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Great Western Coffee Shop
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: SWR timetable consultation - a suggestion
In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [376926/32168/20]
Posted by Mark A at 08:54, 11th July 2026
 
Looking to the pre-2021 timetable, the 19:20 from Waterloo saw the train split at Salisbury, the front portion went off out West and the rear portion headed for Bristol and then returned to Salisbury.

2026, and its nearest equivalent in the timetable splits at Salisbury, the front portion heads for the likes of Yeovil Junction and the rear portion heads for the depot for the night, so while there's still the issue of train staff and route knowledge Westbury to Bristol and back, for that service at least there's no need to be coupling 159s and 158s. Also, I believe on its late evening return from Bristol to Salisbury that train wasn't exactly carrying fresh air. Anecdotally, the only time I saw it at Bath Spa it was around 80% full. In the 2026 timetable, is there even an equivalent service?

Mark

Re: Ann Widdecombe - moved topic
In "Across the West" [376925/7855/26]
Posted by Bob_Blakey at 08:48, 11th July 2026
 
The individual arrested on suspicion of committing murder has been released from police custody and is no longer part of the investigation.

Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion
In "Across the West" [376924/18719/26]
Posted by bobm at 08:29, 11th July 2026
 
As opposed to me who uses electricity to make food look like charcoal. 


Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376923/31359/18]
Posted by grahame at 07:42, 11th July 2026
 
Oh dear ... we are told not to mention BBQs.  So perhaps I should not mention a football match in Miami tonight?

There is a sad pattern ... "severe weather", big match, public holidays ... where GWR are simply unable to provide the service that they are contracted to provide or the public really need if they are to rely on trains.  I am not looking to attach any blame there - just stating a fact we can see from the stats.  98% achieved on a "normal" week - a fair weather railway, but then it goes pear-shaped.    But then once the immediate situation is resolved, we move on / persuaded to the "yes it's better" and the underlying things that caused the problems are just glossed over / forgotten - except by the disappointed customers who are put off / have been suppressed from using the railway.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376921/31359/18]
Posted by grahame at 06:28, 11th July 2026
 
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29

19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion
In "Across the West" [376920/18719/26]
Posted by broadgage at 00:22, 11th July 2026
 
If anyone mentions BBQs, I shall ... I shall ... No - just please don't. 



I would imagine last night's match in New York may have had more than a little influence on crew availability today......football matches where beer is involved have previously been cited by those in the know as a contributory factor!

That's not to say of course that said match, given the late kick off was not preceded by food prepared outdoors over charcoal on a type of grill?

A minority of outdoor grills use LPG or even electricity to produce a similar result to charcoal.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376918/31359/18]
Posted by ChrisB at 21:43, 10th July 2026
 
Hold old are these units? What was the average summer temperatuire back then>? Why would you design an AC that needed to do much more than average at that time? You wouldn't

They all need new kit. There is no money, so units are failed by drivers

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376917/31359/18]
Posted by John D at 21:37, 10th July 2026
 
Down to Drivers deciding cabs are too hot to work in at some stage in their shift
which rather suggests the maintenance depots are not maintaining the a/c to expected standards of train crew (it's like they work for different companies with different standards).

The new Emirates stock designed to not exceed 23c even when outside temperature is +60c, Eurostar new stock has been specified to work at +55c.    GWR depots cannot cope with maintaining it to cope with temperatures nearer 33c, a mere 10c reduction required (rather than 22-27c reduction)

I guess the depots revealingly their quality standards, but worth remembering same depots with these standards also maintain the trains brakes.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376916/31359/18]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 21:34, 10th July 2026
 
........and for a bit of variety.....

20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to a safety inspection of the track.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376913/31359/18]
Posted by ChrisB at 21:10, 10th July 2026
 
Down to Drivers deciding cabs are too hot to work in at some stage in their shift

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376912/31359/18]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:54, 10th July 2026
 

.....perhaps it's send them out on a wing & a prayer and hope for the best?


Rather like the Battle of Britain, then: put up everything we've got, knowing that some of them won't make it back. 


Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376911/31359/18]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 20:02, 10th July 2026
 
Would it be realistic (though uncharitable) to suggest that GWR are sending out trains at the start of the day that aren't going to be able to manage their full diagram?

Given the number of other lines listed in a similar position to the TransWilts I don't think anyone would challenge that view too much.....perhaps it's send them out on a wing & a prayer and hope for the best?
.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376909/31359/18]
Posted by grahame at 19:18, 10th July 2026
 
Would it be realistic (though uncharitable) to suggest that GWR are sending out trains at the start of the day that aren't going to be able to manage their full diagram?

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376908/31359/18]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 19:02, 10th July 2026
 
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 has been cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.

20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.

21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.

22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.

Re: Ann Widdecombe - moved topic
In "Across the West" [376907/7855/26]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:51, 10th July 2026
 
An update, from the BBC:

Ann Widdecombe murder probe: What we know so far

Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe and a 26-year-old white British man has been arrested.

Devon and Cornwall Police say the 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home on Dartmoor in Devon on Thursday morning with serious injuries.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident, police have said.

Devon and Cornwall Police's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference there was "no information that this is a politically motivated crime" and also confirmed the incident was not being treated as terror-related.

Earlier, the force said Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor, on Thursday morning when officers were called by the ambulance service at around 11:40 BST.

Widdecombe's death was announced on Friday morning by her management team, but there was no information about when, how or where she died, and no detail on any suspicious circumstances.

The statement said in part: "We know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way."

Later on Friday afternoon, police issued a statement saying they had launched a murder investigation and released details of a suspect.

Widdecombe's management team then released another statement, saying they were "absolutely devastated" by news of the police investigation "following a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours".

A significant police presence remains at the house, with a BBC correspondent describing several police cars on the road outside and a police van on the driveway.

A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe. He remains in police custody. He was arrested in Newton Abbot, a town roughly 10 miles from Haytor.

Officers initially said they were looking for a suspect, who they believed to be a white male, in connection with the case, which was "moving at a significant pace".

Det Ch Insp Ilona Rosson earlier said: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time. I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us."


Re: Heritage railways crossing public highways - issues raised
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [376906/32192/51]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:29, 10th July 2026
 
Indeed, stuving.

I note that the Oxford Mail and Swindon Advertiser articles are both credited to "Madeleine Evans, Reporter". 


Re: Server slow ...
In "News, Help and Assistance" [376905/30293/29]
Posted by grahame at 18:27, 10th July 2026
Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, GBM
 
The number on line peaked at 8771 earlier today.  That’s a rather unwelcome new record for the most on line at anyone time in the forum’s history. 

Indeed ... and I found a common theme in many of the excess visitors and diverted them away ... for a couple of minutes until I realised that I fell into the common theme too and I had diverted myself away.

I am looking for other themes / patterns ... watch this space.

I believe I have found something - a web page that resulted in a significant server load each time it was accessed.  It wasn't actually called up all that many times, but once there were several automata looking at it at the same time, the requests flooded in quicker than they were answered.    I still have my fingers crossed - the load spikes seemed to correlate with the page being accessed, and now that I have put something in to reduce their loading there have been no more spikes.   All circumstantial, eyes still open.  A bit of a surprise as to what it was / not related to vast numbers of visitors. Time will let me be more sure.

Re: Heritage railways crossing public highways - issues raised
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [376904/32192/51]
Posted by stuving at 18:17, 10th July 2026
 
Yes, I noticed that, too: a classic example of 'copy and paste' journalism? 

That depends what you mean by "classic". Both titles are owned by Newsquest Media Group Ltd, and so do share content. In places close to each other, like the Bracknell and Wokingham Newses (also Newsquest), the commonality goes further, certainly in the print version. Pages can be a mix of those for one town or the other, with heading to match. It's not quite the same paper with just the front page different, but not far off. 

Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [376903/231/28]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:55, 10th July 2026
 
Thanks for your update post here, chuffed.

The Network Rail newsletter is at https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our-work/our-routes/western/the-portishead-line/ and you can sign up (free) for Network Rail to send you digital updates.

I have done so: it's easy to do.  CfN. 


MOVED: Newton Abbot Station in the news ...
In "The Lighter Side" [376902/32216/30]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:04, 10th July 2026
 
This topic has been moved to Across the West as it was no longer appropriate on our 'lighter side' board..

https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=7855.0

Re: Heritage railways crossing public highways - issues raised
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [376901/32192/51]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:51, 10th July 2026
 
Yes, I noticed that, too: a classic example of 'copy and paste' journalism? 


Re: Heritage railways crossing public highways - issues raised
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [376900/32192/51]
Posted by ChrisB at 16:47, 10th July 2026
Already liked by Mark A
 
Identical wording from two separate publications

Ann Widdecombe
In "Across the West" [376899/7855/26]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:39, 10th July 2026
 
A rather startling development, from the BBC:


Watch as police to give update on Ann Widdecombe murder investigation

Summary

Police are about to give an update on the murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe - watch live above

Devon and Cornwall Police say the 78-year-old was found at her home on Dartmoor in Devon on Thursday with serious injuries

They are looking for a white male in connection with their investigation, which they say is "moving at a significant pace"

Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman, served as the MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years

Widdecombe's management say it's been "a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours" - earlier when announcing her death, they did not give details on where, when or how she died

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says she is "deeply saddened" to learn of Widdecombe's death and urges the public "to avoid speculation"


Google maps live bus timings
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [376898/32215/5]
Posted by JohnM at 16:37, 10th July 2026
Already liked by Mark A, Chris from Nailsea, GBM
 
I might be the only one who wasn't aware of this, but in case I wasn't...

In the past I've used bustimes.org to find out how far away/late my bus is. Eg.


But yesterday on the bus (due to the 17:45 Swindon Westbury cancellation) I discovered this in Google maps:


It shows all the stops and timings, dynamically updating them as the bus progresses. Really useful if you need an ETA to give your wife who's cooking tea

You can access it by finding a bus stop on the map, tapping it, and selecting one of the buses in the list.

Re: Heritage railways crossing public highways - issues raised
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [376897/32192/51]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:29, 10th July 2026
 
Thanks for your post, ChrisB: the apparent duplication is due to our posting almost simultaneously.

 
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