Recent Public Posts
| Re: report - recommendation to improve West of England line Posted by Timmer at 21:31, 22nd January 2025 |      |
| Re: report - recommendation to improve West of England line Posted by JayMac at 21:21, 22nd January 2025 | |
The whole line should be redoubled.
Two tracks. Now!
| Re: Rail nationalisation not a silver bullet, says Labour Posted by JayMac at 21:17, 22nd January 2025 | |
He's not wrong. It's not a silver bullet. This is:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Bullet_Express
| Labour pledges to make Sunday trains as reliable as weekday services Posted by ChrisB at 20:54, 22nd January 2025 | |
From The Observer
Government plans to renationalise railways will establish new public body to improve the network
Sunday train services will be as reliable as those on weekdays under plans to renationalise the railways, the new transport secretary will claim in a keynote speech on Monday.
Issuing a series of pledges on which the government will be judged by millions of passengers – as well as its political opponents – Heidi Alexander will cite the creation of a network “where Sunday services are as reliable as Monday’s” as one of her key priorities.
In her first speech on rail since taking over from Louise Haigh, who resigned in November, Alexander will spell out the scale of the task ahead.
She will say the new public body Great British Railways (GBR), which will be established by legislation to be introduced late this year, will become “second in size and importance only to the NHS”.
It is expected that GBR will employ a total of about 90,000 people, while the NHS in England employs about 1.5 million staff.
The rail organisation will manage the process of bringing the network under national ownership as private operators’ franchises expire, and will establish the running of trains and tracks under the same body.
Rail experts will be sceptical about the government’s chances of creating a Sunday service on a par with that of weekdays without first taking on powerful rail unions, which are likely to resist more Sunday working.
Just before the general election last year, rail industry leaders urged ministers to tackle the issue of poor services on Sundays caused by staff shortages, as many services became very severely depleted.
Last summer, state-run Northern trains was particularly badly affected, with 282 trains cancelled across its network on one Sunday in late June.
Several operators reported that they could not run anything like normal timetables because of staffing issues.
Former rail minister Norman Baker said it would be very difficult to deliver on the pledge because union agreements did not require train drivers to work on Sundays.
“These agreements will either have to be renegotiated or they will have to pay drivers huge extra sums to get them to work on Sundays.”
The whole process of establishing a network run by private operators had, Baker said, led to an overall shortage of drivers.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), said there would be a willingness to discuss changes but on strict conditions.
“We are ready to engage with the companies and the Department for Transport to shape the future of our railways,” he said. “This includes ensuring a fair deal for rail workers that prioritises safety, health, and work-life balance, alongside fair pay and conditions.”
Alexander will say that the aim of reform is to turn the railways from a system for “private profit” to one operating for “public good”.
She will stress that a renationalised service will help deliver economic growth, with local mayors being given greater power to tailor regional services to local people’s needs.
Ministers are also promising that passengers travelling in England will be shown how often their trains are delayed and cancelled on screens at stations.
Sunday train services will be as reliable as those on weekdays under plans to renationalise the railways, the new transport secretary will claim in a keynote speech on Monday.
Issuing a series of pledges on which the government will be judged by millions of passengers – as well as its political opponents – Heidi Alexander will cite the creation of a network “where Sunday services are as reliable as Monday’s” as one of her key priorities.
In her first speech on rail since taking over from Louise Haigh, who resigned in November, Alexander will spell out the scale of the task ahead.
She will say the new public body Great British Railways (GBR), which will be established by legislation to be introduced late this year, will become “second in size and importance only to the NHS”.
It is expected that GBR will employ a total of about 90,000 people, while the NHS in England employs about 1.5 million staff.
The rail organisation will manage the process of bringing the network under national ownership as private operators’ franchises expire, and will establish the running of trains and tracks under the same body.
Rail experts will be sceptical about the government’s chances of creating a Sunday service on a par with that of weekdays without first taking on powerful rail unions, which are likely to resist more Sunday working.
Just before the general election last year, rail industry leaders urged ministers to tackle the issue of poor services on Sundays caused by staff shortages, as many services became very severely depleted.
Last summer, state-run Northern trains was particularly badly affected, with 282 trains cancelled across its network on one Sunday in late June.
Several operators reported that they could not run anything like normal timetables because of staffing issues.
Former rail minister Norman Baker said it would be very difficult to deliver on the pledge because union agreements did not require train drivers to work on Sundays.
“These agreements will either have to be renegotiated or they will have to pay drivers huge extra sums to get them to work on Sundays.”
The whole process of establishing a network run by private operators had, Baker said, led to an overall shortage of drivers.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), said there would be a willingness to discuss changes but on strict conditions.
“We are ready to engage with the companies and the Department for Transport to shape the future of our railways,” he said. “This includes ensuring a fair deal for rail workers that prioritises safety, health, and work-life balance, alongside fair pay and conditions.”
Alexander will say that the aim of reform is to turn the railways from a system for “private profit” to one operating for “public good”.
She will stress that a renationalised service will help deliver economic growth, with local mayors being given greater power to tailor regional services to local people’s needs.
Ministers are also promising that passengers travelling in England will be shown how often their trains are delayed and cancelled on screens at stations.
| Rail nationalisation not a silver bullet, says Labour Posted by ChrisB at 20:50, 22nd January 2025 | |
From the BBC
Public ownership of the UK's railways is not a "silver bullet" for guaranteeing a better service for passengers, the transport secretary has said.
Heidi Alexander told a gathering of rail industry leaders in Manchester that cancellations on the state-run Northern are at "more than 10%" and many in the "region have been let down for too long".
Alexander also set out her priorities for the year ahead which include "reforming fares and ticketing" to ensure "a best price guarantee" as well as publishing performance data at stations.
But shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon said "quick fixes and hollow announcements will not improve services for passengers or drive economic growth".
Re-nationalising train operating companies was a key part of Labour's manifesto.
Northern was taken into public ownership under the Conservative government in 2020 but its performance has failed to improve.
Alexander said that she and Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy will hold the Department for Transport Operator's (DfTO) "feet to the fire" to deliver Northern's published improvement plan, although she provided no further detail on how.
The operating division already runs 25% of train journeys on the franchises it controls: Northern, LNER, TransPennine and Southeastern. C2C, South Western and Greater Anglia will be added during this year.
In her speech, she said there was a need for unification across the train operators and Network Rail, which manages the railway infrastructure.
This would allow them "to work closer together, to rip out duplication, simplify the management of track and train and create greater accountability".
The government is continuing to develop its new operating body, Great British Railways.
Alexander said the DfTO is key to ensure that Great British Railway "doesn't end up as an umbrella of 16 separate organisations, each with their own incentives, back office systems and structures but instead becomes one integrated team, relentlessly focused on the passenger".
Among her priorities, Alexander said there will be more trials of pay as you go as well as more innovation around the use of AI to improve passenger experience and efficiency.
Great British Railways is a publicly-owned body that will run both the network tracks and trains and will oversee the rail system across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Heidi Alexander told a gathering of rail industry leaders in Manchester that cancellations on the state-run Northern are at "more than 10%" and many in the "region have been let down for too long".
Alexander also set out her priorities for the year ahead which include "reforming fares and ticketing" to ensure "a best price guarantee" as well as publishing performance data at stations.
But shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon said "quick fixes and hollow announcements will not improve services for passengers or drive economic growth".
Re-nationalising train operating companies was a key part of Labour's manifesto.
Northern was taken into public ownership under the Conservative government in 2020 but its performance has failed to improve.
Alexander said that she and Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy will hold the Department for Transport Operator's (DfTO) "feet to the fire" to deliver Northern's published improvement plan, although she provided no further detail on how.
The operating division already runs 25% of train journeys on the franchises it controls: Northern, LNER, TransPennine and Southeastern. C2C, South Western and Greater Anglia will be added during this year.
In her speech, she said there was a need for unification across the train operators and Network Rail, which manages the railway infrastructure.
This would allow them "to work closer together, to rip out duplication, simplify the management of track and train and create greater accountability".
The government is continuing to develop its new operating body, Great British Railways.
Alexander said the DfTO is key to ensure that Great British Railway "doesn't end up as an umbrella of 16 separate organisations, each with their own incentives, back office systems and structures but instead becomes one integrated team, relentlessly focused on the passenger".
Among her priorities, Alexander said there will be more trials of pay as you go as well as more innovation around the use of AI to improve passenger experience and efficiency.
Great British Railways is a publicly-owned body that will run both the network tracks and trains and will oversee the rail system across England, Wales, and Scotland.
| Re: Call for Evidence - National Integrated Transport Strategy - by 30th Jan 2025 Posted by ChrisB at 20:45, 22nd January 2025 | |
From Community Rail Network
‘Roadshow’ events – Integrated National Transport Strategy
The Department for Transport (DfT) is developing an Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS) which will set the high-level direction for how transport should be designed, built, and operated in England over the next ten years.
To help inform this strategy, DfT are running a series of 11 half-day ‘roadshow’ events across England in February and March to gather views on how the strategy can achieve its aims and understand regional perspectives from key stakeholders.
You can apply to attend the roadshows using the relevant Eventbrite links below.
PLEASE NOTE:
There is a very tight deadline to apply for some of the roadshows – please ensure that if you are interested in attending, you read the full instructions and submit your application by the deadline listed;
The DfT is operating a waitlist system to make sure they have a representative split of organisations and attendees from across the regions at each event. Should your application to attend be successful (and this is not guaranteed to be the case), you will receive a further email inviting you to claim your spot. You must complete your registration and receive a ticket to attend.
Full list of roadshow events:
Birmingham – 13 February (applications close at 23:59 on Thursday 23 Jan)
Newcastle – 11 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 24 Jan)
Manchester – 12 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 24 Jan)
Leicester – 18 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 24 Jan)
Ipswich – 19 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 24 Jan)
Bristol – 25 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 31 Jan)
Brighton – 27 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 31 Jan)
Euston (London) – 4 March (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 7 Feb)
The Oval (London) – 5 March (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 7 Feb)
Cornwall (Falmouth) – 7 March (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 14 Feb)
Milton Keynes – 11 March (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 14 Feb)
The Department for Transport (DfT) is developing an Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS) which will set the high-level direction for how transport should be designed, built, and operated in England over the next ten years.
To help inform this strategy, DfT are running a series of 11 half-day ‘roadshow’ events across England in February and March to gather views on how the strategy can achieve its aims and understand regional perspectives from key stakeholders.
You can apply to attend the roadshows using the relevant Eventbrite links below.
PLEASE NOTE:
There is a very tight deadline to apply for some of the roadshows – please ensure that if you are interested in attending, you read the full instructions and submit your application by the deadline listed;
The DfT is operating a waitlist system to make sure they have a representative split of organisations and attendees from across the regions at each event. Should your application to attend be successful (and this is not guaranteed to be the case), you will receive a further email inviting you to claim your spot. You must complete your registration and receive a ticket to attend.
Full list of roadshow events:
Birmingham – 13 February (applications close at 23:59 on Thursday 23 Jan)
Newcastle – 11 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 24 Jan)
Manchester – 12 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 24 Jan)
Leicester – 18 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 24 Jan)
Ipswich – 19 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 24 Jan)
Bristol – 25 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 31 Jan)
Brighton – 27 February (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 31 Jan)
Euston (London) – 4 March (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 7 Feb)
The Oval (London) – 5 March (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 7 Feb)
Cornwall (Falmouth) – 7 March (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 14 Feb)
Milton Keynes – 11 March (applications close at 23:59 on Friday 14 Feb)
| Passengers to get new online ticket website under Great British Railways plan Posted by ChrisB at 20:41, 22nd January 2025 | |
From The Mirror, via MSN
A new Government-backed online train ticket retailer will be created as part of the renationalisation of British railways, the Department for Transport has announced.
Labour has vowed to simplify the complicated ticketing system and take the stress out of the "labyrinth of fares". Tickets will now be sold on a government-backed platform that will bring together individual train operators’ ticket websites.
It is part of the government's plan to put passengers “back at the heart” of Britain’s railways with the state-owned Great British Railways. Detailed plans for "Great British Railways online retail" will now be developed with businesses in the railway industry.
In a statement on the DfT website, ministers said: "After Great British Railways is established following legislation, it will retail online by bringing together individual train operators' ticket websites. It will work alongside a thriving private sector retail market, where all rail retailers can compete in an open and fair manner.
"The private sector will continue to play a key role in driving growth through innovation and investment, and encouraging more people to choose rail. Exact plans for Great British Railways online retail and ensuring a fair and competitive market will now be developed over time in close partnership with industry and the private sector."
On Monday it was announced that rail passengers will be able to use tap-in and tap-out ticketing in more stations under a push to expand contactless train travel by the end of the year. Some 47 stations in the South East will get a new ticketing system for the first time from next month with another 49 locations rolled out over the year, including London Stansted Airport. The move aims to save passengers time and money by guaranteeing the best value ticket.
[ed - here are the stations -
From February 2
Basildon
Benfleet
Chalkwell
East Tilbury
Laindon
Leigh-on-Sea
Pitsea
Shoeburyness
Southend Central
Southend East
Stanford-le-Hope
Thorpe Bay
Tilbury Town
West Horndon
Westcliff
Bat & Ball
Dunton Green
Eynsford
Otford
Sevenoaks
Shoreham (Kent)
Ashford (Surrey)
Datchet
Egham
Kempton Park
Shepperton
Staines
Sunbury
Sunnymeads
Upper Halliford
Virginia Water
Windsor & Eton Riverside
Wraysbury
Apsley
Berkhamsted
Bletchley
Bricket Wood
Cheddington
Garston
Hemel Hempstead
How Wood
Kings Langley
Leighton Buzzard
Park Street
St Albans Abbey
Tring
Watford North
Later in the year -
Aylesbury
Aylesbury Vale Parkway
Great Missenden
Little Kimble
Monks Risborough
Princes Risborough
Saunderton
Stoke Mandeville
Wendover
Billericay
Bishop's Stortford
Chelmsford
Harlow Mill
Harlow Town
Hatfield Peverel
Hockley
Ingatestone
Prittlewell
Rayleigh
Rochford
Roydon
Sawbridgeworth
Southend Victoria
Stansted Airport
Stansted Mountfitchet
Wickford
Witham
Southend Airport
Ashtead
Baldock
Box Hill & Westhumble
Dorking (Main)
Dormans
East Grinstead
Harlington
Hitchin
Hurst Green
Knebworth
Leagrave
Leatherhead
Letchworth Garden City
Lingfield
Luton
Oxted
Reigate
Stevenage
Watton-at-Stone
Welwyn North
Woldingham
Baldock
Hitchin
Letchworth Garden City
Stevenage]
The first operator - South Western Railways - will transfer to public ownership next May. And all passenger services across Britain operated under contracts with the Department for Transport will complete over the next three years.
The announced timetable comes just days after the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 received Royal Assent in December. Labour said the shake-up would tackle unacceptable levels of delays, cancellations, and waste seen under decades of what it called “failing” franchise contracts.
Labour has vowed to simplify the complicated ticketing system and take the stress out of the "labyrinth of fares". Tickets will now be sold on a government-backed platform that will bring together individual train operators’ ticket websites.
It is part of the government's plan to put passengers “back at the heart” of Britain’s railways with the state-owned Great British Railways. Detailed plans for "Great British Railways online retail" will now be developed with businesses in the railway industry.
In a statement on the DfT website, ministers said: "After Great British Railways is established following legislation, it will retail online by bringing together individual train operators' ticket websites. It will work alongside a thriving private sector retail market, where all rail retailers can compete in an open and fair manner.
"The private sector will continue to play a key role in driving growth through innovation and investment, and encouraging more people to choose rail. Exact plans for Great British Railways online retail and ensuring a fair and competitive market will now be developed over time in close partnership with industry and the private sector."
On Monday it was announced that rail passengers will be able to use tap-in and tap-out ticketing in more stations under a push to expand contactless train travel by the end of the year. Some 47 stations in the South East will get a new ticketing system for the first time from next month with another 49 locations rolled out over the year, including London Stansted Airport. The move aims to save passengers time and money by guaranteeing the best value ticket.
[ed - here are the stations -
From February 2
Basildon
Benfleet
Chalkwell
East Tilbury
Laindon
Leigh-on-Sea
Pitsea
Shoeburyness
Southend Central
Southend East
Stanford-le-Hope
Thorpe Bay
Tilbury Town
West Horndon
Westcliff
Bat & Ball
Dunton Green
Eynsford
Otford
Sevenoaks
Shoreham (Kent)
Ashford (Surrey)
Datchet
Egham
Kempton Park
Shepperton
Staines
Sunbury
Sunnymeads
Upper Halliford
Virginia Water
Windsor & Eton Riverside
Wraysbury
Apsley
Berkhamsted
Bletchley
Bricket Wood
Cheddington
Garston
Hemel Hempstead
How Wood
Kings Langley
Leighton Buzzard
Park Street
St Albans Abbey
Tring
Watford North
Later in the year -
Aylesbury
Aylesbury Vale Parkway
Great Missenden
Little Kimble
Monks Risborough
Princes Risborough
Saunderton
Stoke Mandeville
Wendover
Billericay
Bishop's Stortford
Chelmsford
Harlow Mill
Harlow Town
Hatfield Peverel
Hockley
Ingatestone
Prittlewell
Rayleigh
Rochford
Roydon
Sawbridgeworth
Southend Victoria
Stansted Airport
Stansted Mountfitchet
Wickford
Witham
Southend Airport
Ashtead
Baldock
Box Hill & Westhumble
Dorking (Main)
Dormans
East Grinstead
Harlington
Hitchin
Hurst Green
Knebworth
Leagrave
Leatherhead
Letchworth Garden City
Lingfield
Luton
Oxted
Reigate
Stevenage
Watton-at-Stone
Welwyn North
Woldingham
Baldock
Hitchin
Letchworth Garden City
Stevenage]
The first operator - South Western Railways - will transfer to public ownership next May. And all passenger services across Britain operated under contracts with the Department for Transport will complete over the next three years.
The announced timetable comes just days after the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 received Royal Assent in December. Labour said the shake-up would tackle unacceptable levels of delays, cancellations, and waste seen under decades of what it called “failing” franchise contracts.
| Re: Steam trains to return at Severn Beach Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:47, 22nd January 2025 | |
In South Gloucestershire, that's entirely possible.
However, over here in North Somerset, we do have a tradition of progressing matters in a very much ... erm ... less hasty manner.
| India: Eleven killed after passengers fleeing rumours of fire were hit by train Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:21, 22nd January 2025 | |
From the BBC:
At least 11 people have been killed and five injured after they fled rumours of a fire on board their train in India, only to be hit by another train.
Railway officials said the passengers got down from the Mumbai-bound train in western Maharashtra state after someone pulled the emergency cord, causing it to stop. They were hit by a train on an adjacent track. It was not immediately clear whether there had actually been a fire.
India has launched a $30m (£24bn) programme to modernise its railways in recent years but this has been marred by a series of accidents, including a major three-train crash in 2023 in the state of Odisha which left nearly 300 people dead.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a post on X that he was "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives" during the incident near Pachora in Jalgaon district, about 400km from Mumbai, India's financial capital. He said eight ambulances had been dispatched and hospitals were on standby.
The crash will be seen as a setback for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has called for modernisation of the railways to boost the economy and connectivity.
There are plans to boost spending on the programme in next month's budget, Reuters news agency reports.
| Re: Steam trains to return at Severn Beach Posted by grahame at 19:19, 22nd January 2025 | |
Did I *really* hear the interview on BBC Points West hoping to have something in place for Easter?
| Re: report - recommendation to improve West of England line Posted by bradshaw at 18:51, 22nd January 2025 | |
Not to mention that the station at Lyme was on the edge of the town, 1km away. It is also a steep climb of about 100m OD, which I remember from our holidays to Lyme by train around 1960!
I think that the Yeovil curves might be worth a look. Yes, the Yeovil Railway Centre uses the tracks but perhaps some compromise could be met. NR could run the track over the south curve and out via the north curve back to Pen Mill. There may be a place for the Heritage Centre to run on a new alignment parallel to the south curve.
| Re: Steam trains to return at Severn Beach Posted by johnneyw at 18:46, 22nd January 2025 | |
More excuses for me to visit Severn Beach. Should be nice to visit it as it develops.
| Re: Steam trains to return at Severn Beach Posted by Timmer at 18:36, 22nd January 2025 | |
Nice to see a railway in the West Country that’s actually reopening.
| Re: Ryanair cutting 7 destinations for 2025 Posted by LiskeardRich at 18:23, 22nd January 2025 | |
Huge increases from the airport operator for landing and departure fees.
Ryanair have also announced a large number of new routes this summer
| Re: Scope to increase Bristol suburban services? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:19, 22nd January 2025 | |
See also a specific topic on the subject of the Portishead line, at https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=231.msg357425#msg357425 .
I'll do a bit more of my 'moving and merging' of posts, simply in the interests of clarity, continuity, ease of future reference, blah, blah.
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:06, 22nd January 2025 | |
Consultants.
| Re: Southern (and other TOC) rail fares Posted by JayMac at 18:03, 22nd January 2025 | |
Suggesting using a return ticket in the wrong direction? Brilliant idea if you want a slam dunk penalty fare or worse. Barry Doe says it’s ok, really?
Risk versus reward. As pointed out in the article, the chances of being caught...
This is one of those instances where I think it's unfair. If we're to continue to have walk up return fares then they should be the same for either direction. If TOCs want flow pricing then there should be single leg fares only.
A good point is made noting that using a return the 'wrong' way round isn't allowed, but discarding one leg of a return is fine when the return is cheaper than a single. The TOCs have created this mess, so I have no qualms with someone using a return like this. Of course I'd point out the risks if someone suggests it. I'd take that risk myself though.
| Re: report - recommendation to improve West of England line Posted by eXPassenger at 17:57, 22nd January 2025 | |
I do worry about the background knowledge of some of these reports.
The Maybank curve at Yeovil Junction (South to West) had earthworks but never had track and any work now would go through the Yeovil Railway Heritage Centre.
The Lyme Regis branch was a classic very slow and winding branch line. If rebuilt now I am sure that buses would be quicker for Axminster - Lyme Regis. It has also been built over in Uplyme and Lyme Regis.
| Steam trains to return at Severn Beach Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:49, 22nd January 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Miniature steam railway to return to resort
A miniature railway ran at Severn Beach until 1976
It has been 50 years since steam trains trundled along a miniature railway at Severn Beach. But soon, a new track will be opened – thanks to the son of a man who built a miniature train for the tourist resort in South Gloucestershire in the 1960s.
Joe Nemeth will build and run the 0.25 mile (350m) Severn Beach Miniature Railway next to the seafront promenade and expects it to be open by Easter. "People are thrilled it's coming back," he said. "Severn Beach has become really popular since the pandemic and now is the time to build something for people living there."
From the 1920s to the 1970s, Severn Beach was a thriving tourist hotspot, with an outdoor swimming pool, boating lake, and a miniature railway, which ran from 1936 to 1939, and 1955 to 1976.
Joe Nemeth has been a fan of railways since he was a small boy
Mr Nemeth plans to run vintage steam engines on the line, some of which are now 90 years old. "It all starts as a kid when you have your first train set, you either play with it again or leave it, but I was hooked," he said. "I remember the [miniature] railway with a great passion."
The attraction will open in three stages, with plans for a pond, a bridge and gardens along the route. It will be staffed by volunteers.
Work has already started on clearing ground for the railway
Local business owners are enthusiastic about the railway's return.
Miriam Street, who runs Just As You Are Tea Cottage next to where the railway will run, told the BBC she was "delighted" with the plans. "It'll be such a boom for local businesses, it'll bring people from all across Bristol to visit and we'll see that in our business as well," she said.
A miniature railway ran at Severn Beach until 1976
It has been 50 years since steam trains trundled along a miniature railway at Severn Beach. But soon, a new track will be opened – thanks to the son of a man who built a miniature train for the tourist resort in South Gloucestershire in the 1960s.
Joe Nemeth will build and run the 0.25 mile (350m) Severn Beach Miniature Railway next to the seafront promenade and expects it to be open by Easter. "People are thrilled it's coming back," he said. "Severn Beach has become really popular since the pandemic and now is the time to build something for people living there."
From the 1920s to the 1970s, Severn Beach was a thriving tourist hotspot, with an outdoor swimming pool, boating lake, and a miniature railway, which ran from 1936 to 1939, and 1955 to 1976.
Joe Nemeth has been a fan of railways since he was a small boy
Mr Nemeth plans to run vintage steam engines on the line, some of which are now 90 years old. "It all starts as a kid when you have your first train set, you either play with it again or leave it, but I was hooked," he said. "I remember the [miniature] railway with a great passion."
The attraction will open in three stages, with plans for a pond, a bridge and gardens along the route. It will be staffed by volunteers.
Work has already started on clearing ground for the railway
Local business owners are enthusiastic about the railway's return.
Miriam Street, who runs Just As You Are Tea Cottage next to where the railway will run, told the BBC she was "delighted" with the plans. "It'll be such a boom for local businesses, it'll bring people from all across Bristol to visit and we'll see that in our business as well," she said.
| Re: Scope to increase Bristol suburban services? Posted by eXPassenger at 17:47, 22nd January 2025 | |
A BBC news story quotes N Somerset as being upbeat about the line:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn57yy9xneno
Restoring the rail line between Bristol to Portishead could be "fast-tracked", with construction beginning this year and the first trains running by 2027.
North Somerset Council leaders have approved measures to start construction - if the government agrees to fund the project.
Plans to bring the line back came under threat after the new Labour government announced it was axing the scheme's funding.
Councillor Mike Bell, leader of the council, said the government is now reviewing the project and there have been "encouraging indications that it is being fast-tracked".
... continues
North Somerset Council leaders have approved measures to start construction - if the government agrees to fund the project.
Plans to bring the line back came under threat after the new Labour government announced it was axing the scheme's funding.
Councillor Mike Bell, leader of the council, said the government is now reviewing the project and there have been "encouraging indications that it is being fast-tracked".
... continues
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion Posted by UstiImmigrunt at 17:39, 22nd January 2025 | |
Putting it bluntly, if this was a line in Scotland the passenger trains would have been running for around 10 years, Wales a little less.
But £32m spent on what exactly?
| Re: Southern (and other TOC) rail fares Posted by Timmer at 17:37, 22nd January 2025 | |
Suggesting using a return ticket in the wrong direction? Brilliant idea if you want a slam dunk penalty fare or worse. Barry Doe says it’s ok, really?
I don’t think so. Like you say, they’ll be trouble if you get caught.| Re: Rail replacement advise - Melksham - until 23rd January 2025 Posted by Timmer at 17:30, 22nd January 2025 | |
I suspect people who either travel from or through Westbury are looking forward to Friday as well. This closure has been far too long.
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion Posted by Red Squirrel at 17:12, 22nd January 2025 | |
Trying to embrace the concepts 'Portishead' and 'fast-tracking' at the same time risks damaging one's mental health...
| Re: Southern (and other TOC) rail fares Posted by paul7575 at 16:56, 22nd January 2025 | |
https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/01/21/avoid-paying-75-more-without-using-railcards-split-or-advance-tickets/
They say the railway’s byzantine fare structure is going to be sorted when Great British Railways (GBR) finally gets up and running. But that promise is like Billy Bunter’s never arriving postal order. Every incoming Minister in the DfT over the last couple of decades has promised to sort the complex system of rail fares and tickets out usually ordering a “full review” but instead another raft of additional price options are added to the mix. It’s happening again even now with the Great British Rail Sale.
Continues
Another excellent article by Roger French
They say the railway’s byzantine fare structure is going to be sorted when Great British Railways (GBR) finally gets up and running. But that promise is like Billy Bunter’s never arriving postal order. Every incoming Minister in the DfT over the last couple of decades has promised to sort the complex system of rail fares and tickets out usually ordering a “full review” but instead another raft of additional price options are added to the mix. It’s happening again even now with the Great British Rail Sale.
Continues
Another excellent article by Roger French
Suggesting using a return ticket in the wrong direction? Brilliant idea if you want a slam dunk penalty fare or worse. Barry Doe says it’s ok, really?
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion Posted by Witham Bobby at 15:46, 22nd January 2025 | |
Yesterday there was talk of the "fast tracking" of the Filton/Brabazon station and today the Beeb reports similar hopes for the Portishead Line with trains apparently running in two years.
Here's a link to the article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn57yy9xneno
Here's a link to the article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn57yy9xneno
£32M spent to date? Astonishing
A reminder of what the costs of complying with the years of accumulated legislation and consultants tying themselves and everyone else into ever tighter knots are doing to our economy and to the chances of ever getting anything done.
| Re: Weymouth - station, facilities, improvements, events and incidents - merged posts Posted by CyclingSid at 15:03, 22nd January 2025 | |
My experience was to be greeted by a "No cycling" sign as I exited the station, which the council had obviously bought job lot of. I cycled down the old railway to Portland, returned and got on a train and left. Net economic benefit to Weymouth, zero.
Similar at Bognor. Cycled from Chichester and along the sea front. Thought I would get the train back and found an encampment of near do wells outside the station entrance. As I didn't fancy being ransomed I caught the bus.
Yet places like Lymington, Bournemouth there is no problem.
