UPDATE: Train delays at Bridgwater station cleared


stock image

Trains are running normally between Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton after a broken down train in Bridgwater caused delays of up to one hour.

The train was stuck on the Bridgwater line, but it has now been cleared. Keep up-to-date with the Twitter hashtag #Bridgwater.

Services affected included; Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Parkway, Bristol Temple Meads, Bridgwater, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter St Davids; also Cardiff Central, Newport, Patchway, Bristol Temple Meads, Nailsea and Blackwell, Yatton, Worle, Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Taunton.

Risborough over the Aylesbury bay?

New rolling stock for the 07:44 Henley-on-Thames to Paddington?

http://www.newstatesman.com/business/2012/12/10-worst-moments-be-train?

I just write to them (on the public response comments) accusing them of giving employment to Lunchtime O' Booze when he should have been sacked ages ago.

Delays on all trains through Bristol Temple Meads

All train routes through Bristol Temple Meads will be delayed by at least 20 minutes due to a signalling problem until further notice. (From 3.30pm)

Train operators CrossCountry and First Great Western services are affected by the signalling problem at Stapleton, according to National Rail.

Rail improvements concern as FGW's contract is extended

Rail services to and from Exeter have been thrown into limbo after ministers scrapped the delayed competition to run trains on the Great Western mainline.

We've all heard the rumours, but here's proof that Boris really does want to take over more and more train services, including those to Lancaster - which appears to have had a makeover since my last visit there!

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/lancaster-and-fleetwood-mp-sees-improvements-first-hand/

Virgin Trains, which operates Lancaster station, is also looking forward to the operational benefits the improvements will bring.

Plymouth train services suspended for engineering works

First Great Western and Crosscountry services are suspended through Plymouth this morning for engineering works.

Buses are being laid on as services are out between Plymouth & St Budeaux Victoria Rd, Plymouth & Liskeard, Plymouth & St Austell and Plymouth & Penzance.

The return of an old favourite - from The Herald (Plymouth):


... which has prompted some amusing comment from the Herald's own readership. 

We've all heard the rumours, but here's proof that Boris really does want to take over more and more train services, including those to Lancaster - which appears to have had a makeover since my last visit there!

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/lancaster-and-fleetwood-mp-sees-improvements-first-hand/

From Worcester News:

Bridge damage causes road closure in Lacock

It has been confirmed part of Roebuck Bridge along Corsham Road in Lacock has been knocked down onto the embankment near the railway this morning.



At around 7.49am a passer-by reported the damaged bridge.

People were asked to drive carefully pass the affected area and two high speed train services were diverted and did not call at Bath Spa or Chippenham.

Corsham Road is now closed while repairs are carried out on the bridge by a Network Rail team.

From Chippenham People:


No: they've lost me completely on that one. 

Lunchtime O' Booze on the job again?

Thank you! Unfortunately the affected area was quite dangerous to go near so I couldn't take a picture so thought i'd just use a stock picture.

HST's can and frequently do run via Melksham but have very rarely ever called there.

No, it was actually a charming young journalist called Naomi. 

I posted a quizzical comment on her article, enquiring politely as to the relevance of the picture, and she replied thus:

I rest my case. 


You'd be surprised - as indeed many people were, twice in one day: see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=7596.0 

You'd be surprised - as indeed many people were, twice in one day: see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=7596.0 

Further improvements planned for Tarka line



Network Rail has vowed to keep disruption to passengers to a minimum as it carries out vital improvement work on the Tarka line between Exeter and Barnstaple during March.

Two short closures have been agreed to improve the rail infrastructure on the popular line, avoiding the busy Easter weekend which sees large numbers of people ^ including many tourists ^ travelling by train.

The first closure will take place between Crediton and Barnstaple, with the line closing at 11pm on Sunday 10 March and, reopening at 3pm on Wednesday 13 March. This is for track relaying and bridge improvement works near Lapford, and for other works near Umberleigh.

During this time, train operator First Great Western will operate train services between Exeter and Crediton, with a bus replacement service serving all stations north of Crediton, through to Barnstaple.

The second closure takes place over the weekend of Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March. During this time, buses will replace trains between Barnstaple and Exeter, as Network Rail^s engineers undertake further track renewals in the Umberleigh area and other essential maintenance along the line.

Tim Maddocks, Network Rail customer service manager for the West Country, said: ^Working with First Great Western, we^ve been able to plan this vital work in a way that avoids the busy Easter weekend. We would like to thank passengers for their patience while we complete these essential improvement works to make the Tarka line safer, smoother and more reliable.^

A rather startling example, from Breaking Travel News:

I don't watch his queenly progress so I wouldn't know.

The article has been updated since then.

Funding approved to progress railway dream



The next phase of preparation works for the re-opening of the Portishead^s railway line has been given the green light.

After considering an updated report on the rail project yesterday ...

Also a Class 180 in the same picture... Yes... Completely irrelevant that one considering 180's no longer serve a railway line even remotely near to Cornwall. Infact, have they ever been to Cornwall?

And another, this time a HST in an article about Penryn Station having a planning application for a cafe.
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Cafe-public-toilets-Penryn-station/story-18882120-detail/story.html#axzz2SK2U4oWe

I had nothing to do with that.

I was originally going to say, since when has a Class 180 ever been to Cornwall? Furtherest I knew of was Plymouth. Normally they only went to Exeter St Davids. However decided asking it as a question, knowing that a Class 180 did once reach London Waterloo. I knew a smartiepants was going to upload a picture of a Class 180 at Penzance

Change to bus service



A bus company which serves Clevedon has changed the name of its vehicles to avoid confusion for customers.

Bristol Greyhound Limited has changed the name of its buses from Greyhound to Pier Buses UK, so its vehicles are not confused with First^s Greyhound service.

Bristol Greyhound runs the X7 from Bristol to Clevedon.

That image is even named "yellow_bus_wheel" as a tacit acknowledgement that it is not specific to any story about local buses ...

And another, this time a HST in an article about Penryn Station having a planning application for a cafe.

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Cafe-public-toilets-Penryn-station/story-18882120-detail/story.html#axzz2SK2U4oWe

I'm sure FT,N! will be flattered rather than litigious. 

An article about bus service cuts in Somerset illustrated with a picture of a bus in Bristol. 

http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/bus-service-cuts-job-losses-loom-Somerset/story-19079474-detail/story.html#axzz2UFnDvyxk

Great Western Railway clock is lovingly restored

A 19th century Great Western Railway clock has been lovingly restored to its former glory by Network Rail after it stopped working two years ago.

The GWR clock, which dates back to 1852, is a double-aspect clock and keeps time at the historic Severn Bridge Junction signal box in Shrewsbury ^ the largest mechanical signal box in the world.