Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: To Aachen and back- by train In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [362001/30319/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:45, 6th June 2025 |      |
... and the on-train signs and announcements switched to Flemish.
I wonder if, when the train approaches the Belgian town of Eupen, the announcements all change to German.Ahem. "Don't mention the War", as Basil Fawlty said.
| Re: First Group announce new open access service to Hereford In "London to the Cotswolds" [362000/30323/14] Posted by ChrisB at 21:05, 6th June 2025 | |
If the DfT request that GWR drop shared services with another TOC & the operator disagrees, of course they form an OA opportunity
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361999/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 19:46, 6th June 2025 | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will no longer call at Chippenham, Trowbridge and Dilton Marsh.
It will be starting late from Gloucester.
This is due to trespassers on the railway earlier today.
| Re: My new car, as yet unbuilt, is already in love with me In "Buses and other ways to travel" [361998/30325/5] Posted by Marlburian at 19:06, 6th June 2025 | |
Oops, I omitted the last part of the cutesy letter and my comment, and I can't modify my original post. It should have continued:
... ) and the things you will need to do.
If you have any questions, just call; they are a friendly bunch.
Missing you already!
Your New Car"
Yuk? I do hope that the car won't be too upset because I opted out of £800+ of bodywork & interior protection and chip repair insurance. In a moment of weakness I agreed to pay £332 for an extended warranty, but may cancel that. The dealer's trade-in offer for my car was disappointing at £8000; the day before another dealer with whom I'd discussed another car offered £8,500. Webuyanycar offered £9,200, increased a day later to £9,410, though they're unaware of a couple of bodywork blemishes that the dealers know about. The Road Fund was a bit of a shock -I gather there there's a hefty premium for the first year. And I wasn't amused by the fact that it runs from June 1. Delivery is estimated for early August (four weeks before the MoT, Road Fund renewal and service for my existing car fall due).
| Re: My new car, as yet unbuilt, is already in love with me In "Buses and other ways to travel" [361997/30325/5] Posted by JayMac at 18:59, 6th June 2025 | |
Anthropomorphising (that took several goes to spell correctly!) a new car purchase? Nothing new under the sun when it comes to marketing. Although it seems a little bit OTT when the dealer has already (presumably) got your money.
| My new car, as yet unbuilt, is already in love with me In "Buses and other ways to travel" [361996/30325/5] Posted by Marlburian at 18:01, 6th June 2025 Already liked by Mark A, JayMac, PhilWakely | |
This morning I ordered a new car and on my return home found several emails from the dealer including this:
"I'm so excited. When I heard you'd placed an order for me my heart jumped a beat; we're going to have such fun together.
Before we can start our adventure, the lovely people at [dealer] will do lots of things and they've asked me to explain. You will see a timeline above of next steps and in the box below they have detailed what they will do to get me ready (looking forward for that bit
| Re: Announcement - Billions of investment on tram, train and bus projects. In "Looking forward - the next 5, 10 and 20 years" [361993/30318/40] Posted by Red Squirrel at 15:06, 6th June 2025 | |
Here's WECA's press release:
West welcomes record transport funding
Leaders across the region have today welcomed more than three-quarters of a billion pounds set to be invested in transport projects in the West. The Chancellor has announced plans to more than double investment in local transport in England’s city regions, committing to “investment in all parts of the country, not just a few.”
Around £150 million would further improve rail infrastructure across the region and support ambitions for four trains per hour across our growing suburban rail network, including between economic growth zones like Brabazon and Bristol Temple Quarter.
With the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority area already benefitting from a nearly 50% increase in funding to fix potholes this year compared to last year, we are paving the way to the future. Continued funding through transport settlements is supporting the maintenance and enhancement of roads, bridges, and active travel routes. These essential improvements – delivered through close collaboration between local councils and the Mayoral Combined Authority – are not just about upkeep; they’re enabling the long-term transformation of how people move around the region.
This news comes just a day after the opening of Bristol’s first electric bus depot in Hengrove, with electrification set to take place in Bath and Lawrence Hill next year. More than 250 new electric buses are set to serve bus passengers across our region next year. Some £200 million of the new funding from the Treasury would provide scope to improve and extend services, transform the network, and deliver an electric fleet and the associated charging infrastructure.
Significant funding, in the region of £200 million, would enable mass transit development between Bath, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset. Trams, an extension of the popular Metrobus services, rail, light rail, and guided buses are all currently on the table. In the autumn, a new transport vision will set out the long-term direction of travel for the West of England.
Welcoming the news one month after she became Mayor, Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Our region has a strong economy overall, but we know that congestion has held the West of England back from achieving its full potential. We’ve been stuck in the slow lane on transport for too long. Our potential additional contribution to the national economy is enormous. It’s time to invest in the West and unlock that growth.
“I promised to work with government and get the West of England moving. Three-quarters of a billion pounds of new money for transport will do just that, as we start a new chapter for our region. Together, we need to accelerate plans to secure better buses, deliver more trains and railway stations, and give local people proper alternatives to their cars. Trams, Metrobuses, rail, light rail, and guided buses are all on the table to make that a reality.
“Over the years, as a region, we’ve talked too much about mass transit and delivered too little. It’s finally time to deliver a mass transit system that people can rely on. Working with the new government, and with genuine collaboration between local councils, it’s time for real change.”
Sarah Warren, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, said:
“This investment marks a turning point for sustainable transport in our region. It is a huge opportunity to deliver a cleaner, greener and more connected future that our communities deserve. From progressing mass transit options to electrifying our bus fleet across Bath & North East Somerset, this investment will help us tackle costly congestion, achieve our net zero targets, and make it easier for people to choose public transport, walking and cycling. On top of the work that’s already being achieved in B&NES, this is welcome news for our region. We look forward to working with our regional partners to deliver a transport system fit for the 21st century.”
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:
“This fresh investment is very welcome and allows us to finally begin to achieve the regional mass transit system we've needed for so long. Our plans are already in place to make our bus networks more available, to expand the reach and access of rail and to connect the communities of Bristol with opportunities in our city and the wider West of England. This new funding will allow us to get on with creating the transport system Bristol is crying out for.
“I look forward to working with Helen and my fellow leaders to deliver for the people in our region.”
Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:
“We’re very pleased to see this significant funding coming to the West of England that will help us move towards a fully integrated public transport system that works for residents and businesses. Investment in the region’s transport infrastructure is vital to help people keep moving around the area and we need better, more reliable bus services, more trains, and a mass transit system to offer more effective and sustainable travel choices.”
Cllr Mike Bell, the Leader of North Somerset Council, said:
“I welcome this funding as a positive step forward for our region. It’s vital that North Somerset benefits from mass transit development, which has the potential to transform how people travel and support our transition to a greener, more connected future. I’m committed to working closely with the Mayor and our partners to improve transport, unlock growth, and ensure our local economy continues to thrive.”
The new government set out the record settlement to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority through Transport for City Regions as part of the Plan for Change, ahead of next week’s Spending Review.
The West of England delivered the strongest recent growth of any combined authority area (3%, 2023). The region is also predicted to achieve double the national forecast rate of productivity growth by 2040.
I've highlighted a couple of phrases:
"...support ambitions for four trains per hour across our growing suburban rail network" is very welcome. That would mean new trains, and some infrastructure interventions. (Doubling from Narroways to Clifton Down? Quad track to Parson St?) Would you do that without electrifying? I think 'ambitions' are slightly closer to plans than 'aspirations' are, but I may be getting ahead of myself.
"Trams, an extension of the popular Metrobus services, rail, light rail, and guided buses are all currently on the table". Be nice if they stated clearly that tram trains are on the table too, as WSP took them off it - wrongly, in my humble opinion!
| Re: Penleigh Park Level Crossing (Westbury Avoiding Line) Closure Application. In "London to the West" [361992/30322/12] Posted by Mark A at 14:37, 6th June 2025 | |
**Snip**
All the houses they've built around Penleigh Park LC though, surely improvements to the crossing should have formed part of the developers planning application and funded by them.
Indeed. No one would consider building a housing estate without funding road access, why is ok to build one and not fund the needed improvements to its supporting active travel infrastructure. The diversion's lengthy and its poor quality as a walking route is baked in. It would be good if someone found a budget for this.
Mark
Mark
| Re: First Group announce new open access service to Hereford In "London to the Cotswolds" [361991/30323/14] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 14:31, 6th June 2025 Already liked by ray951, Mark A | |
2023: GWR (owner: FirstGroup) withdraw two daily services from Hereford to Paddington
2025: Lumo (owner: FirstGroup) propose two additional daily services from Hereford to Paddington
| Paddle Steamer Waverley - merged posts In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [361990/19566/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:25, 6th June 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Famous paddle steamer takes to Bristol Channel
The world's last seagoing paddle steamer returns to the Bristol channel this month.
The Waverley is a vessel of national significance and is registered on The National Historic Fleet with almost 80 years of service.
It has operated in preservation since 1975 becoming a "national treasure" after carrying an estimated six million passengers.
"We have developed the best possible sailing programme for the Bristol Channel to ensure that as many locals and visitors as possible have the opportunity to step aboard the Waverley," said Captain Dominic McCall.
Strong winds in early June affected an excursion and a crew member noticed a boiler leaking steam on the ship which needed to be repaired immediately.
The ship will now be ready to set sail again for its planned tours on 6 June where passengers can join a special fundraising cruise round the Holm Islands to help support the maintenance of Clevedon Pier, the only Grade 1 listed pier in England.
This season includes two planned trips to the remote Lundy Island – passengers that board the Bristol channel experience will be allowed to step ashore and explore the island.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the modern railway the Waverley is giving the "ultimate day out" by connecting three steam railways – the West Somerset, the Brecon Mountain and Lynton & Barnstaple railways by taking a paddle steamer and steam train trip.
Trips around the Bristol Channel and South West Wales are until 25 June, where the Waverley will be exploring Glasgow and Clyde Coast Summer from 27 June.
The world's last seagoing paddle steamer returns to the Bristol channel this month.
The Waverley is a vessel of national significance and is registered on The National Historic Fleet with almost 80 years of service.
It has operated in preservation since 1975 becoming a "national treasure" after carrying an estimated six million passengers.
"We have developed the best possible sailing programme for the Bristol Channel to ensure that as many locals and visitors as possible have the opportunity to step aboard the Waverley," said Captain Dominic McCall.
Strong winds in early June affected an excursion and a crew member noticed a boiler leaking steam on the ship which needed to be repaired immediately.
The ship will now be ready to set sail again for its planned tours on 6 June where passengers can join a special fundraising cruise round the Holm Islands to help support the maintenance of Clevedon Pier, the only Grade 1 listed pier in England.
This season includes two planned trips to the remote Lundy Island – passengers that board the Bristol channel experience will be allowed to step ashore and explore the island.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the modern railway the Waverley is giving the "ultimate day out" by connecting three steam railways – the West Somerset, the Brecon Mountain and Lynton & Barnstaple railways by taking a paddle steamer and steam train trip.
Trips around the Bristol Channel and South West Wales are until 25 June, where the Waverley will be exploring Glasgow and Clyde Coast Summer from 27 June.
| Re: Penleigh Park Level Crossing (Westbury Avoiding Line) Closure Application. In "London to the West" [361989/30322/12] Posted by eightonedee at 14:17, 6th June 2025 | |
All the houses they've built around Penleigh Park LC▸ (Level Crossing) though, surely improvements to the crossing should have formed part of the developers planning application and funded by them.
They will have paid for this through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), for this site (a Zone 2 strategic site) at a rate of £30 per square metre of development, index linked from 2015 by reference to one of the building costs indices, to cover all the categories of infrastructure covered by Wiltshire's CIL policy, which includes upgrading public footpaths.
I note too that the site seems to lie on the site of the old Westbury engine shed. Was it sold by BRB/ Network Rail? If so they could have controlled this under the sales terms, but this would have reduced the value of the site by a sum to reflect the anticipated cost of these works.
The council could also have put a condition on the planning permission preventing occupation until the bridge was provided (and if Network Rail, as consultee, asked for it) but if there are objections and a public enquiry this clearly conflicts with housing delivery.
I agree entirely on the cost point. Why haven't Network Rail developed off-the-shelf modular footbridges bearing in mind that they are closing crossings all round the country, often replacing them with bridges?
| Re: Interrail, summer 2025 - daily diary thread of our travels In "Introductions and chat" [361988/30276/1] Posted by grahame at 12:21, 6th June 2025 Already liked by Timmer, PrestburyRoad | |
Cross posted from Facebook ...
We're home. Six countries (England, Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and France). 21 nights away. 54 trains on the pass from my home station until back here. 5 journeys over water. 12 journeys by bus. 8 journeys by other transits (taxis and trains not in the pass network). Would I do it again? Nice to be home, but, yes, watch this space. Five pictures now, one from each of the five countries visited.
Longest delay - around 90 minutes in Germany. Longest wait for a connecting train - 55 minutes at Westbury (for what was perhaps the shortest journey too).
Best and only possible travelling companion - Lisa. Best casual company - the university tutor / professor from Lithuania going to visit her boyfriend in Poland. Worst Company - the man who sprayed his deodorant all over himself and the carriage, ate his very smelly fish / beans, talked to himself all the time and changed his shoes and socks to bare feet - all in the space of 20 minutes of so before the ticket inspector found him to be ticketless and moved him on from (our) first class, quiet coach area.
It all makes for a wonderful story as did the retired couple going away for a weekend in Poland, the American group who spilled wine all over the train carpet and were a bit panicked about their connection, the young lady glueing on her false nails and applying eye liner and lip liner (using her phone as a mirror) on the TGV that turned her from pretty to false.
And - a word for public transport staff the continent over - you are so helpful. Thank you.
| Re: Penleigh Park Level Crossing (Westbury Avoiding Line) Closure Application. In "London to the West" [361987/30322/12] Posted by grahame at 12:13, 6th June 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby, Mark A | |
Some more highlights from the application ...
The existing path, known as West 15/16, including the section over the level crossing (LC) (referred to by Network Rail as Penleigh Park FP level crossing), is currently open to the public.
The last routine level crossing risk assessment carried out by NR in August 2023 recorded a very high number of daily crossings, an average of 203.
This assessment was carried out post the redevelopment of the location. Until recently the crossing was rural on one side of the line, attracting only occasional use with leisure walkers and small amounts of commuters from Westbury. It is now a fully urban location both sides of the crossing are built with residential buildings up to the railway boundary.
The last routine level crossing risk assessment carried out by NR in August 2023 recorded a very high number of daily crossings, an average of 203.
This assessment was carried out post the redevelopment of the location. Until recently the crossing was rural on one side of the line, attracting only occasional use with leisure walkers and small amounts of commuters from Westbury. It is now a fully urban location both sides of the crossing are built with residential buildings up to the railway boundary.
The alternative route for the walking public would be via Oldfield Road, Bridge Court, Station Road, Amazon Way and vice versa, which is approximately an additional 1km journey. The alternative route from point to point is shown on Plan 2.
Network Rail have stated in their extinguishment application that there is now a serious risk of fatality If the level crossing is not closed. Network Rail’s assessment of safety concerns include the following:
• The level crossing has a very high number of daily crossings as it provides the most convenient access from the new housing development towards Westbury Town, local amenities, including the schools, shops, parks and recreation ground.
• The level crossing is located on the Westbury Avoiding Line which provides a faster link for trains.
• Network Rail is aware that the crossing is used by vulnerable and encumbered users deemed by Network Rail not be able to use the crossing with the same degree of awareness and safety as other users, the risk assessment modifies the time these users take to cross by 50%.
• Network Rail is also aware of misuse of the crossing.
• The crossing is already at the highest level of protection, therefore without the construction of a bridge no additional mitigation can be provided.
• The level crossing has a very high number of daily crossings as it provides the most convenient access from the new housing development towards Westbury Town, local amenities, including the schools, shops, parks and recreation ground.
• The level crossing is located on the Westbury Avoiding Line which provides a faster link for trains.
• Network Rail is aware that the crossing is used by vulnerable and encumbered users deemed by Network Rail not be able to use the crossing with the same degree of awareness and safety as other users, the risk assessment modifies the time these users take to cross by 50%.
• Network Rail is also aware of misuse of the crossing.
• The crossing is already at the highest level of protection, therefore without the construction of a bridge no additional mitigation can be provided.
With the development and the crossing where it is, sure as eggs is eggs crossing use numbers were bound to increase. There was a bridge at the top of the new development in plans but somehow that's not been built. It would NOT have been a total alternative, mind you.
I would totally agree that the current situation is a significant risk. Rather arrogantly Network Rail suggest they cannot provide extra protection - surely they could provide worked barriers as in Poole. They could of course make it safer by reducing trains speeds, but they ain't going to do that, are they - they say they can't.
What a mess ... it's not quite making 200 people each walk an extra 1km per day, but certainly significant inconvenience. It strikes me that Network Rail really don't like providing bridges and will dodge and reduce facilities which don't generate them much income where they can. Where else have they done that? BUT - it really shouldn't be left "as is".
£5,000,000 pounds for a footbridge to replace the crossing
Ridiculous. Someone mentioned it's a railway job, that's automatically an additional zero added!
All the houses they've built around Penleigh Park LC though, surely improvements to the crossing should have formed part of the developers planning application and funded by them.
Totally agree that it should have been worked out as the houses were being planned for.
| Re: Penleigh Park Level Crossing (Westbury Avoiding Line) Closure Application. In "London to the West" [361986/30322/12] Posted by a-driver at 11:56, 6th June 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby, Mark A | |
£5,000,000 pounds for a footbridge to replace the crossing
Eyewatering!
I hesitate to imagine how that cost is broken down, but it's not all going to be design, steelwork and labour
Makes £60Bn for 140 miles of HS2 seem like a bargain
Eyewatering!
I hesitate to imagine how that cost is broken down, but it's not all going to be design, steelwork and labour
Makes £60Bn for 140 miles of HS2 seem like a bargain
Ridiculous. Someone mentioned it's a railway job, that's automatically an additional zero added!
There has to be an acceptance for the sake of safety that making everything fully accessible is just not feasible. Fully accessible either means lifts or a massive structure to enable ramp access.
All the houses they've built around Penleigh Park LC though, surely improvements to the crossing should have formed part of the developers planning application and funded by them.
| Re: Train hits tractor and trailer on level crossing 22/05/2025. In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361985/30290/51] Posted by a-driver at 11:46, 6th June 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby, Timmer, Mark A, bradshaw | |
Interesting perspective on the issues and risks involved with these types of crossings in general.....
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/12K9u3WiHKT/
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/12K9u3WiHKT/
And you can't disagree with what that farmer is saying
When I worked in a box, we had a panel with a button for each crossing, anytime someone called from a crossing the button illuminated so we knew exactly what crossing they were be calling from. I don't know if that's still the case though.
Workload is a big issue. One signaller can only manage a certain amount of these crossings. If you've got 20 crossings in your area and a queue of calls waiting to be answered mistakes are going to be made. Signallers are only human, we are all prone to making mistakes, there needs to be a fail safe method of working.
| Re: To Aachen and back- by train In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [361984/30319/52] Posted by Oxonhutch at 10:27, 6th June 2025 Already liked by eightonedee | |
... and the on-train signs and announcements switched to Flemish.
I wonder if, when the train approaches the Belgian town of Eupen, the announcements all change to German.
| Re: Penleigh Park Level Crossing (Westbury Avoiding Line) Closure Application. In "London to the West" [361983/30322/12] Posted by Witham Bobby at 09:45, 6th June 2025 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
£5,000,000 pounds for a footbridge to replace the crossing
Eyewatering!
I hesitate to imagine how that cost is broken down, but it's not all going to be design, steelwork and labour
Makes £60Bn for 140 miles of HS2 seem like a bargain
| Re: 30 cancellations on the North Downs this morning In "North Downs Line" [361982/30321/16] Posted by bobm at 09:41, 6th June 2025 | |
Last Saturday the Weymouth service was operated by 166 207. I believe all the 166s are based at St Philip’s Marsh.
Today that unit is currently heading from Bristol Temple Meads to Warminster before going to Gloucester.
After another round trip to Westbury and back and an outing to Weymouth, it will go to Bristol again before ending its day at Westbury.
Last Friday it was covering Cardiff/Portsmouths.
Whether it was first choice for last week’s Swindon-Weymouth or a last minute replacement, I don’t know.
| Re: First Group announce new open access service to Hereford In "London to the Cotswolds" [361981/30323/14] Posted by ray951 at 09:29, 6th June 2025 | |
FirstGroup’s proposal is for two return journeys a day (one on Sundays) between London Paddington and Hereford, calling at Bristol Parkway and Severn Tunnel Junction as well as providing direct London services at Cwmbran, Pontypool & New Inn and Abergavenny.
Further details can be found here https://www.firstgroupplc.com/news-and-media/latest-news/2025/06-06-2025.aspx
Only 2 journeys a day but is there room for more OA services into Paddington?
And if all the proposed OA services run won't there be a loss of service to all the places east of Bristol that these and the other First Group OA services don't stop at, if you assume that these services will take some existing paths?
Further details can be found here https://www.firstgroupplc.com/news-and-media/latest-news/2025/06-06-2025.aspx
Only 2 journeys a day but is there room for more OA services into Paddington?
And if all the proposed OA services run won't there be a loss of service to all the places east of Bristol that these and the other First Group OA services don't stop at, if you assume that these services will take some existing paths?
| Re: 30 cancellations on the North Downs this morning In "North Downs Line" [361980/30321/16] Posted by ray951 at 09:23, 6th June 2025 | |
There have been quite a few cancellations over the last few weeks with the Didcot - Oxford/Banbury services for the same reason; so I assume that they GWR are having problem maintaining these units. And they certainly don't have enough spare capacity.
| First Group announce new open access service to Hereford In "London to the Cotswolds" [361979/30323/14] Posted by ray951 at 09:18, 6th June 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
FirstGroup’s proposal is for two return journeys a day (one on Sundays) between London Paddington and Hereford, calling at Bristol Parkway and Severn Tunnel Junction as well as providing direct London services at Cwmbran, Pontypool & New Inn and Abergavenny.
Further details can be found here https://www.firstgroupplc.com/news-and-media/latest-news/2025/06-06-2025.aspx
Only 2 journeys a day but is there room for more OA services into Paddington?
And if all the proposed OA services run won't there be a loss of service to all the places east of Bristol that these and the other First Group OA services don't stop at?
| Re: Penleigh Park Level Crossing (Westbury Avoiding Line) Closure Application. In "London to the West" [361978/30322/12] Posted by bobm at 09:16, 6th June 2025 | |
More information about the crossing here. Not sure how up to date it is.
https://abcrailwayguide.uk/penleigh-park-public-level-crossing-wiltshire
| Re: Train hits tractor and trailer on level crossing 22/05/2025. In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361977/30290/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:41, 6th June 2025 | |
Interesting perspective on the issues and risks involved with these types of crossings in general.....
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/12K9u3WiHKT/
| Penleigh Park Level Crossing (Westbury Avoiding Line) Closure Application. In "London to the West" [361976/30322/12] Posted by RA at 08:04, 6th June 2025 | |
Network Rail have made an application to extinguish the Right of Way (footpath Westbury 15) across Penleigh Park level crossing to allow the crossing to be closed.
The link to the relevant Rights of Way section of the Wiltshire Council website is below.
https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/RightsOfWay/Path/Detail/dYilS3GU?row=P2025003
The Site Notice document shows the proposed alternative route for pedestrians.
| 30 cancellations on the North Downs this morning In "North Downs Line" [361975/30321/16] Posted by grahame at 06:55, 6th June 2025 | |
05:59 Gatwick Airport to Reading due 07:33
06:28 Reading to Gatwick Airport due 07:54
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23:33 Reading to Gatwick Airport due 01:08 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
06:28 Reading to Gatwick Airport due 07:54
06:51 Reading to Redhill due 08:28
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23:33 Reading to Gatwick Airport due 01:08
23:33 Reading to Gatwick Airport due 01:08 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
All train faults / More trains than usual needing repairs at the same time. Is there some general problem?
I'm not sure what the diagram is this summer of the Saturday Swindon to Weymouth train, but can anyone advise if the risk of it being cancelled tomorrow (I think it's been a Reading based unit in the past) is significant?
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361974/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 06:05, 6th June 2025 Already liked by matth1j | |
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.
It ran last night - we was on it - 3 carriage train, 10 in our carriage (so guessing around 30 in the train), 8 off and perhaps 2 or 3 on at Melksham (we were slow getting off so I may have missed 1 or 2. So that is [32/10] which is not bad going for one of the very quietest trains of the day.
This is the descendant of the 19:35 service from the bad old decade of "2 trains a day - too early and too late" when we were a line without a train - borrowing one from another line to run when it really wasn't much use there (either) ... and in those days we would have been lucky to see 5 people using the train. How well we have come forward, even allowing for the flakiness and the 30 minute later running, timed (I suspect) to allow for the personal needs break of the crew arriving from Gloucester rather than to connect with the service from Salisbury of provide an evenly spaced service.
And this morning ...
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Sodium-ion batteries and battery swapping stations In "Looking forward - the next 5, 10 and 20 years" [361973/30315/40] Posted by broadgage at 02:27, 6th June 2025 | |
I see no need for trains to have frequent battery exchanges, and probably no need for any exchanging of batteries in normal service.
Presently available lithium batteries can give a battery train a useful range of hundreds of miles, no one is going to adopt the new and relatively untried sodium batteries unless these can give a significant improvement on this range.
Physically swapping batteries sounds like a lot of moving parts and extra failure points.
Fast charging the batteries in situ sounds a lot more sensible, and can be automated. Should be simple and reliable, with sufficient battery capacity so as to permit of at least two consecutive fast charges at stations being missed without any reduction in performance.
| Re: To Aachen and back- by train In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [361972/30319/52] Posted by eightonedee at 22:57, 5th June 2025 Already liked by RichardB | |
There's a really good model railway shop in the centre of Aachen too - close to the Town Hall.
Yes - I could not resist a look inside. According to the staff, it's the largest in Europe. The prices look pretty steep though, unlike the local train fares.
