Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Ideas for a day out? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [380461/32559/31] Posted by Trowres at 22:56, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
All the suggested place you could walk round on GoogleEarth.
I had a look at some of the places using Google Streetview. Perhaps a topic for another thread: "Does Streetview make places look more dismal than they really are?"
When I find out the right way to condense the long-winded Streetview URLs into something neat for a message on this forum, I will post a few examples of what (for me, anyway) makes or breaks a potential destination.
| Re: New Dorset transport vision for roads, rail and buses (3.10.2026) In "Heart of Wessex" [380460/32579/19] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:49, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
Trowbridge - just for example.

| Re: New Dorset transport vision for roads, rail and buses (3.10.2026) In "Heart of Wessex" [380459/32579/19] Posted by Trowres at 22:35, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
...
Good transport links help all kinds of businesses, those hoping to attract customers to buy their goods and services and those looking to recruit good staff.
Good transport links help all kinds of businesses, those hoping to attract customers to buy their goods and services and those looking to recruit good staff.
Mmm... yes, good transport links might increase the pool of potential employees by widening the area within a certain commute time...
... but if you want to attract from over a really wide area (like the whole country), it helps to be located somewhere with a high quality urban environment and good lifestyle opportunities.
| Re: Reopening Cullompton and Wellington stations (merged topic) In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [380457/5272/28] Posted by Oxonhutch at 22:16, 4th October 2026 Already liked by PhilWakely | ![]() |
Driving 'bang road' for one - but then again. where is the real track it should be on?
Train station returning to village after more than 100 years
Where on earth has it been wandering in the interim?
| Re: Reported assaults on Britain's rail services rise by more than a third In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [380455/32536/51] Posted by Trowres at 21:58, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
Simply shocking
You have to wonder why the more "anti violence" measures and response policing we have, the worse the situation becomes. Some people's willingness to be violent in an an attempt to get their way is simply startling.
<snip>
You have to wonder why the more "anti violence" measures and response policing we have, the worse the situation becomes. Some people's willingness to be violent in an an attempt to get their way is simply startling.
<snip>
Well, the headlines are designed to be shocking. I'm rather surprised that the ORR (which should know better) focuses on the change between a single pair of years.
Have a look at the tables for 2004-2026 at https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/health-and-safety/rail-safety/table-5206-workforce-and-non-workforce-assaults/ , remembering that double-counting is inherent in the national network figures (a single incident can be included in more than one category).
My quick takeaways on non-workforce assaults (table 5206b):
- There are some significant changes in the 2000s and 2010s. Why?
- GBH incidents in the first 5 years averaged 146.6; in the final 5 years: 146.8
It's also worth understanding what is being counted: see https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/1230/rail-safety-statistics-quality-report.pdf
| Re: Industrial Heritage in Wiltshire conference majoring on railways - 24.10.2026 In "Diary - what's happening when?" [380454/32578/34] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:26, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
That's a relatively small round of drinks in a pub, these days.

Thanks, bobm.

| Re: Engineering works 10 - 16 October 2026 In "London to Kennet Valley" [380453/32260/8] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:22, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
... and yes, before Coffee Shop forum member TaplowGreen even gets here, they were possibly headed towards a GWR weekend barbeque.

| Re: Industrial Heritage in Wiltshire conference majoring on railways - 24.10.2026 In "Diary - what's happening when?" [380452/32578/34] Posted by bobm at 21:21, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
Just to note it’s £18.50 “a stroll”.
| Re: Engineering works 10 - 16 October 2026 In "London to Kennet Valley" [380451/32260/8] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:18, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
We would be grateful if you were able to cascade this to your networks and, if you have any questions, please do get in touch.
Best wishes, Olivia & Heledd
Olivia Willett | Deputy Head of Public Affairs | Great Western Railway
E: olivia.willett@GWR.com
Heledd Iolo | Senior Public Affairs Manager | Network Rail
E: heledd.iolo@networkrail.co.uk
If I may perhaps share some of grahame's understandable frustration here: Olivia & Heledd both offer their first names, as a friendly point of contact - but then they both leave the office over the weekend.
CfN.

| Re: Some Site Statistics In "News, Help and Assistance" [380450/10588/29] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:35, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
I add to my intelligence on these pages and I am very much real. (Quiet at the back.
)
)My colleague bobm on this forum is indeed very much real - and very intelligent (despite having previously been a professional journalist).
I recently enjoyed a couple of chats over a pint of beer in Swindon with him. I won't share his own apparent statistics here, but he is perhaps a 'larger than life' character.

My regards to bobm. CfN.

Well, there's no GWR steam engine, for a start.

CfN.

| Re: Reopening Cullompton and Wellington stations (merged topic) In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [380448/5272/28] Posted by PhilWakely at 19:12, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
The following image has been taken from a recent facebook post by James Buczkowski [councillor] for Cullompton, Bradninch and Kentisbeare following a recent meeting of the Devon & Somerset Metro Board

How many glaring errors can you find in this AI generated image
| Re: Industrial Heritage in Wiltshire conference majoring on railways - 24.10.2026 In "Diary - what's happening when?" [380447/32578/34] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:00, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
For perhaps somewhat inexplicable reasons, I may well find myself in Wiltshire and free on that day: I may well stroll along.

| Re: Reported assaults on Britain's rail services rise by more than a third In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [380446/32536/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:44, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
There is: I've now merged them here.
CfN.

From the BBC:
Train station returning to village after more than 100 years

A computer generated image shows how the new station in the village of Cheadle will look - Image © Pell Frischmann
Work is beginning on bringing a train station back to the heart of a Greater Manchester village more than a century after its original station closed.
Cheadle in Stockport had a station just off the high street up until 1917.
Funding for a new hub, which would be built next to Alexandra Hospital, was given the green light in 2022, with planning permission granted in 2023 but concerns about its effect on the timetabling of trains elsewhere on the network led to delays.
Stockport Council said the issue had now been resolved and council leader Mark Roberts said it was "a hugely significant moment for Cheadle and for Stockport. For years we've fought for this station because we know the difference it will make to residents, businesses and the future prosperity of the area," he added.
Roberts said he was delighted that the initial highways work could now start on site thanks to the persistence and partnership of all involved.
Services are expected to run from Cheadle into Stockport town, Manchester Piccadilly and Chester, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
The project had been held up by an unresolved timetabling issue over concerns the new station could impact trains elsewhere on the network, with a previous proposal made to remove services at Ashley and Plumley.
Stockport Council said the latest assessment by Network Rail and Northern Trains concluded that Cheadle Station could be introduced without removing a significant barrier that had put the project at risk and these plans have now been dropped.

A computer generated image shows the aerial view of the new station - Image © Pell Frischmann
Brian Bradley, chair of the Cheadle Towns Fund Board, said it was "a fantastic milestone for Cheadle and a moment that many people have worked hard to achieve over a number of years".
Cheadle MP Tom Morrison said getting to this point had been a real team effort, adding: "Cheadle has waited more than 100 years for a station, and now it's finally happening. It will connect our 23,000 residents to jobs, schools and opportunities across Greater Manchester, and take traffic off our busy roads."
Cheadle Hulme North councillor David Meller, who helped kickstart the plans for the new station, said: "To see that we're finally there is incredible."

A computer generated image shows how the new station in the village of Cheadle will look - Image © Pell Frischmann
Work is beginning on bringing a train station back to the heart of a Greater Manchester village more than a century after its original station closed.
Cheadle in Stockport had a station just off the high street up until 1917.
Funding for a new hub, which would be built next to Alexandra Hospital, was given the green light in 2022, with planning permission granted in 2023 but concerns about its effect on the timetabling of trains elsewhere on the network led to delays.
Stockport Council said the issue had now been resolved and council leader Mark Roberts said it was "a hugely significant moment for Cheadle and for Stockport. For years we've fought for this station because we know the difference it will make to residents, businesses and the future prosperity of the area," he added.
Roberts said he was delighted that the initial highways work could now start on site thanks to the persistence and partnership of all involved.
Services are expected to run from Cheadle into Stockport town, Manchester Piccadilly and Chester, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
The project had been held up by an unresolved timetabling issue over concerns the new station could impact trains elsewhere on the network, with a previous proposal made to remove services at Ashley and Plumley.
Stockport Council said the latest assessment by Network Rail and Northern Trains concluded that Cheadle Station could be introduced without removing a significant barrier that had put the project at risk and these plans have now been dropped.

A computer generated image shows the aerial view of the new station - Image © Pell Frischmann
Brian Bradley, chair of the Cheadle Towns Fund Board, said it was "a fantastic milestone for Cheadle and a moment that many people have worked hard to achieve over a number of years".
Cheadle MP Tom Morrison said getting to this point had been a real team effort, adding: "Cheadle has waited more than 100 years for a station, and now it's finally happening. It will connect our 23,000 residents to jobs, schools and opportunities across Greater Manchester, and take traffic off our busy roads."
Cheadle Hulme North councillor David Meller, who helped kickstart the plans for the new station, said: "To see that we're finally there is incredible."
| Re: Wiltshire Strategic Freight Strategy consultation closes 23.9.2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Westbury" [380444/32516/18] Posted by eXPassenger at 18:16, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
Thank you.
The passing of Dame Esther Rantzen has prompted renewed coverage of one her most memorable episodes of the television series, 'That's Life'.
Sir Nicholas Winton appeared in that episode, unaware that he was surrounded in the seating area by many of the surviving children he had saved.
The BBC have published an update article: it contains edited highlights from that episode of 'That' Life', which I commend you to read throughout (the video clip within it is just over one minute - please do watch that throughout).
CfN.

| Re: Some Site Statistics In "News, Help and Assistance" [380442/10588/29] Posted by eightonedee at 16:46, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
Perhaps when Grok, Claude and their mates scrape through our forum's site, they might help Vaishnavi Pandey at Secret London find some more appropriate pictures of Cullompton and Wellington for her next on-line article.
| Re: Celebrating 125 years of Reading Buses In "Buses and other ways to travel" [380441/32581/5] Posted by eightonedee at 16:30, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
Thanks BobM.
I'm feeling old. It's mostly the older ones shown in these photos that I remember travelling on, including the trolleybus. Not the pre-war AEC the right in the 5th photo though!
I think there's already a thread on this somewhere?
| Re: New Dorset transport vision for roads, rail and buses (3.10.2026) In "Heart of Wessex" [380439/32579/19] Posted by eightonedee at 16:15, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
As someone who counted (in the broadest sense) as a "business " for a good part of my working life by virtue of having been a partner in a service providing professional practice, widening the area from which you can recruit potential candidates for jobs was undoubtedly a positive reason for supporting improvements to commication networks, whether public or otherwise. Going back to the thread about town or city High Streets that are flourishing or otherwise, I'd guess that those whose local employment markets are strong (particularly in town centres as opposed to out-of-town) have more flourishing high streets as there's a larger work force released onto them at either end of the working day and at lunchtime to spend their money there.
Good transport links help all kinds of businesses, those hoping to attract customers to buy their goods and services and those looking to recruit good staff.
| Re: Reported assaults on Britain's rail services rise by more than a third In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [380438/32536/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:14, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
Interesting (as well as somewhat disturbing)
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/the-violence-is-off-the-scale-staff-and-passengers-at-risk-as-assaults-on-uk-trains-soar-to-record-high/ar-AA2dwZlV?ocid=socialshare
| Re: Celebrating 125 years of Reading Buses In "Buses and other ways to travel" [380437/32581/5] Posted by Mark A at 15:38, 4th October 2026 | ![]() |
Thanks: trolleybuses withdrawn from Teddington, May 1962, my sight of them in Reading may have been 1968.
| Re: Ideas for a day out? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [380436/32559/31] Posted by grahame at 15:27, 4th October 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | ![]() |
I planned a day out in Taunton last Wednesday.
Definitely one to add to the "Overrun with cars from the station" list (IMHO, as mentioned). What was planned to be a day out ended up being an hour spent in the excellent (albeit very child-friendly, almost to the exclusion of anyone else) Somerset Museum. What might have become a second hour or so was curtailed by cries of "How much?!?" in the museum cafeteria, leading us to buying sandwiches from a supermarket on the way back to the station. No plans to return to Taunton any time soon.
Definitely one to add to the "Overrun with cars from the station" list (IMHO, as mentioned). What was planned to be a day out ended up being an hour spent in the excellent (albeit very child-friendly, almost to the exclusion of anyone else) Somerset Museum. What might have become a second hour or so was curtailed by cries of "How much?!?" in the museum cafeteria, leading us to buying sandwiches from a supermarket on the way back to the station. No plans to return to Taunton any time soon.
What a darned shame - TravelWatch on Friday would be worth coming, and just a few yards from the station

I've done the stats for services running through Melksham for this and last year, covering the first 9 months of the year.
Planned cancellations due to engineering works aren't included. Services that ran, but didn't call at Melksham (i.e. diverted via Bathampton) are included.
Data is attached, first data column is services planned to run, second is services that did run. The headline is an overall improvement of 1.67% for 2026 over 2025, but the weekday reliability has actually dropped slightly, but a large improvement at weekends more than made up for that in terms of the overall stats.
| Re: Celebrating 125 years of Reading Buses In "Buses and other ways to travel" [380434/32581/5] Posted by bobm at 14:59, 4th October 2026 Already liked by Mark A | ![]() |
The trolleybuses were withdrawn in Reading in November 1968.
The PM has stated that iran is believed to be involved in the foiled attack at RAF Fairford.
It therefore appears that both russia and iran are waging a hybrid war against the UK .
Future attacks may affect supplies of food, fuel, and utility service. Stock up and be prepared !
It therefore appears that both russia and iran are waging a hybrid war against the UK .
Future attacks may affect supplies of food, fuel, and utility service. Stock up and be prepared !
We're headed out beyond public transport in this discussion - but then this IS `'The West but NOT trains in the West"
Personal thoughts and logic ...
* leaders the world over can gain a domestic "bounce" from an international war. Sometimes one has to wonder if part of the reason for the war being waged in a way and to the degree that it is ... is to get that domestic popularity bounce.
* where a number of countries club / co-operate together in a war, it is only going to be natural for the "enemy" to undertake activities to reduce / harm the effect on the war from / by the stooge countries. Natural but a potentially dangerous escalation. Supply chains have many branches and leaves in the modern world.
* Even at the distance we are from Fairford, we noted a significant increase in heavy aircraft flights going over where we live. We don't know what they are doing / where they are going and what they are doing when they get there, but we do note that is they are on military missions, they are probably directed by the US Department of War, which is the new name given by the US President to what used to be the Department of Defence.
If you want to know what is flying overhead you can use this site https://globe.adsbexchange.com/ and if you want to see just military press the U button at the top of the screen. Provided endless boredom relief during lockdown.
| Re: New Dorset transport vision for roads, rail and buses (3.10.2026) In "Heart of Wessex" [380432/32579/19] Posted by Mark A at 14:21, 4th October 2026 Already liked by IndustryInsider | ![]() |
The positives of increased commuting distances (increased job opportunities, broadening horizons) are balanced by negatives - the carbon footprint, the costs imposed on everyone when travel to work solely involves people travelling in private vehicles, a multitude of point to point journeys that are problematic to serve by public transport, and then people find themselves locked in to something that imposes costs on them whether financial or stress, and over which they have no control especially in an unstable economy. Thinking of the commute by car, many people enjoy that part of their day (though whether that can be said by someone lumbered with a travel to work from Maidstone to Croydon or a school run Mortlake to Battersea... perhaps not).
Good electric public transport can mitigate some of the negatives - even if poor urban design is then waiting in the wings to bite everyone in the bum. Also, Dorset... where do you start...?














