Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361293/30241/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:15, 6th May 2025 |      |
19. Newquay.
| Re: Wootton Bassett station - campaign for reopening In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361292/4491/28] Posted by grahame at 17:56, 6th May 2025 | |
I think what ChrisB meant to say was 'Welcome to the forum, SteveBaconRWB'!
I am certain that he did, Steve ... anyway let me add my welcome.
Steve - you are following up on a thread that could well benefit from an update. Much water has flowed under the bridge since then, and I'll come back and set a modernised scene in the next 24 hours. Just wanted to jump in and say "welcome".
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361291/30241/30] Posted by johnneyw at 17:55, 6th May 2025 | |
24 Cardiff Bay station
Now beginning to look very different to when the picture was taken.
The picture was taken as recently 19th April (2025)
Ah, yes, my mistake, I thought that all the wooden fence had been removed..... although I think that can't be far off now.
| Re: Wootton Bassett station - campaign for reopening In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361290/4491/28] Posted by Red Squirrel at 17:39, 6th May 2025 | |
I think what ChrisB meant to say was 'Welcome to the forum, SteveBaconRWB'!
| Re: Wootton Bassett station - campaign for reopening In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361289/4491/28] Posted by ChrisB at 17:18, 6th May 2025 | |
A 5-car bi-mode would supply room for commuters if run just ahead of a Westbury train to avoid swamping the TransWilts service in the afternoon peak.
I'm sure that the whole timetable will be run to fit in with the TransWilts afternoon Peak!
| Re: Public invited to try Very Light Railway in Coventry In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361288/30245/28] Posted by ChrisB at 17:16, 6th May 2025 Already liked by johnneyw | |
Thank you - I have booked.
| Public invited to try Very Light Railway in Coventry In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361287/30245/28] Posted by johnneyw at 17:04, 6th May 2025 | |
People are being invited to try a short stretch of VLR in Coventry from late May in order to provide feedback about the experience.
There's more detail in this BBC article.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ygn69p943o.amp
Admins, if you can find a suitable existing thread for this feel welcome to move it.
| Re: Wootton Bassett station - campaign for reopening In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361286/4491/28] Posted by SteveBaconRWB at 15:42, 6th May 2025 | |
Having been one of the first to try out the Saturday direct returns between Swindon and Oxford in 2024, I'm heartened to hear that the service may become hourly. If so, it would be an ideal candidate to stop at a shortish station on the Chippenham line west of Wootton Bassett Junction. A 5-car bi-mode would supply room for commuters if run just ahead of a Westbury train to avoid swamping the TransWilts service in the afternoon peak.
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361285/30241/30] Posted by johnneyw at 15:19, 6th May 2025 | |
I was thinking of also suggesting "Steam" museum in Swindon.....so I'll do that now.
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361284/30241/30] Posted by RobT at 15:16, 6th May 2025 | |
3. Kidderminster Railway Museum
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361282/30241/30] Posted by grahame at 13:47, 6th May 2025 | |
24 Cardiff Bay station
Now beginning to look very different to when the picture was taken.
The picture was taken as recently 19th April (2025)
A long shot for 3.... the museum at Buckfastleigh Station?
3.Didcot Rail Centre museum. I took a photo of the fascinating orange enamelled poster above!
Along the right lines - but neither or those is the correct location
6 is Bodmin Parkway
Yes - that's correct
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361281/30241/30] Posted by johnneyw at 13:11, 6th May 2025 | |
24 Cardiff Bay station
Now beginning to look very different to when the picture was taken.
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361280/30241/30] Posted by chuffed at 13:09, 6th May 2025 | |
3.Didcot Rail Centre museum. I took a photo of the fascinating orange enamelled poster above!
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361278/30241/30] Posted by johnneyw at 12:50, 6th May 2025 | |
A long shot for 3.... the museum at Buckfastleigh Station?
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361277/30241/30] Posted by The Tall Controller at 11:48, 6th May 2025 | |
6 is Bodmin Parkway
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361276/30241/30] Posted by Red Squirrel at 11:14, 6th May 2025 Already liked by johnneyw | |
I suppose I could have recognised 23. Given that I’m in the picture.
| Re: Driving licences and tests - ongoing discussion, merged topics In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361275/19893/51] Posted by Mark A at 09:36, 6th May 2025 | |
An engaging (and stats-rich) read around the issue of ... well, the article does touch on driving tests too. (Hosted on Substack and hopefully available to read without a subscription, you may need to dismiss a dialogue box that appears...)
Mark
https://notes.archie-hall.com/p/reflections-on-britains-triage-ward
Mark
https://notes.archie-hall.com/p/reflections-on-britains-triage-ward
Thinking about that piece, it makes some sharp observations that apply more widely than the examples it gives. The way that particularly since Covid, but this is something that didn't start with Covid, something that's high priority or high profile is often still handled well and appropriately, it's the lower priority stuff that's often started to drift - and it's that which impacts people's day-to-day living and which gives people the impression that their lives are awry - which leads to consequences, not least in politics.
Dragging this on topic, thinking of the railway in the west, while its true that the core, the Great Western Main Line itself is more than a little glass-backed, some of the more minor routes, including the ones that have a sparse service, when it comes to their patterns of service and resilience of their services... well, it's holding back the contribution that they can make to people's lives.
Mark
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361274/30241/30] Posted by grahame at 08:12, 6th May 2025 | |
No.19 Saltash.
Sorry - no. Good thought though - and I spent more time in Saltash than any other Cornish town - just didn't include any picture from there!
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361273/30241/30] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 07:58, 6th May 2025 | |
No.19 Saltash.
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361272/30241/30] Posted by grahame at 07:10, 6th May 2025 | |
1 Starcross - PhilWakely
2 Weymouth - paul7575
4 Yetminster - WSW Frome
5 Kingswear - johnneyw
7 Exmouth - lymptone_commuter
8 Bradford-on-Avon - Western Pathfinder
9 Bristol Temple Meads - Kempis
10 Bathampton Junction - Timmer
11 Bath Spa - Merthyr Imp
12 Worcester Foregate Street - ChrisB
14 Bere Alston - eightonedee
15 Bristol Temple Meads - Red Squirrel
16 Taunton - JayMac
17 Chepstow (Bridge) - TonyN
18 Okehampton - stuving
20 Totnes - AMLAG
21 Penryn - bradshaw
22 Westbury - RobT
23 Severn Beach - Oxonhutch
24 Cardiff Bay - bradshaw
So that leaves
3.
6.
13.
19.
| Re: Major rail disruption after blaze close to tracks between Newport and Cardiff In "London to South Wales" [361271/30239/11] Posted by grahame at 06:56, 6th May 2025 | |
For today - 6th May 2025
Just a single hourly GWR service through the Severn Tunnel - the London to Swansea service. Change at Bristol Parkway into that service if you're travelling from Bristol Temple Meads or south thereof - Portsmoun, Penzance and all towns and cities between.
GWR services also cancelled west of Swansea - probably because the cleanest way to provide any service is to do it clean, clock face rather than try to work out and co-ordinate extensions in some hours off delayed trains from London.
No trains calling at Patchway (or Pilning of course). No GWR trains at Severn Tunnel Junction - will need to look elsewhere to see if it's being served by XC or TfW.
Cancellations to services between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central
Following a fire next to the track between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central some lines are now open.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
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We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today.
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Following a line-side fire between Cardiff Central and Newport, Network Rail has reopened the lines. However, some closures of lines are still required to finish repairs to some of the overhead electric wires.
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To help ease congestion, GWR train services will remain reduced to 1 train per hour only between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central via Newport.
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GWR trains from the West Country to Cardiff Central, are terminating short / starting back from Bristol Temple Meads, change at Bristol Temple Meads for trains to Bristol Parkway - where you can find a reduced train service to South Wales.
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GWR trains from Portsmouth, Southampton, Salisbury and Westbury to Cardiff Central are calling additionally and terminating at / starting back from Bristol Parkway, change at Bristol Parkway for a reduced service to South Wales.
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GWR train services from London Paddington to Carmarthen will terminate at / start back from Swansea. For stations between Swansea and Carmarthen, please use Transport for Wales trains.
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GWR train services for Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction stations are currently suspended.
A limited replacement bus service will operate between Bristol Parkway - Patchway - Severn Tunnel Junction.
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GWR trains from South Wales to Bristol Parkway, Swindon, Reading, and London Paddington are reduced.
Customers for the West Country can change at Newport for CrossCountry trains, or Bristol Parkway for GWR services to Bristol Temple Meads, and then change there.
Customers for Westbury, Salisbury, Southampton, and Portsmouth should change at Bristol Parkway for services towards the South Coast.
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You can use your GWR ticket on Transport for Wales trains, and CrossCountry trains.
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If your ticket is dated 4th, 5th, 6th May, you can use any GWR train up to, and including, 7th May.
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Please check your journey at gwr.com/check
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We will update this message with more information when we have it.
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Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
If you require further information please speak to our staff at the station or on the train, use the Customer Help Point, message us on X @GWRHelp or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950.
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
Last Updated:06/05/2025 06:28
Following a fire next to the track between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central some lines are now open.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
-
We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today.
-
Following a line-side fire between Cardiff Central and Newport, Network Rail has reopened the lines. However, some closures of lines are still required to finish repairs to some of the overhead electric wires.
-
To help ease congestion, GWR train services will remain reduced to 1 train per hour only between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central via Newport.
-
GWR trains from the West Country to Cardiff Central, are terminating short / starting back from Bristol Temple Meads, change at Bristol Temple Meads for trains to Bristol Parkway - where you can find a reduced train service to South Wales.
-
GWR trains from Portsmouth, Southampton, Salisbury and Westbury to Cardiff Central are calling additionally and terminating at / starting back from Bristol Parkway, change at Bristol Parkway for a reduced service to South Wales.
-
GWR train services from London Paddington to Carmarthen will terminate at / start back from Swansea. For stations between Swansea and Carmarthen, please use Transport for Wales trains.
-
GWR train services for Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction stations are currently suspended.
A limited replacement bus service will operate between Bristol Parkway - Patchway - Severn Tunnel Junction.
-
GWR trains from South Wales to Bristol Parkway, Swindon, Reading, and London Paddington are reduced.
Customers for the West Country can change at Newport for CrossCountry trains, or Bristol Parkway for GWR services to Bristol Temple Meads, and then change there.
Customers for Westbury, Salisbury, Southampton, and Portsmouth should change at Bristol Parkway for services towards the South Coast.
-
You can use your GWR ticket on Transport for Wales trains, and CrossCountry trains.
-
If your ticket is dated 4th, 5th, 6th May, you can use any GWR train up to, and including, 7th May.
-
Please check your journey at gwr.com/check
-
We will update this message with more information when we have it.
-
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
If you require further information please speak to our staff at the station or on the train, use the Customer Help Point, message us on X @GWRHelp or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950.
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
Last Updated:06/05/2025 06:28
Odd element ....
Customers for the West Country can change at Newport for CrossCountry trains
| Re: WW2 Spitfire emergency landing after losing power - May 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [361270/30240/30] Posted by GBM at 06:15, 6th May 2025 | |
Thank you Clan Line. That is quite probably what I saw. I can't remember the time of day but the two planes seemed to be flying in formation with the larger plane just behind the Spitfire and slightly to its right. I didn't know that FlightRadar24 offered a playback facility.
Very useful site!| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361269/30241/30] Posted by GBM at 06:01, 6th May 2025 | |
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361268/30241/30] Posted by Kempis at 22:29, 5th May 2025 | |
9. Bristol Temple Meads.
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361267/30241/30] Posted by Merthyr Imp at 22:21, 5th May 2025 | |
11 - Bath?
| Re: Closure of Bridport branch In "Heart of Wessex" [361266/30238/19] Posted by PhilWakely at 21:15, 5th May 2025 | |
The Dorset Echo also has a piece about the closure today
https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/25128279.50-years-since-bridport-maiden-newton-railway-closed/
IT has been 50 years since the railway branch between Maiden Newton and Bridport closed.
This railway closed on May 5, 1975, the goods service having been withdrawn on April 5, 1975.
The line first opened on November 12, 1857.
It was extended to West Bay in 1884, but the extension was not well used and it closed to passengers in 1930, however the extension remained open for goods until December 3, 1962.
Although it was a little used service, on the last day 50 years ago extra carriages had to be laid on for the huge interest with local people wanting to ride the last train.
This railway closed on May 5, 1975, the goods service having been withdrawn on April 5, 1975.
The line first opened on November 12, 1857.
It was extended to West Bay in 1884, but the extension was not well used and it closed to passengers in 1930, however the extension remained open for goods until December 3, 1962.
Although it was a little used service, on the last day 50 years ago extra carriages had to be laid on for the huge interest with local people wanting to ride the last train.
https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/25128279.50-years-since-bridport-maiden-newton-railway-closed/
The caption on the image at the top of the piece is incorrect. The train is at Bridport station, not West Bay!
| Re: Shipping services across the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361265/30207/28] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:03, 5th May 2025 | |
Hmm.
Wikipedia acknowledges that the distinction between the 'Severn Estuary' and the 'Bristol Channel' is somewhat vague.
I'm therefore going to include both in this now renamed topic.
| Re: St Erth station - facilities, footbridge, improvements, incidents and awards (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [361264/3828/25] Posted by RailCornwall at 20:52, 5th May 2025 | |
Was at St Erth today, lifts still not in service but seemingly complete minus fascia boards. The steps on the new bridge are very steep so I suspect the lifts will get heavy footfall when they finally open.
