Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [364204/29711/14] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 14:32, 13th August 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby |      |
It ran as normal to Oxford, but then non-stop from there to Shrub Hill... or at least that's what was announced and shown on the boards at Oxford. Looking at RTT, it seems to have lost 7 or so minutes at Wolvercot waiting for the single line, but then clawed back 20 by not stopping until Shrub Hill.
(Yes, I was waiting for it at Oxford and trying to get back to Charlbury, mutter mutter.)
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P08644/2025-08-13/detailed#allox_id=0
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [364201/29711/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 12:40, 13th August 2025 | |
1W21 1053 Padd - Shrub Hill is reported on RTT to be cancelled due to a problem with the doors. But the same site is showing it as running, but 33 minutes late at present (at Charlbury)
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [364200/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 12:28, 13th August 2025 | |
Wednesday August 13
1P11 05:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington (07:24) departed +59 and may have skipped stops, arrived +47.
10:53 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 13:01 will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore and Worcestershire Parkway Hl.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 32 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:13/08/2025 12:17
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 32 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:13/08/2025 12:17
11:52 London Paddington to Hereford due 14:44 will be starting late from London Paddington.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:13/08/2025 11:31
Seems to be running to time.This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:13/08/2025 11:31
| Re: Falmouth Week In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [364199/30572/25] Posted by old original at 12:24, 13th August 2025 | |
Not many going early. Less than 20 on the 1215 from Truro. I suspect that will change later
| Re: Calling for an election - Melksham Town (South Ward) In "Introductions and chat" [364198/30527/1] Posted by rogerw at 12:05, 13th August 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
A sensible decision in my view
| Re: Calling for an election - Melksham Town (South Ward) In "Introductions and chat" [364197/30527/1] Posted by grahame at 11:34, 13th August 2025 Already liked by rogerw, Mark A | |
Now official - election called for 9th October.
Various people have asked me if I will stand, and I told them I would consider doing so. Well - I have considered and had basically concluded "no, I won't". Further discussion with Lisa, and more observation of current councillors, have confirmed that decision - more at https://grahamellis.uk/blog1685.html
It will mean more time to do other things - now that I am back off the end of my 2000 mile plus journey from Svolvaer, I have time to work on software, sort out some transport questions, wash my clothes and write a book without being constantly pulled into fraught in-person meetings where progress seems positively snail-paced, and which worry my tempremant.
| Re: Fleet of diesel trains for sale - any uses in the South West? In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [364196/30573/28] Posted by ChrisB at 10:12, 13th August 2025 Already liked by rogerw, Richard Fairhurst | |
Go-Op might afford them....
| Re: Would you work in a Coffee Shop? In "Introductions and chat" [364195/30570/1] Posted by bobm at 09:32, 13th August 2025 | |
Don't start me on those who try to eat one handed on the Pullman while using their laptop with the other.....
| Re: Spare parts issue stops trains In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [364194/30087/51] Posted by IndustryInsider at 09:18, 13th August 2025 | |
So the unit is faulty and can't continue to Plymouth as 2P04 but the fault clears at Liskeard and it continues to Plymouth.
Things seem to be going downhill?
Things seem to be going downhill?
That unit was ok, it was swapped with a faulty Class 150.
| Fleet of diesel trains for sale - any uses in the South West? In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [364193/30573/28] Posted by grahame at 09:03, 13th August 2025 | |
This graphic came up on a Facebook feed:
One of the problems that heritage and small independent operators have is that almost all of their operational stock is unique, making spares, expertise and service robustness a very serious concern. With a fleet of 3 units, could this make a difference somewhere? Perhaps to connect into Network Rail / GBR lines for an off-tourist-peak service?
In the South West ... totally detached running ... Bodmin General, Kingswear, Buckfastleigh, Parked. And with through running into a GBR station ... Minehead, Swanage. Contentious extension - would an open access operator locally find them a useful fleet and/or would an otherwise track-isolated branch run well with them?
| Re: Would you work in a Coffee Shop? In "Introductions and chat" [364192/30570/1] Posted by GBM at 08:59, 13th August 2025 | |
It annoys me in the smaller outlets where several will be working at tables, with a queue of customers wanting tables.
| Re: Falmouth Week In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [364191/30572/25] Posted by old original at 08:49, 13th August 2025 | |
Usual alterations for this event are in place...
Falmouth Town closed and half hourly service running to close of service 23.00hrs
| Re: Would you work in a Coffee Shop? In "Introductions and chat" [364190/30570/1] Posted by LiskeardRich at 08:41, 13th August 2025 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
Don’t think I’d get my bus inside. That’ll be bulkier than the desktops and printers they’re complaining about!
| Re: Limpley Stoke B3108 bridge damage repair - 21 July to 31 August 2025 In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [364189/30451/20] Posted by John D at 08:28, 13th August 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
Have seen a shuttle bus at Bradford on Avon, route numbered W1 (presumably as it serves Winsley) however First aren't operating it. It was a white short envio200 belonging to Beeline coaches of Warminster.
If ever there was a bridge that needed a steel height beam, based on number of times it has been hit Limpley Stoke should be near top of list.
One span was taken out years ago, that held the Camerton line track, it was three track to the junction for decades, but nowadays the third trackbed is just lots of overgrown buddliea bushes attacking the joints in brick retaining wall alongside the road .
| Re: Spare parts issue stops trains In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [364188/30087/51] Posted by GBM at 08:19, 13th August 2025 | |
There seems to be an increasing number of 5 car IET running around on long distance services, instead of 9 or 10 cars.
Noticeably over the last week, and today.
The 0503 Penzance to Paddington has been 5 cars a few times this week.
Also a few short running with faults appearing on a unit, making it terminate short.
Notice today that 2P04
06:28 Penzance to Plymouth due 08:20 will be terminated at Liskeard.
It will no longer call at Plymouth.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 2.
Then it transforms into 2P05
2P05 0808 Liskeard to Plymouth
So the unit is faulty and can't continue to Plymouth as 2P04 but the fault clears at Liskeard and it continues to Plymouth.
Things seem to be going downhill?
| Falmouth Week In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [364187/30572/25] Posted by GBM at 08:11, 13th August 2025 | |
It's been Falmouth Week, and the Red Arrows are there at 1815 today.
Will this catch GWR by surprise and not be ready for big crowds!
The branch suffered a few breakdowns by one unit or other over the last few weeks, hopefully won't happen today of all days.
| Re: Delay Repay - Claim Change In "Fare's Fair" [364186/30569/4] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 07:43, 13th August 2025 | |
I would guess this is exactly the same basic process as used by LNER for their Automated Delay Repay system. AFAIK it only applies to Advance Purchase tickets bought online, assumes by the person travelling, and they obviously monitor their services and pay out for relevant delays without any intervention from the passenger. I don't know if any other TOCs have a similar Automated Delay Repay tool.
| Re: Would you work in a Coffee Shop? In "Introductions and chat" [364185/30570/1] Posted by grahame at 07:32, 13th August 2025 | |
We called into one of the good coffee shops, of which Bridport has quite a few, to find that two people were using their laptops on a table that normally seated eight. The staff were quite happy about this when we enquired. We sat at a table just vacated and noted that everyone who came in avoided that table and usually left unless another table became available.
I have no problem with people working in cafes but feel this should have been managed better by the staff as it represented almost 50% of its seating capacity.
I have no problem with people working in cafes but feel this should have been managed better by the staff as it represented almost 50% of its seating capacity.
Indeed - there's various balances to be struck. I - often (perhaps I might even say "usually" when alone) have my laptop to hand when eating and drinking away from home. In part it's a 'mental' thing of having company or something to do. If I am pausing at the location for a while (perhaps to rest, or awaiting onward public transport, or completing a post) in addition to the time taken to eat or drink, how long is it reasonable to do that, and am I seat or table blocking? The modern form of sitting in the corner and reading a book or newspaper ... rather than staring into space or people-watching to the extent they may feel that I am creepy.
Coffee Shops and eateries themselves set out their "stall"s to guide their customers and tune their customer bases. In work days, there was one chain restaurant I would use where it seemed the staff were taught to take tuned care of customers eating alone; subtle differences that made me feel welcome. There are other where "find your table and have one come to the bar to order" discourage the lone eater as (s)he is split between finding and holding on to a table - perhaps leaving something there to mark it as taken - while ordering. And then there's the whole business of how tables are arranged - is the tiniest table for one in that awkward triangle in the passageway to the loo?
| Re: Delay Repay - Claim Change In "Fare's Fair" [364184/30569/4] Posted by infoman at 07:16, 13th August 2025 | |
In days gone by,did we get refunds if our train was delayed or cancelled?
| Re: Would you work in a Coffee Shop? In "Introductions and chat" [364183/30570/1] Posted by bradshaw at 07:07, 13th August 2025 Already liked by matth1j, GBM | |
We called into one of the good coffee shops, of which Bridport has quite a few, to find that two people were using their laptops on a table that normally seated eight. The staff were quite happy about this when we enquired. We sat at a table just vacated and noted that everyone who came in avoided that table and usually left unless another table became available.
I have no problem with people working in cafes but feel this should have been managed better by the staff as it represented almost 50% of its seating capacity.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [364182/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 07:06, 13th August 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.
Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2.
| Re: Would you work in a Coffee Shop? In "Introductions and chat" [364181/30570/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:03, 12th August 2025 | |
Actually, I do occasionally work in a Coffee Shop.
The worst experience I have yet suffered there is one of the resident dogs chewing my laptop's wireless mouse, last year. That was my fault, for leaving it within reach. And I know which dog it was - even if I can't prove it.
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [364180/30562/5] Posted by TonyK at 22:02, 12th August 2025 | |
An eyesight test that requires the driver to be able to read a numberplate at 20 metres is archaic: it has never has been fit for purpose and needs to be ... retired.
It has been retired. The requirement now is:
You must have a visual acuity at least 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale in both eyes, or in one eye only.
Eye test charts now have a horizontal line at this point.
GOV UK says both on the DVSA bit of the website:
Standards of vision for driving
You must be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres.
You must also meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) using both eyes together or, if you have sight in one eye only, in that eye.
You must also have an adequate field of vision - your optician can tell you about this and do a test.
You must be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres.
You must also meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) using both eyes together or, if you have sight in one eye only, in that eye.
You must also have an adequate field of vision - your optician can tell you about this and do a test.
If I couldn't read the plate in the market car park, acuity would be a merely academic matter. But the final word goes to my optician. I still have the option of glasses open to me.
Walking to the bus stop in bright sunshine with dilated eyes wasn't any fun,
I can confirm that. Living 18 miles from the hospital and having a 9.30am appointment meant I couldn't use the bus from home, so I drove to the RD&E in Exeter. I had absolutely no intention of doing anything unsafe, but the last time I had endured an hour long bus ride after a 30 minute wait, they didn't do the drops anyway. That meant I could easily see the word Cancelled on the board at the bus station on the way home. So this time, I took my bus pass, had the drops and examination, then walked in sunshine of painful Saharan proportions to the bus stop. Catching the first service into town, I walked around in Braille until I saw a sign saying "CAFE" big enough to be read. I ordered coffee and cake and groped my way to a table. When the mist cleared, I realised that I was probably the only person there who wasn't under the care of the local authority adult services team, on either side of the counter, which could explain why it was so cheap. But it was jolly tasty, and friendly too. Quite a day out by the time I had recovered enough to catch the bus back to the car and drive home.
| North Cornwall to Devon Coast route crowned Britain's favourite path - Aug 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [364179/30571/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:46, 12th August 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
From the BBC:
Coast route crowned Britain's favourite path
A route between north Cornwall and Devon has been named Britain's favourite path for 2025.
Chosen by walking charity the Ramblers after a public vote which saw 1,000 paths nominated, the Bude to Westward Ho! route has been crowned the nation's favourite.
The winning stretch is part of the 630-mile (1,015km) long South West Coast Path, which became England's longest National Trail in 1973.
Jonathan Jones, who nominated the path, said: "I take every chance I get to walk along coastal paths and just enjoy the sounds of the sea."
Mr Jones said he first visited the path 15 years ago, and it left a lasting impression. "It was during a time of my life when things were changing a lot. Walking this path gave me a clarity of mind. Even though my legs were heavy, the path made me feel a lot lighter, cleaner and clearer – the emotional baggage just lifted away," he added.
A section of the West Highland Way near Loch Lomond in Scotland was nominated by Robert Marshall and came a close second.
Mr Jones will receive £200 worth of Cotswold Outdoor vouchers, while the seven fellow finalists will each receive a £50 voucher.
Lucy Sutton, marketing director at Cotswold Outdoor, said: "Congratulations to Jonathan Jones for winning Britain's Favourite Path 2025; so well deserved. Whilst being on the judging panel, it was brilliant to see all the breathtaking paths captured throughout England, Scotland and Wales."
Jack Cornish from the Ramblers, said: "I can see why it’s won. I've walked it myself and it is a beautiful path. It is one of the jewels of the crown of the paths we have got in Britain."
A route between north Cornwall and Devon has been named Britain's favourite path for 2025.
Chosen by walking charity the Ramblers after a public vote which saw 1,000 paths nominated, the Bude to Westward Ho! route has been crowned the nation's favourite.
The winning stretch is part of the 630-mile (1,015km) long South West Coast Path, which became England's longest National Trail in 1973.
Jonathan Jones, who nominated the path, said: "I take every chance I get to walk along coastal paths and just enjoy the sounds of the sea."
Mr Jones said he first visited the path 15 years ago, and it left a lasting impression. "It was during a time of my life when things were changing a lot. Walking this path gave me a clarity of mind. Even though my legs were heavy, the path made me feel a lot lighter, cleaner and clearer – the emotional baggage just lifted away," he added.
A section of the West Highland Way near Loch Lomond in Scotland was nominated by Robert Marshall and came a close second.
Mr Jones will receive £200 worth of Cotswold Outdoor vouchers, while the seven fellow finalists will each receive a £50 voucher.
Lucy Sutton, marketing director at Cotswold Outdoor, said: "Congratulations to Jonathan Jones for winning Britain's Favourite Path 2025; so well deserved. Whilst being on the judging panel, it was brilliant to see all the breathtaking paths captured throughout England, Scotland and Wales."
Jack Cornish from the Ramblers, said: "I can see why it’s won. I've walked it myself and it is a beautiful path. It is one of the jewels of the crown of the paths we have got in Britain."
| Would you work in a Coffee Shop? In "Introductions and chat" [364178/30570/1] Posted by grahame at 21:38, 12th August 2025 | |
From The BBC
Starbucks customers in South Korea have been asked to stop bringing "bulky items" into cafes to do their office work, after some brought printers and desktop computers.
Others had brought in partitions and more than one computer to mark their office territory.
As many people choose to work from home, cafes like Starbucks have been trying to strike the balance between being a casual coffee place and welcoming customers choosing to work there.
Others had brought in partitions and more than one computer to mark their office territory.
As many people choose to work from home, cafes like Starbucks have been trying to strike the balance between being a casual coffee place and welcoming customers choosing to work there.
I have to admit working (paid work in my time, now voluntary) from coffee shops - and trains and ferries all over the place. More that one computer - yes in that I carry Lisa's laptop too (which is bulkier than mine) but no printers or partitions.
