Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375169/28355/22] Posted by grahame at 03:46, 16th May 2026 |      |
Pathed as IETs - thought I did note one Saturday case in recent months of a turbo being run instead.
All times shown are public timetable departures (obviously arrivals at final station)
No Sunday service
| Re: The Red Arrows - RAF display team, popular with members on the Coffee Shop forum (merged posts) In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [375168/6939/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:32, 15th May 2026 | |
From the BBC:
British firm vying to build next Red Arrows jets goes into administration
The Hawk T1 jet, as used by the Red Arrows, will go out of service in 2030
A British aerospace company that was developing a replacement for the famous Red Arrows fighter jet has gone into administration, resulting in the loss of about 30 jobs.
Aeralis had pitched itself as the only British firm able to supply a new advanced jet trainer that would be designed and built in the UK. The firm was hoping the UK government would award it a contract to replace the Hawk jets currently flown by the RAF's Red Arrows before they are due to be retired in 2030.
The administrators said the company had faced "a sustained period of pressure" on its cashflow after "continued delays to the UK Defence Investment Plan, combined with geopolitical factors affecting sources of funding".
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said: "The fast jet trainer programme is ongoing and no final procurement decisions have been made. More broadly, this government is backing British jobs, British industry, and British innovators - since July 2024, we have signed 1,200 major contracts, with 93% of the spend going to UK-based companies."
The BBC has been told the company's main investor Barzan Holdings, the strategic investment and procurement arm of Qatar's Ministry of Defence, withdrew its funding amid the US-Israeli war with Iran. A potential agreement Aeralis was exploring to make jets for the French government also failed to materialise. The company filed for administration on Friday.
In a statement, Joanne Milner from administrators Buchler Phillips, said: "Aeralis has developed a highly differentiated proposition within the aerospace and defence sector. We hope that the administration process will provide an opportunity to explore routes to preserve and develop that value for stakeholders."
Aeralis chairman Robin Southwell said the decision to go into administration had been taken after "careful consideration of the company's position and the funding challenges it has faced over recent months. We will continue to support the joint administrators as they explore viable, sustainable options for the future of the business and engage with interested parties."
In an interview prior to Aeralis going into administration, Southwell told the BBC the delay in the investment plan was making life "very difficult for companies such as ours and others". He urged the UK government to give "clarity and direction" to the MoD to "allow companies like ours to start generating the jobs, opportunities, ambitions and exports that this country clearly needs".
Last year, the UK government's Strategic Defence Review recommended the Hawks should be replaced by a "cost-effective, advanced trainer jet". The review suggests that MoD procurement should prioritise British businesses to benefit the UK economy.
The MoD is considering options to replace the Hawk jets. Aircraft offered by BAE Systems, Leonardo and several other companies are also considered to be contenders to replace the Hawk but no decisions have been made.
The long-awaited investment plan to deliver the review's recommendations has been delayed significantly and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure to publish it. This week, Sir Keir told MPs the defence investment plan was being "finalised" as he outlined his government's legislative programme in the King's Speech.
Last month Lord Robertson, the former Labour defence secretary who wrote the Strategic Defence Review, accused Sir Keir's government of showing "corrosive complacency" on defence.
Southwell said Aeralis had been talking to the French government about the possibility of building its jet in the country. But Aeralis's preference was to design and manufacture parts of its advanced trainer jet at the company's sites across the UK, before assembling the aircraft at Prestwick International Airport in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The company estimates that its programme could have created 4,000 new jobs in the UK and generate £600m in annual exports. But the aircraft has only been designed digitally at this stage, with the company saying it needed government backing to start production.
Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the RUSI think tank, said the Aeralis option was "purely theoretical, and its only attraction is the promise of UK jobs at some point".
"Its downsides include high programme and development risks, and long realistic timeframes until any serviceable aircraft might be delivered, compared to alternatives that already exist," Bronk said.
He added: "A strong fast jet training pipeline is fundamental to all other UK combat air capabilities, so risk should not be taken with ensuring it is modernised rapidly and with high levels of assurance."
Bronk said jet trainers developed by Leonardo, or Boeing/Saab in partnership with BAE Systems, were "low-risk, high-quality" options that "could be delivered from the late 2020s".
BAE Systems is working with US manufacturer Boeing and Sweden's Saab to develop the T-7 jet into a replacement for the Hawk, and has committed to assembling the aircraft in the UK.
"Our joint approach brings together three leading global defence primes at the heart of UK combat air capability, offering the UK a next-generation, cost‑effective, capable and reliable solution," a BAE Systems spokesperson said.
Leonardo, an Italian company with operations in the UK, told the BBC its M-346 jet was "being assessed as an option for a number of emerging requirements".
"We will work with UK industrial partners to provide a compelling, UK low risk solution to the RAF advanced jet training requirement based on our proven and highly successful International Flying Training System," a Leonardo spokesperson said.
The Hawk T1 jet, as used by the Red Arrows, will go out of service in 2030
A British aerospace company that was developing a replacement for the famous Red Arrows fighter jet has gone into administration, resulting in the loss of about 30 jobs.
Aeralis had pitched itself as the only British firm able to supply a new advanced jet trainer that would be designed and built in the UK. The firm was hoping the UK government would award it a contract to replace the Hawk jets currently flown by the RAF's Red Arrows before they are due to be retired in 2030.
The administrators said the company had faced "a sustained period of pressure" on its cashflow after "continued delays to the UK Defence Investment Plan, combined with geopolitical factors affecting sources of funding".
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said: "The fast jet trainer programme is ongoing and no final procurement decisions have been made. More broadly, this government is backing British jobs, British industry, and British innovators - since July 2024, we have signed 1,200 major contracts, with 93% of the spend going to UK-based companies."
The BBC has been told the company's main investor Barzan Holdings, the strategic investment and procurement arm of Qatar's Ministry of Defence, withdrew its funding amid the US-Israeli war with Iran. A potential agreement Aeralis was exploring to make jets for the French government also failed to materialise. The company filed for administration on Friday.
In a statement, Joanne Milner from administrators Buchler Phillips, said: "Aeralis has developed a highly differentiated proposition within the aerospace and defence sector. We hope that the administration process will provide an opportunity to explore routes to preserve and develop that value for stakeholders."
Aeralis chairman Robin Southwell said the decision to go into administration had been taken after "careful consideration of the company's position and the funding challenges it has faced over recent months. We will continue to support the joint administrators as they explore viable, sustainable options for the future of the business and engage with interested parties."
In an interview prior to Aeralis going into administration, Southwell told the BBC the delay in the investment plan was making life "very difficult for companies such as ours and others". He urged the UK government to give "clarity and direction" to the MoD to "allow companies like ours to start generating the jobs, opportunities, ambitions and exports that this country clearly needs".
Last year, the UK government's Strategic Defence Review recommended the Hawks should be replaced by a "cost-effective, advanced trainer jet". The review suggests that MoD procurement should prioritise British businesses to benefit the UK economy.
The MoD is considering options to replace the Hawk jets. Aircraft offered by BAE Systems, Leonardo and several other companies are also considered to be contenders to replace the Hawk but no decisions have been made.
The long-awaited investment plan to deliver the review's recommendations has been delayed significantly and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure to publish it. This week, Sir Keir told MPs the defence investment plan was being "finalised" as he outlined his government's legislative programme in the King's Speech.
Last month Lord Robertson, the former Labour defence secretary who wrote the Strategic Defence Review, accused Sir Keir's government of showing "corrosive complacency" on defence.
Southwell said Aeralis had been talking to the French government about the possibility of building its jet in the country. But Aeralis's preference was to design and manufacture parts of its advanced trainer jet at the company's sites across the UK, before assembling the aircraft at Prestwick International Airport in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The company estimates that its programme could have created 4,000 new jobs in the UK and generate £600m in annual exports. But the aircraft has only been designed digitally at this stage, with the company saying it needed government backing to start production.
Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the RUSI think tank, said the Aeralis option was "purely theoretical, and its only attraction is the promise of UK jobs at some point".
"Its downsides include high programme and development risks, and long realistic timeframes until any serviceable aircraft might be delivered, compared to alternatives that already exist," Bronk said.
He added: "A strong fast jet training pipeline is fundamental to all other UK combat air capabilities, so risk should not be taken with ensuring it is modernised rapidly and with high levels of assurance."
Bronk said jet trainers developed by Leonardo, or Boeing/Saab in partnership with BAE Systems, were "low-risk, high-quality" options that "could be delivered from the late 2020s".
BAE Systems is working with US manufacturer Boeing and Sweden's Saab to develop the T-7 jet into a replacement for the Hawk, and has committed to assembling the aircraft in the UK.
"Our joint approach brings together three leading global defence primes at the heart of UK combat air capability, offering the UK a next-generation, cost‑effective, capable and reliable solution," a BAE Systems spokesperson said.
Leonardo, an Italian company with operations in the UK, told the BBC its M-346 jet was "being assessed as an option for a number of emerging requirements".
"We will work with UK industrial partners to provide a compelling, UK low risk solution to the RAF advanced jet training requirement based on our proven and highly successful International Flying Training System," a Leonardo spokesperson said.
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375167/28355/22] Posted by ChrisB at 19:26, 15th May 2026 | |
There have been whispers of exactly that happening! Can’t see it myself, not for a few years at least, but you never know.
Well, the stock do have train managers aboard.
Lack of stock for those journeys I reckon
Presumably they're IETs as the National Rail site lists 1st class fares against them.
For Bath to Oxford:
Anytime standard day return £77.20
For Bath to Oxford:
Anytime standard day return £77.20
Strewth. Not even an hour.
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375166/28355/22] Posted by Mark A at 19:22, 15th May 2026 | |
Presumably they're IETs as the National Rail site lists 1st class fares against them.
For Bath to Oxford:
Anytime standard day return £77.20
Anytime standard return £169.40
Anytime 1st return £202.20
Anytime 1st return £278.60 (allows travel via Reading but not via London terminals - for comparison, a Bath Spa to London Paddington anytime return is £380.60.)
Mark
| Re: Children get concessionary bus travel in Bristol In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [375165/30338/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:17, 15th May 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Bristol, Weston and Bath's free kids' holiday bus travel extended for three years
Children will be able to travel for free on buses across the West of England during school holidays for the next three years, it has been confirmed.
Helen Godwin, mayor for the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), introduced the scheme for under 16s shortly after being elected a year ago. It has now been extended to cover the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays until 2029.
It comes as research suggests the offer is having the biggest impact on young people in most deprived areas of the region.
Samira Musse, a mum from Barton Hill, said: "Every child was just excited to ride the bus. It gives them that freedom, that confidence to go somewhere by themselves with their friends."
About 1.4 million free journeys took place in the first trial year of the scheme, costing Weca £1.4m.
Research from the University of Bristol suggests the scheme was used more in the most deprived parts of the region. Average bus use increased by 32% during the scheme, this compares to a 56% rise in Lawrence Hill, and Hartcliffe saw a 130% spike, researchers found.
Musse, who is also a director of Barton Hill activity club, said she had heard stories of families using the scheme to visit new places. "Someone was telling us they went four times in one summer to Weston, they've never been before because they can't afford it," she added. "It's amazing - that opportunity for people to explore the city they live in with less cost."
The researchers recommended extending eligibility up to 18-year-olds, and extending it beyond the school holidays.
Neither of these ideas are currently being implemented because of the potential cost, though Godwin has previously indicated she would be in favour. "It gets people out and about," said Godwin, arguing that areas such as Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Yate had all seen increased footfall when the scheme was in place.
Funding for the scheme over the next three years will come from a £42m bus grant, which has been given to the combined authority by government for the mayor to distribute how she likes. The money will also be spent on discounts such as capping kids' fares at £1, free travel for care leavers, the Diamond pass for older and disabled bus users and to support bus services which are not commercially viable.
Children will be able to travel for free on buses across the West of England during school holidays for the next three years, it has been confirmed.
Helen Godwin, mayor for the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), introduced the scheme for under 16s shortly after being elected a year ago. It has now been extended to cover the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays until 2029.
It comes as research suggests the offer is having the biggest impact on young people in most deprived areas of the region.
Samira Musse, a mum from Barton Hill, said: "Every child was just excited to ride the bus. It gives them that freedom, that confidence to go somewhere by themselves with their friends."
About 1.4 million free journeys took place in the first trial year of the scheme, costing Weca £1.4m.
Research from the University of Bristol suggests the scheme was used more in the most deprived parts of the region. Average bus use increased by 32% during the scheme, this compares to a 56% rise in Lawrence Hill, and Hartcliffe saw a 130% spike, researchers found.
Musse, who is also a director of Barton Hill activity club, said she had heard stories of families using the scheme to visit new places. "Someone was telling us they went four times in one summer to Weston, they've never been before because they can't afford it," she added. "It's amazing - that opportunity for people to explore the city they live in with less cost."
The researchers recommended extending eligibility up to 18-year-olds, and extending it beyond the school holidays.
Neither of these ideas are currently being implemented because of the potential cost, though Godwin has previously indicated she would be in favour. "It gets people out and about," said Godwin, arguing that areas such as Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Yate had all seen increased footfall when the scheme was in place.
Funding for the scheme over the next three years will come from a £42m bus grant, which has been given to the combined authority by government for the mayor to distribute how she likes. The money will also be spent on discounts such as capping kids' fares at £1, free travel for care leavers, the Diamond pass for older and disabled bus users and to support bus services which are not commercially viable.
| Cardiff bride takes Transport for Wales train to get to wedding In "Shorter journeys in South and West Wales" [375164/32035/23] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:57, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
From the BBC:
Taking train to wedding made it special, says bride
Bethan Seddon was given a special train ticket to mark the day - Image © Transport for Wales
A bride who travelled to her wedding ceremony by train said it made the day even more memorable.
Bethan Seddon, a regular user of the Coryton line in Cardiff, got to the altar on time by taking a South Wales Metro train to Penarth Pier Pavilion. She and her now-husband Chris had used the line throughout their relationship and wanted to make it part of their big day. "I know our guests were surprised when they heard the plan but Transport for Wales really made it special," Seddon said.
Fellow passengers and TfW staff congratulated her on the journey - Image © Transport for Wales
The bridal party boarded at Birchgrove and were surrounded by congratulatory passengers. Transport for Wales (TfW) staff - or as the groom dubbed them, "Transport for Veils" - were also on hand to celebrate. "The bridal party had the best time - and it got me to the ceremony right on time," Seddon added.
Marie Daly, from TfW, congratulated the couple and said the team was "delighted" to have played a part in their journey. "We're really pleased Bethan and Chris chose to make the South Wales Metro part of their wedding day," she added.
Bethan Seddon was given a special train ticket to mark the day - Image © Transport for Wales
A bride who travelled to her wedding ceremony by train said it made the day even more memorable.
Bethan Seddon, a regular user of the Coryton line in Cardiff, got to the altar on time by taking a South Wales Metro train to Penarth Pier Pavilion. She and her now-husband Chris had used the line throughout their relationship and wanted to make it part of their big day. "I know our guests were surprised when they heard the plan but Transport for Wales really made it special," Seddon said.
Fellow passengers and TfW staff congratulated her on the journey - Image © Transport for Wales
The bridal party boarded at Birchgrove and were surrounded by congratulatory passengers. Transport for Wales (TfW) staff - or as the groom dubbed them, "Transport for Veils" - were also on hand to celebrate. "The bridal party had the best time - and it got me to the ceremony right on time," Seddon added.
Marie Daly, from TfW, congratulated the couple and said the team was "delighted" to have played a part in their journey. "We're really pleased Bethan and Chris chose to make the South Wales Metro part of their wedding day," she added.
| Re: TfW proposed services into Bristol In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [375163/32031/21] Posted by a-driver at 18:35, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
GWR have to object. It’s under the terms of the contract with the DfT.
Given GWR's days are numbered is it worth the bother?
They still have to adhere to their contract.
You have to remember First are paid a flat fee to manage GWR. Loss of revenue has no impact on FirstGroup.
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375162/28355/22] Posted by JohnM at 18:24, 15th May 2026 | |
Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped. Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:
Brilliant! For my Melksham-Bristol commute:- it's now practical to catch the 07:21 from Melksham instead of the 06:29 (because if I miss the unofficial 07:33 connection at Chippenham (likely) there's the new 07:47, don't have to wait for the 08:09)
- what was going to be a >30 min wait at Chippenham (due to the 18:00 CPM-MKM moving to 18:09) is reduced to ~20 mins thanks to the new 17:15 from Bristol, which I'll catch instead of the 17:00.
Yes - those are *very* pleasing ... and it is also pleasing to see practical commutes from Westbury, Trowbridge, Melkshan (and Chippenham and Swindon) to Oxford too.
A good example of a service planned and implemented for a different market also having positive benefits elsewhere.
...although it will be interesting to see how busy those services are; the Chippenham-Bristol IETs are fine if you move down to coach C and beyond, certainly a much better chance of getting 2 seats to yourself (and working on laptop) than on the 2 coach service I'm currently catching at Trowbridge.
Speaking of which, the 06:29 Trowbridge and 07:21 Chippenham commutes are both scheduled as taking 59 mins. But the latter should occasionally drop to 44 mins when the 07:21 is on time, allowing connection with the (existing) 07:33 Bristol service instead of the (new) 07:47.
EDIT: that is, I think someone said the new services wouldn't be IETs? Might have got that wrong.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [375161/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 18:23, 15th May 2026 | |
175113 at the third attempt to Laira today.
Ely :3: 175005/008, 175104 (175008 is in two halves)
Wolverton :10 : 175004, 175102/103/105/106/107/108/109/110/116
Laira : 13: 175002/007/009, 175114 ex Ely; 175001/003/006/011, 175101/111/112/113/115 ex Wolverton
Long Rock : 1 : 175010 ex Ely
as of 15 May 2026
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375160/28355/22] Posted by Oxonhutch at 18:03, 15th May 2026 | |
There have been whispers of exactly that happening! Can’t see it myself, not for a few years at least, but you never know.
Well, the stock do have train managers aboard.
| Re: HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - Government proposals, alternative routes, discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [375159/5138/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:10, 15th May 2026 | |
Another massive overspend..........consistent at least I guess?
https://www.building.co.uk/news/hs2-admits-it-got-its-numbers-wrong-as-birmingham-train-depot-let-at-more-than-three-times-original-250m-budget/5142108.article
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375158/28355/22] Posted by IndustryInsider at 16:50, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped. Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:
Brilliant! For my Melksham-Bristol commute:- it's now practical to catch the 07:21 from Melksham instead of the 06:29 (because if I miss the unofficial 07:33 connection at Chippenham (likely) there's the new 07:47, don't have to wait for the 08:09)
- what was going to be a >30 min wait at Chippenham (due to the 18:00 CPM-MKM moving to 18:09) is reduced to ~20 mins thanks to the new 17:15 from Bristol, which I'll catch instead of the 17:00.
Yes - those are *very* pleasing ... and it is also pleasing to see practical commutes from Westbury, Trowbridge, Melkshan (and Chippenham and Swindon) to Oxford too.
A good example of a service planned and implemented for a different market also having positive benefits elsewhere.
Can they be persuaded to continue the service on to Milton Keynes? I understand that there is an unmet need for such a service and a nice newly rebuilt line available...
There have been whispers of exactly that happening! Can’t see it myself, not for a few years at least, but you never know.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [375157/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 16:25, 15th May 2026 | |
Going to be cosy on the 16:58 Paddington to Great Malvern service:
15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 18:26 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
17:05 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:28 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
This is due to a fault on this train.
17:05 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:28 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: Bristol Airport Megabus experience left disabled woman 'in tears' In "Buses and other ways to travel" [375156/32032/5] Posted by anthony215 at 16:11, 15th May 2026 | |
I can confirm it has been reinforced to staff yesterday via staff notice.
Personally I like someone sitting in those seats to have a yap to. On these coaches the driver is quite isolated away from the passengers, and it gets quite lonely! They also have audio cctv recording in the cab area, so the company will know exactly how the conversation went between driver and passenger.
Personally I like someone sitting in those seats to have a yap to. On these coaches the driver is quite isolated away from the passengers, and it gets quite lonely! They also have audio cctv recording in the cab area, so the company will know exactly how the conversation went between driver and passenger.
I agree and im sorry the driver deserves their p45 here
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375155/28355/22] Posted by grahame at 15:17, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A, JohnM, IndustryInsider | |
Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped. Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:
Brilliant! For my Melksham-Bristol commute:- it's now practical to catch the 07:21 from Melksham instead of the 06:29 (because if I miss the unofficial 07:33 connection at Chippenham (likely) there's the new 07:47, don't have to wait for the 08:09)
- what was going to be a >30 min wait at Chippenham (due to the 18:00 CPM-MKM moving to 18:09) is reduced to ~20 mins thanks to the new 17:15 from Bristol, which I'll catch instead of the 17:00.
Yes - those are *very* pleasing ... and it is also pleasing to see practical commutes from Westbury, Trowbridge, Melkshan (and Chippenham and Swindon) to Oxford too.
| Re: TfW proposed services into Bristol In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [375154/32031/21] Posted by TaplowGreen at 15:17, 15th May 2026 | |
GWR have to object. It’s under the terms of the contract with the DfT.
Given GWR's days are numbered is it worth the bother?
| Re: TfW proposed services into Bristol In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [375153/32031/21] Posted by a-driver at 14:48, 15th May 2026 | |
GWR have to object. It’s under the terms of the contract with the DfT.
| Re: West Wiltshire Rail User Group meeting, Trowbridge, 20 May 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375152/32018/18] Posted by Mark A at 13:25, 15th May 2026 | |
The flyer for the meeting - it has the times, info for non-members etc.
Mark
(Image size modified to make it easier to read on the forum - bobm)
(Thanks: also, didn't know how to do that and now I do - marka)
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375151/28355/22] Posted by JohnM at 12:56, 15th May 2026 Already liked by grahame, Mark A, IndustryInsider | |
Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped. Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:
Brilliant! For my Melksham-Bristol commute:- it's now practical to catch the 07:21 from Melksham instead of the 06:29 (because if I miss the unofficial 07:33 connection at Chippenham (likely) there's the new 07:47, don't have to wait for the 08:09)
- what was going to be a >30 min wait at Chippenham (due to the 18:00 CPM-MKM moving to 18:09) is reduced to ~20 mins thanks to the new 17:15 from Bristol, which I'll catch instead of the 17:00.
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375150/28355/22] Posted by grahame at 12:45, 15th May 2026 | |
I'm wondering how the Coffeeshop forum's disruption map will render this service. (Obviously, also hoping it will not need to render it at all.)
Mark
Mark
It's been doing distruptions to the two Saturday trains AOK - it should show fine.
I did note that the King's Speech includes a rationalisation of 14 websites into one and there is no guarantee our feed will remain - so there may be changes needed at the Coffee Shop.
| Re: Bristol Airport Megabus experience left disabled woman 'in tears' In "Buses and other ways to travel" [375149/32032/5] Posted by Mark A at 12:22, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
What a terrible episode: there must be a point at which other passengers on the bus stop staring and decide to take direct action in support (of the passenger).
Mark
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375148/28355/22] Posted by Mark A at 12:16, 15th May 2026 | |
Can they be persuaded to continue the service on to Milton Keynes? I understand that there is an unmet need for such a service and a nice newly rebuilt line available...
*Snorts*: introducing the new East of the city park and ride for Bath: Oxford Parkway. :-)
Mark
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375147/28355/22] Posted by Mark A at 12:05, 15th May 2026 | |
I'm wondering how the Coffeeshop forum's disruption map will render this service. (Obviously, also hoping it will not need to render it at all.)
Mark
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375146/28355/22] Posted by eightonedee at 11:30, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby, Mark A, Richard Fairhurst, JayMac, grahame, Oxonhutch | |
Can they be persuaded to continue the service on to Milton Keynes? I understand that there is an unmet need for such a service and a nice newly rebuilt line available...
| Re: Kernow Connect - a new Okehampton to Bodmin line In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [375145/32014/28] Posted by paul7575 at 11:27, 15th May 2026 | |
Tacking a GBR logo on the ‘map’ won’t give it legitimacy…
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375144/28355/22] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:53, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A, Witham Bobby, grahame, JohnM | |
…so the longer the start is delayed, the better in terms of the problems with that.
I’m hearing the start might not be delayed now!
Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped. Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:SWI/2026-05-18/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=GW
| Re: Bristol Airport Megabus experience left disabled woman 'in tears' In "Buses and other ways to travel" [375143/32032/5] Posted by LiskeardRich at 08:17, 15th May 2026 | |
I can confirm it has been reinforced to staff yesterday via staff notice.
Personally I like someone sitting in those seats to have a yap to. On these coaches the driver is quite isolated away from the passengers, and it gets quite lonely! They also have audio cctv recording in the cab area, so the company will know exactly how the conversation went between driver and passenger.
| Re: Bus roof torn off on impact under railway bridge incidents - merged topics In "Buses and other ways to travel" [375142/6748/5] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 08:05, 15th May 2026 | |
Looks very much like it was …..
| Re: C2C Nationalised - 20th July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [375141/30469/51] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 08:00, 15th May 2026 Already liked by JohnM, eightonedee, GBM | |
What will stop is tax payers money paying the bubbly and canopies at the share holders meeting 
Canopies? Surely you meant Gazebos.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375140/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 05:52, 15th May 2026 | |
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09
Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.
Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.
I am - relieved - to report that there are not all that many long distance passengers on this train, with the majority go customers using it for short duration journeys. There are *some* longer distance mind - including regulars off the line north of Trowbridge and carrying on to Southampton.
