $64,000 ... what do we (customers) do about it? How do we help / persuade the people who run the trains (or should do) to deliver with a failure rate of under 5%, not one over 10% - rising to 33% at weekends?
| Re: Bus destroyed by fire, A30 Cornwall, 7th October 2025. In "Buses and other ways to travel" [366648/30877/5] Posted by grahame at 08:17, 8th October 2025 Already liked by Red Squirrel | |
I came to this story via social media. The amount of people stating, quite confidently, that this was an electric bus was astounding. It seems any vehicle fire these days MUST be an EV according to these luddites, who never read beyond the headline and just let their prejudices dictate their belief.
This bus was a decade old diesel engined Alexander Dennis Enviro400.
This bus was a decade old diesel engined Alexander Dennis Enviro400.
That is - so frightening but so true, and in many other elements of our lives too. I could get very political here and move way beyond the transport brief which we generally set ourselves, so I will leave it at that.
| Re: De commissioning of an Electrification Engineer In "Introductions and chat" [366647/30875/1] Posted by IndustryInsider at 07:40, 8th October 2025 Already liked by eightonedee, GBM, PrestburyRoad | |
A great railway career and hopefully you’ll stay as engaged on here as ever.
| Re: HS2 - Government proposals, alternative routes and general discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [366646/5138/51] Posted by IndustryInsider at 07:35, 8th October 2025 Already liked by TaplowGreen | |
“Go on, give him another series!”
| Re: HS2 - Government proposals, alternative routes and general discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [366645/5138/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:18, 8th October 2025 | |
I've been watching the new Alan Partridge series. You can probably guess that he's against HS2.
Whilst looking back on his career he said, "It's summer 2023, Britain is sweltering in record temperatures, HS2 has just been cancelled, correctly, in my view - who wants to get to the north quicker?"
Whilst looking back on his career he said, "It's summer 2023, Britain is sweltering in record temperatures, HS2 has just been cancelled, correctly, in my view - who wants to get to the north quicker?"
Sound advice as ever from Alan Partridge - here's some more (in the railway context) that's worth observing....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NBKHtSpTdE
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366644/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:13, 8th October 2025 Already liked by matth1j | |
6:06 Swindon to Southampton Central (Melksham 6:32) cancelled due to shortage of train crew.
No advance warning of this one; showing as on time at 6:00 and just delayed after its scheduled departure, until about 6:10 I think. Already left house by then, so had an extended walk to the Market Place bus stop to catch the 271 to Bath (which delay/repay will fund).
No advance warning of this one; showing as on time at 6:00 and just delayed after its scheduled departure, until about 6:10 I think. Already left house by then, so had an extended walk to the Market Place bus stop to catch the 271 to Bath (which delay/repay will fund).
Usually the 05:11 from Gloucester, during engineering works last week ran from Cheltenham Spa, today plan was from Swindon. Don't rely on it, have a "Plan B" for tomorrow. Oh - like, these days, you always have a plan B.
And I see the next train through Melksham, the 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester has also been cancelled, for the same reason.
06:06 Swindon to Southampton Central due 08:09
06:06 Swindon to Southampton Central due 08:09 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Swindon.
It will no longer call at Salisbury, Warminster, Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366643/29726/18] Posted by matth1j at 05:52, 8th October 2025 | |
6:06 Swindon to Southampton Central (Melksham 6:32) cancelled due to shortage of train crew.
No advance warning of this one; showing as on time at 6:00 and just delayed after its scheduled departure, until about 6:10 I think. Already left house by then, so had an extended walk to the Market Place bus stop to catch the 271 to Bath (which delay/repay will fund).
No advance warning of this one; showing as on time at 6:00 and just delayed after its scheduled departure, until about 6:10 I think. Already left house by then, so had an extended walk to the Market Place bus stop to catch the 271 to Bath (which delay/repay will fund).
Usually the 05:11 from Gloucester, during engineering works last week ran from Cheltenham Spa, today plan was from Swindon. Don't rely on it, have a "Plan B" for tomorrow. Oh - like, these days, you always have a plan B.
And I see the next train through Melksham, the 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester has also been cancelled, for the same reason.
| Re: Over-running engineering works - 2025 October 6-8 In "Swindon to Gloucester / Cheltenham" [366642/30876/38] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 05:30, 8th October 2025 | |
Wednesday October 8
This has now disappeared from the JourneyCheck 'Line Update' section.
The National Rail website is reporting
Description
From Saturday 27 September, there has been major upgrade work ongoing to the signalling system in the Gloucester area. This was due to be completed on Sunday, however, was not completed on time.
All lines have now reopened, however, trains may continue to be cancelled, delayed or revised.
Disruption is expected until approximately 12:00 whilst trains return to a normal timetable.
From Saturday 27 September, there has been major upgrade work ongoing to the signalling system in the Gloucester area. This was due to be completed on Sunday, however, was not completed on time.
All lines have now reopened, however, trains may continue to be cancelled, delayed or revised.
Disruption is expected until approximately 12:00 whilst trains return to a normal timetable.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [366641/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 04:52, 8th October 2025 | |
21:53 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 00:01 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
so, presumably tomorrow's 06:43 Worcester Shrub Hill to Paddington service will also be a cancellation.
And Tuesday's 1W05 19:53 London Paddington to Hereford was short-formed with a five-car set, leading to
Facilities on the 05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:24.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.
Last Updated:08/10/2025 03:58
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.
Last Updated:08/10/2025 03:58
05:50 : The 06:43 will be operated by the (nine-car) set from last night's 1W36 18:57 London Paddington to Great Malvern (21:18). This set normally runs back to Stoke Gifford, but couldn't get there on Tuesday night on account of the oiver-running Gloucester engineering work, so it spent the night at Shrub Hill.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [366640/29711/14] Posted by grahame at 03:52, 8th October 2025 | |
On Realtime Trains it says
This service is cancelled.
This service was cancelled due to the planned train being replaced with a slower train (MS).
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P08654/2025-10-07/detailed
That’s not an excuse/reason I’ve seen used before.
This service is cancelled.
This service was cancelled due to the planned train being replaced with a slower train (MS).
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P08654/2025-10-07/detailed
That’s not an excuse/reason I’ve seen used before.
https://wiki.openraildata.com/index.php/Darwin:Cancellation_reason_codes_and_text
https://wiki.openraildata.com/index.php/Delay_Attribution_Guide
MS officially reads
"Planned underpowered or shortformed service and or vehicle, incl. exam set swaps"
and I suspect that the descriptions are recoded out of rail jargon by real time trains
| Re: Trees near the railway In "The Lighter Side" [366639/30860/30] Posted by PrestburyRoad at 03:46, 8th October 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
I can’t identify any of the species.
2. London plane [tree] - the pattern on the bark gives it away.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [366638/29711/14] Posted by 1st fan at 00:06, 8th October 2025 | |
On Realtime Trains it says
This service is cancelled.
This service was cancelled due to the planned train being replaced with a slower train (MS).
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P08654/2025-10-07/detailed
That’s not an excuse/reason I’ve seen used before.
| Re: De commissioning of an Electrification Engineer In "Introductions and chat" [366637/30875/1] Posted by bobm at 22:15, 7th October 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
It is - current tense a pleasure having you here. Always has been, and always will be too. Make sure to enjoy your retirement; enjoy some of it here amongst friends.
Love the pun there.
| Re: De commissioning of an Electrification Engineer In "Introductions and chat" [366636/30875/1] Posted by John D at 21:07, 7th October 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
Er what a sparkling (or should that be sparky) career
| Manchester - Boy seriously injured in tram accident, 7 October 2025 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [366635/30878/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:51, 7th October 2025 | |
From the BBC:
A young boy has been seriously injured after he was hit by a tram.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the incident took place at Crossacres tram stop in Wythenshawe in the south of Manchester
A GMP spokesman said the boy was taken to hospital with "life-changing and potentially life-threatening injuries".
Trams to Manchester Airport have been suspended while the emergency services investigate.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said tickets and passes are being accepted on the 23, 25, 41, 43, 85A, 101, 103, 248, 249 and 368 bus services and Heavy Rail between Manchester Airport - City Centre.
