Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Scottish Borders Railway - rebuilt Waverley Route link to Edinburgh In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378396/5604/51] Posted by Mark A at 11:05, 18th August 2026 |      |
Network Rail press release: masts appearing between Tweedbank and Bowshank Tunnel for forthcoming battery-electric services.
The little footbridge at Buckholmside will survive, but I wonder if it'll be retained on its present site. Here it is before the railway returned.
http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/photo/scaled/13515/
Mark
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/first-visible-signs-of-electrification-appear-on-borders-railway
| Re: Virgin Cross Channel? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378395/32375/51] Posted by Noggin at 10:59, 18th August 2026 | |
Can't see how there's enough market (or capacity) to support Eurostar, Trenitalia and Virgin.
I wonder whether it's a front operation for DB, Renfe, or just an opportunistic play to get licenses and trains in play which can then be auctioned off to the highest bidder?
Incidentally, took the Eurostar from Amsterdam to London last week. I appreciate it's summer but was surprised to see the train so busy - my carriage was probably 75% on leaving Amsterdam and full by Lille. Dutch passport control was glacially slow however, presumably due to the new EU system and understaffing as no queues for the UK checks. Train was 20 mins leaving as a result. They are going to need a much bigger terminal to deal with more than one train at a time.
| Re: Burnham urged to extend railcard discounts to over 30s In "Fare's Fair" [378394/32369/4] Posted by Noggin at 10:43, 18th August 2026 | |
Personally, I'd be quite happy to pay my £60/month for the equivalent of a German D-Pass (unlimited local transport and non-Intercity trains).
Yes, the price makes it a complete bargain, but it's also a massive win not to have to muck around with bank cards, tickets etc. You just put your destination in the journey planner, walk onto the service and you are done.
On that theme, I find it astonishing that I can't just download a WECA app and subscribe to local transport. Again, how much more attractive would it be to just flash a barcode to get onto a bus or train, particularly for infrequent users and for parents to buy for their kids?
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [378393/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 09:32, 18th August 2026 | |
And, presumably a knock on from yesterday evening's problems:
1P10 0523 Hereford to London Paddington cancelled between Hereford and Oxford due to unknown cause (ZW)
1P12 0643 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington cancelled due to unknown cause (ZW)
1P12 0643 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington cancelled due to unknown cause (ZW)
From what I can tell looking at Realtime Trains, nothing run yesterday all the way between Oxford and Worcester in either direction after the 15:23 Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street service (which was terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill)
| Out of office replies In "The Lighter Side" [378392/32382/30] Posted by chuffed at 09:01, 18th August 2026 | |
Some discussion of this on the BBC this morning. My favourite story was about the road signs that went up somewhere west of Wrexham. Welsh first then English as is the norm in Wales these days. The English was fine talking about road closures . The Welsh read 'I am out of the office until Friday. Please send any signage to be written to.....'
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378390/19772/25] Posted by grahame at 08:15, 18th August 2026 | |
Member 'broadgage' here is an exponent for the right of surfboards to travel by train, but I suspect, due to his build, he doesn't ride one in the surf itself these days. 
CfN.
CfN.
I think you're missing the fact that there's a "Broadmasters" surf festival every year in Newquay (a town in Cornwall which is occasionally visited by a train, when GWR are able to find crew/a train/infrastructure that is working), I'm sure he wouldn't want to miss out on an event which shares his name?
Off at a tangent - I found myself reading up the history of railways at / to Newquay - starting off with a horse tramway and through to the opening for passengers in 1876. What I failed to establish was the gauge history. I know that in 1892 the Cornish mainline was converted finally over a weekend - but the branch(es) to Newquay? Anyone?
| Re: Burnham urged to extend railcard discounts to over 30s In "Fare's Fair" [378389/32369/4] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:13, 18th August 2026 | |
...I would prefer a railcard to become a loyalty card...
What exactly is "loyalty" in railway terms:
A regular commuter with no other sensible option?
Someone who chooses rail instead of car for a four-times-a-year leisure journey?
Not advocating for any particular approach, but many business models seem to penalise loyalty, using a cheap "bait" rate and then switching to a higher rate later on. Why would that be a bad idea for rail and a loyalty scheme good?
I'm not sure "loyalty" is the right word, but certainly a card which offered discount to all along the same lines as the young, the old and the disabled currently benefit from would encourage more use - even if it was restricted to off peak travel.
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378388/19772/25] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:42, 18th August 2026 | |
Member 'broadgage' here is an exponent for the right of surfboards to travel by train, but I suspect, due to his build, he doesn't ride one in the surf itself these days.
CfN.
CfN.
I think you're missing the fact that there's a "Broadmasters" surf festival every year in Newquay (a town in Cornwall which is occasionally visited by a train, when GWR are able to find crew/a train/infrastructure that is working), I'm sure he wouldn't want to miss out on an event which shares his name?
| Re: Electric Buses for Wiltshire In "Buses and other ways to travel" [378386/31785/5] Posted by John D at 07:21, 18th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
On Sunday saw one of the new Yutong electric single decks working D1 Bath - Trowbridge - Warminster
Have also seen one of the Wrightbus repowers (refurbished buses with diesels replaced by batteries and electric drive) on D1X Bath - Trowbridge
Made me think, and after bit of internet sleuthing, I discovered a batch of new Yutong double deck buses is bound for Bristol, 35 were loaded on Prestige Ace ship at end of July at port of Yantai, China. Vessel tracker suggests due to arrive at Bristol (Avonmouth) 3rd September. There is photo on link
https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/279213189/shandonghorizon-homemade-electric-double-decker-buses-exported-from-yantai-port-of-e-china
Then I discovered the D1X route is actually on list of routes getting 160 electric buses on a First Group news story
For Info the routes are :
Bristol Hengrove and Lawrence Hill:
1 Cribbs Causeway <> Broomhill
2 Cribbs Causeway <> Stockwood
2a Brentry <> Stockwood
3 Cribbs Causeway <> Bristol City Centre
4 Cribbs Causeway <> Bristol City Centre
6 Bristol City Centre <> Kingswood
7 Bristol City Centre <> Staple Hill
41 Avonmouth <> Kingswood
44 Bristol City Centre <> Cadbury Heath
45 Bristol City Centre <> Cherry Cardens
46 Bristol City Centre <> UWE Frenchay Campus
47x Bristol City Centre <> Fishponds
48/x Bristol City Centre <> Emersons Green
49/x Bristol City Centre <> Lyde Green
50 Bristol City Centre <> Frenchay
74 Hengrove <> Bradley Stoke
Bath:
3 Weston <> Bathford
4 Weston <> Odd Down
5 Bath City Centre <> Whiteway
21 Newbridge Park & Ride <> Bath City Centre
31 Lansdown Park & Ride <> Bath City Centre
41 Odd Down Park & Ride <> Bath City Centre
D1x Bath <> Trowbridge
U4 Bath University <> University of Bath
X39 Bristol <> Bath
https://news.firstbus.co.uk/news/first-repowers-west-of-england
So it appears a little bit of West Wiltshire will get electric buses.
Trowbridge - Bradford on Avon - Bath by quiet electric buses, or a knackered 35 year old diesel train with dodgy air conditioning. Will GWR bother to upgrade to compete (silly question)
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378385/19772/25] Posted by REVUpminster at 07:08, 18th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Member 'broadgage' here is an exponent for the right of surfboards to travel by train, but I suspect, due to his build, he doesn't ride one in the surf itself these days.
CfN.
CfN.
I'm elderly and frightened of falling over when walking so wear a helmet. I don't want to look silly so I carry a skateboard.
| Disabled bus pass hours to be extended to 24/7 from 1/4/2027 In "Fare's Fair" [378384/32380/4] Posted by grahame at 06:13, 18th August 2026 | |
From the BBC
Disabled people in England will be able to travel by bus for free at any time of day from April, the government has announced.
Currently, disabled bus passes are only eligible for use between the hours of 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays, making it difficult for people to get to work or attend later evening events. They can be used at any time of day at the weekend and on bank holidays.
Currently, disabled bus passes are only eligible for use between the hours of 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays, making it difficult for people to get to work or attend later evening events. They can be used at any time of day at the weekend and on bank holidays.
| [otd] 18th August 1911 - Industrial action by rail workers / Llanelli In "Railway History and related topics" [378383/32379/55] Posted by grahame at 06:06, 18th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
From History points
On 18 August 1911 an express train was stranded at Llanelli station by rail workers who extinguished the steam locomotive’s fire. Trade-union leaders had ordered members across Britain to stop work, after talks on 17 August over pay and conditions broke down.
Many other workers were discontented that summer too. In Llanelli large crowds of pickets, from various local industries, gathered at the level crossings each side of the station on 18 August. Home Secretary Winston Churchill sent extra troops to the town – part of a deployment of 58,000 soldiers tasked with protecting railway assets around Britain.
On 19 August a determined effort was made to send a train through Llanelli, but pickets west of the station halted the train. The Riot Act was read, and the troops fired at the crowd. Two 20-year-old men were shot dead: Leonard Worsell and John John (known as Jac). The troops then returned to the station, their stronghold. Enraged local people rioted, and four of them died after a rail wagon loaded with explosives blew up.
The strike finished the same day, after the nervous government called managers and union leaders to talks. Trade unions were still not officially recognised by the railway companies, but the 1911 strike had demonstrated the power of collective action by workers.
Many other workers were discontented that summer too. In Llanelli large crowds of pickets, from various local industries, gathered at the level crossings each side of the station on 18 August. Home Secretary Winston Churchill sent extra troops to the town – part of a deployment of 58,000 soldiers tasked with protecting railway assets around Britain.
On 19 August a determined effort was made to send a train through Llanelli, but pickets west of the station halted the train. The Riot Act was read, and the troops fired at the crowd. Two 20-year-old men were shot dead: Leonard Worsell and John John (known as Jac). The troops then returned to the station, their stronghold. Enraged local people rioted, and four of them died after a rail wagon loaded with explosives blew up.
The strike finished the same day, after the nervous government called managers and union leaders to talks. Trade unions were still not officially recognised by the railway companies, but the 1911 strike had demonstrated the power of collective action by workers.
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378382/19772/25] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:21, 17th August 2026 | |
Member 'broadgage' here is an exponent for the right of surfboards to travel by train, but I suspect, due to his build, he doesn't ride one in the surf itself these days.
CfN.
| Animals on the line on the Circle/District line In "Transport for London" [378381/32378/46] Posted by 1st fan at 23:05, 17th August 2026 | |
District Line is suffering this evening with a track fault and animals on the Line at St James Park.
https://tfl.gov.uk/tube-dlr-overground/status/#district
Minor delays:
Entire line
Part suspended:
Turnham Green Richmond
District Line: No service between Turnham Green and Richmond while we fix a track fault at Richmond. MINOR DELAYS on the rest of the line while we deal with an animal on the track at St. James's Park. Tickets are being accepted on London Buses.
Entire line
Part suspended:
Turnham Green Richmond
District Line: No service between Turnham Green and Richmond while we fix a track fault at Richmond. MINOR DELAYS on the rest of the line while we deal with an animal on the track at St. James's Park. Tickets are being accepted on London Buses.
Does anyone have a clue as to what animals they are, given this is a central London station which is under the former London Transport HQ?
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378380/19772/25] Posted by REVUpminster at 22:49, 17th August 2026 | |
Seriously the 769/9s are still out there and might have been already in service if Alliance Rail had been given permission.
Do I sense that's a bit tongue-in-cheek given they're probably the one unit that would have been even less reliable than the 175s as they'd be forced to run on diesel 100% of the time?!
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378379/19772/25] Posted by TaplowGreen at 22:02, 17th August 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Erm ... we are in danger of stirring Coffee Shop forum member 'broadgage' into action again ... 
Is he a surfer?
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378378/19772/25] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:49, 17th August 2026 | |
Erm ... we are in danger of stirring Coffee Shop forum member 'broadgage' into action again ...
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378377/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 21:21, 17th August 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a safety inspection of the track between London Paddington and Reading some lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 22:00 17/08.
Customer Advice
-
We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today.
-
What has happened?
-
A track defect has been reported affected one of the two lines towards London Paddington in the Hanwell area.
-
| Leighton Buzzard Railway told to replace 'flagmen' at road crossings In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [378376/32377/47] Posted by grahame at 21:14, 17th August 2026 | |
From the BBC
A heritage railway is getting rid of its volunteers who hold "stop" flags where trains cross public roads and replacing them with flashing lights.
The Leighton Buzzard Railway, in Bedfordshire, opened in 1919 to serve quarries, and has used "flagmen" along its three-mile route.
It said it was served with improvement notices from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) meaning it must now install "Wig-Wag" colour light signals at three road junctions.
Ian Hale, the railway's operations manager, said although some volunteers see it as a "loss of tradition, health and safety has to be the prime mover".
The Leighton Buzzard Railway, in Bedfordshire, opened in 1919 to serve quarries, and has used "flagmen" along its three-mile route.
It said it was served with improvement notices from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) meaning it must now install "Wig-Wag" colour light signals at three road junctions.
Ian Hale, the railway's operations manager, said although some volunteers see it as a "loss of tradition, health and safety has to be the prime mover".
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378375/19772/25] Posted by ChrisB at 20:40, 17th August 2026 | |
Only on the local services - not on the IETs though
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [378374/31371/14] Posted by ChrisB at 20:29, 17th August 2026 | |
There was a safety check of the line which blocked between Evesham & Honeybourne at one stage this afternoon, reported on National Rail & Journeycheck
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [378373/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 20:09, 17th August 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between Oxford and Worcester Foregate Street via Evesham
Due to a safety inspection of the track between Moreton-In-Marsh and Honeybourne the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Train services between Oxford and Worcester Foregate Street via Evesham and Worcester Shrub Hill may be cancelled, delayed or diverted.
Due to a safety inspection of the track between Moreton-In-Marsh and Honeybourne the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Train services between Oxford and Worcester Foregate Street via Evesham and Worcester Shrub Hill may be cancelled, delayed or diverted.
At the time of posting it seems there's been no services running since shortly after 5pm.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378372/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 18:58, 17th August 2026 | |
From National Rail.....
Description
A safety inspection of the track between West Ealing and Southall means that trains have to run at a reduced speed on some lines. As a result, trains running between Acton Main Line and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead may be cancelled, or revised.
Disruption is expected until 21:00.
Customer advice:
Passengers requiring Heathrow from the eastern route between Shenfield and Stratford are advised to change at Whitechapel for a Heathrow Terminal 4 service.
Passengers can travel for free between Heathrow Terminals. Change at Heathrow Terminals 2/3 for Heathrow Terminal 5.
Ticket acceptance:
You can use your ticket at no extra cost on the following alternative train and underground services:
London Underground services via any reasonable route
Great Western Railway services between London Paddington and Reading
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378371/19772/25] Posted by chuffed at 18:33, 17th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I read that GWR advises that it does not carry surfboards to Newquay. Don't anyone suggest to the Swiss they stop transporting skis.... in pairs...and ski poles!
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378370/19772/25] Posted by IndustryInsider at 18:09, 17th August 2026 | |
Seriously the 769/9s are still out there and might have been already in service if Alliance Rail had been given permission.
Do I sense that's a bit tongue-in-cheek given they're probably the one unit that would have been even less reliable than the 175s as they'd be forced to run on diesel 100% of the time?!
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378369/19772/25] Posted by RailCornwall at 17:45, 17th August 2026 | |
We are nine months away from full Mid Cornwall Metro working, allegedly, without reliable rolling stock the new service will not gain the usage it is intended to encourage. I suspect in the mire of GBR that the MCM start will be postponed. There also has to be a possibility that through Falmouth - Newquay services will be indefinately.
| Re: Derailment, Lewes, 13 Aug 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378368/32362/51] Posted by ChrisB at 17:08, 17th August 2026 | |
Clear up to take at least 10 days
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378367/31355/51] Posted by JohnM at 16:49, 17th August 2026 | |
It was properly raining in Keynsham as we passed through at about 7:40 this morning, and I had my brolly up for the walk from Temple Meads to the office 10 mins later. A very pleasant change
