Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363553/29073/31] Posted by johnneyw at 23:52, 25th July 2025 |      |
Someone with a great dislike of seagulls,and a fondness for John Steed perhaps.
I still harbour a grudge against the seagull that plundered the barely sampled ice cream from over my shoulder a few years back. Some things I will forgive and forget....but not this act of piracy.
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [363552/28982/26] Posted by stuving at 23:42, 25th July 2025 | |
Last time I looked there were 2 very overgrown sidings alongside the line on north side. There was also a very short depot building suitable for locos and power cars. This seems to face opposite direction to many of the sidings in the open. There wasn't really a building suitable for 3car DMUs where bogie or engine swaps and similar maintenance could be done quickly and efficiently. There is a long building for IETs (which I suspect has no spare capacity for a DMU fleet as it is quite narrow)
I can see three sheds with tracks into them - one short (72 m, roads 1-4), one longer (112 m, roads 5-6) and the "HST shed" (240 m, roads 7-10). So it looks as if the two smaller sheds, apart from road 1 that perhaps is no longer used, are being renovated for the 175s.
| Re: Have YOUR kids been on a beach? or to a farm? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363551/14279/31] Posted by Oxonhutch at 22:12, 25th July 2025 | |
I was about to say it is amazing how many children see coal for the first time when they go to a heritage railways. But I then noticed I made the same comment in this thread 11 years ago!
My son, 18 years ago on the coaling stage at Didcot. Lucky for him, dad - the geologist - could explain.
| Solo travel (more significant journeys than to work!) In "Introductions and chat" [363550/30488/1] Posted by grahame at 21:19, 25th July 2025 | |
From the BBC - Tracee Ellis Ross top tips for travelling solo
When Tracee Ellis Ross needs to unwind, she books a trip with her favourite travel companion: herself.
"I've been solo travelling since I was, like, 24 or 25," the effervescent star of the award-winning comedies black-ish and Girlfriends tells the BBC. "And I think my first solo trip went so well that it just… stuck."
Ross, who now takes herself on holiday at least once a year, believes there are different reasons for travelling on one's own. "Some people solo travel for adventure," she says. "Some people solo travel to meet people. Some people solo travel to get away from their families and their lives… I solo travel as a way to be with myself out in the world."
"I've been solo travelling since I was, like, 24 or 25," the effervescent star of the award-winning comedies black-ish and Girlfriends tells the BBC. "And I think my first solo trip went so well that it just… stuck."
Ross, who now takes herself on holiday at least once a year, believes there are different reasons for travelling on one's own. "Some people solo travel for adventure," she says. "Some people solo travel to meet people. Some people solo travel to get away from their families and their lives… I solo travel as a way to be with myself out in the world."
| Re: Town's buses get £900k to improve services - Slough, July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363549/30485/51] Posted by Surrey 455 at 20:10, 25th July 2025 | |
Bit to late improving connectivity to Slough town centre .....................
Slough High Street and Queensmere Observatory shopping centre are dire possibly the worst town centre in the UK, its dire
Slough High Street and Queensmere Observatory shopping centre are dire possibly the worst town centre in the UK, its dire
.........and yet just a few years ago both of those shopping centres were outstanding, along with many other shops, local facilities and a number of decent pubs in the area, almost all now gone.
Hard to understand how such a once thriving High Street in the wealthy Thames Valley has been allowed to become so run down.
I agree. I can remember many Saturday afternoons shopping in Slough when I fancied a change from Uxbridge and many evenings I would visit one or several of the towns pubs. Most of the big names have left the High Street and shopping centres, and all of the pubs that I used to frequent are gone too apart from Wetherspoons which I didn't use that often.
The last time I visited, a few months ago, after being depressed by the state that the town centre has become, I wanted a cappuccino before I headed to the station. But where have all the coffee shops gone? I had to do without.
| Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363548/29073/31] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 19:59, 25th July 2025 | |
Someone with a great dislike of seagulls,and a fondness for John Steed perhaps.
| Re: Samaritans to close more than 100 branches In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363547/30487/31] Posted by grahame at 18:55, 25th July 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, Western Pathfinder, Oxonhutch | |
I understand the very serious concerns on all side. But this - of all of them - is such a high stakes organisation in what it delivers. Wish there was an easy way to do it - but I don't think there is.
| Re: School trip coach involved in a collision, Wheddon Cross, Somerset 17/07/2025 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363546/30461/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:50, 25th July 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Road reopens following fatal school coach crash
A road has partially reopened at the scene of a coach crash in which a 10-year-old child was killed.
Oliver Price died when the coach carrying Minehead Middle School pupils left the road near Wheddon Cross in Somerset, and slid down a 6m (20ft) slope on 17 July.
The children and teachers on board had been returning from an end-of-year trip to Exmoor Zoo. In total, 21 people were taken to hospital to be treated.
One lane on the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe remains closed with temporary barriers in place until permanent repairs can be made.
In a statement Somerset Council said there would be temporary traffic signals in place, and a 20mph speed limit until further notice.
Avon and Somerset Police has asked people not to leave flowers and tributes by the roadside.
The coach involved in the accident was recovered from the scene on 19 July and is now being forensically examined.
A road has partially reopened at the scene of a coach crash in which a 10-year-old child was killed.
Oliver Price died when the coach carrying Minehead Middle School pupils left the road near Wheddon Cross in Somerset, and slid down a 6m (20ft) slope on 17 July.
The children and teachers on board had been returning from an end-of-year trip to Exmoor Zoo. In total, 21 people were taken to hospital to be treated.
One lane on the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe remains closed with temporary barriers in place until permanent repairs can be made.
In a statement Somerset Council said there would be temporary traffic signals in place, and a 20mph speed limit until further notice.
Avon and Somerset Police has asked people not to leave flowers and tributes by the roadside.
The coach involved in the accident was recovered from the scene on 19 July and is now being forensically examined.
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [363545/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 18:48, 25th July 2025 | |
Bogie changes can be done in the purpose built shed at Exeter. I don't think the lifting road jacks have ever been used.
| Samaritans to close more than 100 branches In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363544/30487/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:30, 25th July 2025 | |
From the BBC:
The Samaritans are planning to close more than 100 branches across the UK and Ireland, the BBC has learned.
In a presentation to staff, the suicide prevention charity's chief executive said "at least half" of their branches will close.
Dozens of branches have voiced concerns, some fearing the proposals will lead to an exodus of volunteers: "They're dismantling something that has worked for 70 years," said one volunteer.
The Samaritans said having more than 200 branches "is not sustainable and hinders us" from providing the best service.
Founded in 1953, the Samaritans focus on preventing suicides by connecting trained volunteers with people who are struggling. The charity estimates it answers a call for help every 10 seconds.
The proposals were revealed in a video message sent by the leadership of the charity to volunteers last week.
Chief executive Julie Bentley, said while there wasn't "a definitive view" on how many branches the charity needed: "It's likely that within the next seven to 10 years our branch network will have reduced by at least half. With less branches, we'll look to move to fewer but bigger regions," she added.
If the charity's board agrees to the plans at a meeting in September, the changes will begin in April in the UK and 2027 in Ireland. The list of branches which could close has not been decided.
If the plans go ahead, most users' interaction with the Samaritans will be done on the phone so people might not be aware of its branch structure and the charity's leaders say users won't notice a difference.
The Samaritans, considered the fourth emergency service by its staff and volunteers, play a key role in suicide prevention, offering round the clock telephone support to people in distress.
Volunteers who answer the calls are based in offices around the country, many of which will now close. The BBC has been told more than 50 branches, over a quarter of the total, have been raising concerns on an internal forum since the proposals were announced.
Plans for "virtual volunteering" where people answer calls from home, have sparked fears volunteers could leave the charity due to the pressures of dealing with calls about suicide alone. Others only decided to help out due to feeling isolated at home. Female volunteers have also said they would be uncomfortable with remote working due to the number of abusive and sexual calls the charity receives.
In her message to staff, Ms Bentley said some offices were failing to retain enough volunteers and "don't support the effective delivery of our services to callers".
She also expressed concern that too much of the Samaritans' income is spent on "maintaining bricks and mortars, rather than being used to improve our services".
But it is the loss of the intimacy and support the offices provide that worries many volunteers. They fear the charity's proposals will create large, impersonal call-centres in big towns and cities, reducing the likelihood of people from rural areas being able to volunteer and undermining the meaning of being a Samaritans volunteer.
In its latest accounts, for 2023-24, almost two thirds (£15.3m) of the charity's £24.6m income was spent on staff costs and less than 4% on land and buildings.
"We're not against change," one volunteer told the BBC, "but they've not provided any evidence these changes will improve the charity. It feels more like the professionalisation of the Samaritans."
The proposals, if enacted, would also see the charity withdraw from some current activities, including talks in schools and providing the Veterans Emotional Support Line.
In a statement to BBC News, the Samaritans emphasised that their services would continue to be available every minute of every day, so people should always be able to contact them.
"Samaritans provides a life-saving service, day and night, 365 days a year but the changing needs of our callers and volunteers mean thinking differently about the way our services need to work," said Ms Bentley. "We are engaging with our volunteers on proposed improvements that will mean we are able to answer more calls, have more volunteers on duty and be there for more people in their darkest moments."
"Samaritans volunteers are hugely dedicated to being there for our callers and they remain at the heart of our service, but it has become increasingly clear that having over 200 branches, varying in size from 10 to 300 volunteers, is not sustainable and hinders us providing the best possible service to people who need us," she added.
| Re: Belmond British Pullman In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363543/26464/47] Posted by Marlburian at 17:55, 25th July 2025 | |
Ultra-luxury train operator Belmond has cancelled the inaugural UK journey of the "Britannic Explorer" for the second time this month.
A three-night "twin suite" trip from London to Wales, travelling through Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) to the Pembrokeshire coast, starts from £6,300 per passenger.
| Re: Severn Valley Railway - heritage line, Worcestershire and Shropshire - merged posts In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363542/6572/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:23, 25th July 2025 Already liked by Timmer, eightonedee | |
From the BBC:
Flying Scotsman helps Bridgnorth get back on track
The world-famous Flying Scotsman steamed into Shropshire on Friday, marking the full reopening of one of the county's top tourist attractions.
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) heritage line, which runs for 16 miles from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster in Worcestershire, had been blocked since January after a major landslip.
It had meant trains could only run from Kidderminster to Hampton Loade, leaving Bridgnorth without the financial boost that thousands of railway passengers bring to the town each year.
Tickets to travel on board Flying Scotsman sold out within minutes and the locomotive was then booked for an extra day - with trips now happening from Friday to Monday.
Bridgnorth's mayor David Cooper said there was a "strong identity" between the town and the railway. "It does draw a lot of people into the town and it's very much valued by businesses in the town, so we're very grateful that the services are back up and running," he said.
Bridgnorth station master Chris Thomas said: "Everyone here has been waiting for this day, and it's marvellous to welcome our first full-line train this season. During the long months of isolation we've worked hard to keep people coming here and carried out a lot of maintenance and improvement work to keep the station looking good. But of course, nothing beats a fully joined up railway, and that's what we're celebrating today."
SVR managing director Jonathan Dunster said: "Securing the iconic Flying Scotsman to haul our reopening train was the absolute icing on the cake. This is about championing the SVR's spirit of survival, and the many remarkable people associated with it that have helped to bring us to the point of reunifying our line."
Because of the current high risk of lineside fires, a Class 20 diesel locomotive provided assistance to Flying Scotsman. "The vegetation alongside our line is still very dry, and the last thing we want on this very special day is a spark from Flying Scotsman inadvertently starting a fire," said Mr Dunster. "Placing the diesel directly behind the steam loco gives the best level of assistance, which is so important when the train is tackling the infamous incline of Eardington Bank."
The world-famous Flying Scotsman steamed into Shropshire on Friday, marking the full reopening of one of the county's top tourist attractions.
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) heritage line, which runs for 16 miles from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster in Worcestershire, had been blocked since January after a major landslip.
It had meant trains could only run from Kidderminster to Hampton Loade, leaving Bridgnorth without the financial boost that thousands of railway passengers bring to the town each year.
Tickets to travel on board Flying Scotsman sold out within minutes and the locomotive was then booked for an extra day - with trips now happening from Friday to Monday.
Bridgnorth's mayor David Cooper said there was a "strong identity" between the town and the railway. "It does draw a lot of people into the town and it's very much valued by businesses in the town, so we're very grateful that the services are back up and running," he said.
Bridgnorth station master Chris Thomas said: "Everyone here has been waiting for this day, and it's marvellous to welcome our first full-line train this season. During the long months of isolation we've worked hard to keep people coming here and carried out a lot of maintenance and improvement work to keep the station looking good. But of course, nothing beats a fully joined up railway, and that's what we're celebrating today."
SVR managing director Jonathan Dunster said: "Securing the iconic Flying Scotsman to haul our reopening train was the absolute icing on the cake. This is about championing the SVR's spirit of survival, and the many remarkable people associated with it that have helped to bring us to the point of reunifying our line."
Because of the current high risk of lineside fires, a Class 20 diesel locomotive provided assistance to Flying Scotsman. "The vegetation alongside our line is still very dry, and the last thing we want on this very special day is a spark from Flying Scotsman inadvertently starting a fire," said Mr Dunster. "Placing the diesel directly behind the steam loco gives the best level of assistance, which is so important when the train is tackling the infamous incline of Eardington Bank."
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363541/489/12] Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:04, 25th July 2025 | |
Personally, I don't have a spare £199 lying around. 
Those very cost conscious have the option of travelling in the seated coaches of course.
Having spoken to someone who has endured that experience (all the way to Penzance), those cost conscious people will be spending the following day feeling somewhat akin to your Forum name.
| Berth Maps - more accurate train movement data with Exeter area demonstration In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [363540/30486/24] Posted by IndustryInsider at 14:07, 25th July 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby, PrestburyRoad, PhilWakely | |
Berth Maps is a new system being rolled out to staff pulling together numerous sources into one.
It's not going to be a public release system, but nonetheless the website for it has a live example screen which covers a fairly wide part of the Exeter area from Newton Abbot to Taunton/Chard including the Okehampton/Barnstable and Exmouth branches.
I don't know if the sample screen rotates every so often, but for those of you who like to watch train movements you get far more detail than on the other mapping services like opentraintimes as it interfaces with GPS as well as signal berths.
So, for example to can watch trains moving along the Barnstable and Okehampton branches from Cowley Bridge Junction where the current systems stop.
You can also see whether a signal is displaying a single or double yellow aspect in areas where that data is available.
https://www.mistral-data.com/product/berth-maps/
| Re: Have YOUR kids been on a beach? or to a farm? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363539/14279/31] Posted by bobm at 12:34, 25th July 2025 Already liked by Timmer, Witham Bobby, Western Pathfinder | |
I was about to say it is amazing how many children see coal for the first time when they go to a heritage railways. But I then noticed I made the same comment in this thread 11 years ago!
| Re: Have YOUR kids been on a beach? or to a farm? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363538/14279/31] Posted by broadgage at 12:20, 25th July 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Friends own a dairy farm in north Wales, they regularly host school trips organised by a charity. For children who have never seen a cow or other exotic animal.
One attraction regularly offered is for the kids to dig up potatoes, clean and peel these, and boil them over a fire for lunch.
several kids refused to eat potatoes "that had been in the ground with worms and bugs"
Others expressed surprise that only female cows give milk.
Or that honey is made by bees.
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [363537/28982/26] Posted by John D at 12:14, 25th July 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
There is a contract out to tender for "Laira Depot Enhancements as part of the Class 175 introduction". This is very briefly described as:
Laira Depot Enhancements -
Submissions have closed, and the award date is set as 30th September 2025, so you can't even see the more detailed documents now. How much space there is at Laira before, during, or after this programme I have no idea, but it must make some difference!
(I thought I'd seen this posted already, but can't find it.)
Last time I looked there were 2 very overgrown sidings alongside the line on north side. There was also a very short depot building suitable for locos and power cars. This seems to face opposite direction to many of the sidings in the open. There wasn't really a building suitable for 3car DMUs where bogie or engine swaps and similar maintenance could be done quickly and efficiently. There is a long building for IETs (which I suspect has no spare capacity for a DMU fleet as it is quite narrow)
| Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363536/29073/31] Posted by broadgage at 12:02, 25th July 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
My sympathies are with the man attacking gulls. Despite his actions being almost certainly illegal.
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [363535/28982/26] Posted by stuving at 10:40, 25th July 2025 | |
There is a contract out to tender for "Laira Depot Enhancements as part of the Class 175 introduction". This is very briefly described as:
Laira Depot Enhancements -
The purpose of the project is to increase operational capacity by modifying and enhancing existing facilities to support the introduction of Class 175 rolling stock following the withdrawal of the HST fleet.
The successful contractor will be responsible for carrying out the following upgrades at Laira Depot:
• Design and installation of infrastructure enhancements as detailed below.
• Design to be split into two sections Phase 1 (Road 2-4) and Phase 2 (Road 5-6) to reduce design approval delays due to complexity.
• Phase 1 Works to start following Phase 1 design AFC
• Phase 2 Works anticipated to start July 2026.
Total value (estimated)
£3,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
20 October 2025 to 31 July 2026
9 months, 12 days
The purpose of the project is to increase operational capacity by modifying and enhancing existing facilities to support the introduction of Class 175 rolling stock following the withdrawal of the HST fleet.
The successful contractor will be responsible for carrying out the following upgrades at Laira Depot:
• Design and installation of infrastructure enhancements as detailed below.
• Design to be split into two sections Phase 1 (Road 2-4) and Phase 2 (Road 5-6) to reduce design approval delays due to complexity.
• Phase 1 Works to start following Phase 1 design AFC
• Phase 2 Works anticipated to start July 2026.
Total value (estimated)
£3,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
20 October 2025 to 31 July 2026
9 months, 12 days
Submissions have closed, and the award date is set as 30th September 2025, so you can't even see the more detailed documents now. How much space there is at Laira before, during, or after this programme I have no idea, but it must make some difference!
(I thought I'd seen this posted already, but can't find it.)
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363534/489/12] Posted by Sleepy at 10:20, 25th July 2025 | |
Personally, I don't have a spare £199 lying around.
Perfectly understandable - would imagine 98% of people that plan to use a Friday night Sleeper to Cornwall in August have booked weeks ago at a much lower price. Those very cost conscious have the option of travelling in the seated coaches of course.| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [363533/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 08:30, 25th July 2025 | |
175106/112 went yesterday to Wolverton.
175001/003/006/011/107/108 are already there; some since April.
One must be ready for Laira by now unless they are waiting to take 2/3 in one go.
| Re: Town's buses get £900k to improve services - Slough, July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363532/30485/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:23, 25th July 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Bit to late improving connectivity to Slough town centre .....................
Slough High Street and Queensmere Observatory shopping centre are dire possibly the worst town centre in the UK, its dire
Slough High Street and Queensmere Observatory shopping centre are dire possibly the worst town centre in the UK, its dire
.........and yet just a few years ago both of those shopping centres were outstanding, along with many other shops, local facilities and a number of decent pubs in the area, almost all now gone.
Hard to understand how such a once thriving High Street in the wealthy Thames Valley has been allowed to become so run down - Slough Borough Council is incompetent, bankrupt and riddled with whiffs of corruption and must take much of the responsibility, although I think much of the High Street is awaiting redevelopment which it desperately needs.
To be fair, many English towns and (particularly) their High Streets have headed the same way.
| Re: A trip on GWR's Battery Electric Train - 17/12/2024 In "Thames Valley Branches" [363531/29641/13] Posted by Electric train at 06:19, 25th July 2025 | |
My own battery charger is a 7 kW job. That is a pretty normal option, being able to deliver the charge at household voltage with a 30A current. 14 kW would need a 60A current, doable with a 3-phase supply. I would assume the battery charger would take that. I didn't realise it was only a 14 kW supply, given that high speed DC chargers for cars can run at 150 kW. Given the information in grahame's report of his trip, 14 kW would be enough to keep the West Ealing to Greenford service running, but without capacity for much more. But would much more be needed?
A three-phase charger is typically 22kW, but a typical three-phase supply has 100 Amps on each phase, so if it was totally dedicated to charging it could deliver around 65 kW. In the right location I am sure more current could be provided.
The DNO connection at West Ealing is 400 Amps 400 Volts 3 phase supply, there are 2 battery units each has a 3 phase sub main rated at 200 Amps
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [363530/29650/26] Posted by Electric train at 06:14, 25th July 2025 | |
Consistency being maintained.....
Delays to services between London Paddington and Reading
Following a broken down train at Twyford some lines will be reopened shortly. Disruption is expected until 17:15 22/07.
Train services between London Paddington and Reading may be delayed by up to 15 minutes.
Delays to services between London Paddington and Reading
Following a broken down train at Twyford some lines will be reopened shortly. Disruption is expected until 17:15 22/07.
Train services between London Paddington and Reading may be delayed by up to 15 minutes.
Broken down freight train.
So not an infrastructure problem or failure that caused the disruption
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [363529/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 06:13, 25th July 2025 | |
Friday July 25
05:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 07:24
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:25/07/2025 04:46
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:25/07/2025 04:46
05:53 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 08:38 will be delayed at Oxford and is expected to be 30 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed.
Last Updated:25/07/2025 04:04
Departed Oxford +18, held Wolvercote (+28), saved 12-minute stand at Evesham, arrived Shrub Hill +15, Foregate St +40 and cancelled thereafter.This is due to train crew being delayed.
Last Updated:25/07/2025 04:04
08:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 11:27 will be started from Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Last Updated:25/07/2025 07:53
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Last Updated:25/07/2025 07:53
| Re: Town's buses get £900k to improve services - Slough, July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363528/30485/51] Posted by Electric train at 06:12, 25th July 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby, Surrey 455 | |
Bit to late improving connectivity to Slough town centre .....................
Slough High Street and Queensmere Observatory shopping centre are dire possibly the worst town centre in the UK, its dire
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363527/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 05:09, 25th July 2025 | |
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09
Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2.
Further Information
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2.
Further Information
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
| Re: Warning of train disruption on Weymouth line due to staff shortages 27 July 2025 In "Heart of Wessex" [363526/30484/19] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:13, 24th July 2025 | |
Yep. That's why I posted.
| Re: Warning of train disruption on Weymouth line due to staff shortages 27 July 2025 In "Heart of Wessex" [363525/30484/19] Posted by Timmer at 22:09, 24th July 2025 | |
Oh dear, not again.
| Re: The next adventure ... and a comparison between passenger experiences In "Introductions and chat" [363524/30476/1] Posted by grahame at 21:25, 24th July 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, eightonedee, froome, Timmer, PrestburyRoad, Andy E, GBM, Witham Bobby | |
The 13:46 Mora to Ostersund (arrivals 20:10) was a - unique - experience and the only service of the day that's not bustituted at present. More like a guided tour by rail than a service train, our train manager giving commentary in Swedish and English and the train stopping to take pictures (OK - for the people ON THE TRAIN to take pictures) and also for the people to have an afternoon snack from a trackside pop-up shop at a passing loop, and for an hour at a ski lodge in the middle of a single track section. Lots of trees. And more trees. In various states of growth and with reminders that it may look rural but it's also a vast industry. Train manager told us of bear she had seen in the past, and reindeer this very morning, but we saw neither. We saw lakes and rivers. And lots more trees.
I think these pictures are in order - selected from the hundreds I took. It was very hot and open-window-aircon was the best on offer, so I've been cooling off with local beer which seems to have had another effect as well as cooling me - so the post may have left ot some vitals line the train seats 60 but only had 39 on today, of whom 24 were in a party from Halmstad doing the rest of their guided tour by coast, with just the one train ride.
