Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: April across the South West - May bank holiday quiz In "The Lighter Side" [361297/30241/30] Posted by JayMac at 19:56, 6th May 2025 |      |
Is no.3 Yeovil Town or Devizes?
| Re: English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) - now BRTA In "Who's who on Western railways" [361296/22385/2] Posted by ChrisB at 19:37, 6th May 2025 | |
You are always 'in' with BRTA if you have cash in your pocket.
Great discussions of "money no object" schemes. Dream on.
| Re: English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) - now BRTA In "Who's who on Western railways" [361295/22385/2] Posted by grahame at 19:16, 6th May 2025 | |
I have just taken a phone call from one of the key organisers of BRTA concerning Saturday's meeting, in which I confirmed I am no longer a town councillor. My caller came across as very disappointed when I told him that I had probably been the most public transport advocating councillor and that it was unlikely that I could persuade any of the new crew to go along to replace me. There was no invite / question as to whether I would still like to attend.
I am probably far more forward looking (and informed) than the vast majority of elected representatives, and actually consider the likes of BRTA useful in terms of putting voice to future possibilities that are so far "left field" that they do not get more than a rolling of the eyes and smirk behind the scenes. I have been there - an interview 20 years ago on BBC Radio 4 had the rail minister making fun of any attempt to bring a decent train service back to Melksham. So I have a sympathy. However, I am not about to boast past achievements and push forward to attend on Saturday; pragmatically I have too much else to do.
Should any elected (or not elected - there without a vote because you got in un-opposed) or local government team members wish to go on Saturday, please let me know and OI will introduce you. And it *is* a public meeting so it stays in the diary and others who are "just" community supporters/advocates will, I'm sure, get an interested welcome.
| Re: Shipping services across the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361294/30207/28] Posted by eXPassenger at 18:43, 6th 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.
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.
Thanks
| 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 Already liked by Mark A | |
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.
-
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.
