Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: 'Surveillance pricing'. In "Fare's Fair" [377978/32345/4] Posted by grahame at 16:54, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
It's probably good to know that surveillance pricing exists. (I didn't.) Prices for items are not displayed and a system checks what it knows about someone and presents a personalised price for that person - which may take account of e.g. their pain point. It could be argued that dynamic pricing / surge pricing is on the way to this, but for the addition of the personal data aspect. It's easy to think how this could go south & become a 'mare for everyone if it crept in to transport ticketing.
Mark
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveillance_pricing
Mark
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveillance_pricing
Sadly, pricing based on what people appear to be able to pay does exist and has for many years. I suspect I have seen it on airline fares where an enquiry gives a price, then (having checked with family) a couple of minutes later the fare offer is higher. Do we also see elements of itbwhere prices are available only to new customers?
Even before "internet days", living in a bigger house we got very familiar with quotations for the same service being - we felt - adjusted upwards having seen where we lived.
| Re: Would YOU ride a train from Istanbul to El Paso? In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [377977/32344/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:41, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Russian level crossing protection is brutal - a ramped sector plates that rise out of the roadway and presents its blunt edge to oncoming road traffic.
Hmm.

Maybe Network Rail could use some of those engineering features in the UK, to resolve many of the level crossing and bridge bash issues we have here? Would it also take out the 'Darwin Award candidates' from those pedestrians who squirm through / climb over closing level crossing gates?

CfN.

| 'Surveillance pricing'. In "Fare's Fair" [377976/32345/4] Posted by Mark A at 16:24, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
It's probably good to know that surveillance pricing exists. (I didn't.) Prices for items are not displayed and a system checks what it knows about someone and presents a personalised price for that person - which may take account of e.g. their pain point. It could be argued that dynamic pricing / surge pricing is on the way to this, but for the addition of the personal data aspect. It's easy to think how this could go south & become a 'mare for everyone if it crept in to transport ticketing.
Mark
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveillance_pricing
| Re: Pigeons at railway stations causing problems In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377975/32277/51] Posted by Mark A at 16:05, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
How times have changed.
I am old enough to remember when the Min of Ag (then MAFF, now DEFRA) used to pay you for shooting pigeons. I believe the rate was 6d (=2 1/5 p).
I am old enough to remember when the Min of Ag (then MAFF, now DEFRA) used to pay you for shooting pigeons. I believe the rate was 6d (=2 1/5 p).
I'm old enough to remember when SWR, for marketing purposes, adopted a cartoon pigeon and seagull pair to represent their passengers and I immediately thought 'Ah, so that's what you think of us.'.
Mark
| Re: Pigeons at railway stations causing problems In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377974/32277/51] Posted by Red Squirrel at 14:21, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
How times have changed.
I am old enough to remember when the Min of Ag (then MAFF, now DEFRA) used to pay you for shooting pigeons. I believe the rate was 6d (=2 1/5 p).
I am old enough to remember when the Min of Ag (then MAFF, now DEFRA) used to pay you for shooting pigeons. I believe the rate was 6d (=2 1/5 p).
I am old enough to remember when pigeons were viewed as so cute there was a kids' TV programme about them…
Not just one!
| Re: Weymouth line cancellations In "Heart of Wessex" [377973/32074/19] Posted by bradshaw at 14:03, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
According to RTT just now.
This service was cancelled between Weymouth and Bristol Temple Meads due to the planned train being replaced with a slower train (MS).
| Re: Cornish mainline and branch line delays - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [377972/28556/25] Posted by njt at 14:03, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Last day of Boardmasters at Newquay, so naturally........................
Cancellations to services between Par and Newquay
Due to a broken down train between Par and Newquay fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled.
Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Cancellations to services between Par and Newquay
Due to a broken down train between Par and Newquay fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled.
Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

The bid movement out of Newquay will be on Monday morning. Music goes on till late tonight.
Well you learn something new every day 

Yes, Hitachi AT300 / Class 80x IET (Intercity Express Train) coaches use a few complementary methods to measure carriage occupancy and seat availability:
1. Air Suspension Load Sensors (Mass/Weight Calculation)
The primary method used for overall coach occupancy on the Class 800, 801, and 802 fleets relies on the secondary air suspension levelling system.
2. Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) Door Sensors
Infrared / optical barrier sensors are mounted above or beside the passenger access doors.
1. Air Suspension Load Sensors (Mass/Weight Calculation)
The primary method used for overall coach occupancy on the Class 800, 801, and 802 fleets relies on the secondary air suspension levelling system.
- How it works: Pressure sensors monitor the air pressure required to maintain the carriage floor at platform height as passengers board.
- The data: By comparing the pressure differential against an empty baseline, the onboard system calculates the total live mass of the coach.
- Output: This mass is converted into an estimated passenger count (and percentage loading) and is fed to the passenger information displays (PIS) on station platforms and mobile apps (showing green, amber, or red loading icons). This accounts for both seated and standing passengers.
2. Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) Door Sensors
Infrared / optical barrier sensors are mounted above or beside the passenger access doors.
- How it works: These sensors count bodies breaking the beam as people enter or exit the train at stops.
- The data: By tracking net inflow and outflow per carriage, it provides immediate, real-time footfall updates to complement the suspension weight data.
I would say it's pretty accurate most of the time. If you have a sensor failure then it can lead to erroneous readings, but that's not too common.
Well you learn something new every day

Yes, Hitachi AT300 / Class 80x IET coaches use a few complementary methods to measure carriage occupancy and seat availability:
1. Air Suspension Load Sensors (Mass/Weight Calculation)
The primary method used for overall coach occupancy on the Class 800, 801, and 802 fleets relies on the secondary air suspension levelling system.
2. Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) Door Sensors
Infrared / optical barrier sensors are mounted above or beside the passenger access doors.
1. Air Suspension Load Sensors (Mass/Weight Calculation)
The primary method used for overall coach occupancy on the Class 800, 801, and 802 fleets relies on the secondary air suspension levelling system.
- How it works: Pressure sensors monitor the air pressure required to maintain the carriage floor at platform height as passengers board.
- The data: By comparing the pressure differential against an empty baseline, the onboard system calculates the total live mass of the coach.
- Output: This mass is converted into an estimated passenger count (and percentage loading) and is fed to the passenger information displays (PIS) on station platforms and mobile apps (showing green, amber, or red loading icons). This accounts for both seated and standing passengers.
2. Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) Door Sensors
Infrared / optical barrier sensors are mounted above or beside the passenger access doors.
- How it works: These sensors count bodies breaking the beam as people enter or exit the train at stops.
- The data: By tracking net inflow and outflow per carriage, it provides immediate, real-time footfall updates to complement the suspension weight data.
| Re: 15th August 2026 - Buses to Imber, Wiltshire In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377969/29807/5] Posted by rogerw at 13:15, 9th August 2026 Already liked by grahame | ![]() |
Just to bump this up. A reminder that this year's event is this coming Saturday, 15th August
It’s data available from IETs derived from sensors on the coaches.
| Re: Weymouth line cancellations In "Heart of Wessex" [377967/32074/19] Posted by TaplowGreen at 12:07, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Staffed from 06:00 though the first train appears to be that one for Cardiff at eight.
Our hypothetical passenger for Aberdeen, if given a chit with an easement to vary their route, could travel on the next departure, the 08:45 for Waterloo and a relaxed connection into the 13:42 to Aberdeen from Kings Cross - this would get them into Aberdeen only half an hour or so after their original connecting service from Bristol.
(If their destination was Shetland, they'd have already been planning for a night and a day in Aberdeen as the ferry leaves at varying times between five and seven pm depending on the day, so, from Weymouth, that would need to be a weekday trip, via London - and with one of Graham's 'Plan 'b's in the back pocket.)
Mark
Our hypothetical passenger for Aberdeen, if given a chit with an easement to vary their route, could travel on the next departure, the 08:45 for Waterloo and a relaxed connection into the 13:42 to Aberdeen from Kings Cross - this would get them into Aberdeen only half an hour or so after their original connecting service from Bristol.
(If their destination was Shetland, they'd have already been planning for a night and a day in Aberdeen as the ferry leaves at varying times between five and seven pm depending on the day, so, from Weymouth, that would need to be a weekday trip, via London - and with one of Graham's 'Plan 'b's in the back pocket.)
Mark
Basically then, it's chit or bust?
| Re: Would YOU ride a train from Istanbul to El Paso? In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [377966/32344/52] Posted by Oxonhutch at 11:57, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Have done Khabarovsk - Vladivostok on an overnight train. Interesting journey. Russian level crossing protection is brutal - a ramped sector plates that rise out of the roadway and presents its blunt edge to oncoming road traffic.
| Re: Weymouth line cancellations In "Heart of Wessex" [377965/32074/19] Posted by Mark A at 11:34, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Staffed from 06:00 though the first train appears to be that one for Cardiff at eight.
Our hypothetical passenger for Aberdeen, if given a chit with an easement to vary their route, could travel on the next departure, the 08:45 for Waterloo and a relaxed connection into the 13:42 to Aberdeen from Kings Cross - this would get them into Aberdeen only half an hour or so after their original connecting service from Bristol.
(If their destination was Shetland, they'd have already been planning for a night and a day in Aberdeen as the ferry leaves at varying times between five and seven pm depending on the day, so, from Weymouth, that would need to be a weekday trip, via London - and with one of Graham's 'Plan 'b's in the back pocket.)
Mark
| Re: Weymouth line cancellations In "Heart of Wessex" [377964/32074/19] Posted by Mark A at 11:14, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Answer: staffed on Sunday from 06:00 to 00:45. (Source: National Rail).
Mark
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/weymouth/
| Re: Weymouth line cancellations In "Heart of Wessex" [377963/32074/19] Posted by Mark A at 11:11, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Have some anyway, and tbh, at 8am on a Sunday, is Weymouth staffed?
Mark
Is that based on seat bookings, or actual 'live' occupancy?
| Re: Weymouth line cancellations In "Heart of Wessex" [377961/32074/19] Posted by ChrisB at 10:26, 9th August 2026 Already liked by TaplowGreen | ![]() |
Cwertainly gone over my head.....do I need more coffee?

| Re: Weymouth line cancellations In "Heart of Wessex" [377960/32074/19] Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:24, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
I'd be straight on to the help point in that case....and then the phone
I'd read that last comment again, perhaps out loud to yourself before doing so.
(Apologies for the overhead shot!)

| Re: If you are rail staff, can you rely on the train to get to work? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377959/32343/5] Posted by Electric train at 10:09, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
I relied on National Rail and TfL to get me to work for the vast majority of my 50 years working on the UK National Railway system.
The challenge for train crew is I am guessing are the booking on and booking off times, I worked most of my career working normal week day shifts.
However in the days when I was "on the clock" when I started in the 1970's if my train was late I was late clocking in I docked pay, it was always in the contract of employment that it was my responsibility to get to work on time; so nothing new in what London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway are stating
| Re: Weymouth line cancellations In "Heart of Wessex" [377958/32074/19] Posted by ChrisB at 09:48, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
I'd be straight on to the help point in that case....and then the phone
| Re: Weymouth line cancellations In "Heart of Wessex" [377957/32074/19] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:46, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Realtimetrains doesn't flag it as cancelled but on the other hand doesn't indicate that it ran...
The following train out of Weymouth via Westbury being the 10:38 in the direction of Swindon. The fate of the people (if any) who intended to catch the 8:01 will probably never be known... but if anyone was heading for the generous connection into the Aberdeen train at Bristol I hope that Weymouth staff gave them a chit and popped them on to something heading up to London...
Mark
The following train out of Weymouth via Westbury being the 10:38 in the direction of Swindon. The fate of the people (if any) who intended to catch the 8:01 will probably never be known... but if anyone was heading for the generous connection into the Aberdeen train at Bristol I hope that Weymouth staff gave them a chit and popped them on to something heading up to London...
Mark
Unfortunately I have heard that an individual approached staff at Weymouth with precisely that scenario but was told that they couldn't give a chit....................
| Re: Cornish mainline and branch line delays - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [377956/28556/25] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:35, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Last day of Boardmasters at Newquay, so naturally........................
Cancellations to services between Par and Newquay
Due to a broken down train between Par and Newquay fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled.
Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

| Re: Weymouth line cancellations In "Heart of Wessex" [377955/32074/19] Posted by Mark A at 09:32, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Realtimetrains doesn't flag it as cancelled but on the other hand doesn't indicate that it ran...
The following train out of Weymouth via Westbury being the 10:38 in the direction of Swindon. The fate of the people (if any) who intended to catch the 8:01 will probably never be known... but if anyone was heading for the generous connection into the Aberdeen train at Bristol I hope that Weymouth staff gave them a chit and popped them on to something heading up to London...
Mark
I have to say Graham, you're not selling that one very well! 

Agreed! But best to give the whole honest flavour. We treat timetables and reservations as estimates rather than firm quotations and typically have a "Plan B" - even if only as a vague idea. Got caught out just once in the last 3 months and even then got something sorted on the fly. Still prefer land / sea based to flying, and journeys that are less likely to result in being in queues like the one in the photo and overnight delays and very long distance buses!
| Re: If you are rail staff, can you rely on the train to get to work? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377953/32343/5] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:57, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
The same for all heavy goods and bus drivers!
Shifts starting 04h30 and ending 01h30 (not one continuous one!).
Bus-wise, you have a bit of paperwork to do, plus paying in your cash, etc.
Then several minutes chat about your shift with the few who also finish late.
Shifts starting 04h30 and ending 01h30 (not one continuous one!).
Bus-wise, you have a bit of paperwork to do, plus paying in your cash, etc.
Then several minutes chat about your shift with the few who also finish late.
And a lot of people in the night-time economy too.
| Re: Not just trains that suffer due to infrastructure issues In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377952/32336/5] Posted by GBM at 08:56, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
Hmmm.
I can only claim, in mitigation, that Coffee Shop member LiskeardRich provoked me into posting this here:
I can only claim, in mitigation, that Coffee Shop member LiskeardRich provoked me into posting this here:I have posted this before, here on the Coffee Shop forum, but it's a light-hearted spoof advert for Ryanair, from YouTube, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp4yczeiXwY
Watch until the end of the 70 seconds clip: it rather seems to sum it all up quite neatly.
(With my apologies to any possibly younger readers here for the one sweary word).
CfN.
Watch until the end of the 70 seconds clip: it rather seems to sum it all up quite neatly.

(With my apologies to any possibly younger readers here for the one sweary word).
CfN.

Forgotten I'd seen it before. Brilliant!
Edite note: Quote marks fixed. CfN.
| Re: If you are rail staff, can you rely on the train to get to work? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377951/32343/5] Posted by GBM at 08:47, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
The same for all heavy goods and bus drivers!
Shifts starting 04h30 and ending 01h30 (not one continuous one!).
Bus-wise, you have a bit of paperwork to do, plus paying in your cash, etc.
Then several minutes chat about your shift with the few who also finish late.
| Re: Pigeons at railway stations causing problems In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377950/32277/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:44, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
How times have changed.
I am old enough to remember when the Min of Ag (then MAFF, now DEFRA) used to pay you for shooting pigeons. I believe the rate was 6d (=2 1/5 p).
I am old enough to remember when the Min of Ag (then MAFF, now DEFRA) used to pay you for shooting pigeons. I believe the rate was 6d (=2 1/5 p).
I am old enough to remember when pigeons were viewed as so cute there was a kids' TV programme about them…
No, that was "Magpie"

| Re: Bristol Airport - proposals for expansion, bus services and infrastructure - ongoing discussion In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377949/22894/5] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:41, 9th August 2026 | ![]() |
A minor up side (for the airport) is that the charge to access the place is that high, will they possibly make a little money from people coming and going as a result of the disruption.
Mark
Mark
For sure, 5 hours late into Aachen on Tuesday and that standing on a bus, and then an earlier departure from there - before seven rather than after 8 the following day, followed by a 15 minute connection that failed at Chippenham Station into the only daily bus from there to our road in Melksham, but there are usually solutions that are not as bad as the airport scenes seen.
I have to say Graham, you're not selling that one very well!















