Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [375396/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 19:16, 23rd May 2026 |      |
Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a fault with the signalling system between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run on some lines.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
| Re: A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375395/32057/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:15, 23rd May 2026 | |
2. The woefully restricted access on the bus stop on Shurngold, Melksham - just north of the railway station, as the crow flies, but a significant hike if you are on foot. No wheelchair access.
| Re: Severn Tunnel - engineering improvements, events, incidents and history - merged posts In "London to South Wales" [375394/3861/11] Posted by Electric train at 18:48, 23rd May 2026 | |
Network Rail also have a page of information about this work:
I think they are not "replacing 838 bridge arms", but installing them in place of what was put there in 2019. Unless there has been more going on in the interim, and I missed it, that is Furrer+Frey's ROCS beam system but with aluminium contact wire clamped underneath it rather than the usual copper. That was meant to reduce the corrosion to manageable levels, with increased maintenance. But it looks as if they think having a third go at it will improve that further.
Innovative Severn Tunnel upgrade to transform key rail link between South Wales and England
Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders
Passengers are advised to plan ahead as Network Rail carry out major upgrade in the Severn Tunnel and Bristol area, with replacement buses and diversionary routes in place to keep people moving from late May to early June.
This vital project will see Network Rail, and contractors ARQ, complete the transformation of the Severn Tunnel’s overhead power system, designed specifically to withstand the tunnel’s harsh, corrosive environment - making it more resilient, reducing the frequency of maintenance, and helping to minimise disruption for passengers.
The work will take place around the clock from Saturday 23 May until the early hours of Tuesday 9 June, with the railway closed between Newport and Bristol Parkway during this time.
The new system
Running beneath the Severn Estuary, the 4.35-mile Severn Tunnel is one of the toughest environments on the UK rail network, where moisture and saltwater accelerate wear on equipment.
Since electrification, the overhead power system has been prone to corrosion and electrical wear, leading to more frequent maintenance.
To address this, Network Rail’s Wales and Borders team has developed and successfully trialled an innovative new system. It uses a single 7km copper contact wire supported at regular intervals by modified bridge arms, to eliminate previous corrosion issues and improve performance.
Engineers will now install this system along the full length of the tunnel - using a world-first approach on this scale - to create a more resilient railway and reduce the need for frequent maintenance.
The programme of work involves:
Replacing 838 bridge arms that support the overhead electric wires in the Severn Tunnel
Renewing 9,000 metres of overhead wiring in the Severn Tunnel
Carrying out track and infrastructure upgrades, and drainage works in the Bristol and Patchway areas.
Alongside the tunnel work, Network Rail will also carry out improvements in the Bristol area, including upgrades to the railway serving the new Bristol Brabazon station on the former Filton airfield site. The station is due to open in the autumn and will bring passenger services back to the Henbury line for the first time since 1964.
Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders
Passengers are advised to plan ahead as Network Rail carry out major upgrade in the Severn Tunnel and Bristol area, with replacement buses and diversionary routes in place to keep people moving from late May to early June.
This vital project will see Network Rail, and contractors ARQ, complete the transformation of the Severn Tunnel’s overhead power system, designed specifically to withstand the tunnel’s harsh, corrosive environment - making it more resilient, reducing the frequency of maintenance, and helping to minimise disruption for passengers.
The work will take place around the clock from Saturday 23 May until the early hours of Tuesday 9 June, with the railway closed between Newport and Bristol Parkway during this time.
The new system
Running beneath the Severn Estuary, the 4.35-mile Severn Tunnel is one of the toughest environments on the UK rail network, where moisture and saltwater accelerate wear on equipment.
Since electrification, the overhead power system has been prone to corrosion and electrical wear, leading to more frequent maintenance.
To address this, Network Rail’s Wales and Borders team has developed and successfully trialled an innovative new system. It uses a single 7km copper contact wire supported at regular intervals by modified bridge arms, to eliminate previous corrosion issues and improve performance.
Engineers will now install this system along the full length of the tunnel - using a world-first approach on this scale - to create a more resilient railway and reduce the need for frequent maintenance.
The programme of work involves:
Replacing 838 bridge arms that support the overhead electric wires in the Severn Tunnel
Renewing 9,000 metres of overhead wiring in the Severn Tunnel
Carrying out track and infrastructure upgrades, and drainage works in the Bristol and Patchway areas.
Alongside the tunnel work, Network Rail will also carry out improvements in the Bristol area, including upgrades to the railway serving the new Bristol Brabazon station on the former Filton airfield site. The station is due to open in the autumn and will bring passenger services back to the Henbury line for the first time since 1964.
I think they are not "replacing 838 bridge arms", but installing them in place of what was put there in 2019. Unless there has been more going on in the interim, and I missed it, that is Furrer+Frey's ROCS beam system but with aluminium contact wire clamped underneath it rather than the usual copper. That was meant to reduce the corrosion to manageable levels, with increased maintenance. But it looks as if they think having a third go at it will improve that further.
The contact wire is copper (standard OLE profile) it is clamped in an extruded aluminium beam; the beam is supported by "bridge arms".
It has always been know that Seven Tunnel is a hostile environment ie high humidity. I know the Route electrification engineers have been looking for an improved conductor beam and support system
| Re: long term future for overhead wires? In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [375393/31031/28] Posted by Electric train at 18:42, 23rd May 2026 | |
It's coming up to 9 years since Grayling killed parts of Great Western electrification (it was July 2017)
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
Why was it stopped? Was it way behind schedule and/or over budget?
Was going seriously over budget, (and behind schedule) and instead of saying pause and refocus, just took axe to it. Ignored the ongoing alternative costs it created.
It was a time when skills were being outsourced to consultants, so something like a drain cover where a mast was planned, meant leaving it, getting consultants out again, redesigning, expensively coming back later with electrification train. Rather than having skilled and empowered staff doing simple tweak to plan there and then.
The structure at the time was not incentivised to get it finished as efficiently as possible, but was more like see what extra work and revenue can get from it. HS2 contracts were devised in same cost plus era too.
Agreed the GW electrification went over budget, however the DfT got the electrification the specified but then complained it was too expensive and taking too long. Also they dithered over the Oxford station rebuild and failed to take on the NIMBY in Bath and Chippenham area may be there were a few MP's worried about their seats
| Re: Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway - Caernarfon In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [375392/31309/47] Posted by grahame at 17:50, 23rd May 2026 | |
Incidentally, 'on this day', 23 May 1832, the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway was established.
Indeed - added to "on this day"
From https://www.festrail.co.uk/ffestiniog-railway-history/
In 1830, shortly after Madock’s death, Samuel Holland, who was quarrying slate at Rhiw, joined Henry Archer, a young businessman from Dublin, to promote the Festiniog Railway, incorporated by Act of Parliament on 23 May 1832. James Spooner from Worcestershire was responsible for the survey and construction of the Railway.
| Re: Overhead Line Equipment - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [375391/31031/28] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:14, 23rd May 2026 | |
I have merged a couple of topics here, in the interests of continuity, clarity and ease of future reference.
CfN.
| Re: Severn Tunnel - engineering improvements, events, incidents and history - merged posts In "London to South Wales" [375390/3861/11] Posted by stuving at 17:05, 23rd May 2026 | |
Network Rail also have a page of information about this work:
Innovative Severn Tunnel upgrade to transform key rail link between South Wales and England
Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders
Passengers are advised to plan ahead as Network Rail carry out major upgrade in the Severn Tunnel and Bristol area, with replacement buses and diversionary routes in place to keep people moving from late May to early June.
This vital project will see Network Rail, and contractors ARQ, complete the transformation of the Severn Tunnel’s overhead power system, designed specifically to withstand the tunnel’s harsh, corrosive environment - making it more resilient, reducing the frequency of maintenance, and helping to minimise disruption for passengers.
The work will take place around the clock from Saturday 23 May until the early hours of Tuesday 9 June, with the railway closed between Newport and Bristol Parkway during this time.
The new system
Running beneath the Severn Estuary, the 4.35-mile Severn Tunnel is one of the toughest environments on the UK rail network, where moisture and saltwater accelerate wear on equipment.
Since electrification, the overhead power system has been prone to corrosion and electrical wear, leading to more frequent maintenance.
To address this, Network Rail’s Wales and Borders team has developed and successfully trialled an innovative new system. It uses a single 7km copper contact wire supported at regular intervals by modified bridge arms, to eliminate previous corrosion issues and improve performance.
Engineers will now install this system along the full length of the tunnel - using a world-first approach on this scale - to create a more resilient railway and reduce the need for frequent maintenance.
The programme of work involves:
Replacing 838 bridge arms that support the overhead electric wires in the Severn Tunnel
Renewing 9,000 metres of overhead wiring in the Severn Tunnel
Carrying out track and infrastructure upgrades, and drainage works in the Bristol and Patchway areas.
Alongside the tunnel work, Network Rail will also carry out improvements in the Bristol area, including upgrades to the railway serving the new Bristol Brabazon station on the former Filton airfield site. The station is due to open in the autumn and will bring passenger services back to the Henbury line for the first time since 1964.
Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders
Passengers are advised to plan ahead as Network Rail carry out major upgrade in the Severn Tunnel and Bristol area, with replacement buses and diversionary routes in place to keep people moving from late May to early June.
This vital project will see Network Rail, and contractors ARQ, complete the transformation of the Severn Tunnel’s overhead power system, designed specifically to withstand the tunnel’s harsh, corrosive environment - making it more resilient, reducing the frequency of maintenance, and helping to minimise disruption for passengers.
The work will take place around the clock from Saturday 23 May until the early hours of Tuesday 9 June, with the railway closed between Newport and Bristol Parkway during this time.
The new system
Running beneath the Severn Estuary, the 4.35-mile Severn Tunnel is one of the toughest environments on the UK rail network, where moisture and saltwater accelerate wear on equipment.
Since electrification, the overhead power system has been prone to corrosion and electrical wear, leading to more frequent maintenance.
To address this, Network Rail’s Wales and Borders team has developed and successfully trialled an innovative new system. It uses a single 7km copper contact wire supported at regular intervals by modified bridge arms, to eliminate previous corrosion issues and improve performance.
Engineers will now install this system along the full length of the tunnel - using a world-first approach on this scale - to create a more resilient railway and reduce the need for frequent maintenance.
The programme of work involves:
Replacing 838 bridge arms that support the overhead electric wires in the Severn Tunnel
Renewing 9,000 metres of overhead wiring in the Severn Tunnel
Carrying out track and infrastructure upgrades, and drainage works in the Bristol and Patchway areas.
Alongside the tunnel work, Network Rail will also carry out improvements in the Bristol area, including upgrades to the railway serving the new Bristol Brabazon station on the former Filton airfield site. The station is due to open in the autumn and will bring passenger services back to the Henbury line for the first time since 1964.
I think they are not "replacing 838 bridge arms", but installing them in place of what was put there in 2019. Unless there has been more going on in the interim, and I missed it, that is Furrer+Frey's ROCS beam system but with aluminium contact wire clamped underneath it rather than the usual copper. That was meant to reduce the corrosion to manageable levels, with increased maintenance. But it looks as if they think having a third go at it will improve that further.
| Book: 'Railway wonders' by Graeme Bickerdike In "Railway History and related topics" [375389/32059/55] Posted by Mark A at 16:42, 23rd May 2026 | |
Pleased to have landed my own copy of this, even if the account of the very first structure in the book has promptly been rendered out of date after, at the start of the year, said structure suffered an engineering disaster. The author's photos in themselves are quite the collection.
Mark
| Re: What are the tipping standards across the South West? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [375388/32058/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:34, 23rd May 2026 | |
For some ten years, before I retired, I was a grocery delivery driver with Waitrose.
John Lewis (of which Waitrose is the grocery part) is a mutual partnership, where the partners are all members and there are no shareholders.
The partnership stance was that gratuities should be declined, politely, while the alternative of giving any customer feedback online was to be offered.
There was one memorable exception to that, in my experience, when a very strong-willed customer in Chew Magna (a village south of Bristol) almost bullied my line manager at the time into giving me a pack of beer in appreciation of my customer service.
That particular customer, by the way, was a very interesting individual: he was Greek, but he retired as 'Head of English' at a posh school, and is a keen Arsenal fan.
| Re: Severn Tunnel - engineering improvements, events, incidents and history - merged posts In "London to South Wales" [375387/3861/11] Posted by Mark A at 16:33, 23rd May 2026 | |
The author of that article is clearly no fan of the rock group Big Big Train, who would have informed them that the water pumped from the Severn Tunnel is in the main, not salt water from the estuary, but ground water from the Great Spring.
Every night, their dreams were filled
With the fear of the river breaking in
But this was not a river god
This was something rising from the deep
From the depths of the mere
https://www.bigbigtrain.com/about-the-new-songs-the-first-rebreather/
Mark
| Re: Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway - Caernarfon In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [375386/31309/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:05, 23rd May 2026 | |
Incidentally, 'on this day', 23 May 1832, the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway was established.
| Re: Severn Tunnel - engineering improvements, events, incidents and history - merged posts In "London to South Wales" [375385/3861/11] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:57, 23rd May 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Weeks of disruption for passengers on one of UK's busiest rail lines
People travelling on one of the UK's busiest rail lines face weeks of disruption as engineers replace overhead power lines that corrode quicker than any other part of the network.
The Severn Tunnel, which connects south Wales with London and Bristol, will shut for 16 days from Saturday as workers fit a pioneering copper power line inside what was once the world's longest underwater rail tunnels.
Water that would fill 20 Olympic pools is pumped from the 140-year-old tunnel every day as saltwater from the River Severn constantly drips through its thick walls.
Direct GWR services between London and south Wales will take longer on a revised timetable while buses replace some train services.
Passengers have been "strongly advised" to check their train times and allow extra travel time between south Wales and the south of England during the closure, between 23 May and 8 June.
Network Rail will also carry out track upgrade work around Bristol ready for the MetroWest project with a new station set to open on the former Filton airfield site later this year.
Rail bosses hope the £23m electrification upgrade project can ultimately improve train reliability and reduce the number of power failures and maintenance closures inside the Severn Tunnel .
About 200 trains normally travel through the 4.5 mile (7.2km) structure every day.
It has only once been shut for longer since it opened in 1886 - that was when electric wires were installed 10 years ago as part of the £2.8bn south Wales main line electrification project.
Network Rail has called the Victorian tunnel one of the most hostile environments on the UK rail network, where moisture, dripping saltwater and diesel soot accelerate wear on equipment.
(BBC article continues)
People travelling on one of the UK's busiest rail lines face weeks of disruption as engineers replace overhead power lines that corrode quicker than any other part of the network.
The Severn Tunnel, which connects south Wales with London and Bristol, will shut for 16 days from Saturday as workers fit a pioneering copper power line inside what was once the world's longest underwater rail tunnels.
Water that would fill 20 Olympic pools is pumped from the 140-year-old tunnel every day as saltwater from the River Severn constantly drips through its thick walls.
Direct GWR services between London and south Wales will take longer on a revised timetable while buses replace some train services.
Passengers have been "strongly advised" to check their train times and allow extra travel time between south Wales and the south of England during the closure, between 23 May and 8 June.
Network Rail will also carry out track upgrade work around Bristol ready for the MetroWest project with a new station set to open on the former Filton airfield site later this year.
Rail bosses hope the £23m electrification upgrade project can ultimately improve train reliability and reduce the number of power failures and maintenance closures inside the Severn Tunnel .
About 200 trains normally travel through the 4.5 mile (7.2km) structure every day.
It has only once been shut for longer since it opened in 1886 - that was when electric wires were installed 10 years ago as part of the £2.8bn south Wales main line electrification project.
Network Rail has called the Victorian tunnel one of the most hostile environments on the UK rail network, where moisture, dripping saltwater and diesel soot accelerate wear on equipment.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375384/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 15:52, 23rd May 2026 | |
There are some repeats here - a growing list of cancellations.
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:20
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
22:12 Swindon to Westbury due 22:55
22:12 Swindon to Westbury due 22:55 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:20
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
22:12 Swindon to Westbury due 22:55
22:12 Swindon to Westbury due 22:55 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
Why should a signalling fault earlier today result in cancellations for the next six hours?
As I write, journey check says nothing about alternative arrangements - just offers delay/repay which is 'nice' but does not help you reach your objective of getting home
| Re: What are the tipping standards across the South West? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [375383/32058/31] Posted by Mark A at 15:41, 23rd May 2026 | |
Clever of America to position it as an issue between customer and staff while the people responsible for this are able to stay out of the conversation completely.
Looking for USA hospitality businesses that have stepped away from the tipping model, here's an article:
https://www.fsrmagazine.com/feature/why-this-restaurateur-eliminated-tipping-and-what-it-means-for-the-future-of-hospitality/
Also, this article from National Geographic:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-you-should-know-about-tipping-in-us-tipflation
Mark
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375382/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 15:40, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by Mark A, Chris from Nailsea | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:20
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:20
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
I am - relieved - that I did not go to Weymouth today.
| What are the tipping standards across the South West? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [375381/32058/31] Posted by grahame at 15:17, 23rd May 2026 | |
Service charges, wellness contributions, admin fees, tips, delivery charge, booking fee, tax ... I confess to much preferring a system under which I'm told up front what I will pay, where the staff are paid a living wage for their service, and enjoy their work and the company that supports them.
There is a cultural difference in the USA and the UK basics; perhaps I am too left wing and see it as the role of an employer to ensure that his team is remunermated, motivated and a part of the team. And that is rather than an employer who remunerates a pittance - not enough for the staff to even get their healthcare - and then encourgaes them to be high class beggars looking to lever the funding the employer (IMHO) should provide out of the customers. UK minimum wage - £12.71 per hour; USA stated server rates in many states are much lower - a fraction of that.
A conundrum - what and where should I tip in the UK? In restaurants where the order is taken at the table? Where you order online? Where you pick up at the counter? Should you tip the same percentage on an £50 bottle of wine as on a £20 bottle of wine - even though it's just as easy to open.
And should I tip food delivery people? Taxi drivers? Hotel staff? People who help wheelchair on and off trains? Information desks? Bus drivers? Amazon, Evri, DPD, Royal Mail deliveries? Tour guides? Workers send by their companies?
What are the standard in Melksham, Bath, England ... and elsewhere in Europe?
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375380/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 15:10, 23rd May 2026 | |
14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:06 will be terminated at Chippenham.
It will no longer call at Swindon.
It is being delayed at Melksham.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
It will no longer call at Swindon.
It is being delayed at Melksham.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
| Re: Torbay Airshow - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [375379/21539/24] Posted by REVUpminster at 14:55, 23rd May 2026 | |
The 2026 show kicks off Friday evening 645pm-2145pm with the Red Arrows flying. Fireworks at 10pm to finish.
No extra trains.
Saturday from Noon-4pm with the Red Arrows again.
Shuttle train between Newton Abbot-Paignton was to be operated by a probable 175 but since has changed to the usual 80x.
Also a steam train picked up at Taunton for a Wolverhampton-Kingswear tour.
Sunday 1pm-4pm
Shuttle between Newton Abbot and Paignton with an 80x.
As a side issue 16 travellers caravans have parked up on Paignton Green since last tuesday
| Re: A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375378/32057/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 10:15, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
8: Paddington
| Re: Paddle Steamer Waverley - merged posts In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [375377/19566/47] Posted by RailCornwall at 09:55, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by Mark A, bradshaw | |
I'm having a Bank Holiday treat on Monday on the Waverley, Falmouth - Penzance - Lands End - Penzance - Falmouth.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375376/31359/18] Posted by Mark A at 09:45, 23rd May 2026 | |
Wednesday, the day of the WWRUG meeting in Trowbridge (for which the trains were unperturbed by that time) a friend had headed for Weymouth for the day. After a remarkably cool and blustery but enjoyable day by the sea, they headed back to the station to find the 17:28 back to Bristol cancelled (the next being 20:14). For some reason they were given the impression that travel via Southampton was out of the question. After a short bit of hanging around, put in a taxi, they "enjoyed" a somewhat edge of seat ride to Westbury, from where there were trains back to Bristol, and they were back only around 15 minutes late.
*Significant detail* - a number of passengers for the Bristol train had been relying on there being a loo on the train once they were at the station - and the station loos were found to be locked - however a member of staff on request unlocked the accessible loo there and the day was saved.
Mark
| Re: A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375375/32057/30] Posted by eightonedee at 09:12, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
1 Stratford
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375374/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 08:37, 23rd May 2026 | |
07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:28
07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:28 is being delayed between Trowbridge and Melksham and is now expected to be 7 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:28 is being delayed between Trowbridge and Melksham and is now expected to be 7 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
I was very concerned at an alert flashing up this morning and especially for the train that becomes the "Weymouth Wizard" from Swindon, but no worries - this is much more and informational alert than an "oh shit!".
Personally, I would love to "do" Weymouth today - except I am pacing myself; want to keep up on other things and not be tired for when I head out next week.
| A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375373/32057/30] Posted by grahame at 08:27, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Back in the UK last Monday ... and although it's only Saturday, what a variety I have seen in public transport in just five days ... my arrival ...
and some places I have been, or seen out of the window.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Also seen this one, but as it's already been seen in another thread ...
| Re: long term future for overhead wires? In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [375372/31031/28] Posted by John D at 08:24, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by Mark A, TaplowGreen, IndustryInsider | |
It's coming up to 9 years since Grayling killed parts of Great Western electrification (it was July 2017)
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
Why was it stopped? Was it way behind schedule and/or over budget?
Was going seriously over budget, (and behind schedule) and instead of saying pause and refocus, just took axe to it. Ignored the ongoing alternative costs it created.
It was a time when skills were being outsourced to consultants, so something like a drain cover where a mast was planned, meant leaving it, getting consultants out again, redesigning, expensively coming back later with electrification train. Rather than having skilled and empowered staff doing simple tweak to plan there and then.
The structure at the time was not incentivised to get it finished as efficiently as possible, but was more like see what extra work and revenue can get from it. HS2 contracts were devised in same cost plus era too.
| Re: long term future for overhead wires? In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [375371/31031/28] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:13, 23rd May 2026 | |
It's coming up to 9 years since Grayling killed parts of Great Western electrification (it was July 2017)
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
Why was it stopped? Was it way behind schedule and/or over budget?
| Re: long term future for overhead wires? In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [375370/31031/28] Posted by John D at 08:11, 23rd May 2026 | |
It's coming up to 9 years since Grayling killed parts of Great Western electrification (it was July 2017)
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
| Re: long term future for overhead wires? In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [375369/31031/28] Posted by grahame at 07:09, 23rd May 2026 | |
As I read it, it's all on "stop" at the moment - no money and no concrete plans to resume. Personal view - it is seen as more important to get people from Acton to Solihull as quickly as possible in 10 years time than it is to complete jobs which in some cases were already started. But yet with advancing technology, that just might make sense.
Works started and - would you describe them as abandoned? - at Thingley Junction.
Personal view - from my armchair - would be the Didcot to Oxford and Cocklebury Lane and Parkway to Temple Meads would be the next sensible steps. So many services would then be able to go pure electric; does not cut the need for power (moves it away from the train) but at least it can be sustainable and not fossil, trains last longer, have better performances curves, and can still electrically do London - Cardiff even when Badminton is closed for engineering or flooding.
Also makes sense for freight to get electric to Westbury and the quarries - via Pewsey and via Melksham - nd that brings in more electric passenger trains too.
| long term future for overhead wires? In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [375368/31031/28] Posted by infoman at 05:20, 23rd May 2026 | |
Not sure if there are any plans for overhead Electrification in the West region.
Maybe
Stapleton road bank
Chippenham to Bristol
Cardiff to Swansea(possible on to LLanelli and Carmarthen
Although over head wires never look pleasant,especially in pretty view areas
Three places in this neck of the woods I would never like to see overhead wires is St Ives Newquay and Falmouth
with the Severn Beach line and Portishead lines.
Just wondering if the scheme on the Greenford branch could be introduced with underneath charging points at the the terminating station on the five routes mentioned.
