Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: TfW proposed services into Bristol In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [375163/32031/21] Posted by a-driver at 18:35, 15th May 2026 |      |
GWR have to object. It’s under the terms of the contract with the DfT.
Given GWR's days are numbered is it worth the bother?
They still have to adhere to their contract.
You have to remember First are paid a flat fee to manage GWR. Loss of revenue has no impact on FirstGroup.
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375162/28355/22] Posted by JohnM at 18:24, 15th May 2026 | |
Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped. Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:
Brilliant! For my Melksham-Bristol commute:- it's now practical to catch the 07:21 from Melksham instead of the 06:29 (because if I miss the unofficial 07:33 connection at Chippenham (likely) there's the new 07:47, don't have to wait for the 08:09)
- what was going to be a >30 min wait at Chippenham (due to the 18:00 CPM-MKM moving to 18:09) is reduced to ~20 mins thanks to the new 17:15 from Bristol, which I'll catch instead of the 17:00.
Yes - those are *very* pleasing ... and it is also pleasing to see practical commutes from Westbury, Trowbridge, Melkshan (and Chippenham and Swindon) to Oxford too.
A good example of a service planned and implemented for a different market also having positive benefits elsewhere.
...although it will be interesting to see how busy those services are; the Chippenham-Bristol IETs are fine if you move down to coach C and beyond, certainly a much better chance of getting 2 seats to yourself (and working on laptop) than on the 2 coach service I'm currently catching at Trowbridge.
Speaking of which, the 06:29 Trowbridge and 07:21 Chippenham commutes are both scheduled as taking 59 mins. But the latter should occasionally drop to 44 mins when the 07:21 is on time, allowing connection with the (existing) 07:33 Bristol service instead of the (new) 07:47.
EDIT: that is, I think someone said the new services wouldn't be IETs? Might have got that wrong.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [375161/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 18:23, 15th May 2026 | |
175113 at the third attempt to Laira today.
Ely :3: 175005/008, 175104 (175008 is in two halves)
Wolverton :10 : 175004, 175102/103/105/106/107/108/109/110/116
Laira : 13: 175002/007/009, 175114 ex Ely; 175001/003/006/011, 175101/111/112/113/115 ex Wolverton
Long Rock : 1 : 175010 ex Ely
as of 15 May 2026
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375160/28355/22] Posted by Oxonhutch at 18:03, 15th May 2026 | |
There have been whispers of exactly that happening! Can’t see it myself, not for a few years at least, but you never know.
Well, the stock do have train managers aboard.
| Re: HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - Government proposals, alternative routes, discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [375159/5138/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:10, 15th May 2026 | |
Another massive overspend..........consistent at least I guess?
https://www.building.co.uk/news/hs2-admits-it-got-its-numbers-wrong-as-birmingham-train-depot-let-at-more-than-three-times-original-250m-budget/5142108.article
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375158/28355/22] Posted by IndustryInsider at 16:50, 15th May 2026 | |
Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped. Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:
Brilliant! For my Melksham-Bristol commute:- it's now practical to catch the 07:21 from Melksham instead of the 06:29 (because if I miss the unofficial 07:33 connection at Chippenham (likely) there's the new 07:47, don't have to wait for the 08:09)
- what was going to be a >30 min wait at Chippenham (due to the 18:00 CPM-MKM moving to 18:09) is reduced to ~20 mins thanks to the new 17:15 from Bristol, which I'll catch instead of the 17:00.
Yes - those are *very* pleasing ... and it is also pleasing to see practical commutes from Westbury, Trowbridge, Melkshan (and Chippenham and Swindon) to Oxford too.
A good example of a service planned and implemented for a different market also having positive benefits elsewhere.
Can they be persuaded to continue the service on to Milton Keynes? I understand that there is an unmet need for such a service and a nice newly rebuilt line available...
There have been whispers of exactly that happening! Can’t see it myself, not for a few years at least, but you never know.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [375157/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 16:25, 15th May 2026 | |
Going to be cosy on the 16:58 Paddington to Great Malvern service:
15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 18:26 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
17:05 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:28 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
This is due to a fault on this train.
17:05 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:28 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: Bristol Airport Megabus experience left disabled woman 'in tears' In "Buses and other ways to travel" [375156/32032/5] Posted by anthony215 at 16:11, 15th May 2026 | |
I can confirm it has been reinforced to staff yesterday via staff notice.
Personally I like someone sitting in those seats to have a yap to. On these coaches the driver is quite isolated away from the passengers, and it gets quite lonely! They also have audio cctv recording in the cab area, so the company will know exactly how the conversation went between driver and passenger.
Personally I like someone sitting in those seats to have a yap to. On these coaches the driver is quite isolated away from the passengers, and it gets quite lonely! They also have audio cctv recording in the cab area, so the company will know exactly how the conversation went between driver and passenger.
I agree and im sorry the driver deserves their p45 here
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375155/28355/22] Posted by grahame at 15:17, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A, JohnM, IndustryInsider | |
Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped. Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:
Brilliant! For my Melksham-Bristol commute:- it's now practical to catch the 07:21 from Melksham instead of the 06:29 (because if I miss the unofficial 07:33 connection at Chippenham (likely) there's the new 07:47, don't have to wait for the 08:09)
- what was going to be a >30 min wait at Chippenham (due to the 18:00 CPM-MKM moving to 18:09) is reduced to ~20 mins thanks to the new 17:15 from Bristol, which I'll catch instead of the 17:00.
Yes - those are *very* pleasing ... and it is also pleasing to see practical commutes from Westbury, Trowbridge, Melkshan (and Chippenham and Swindon) to Oxford too.
| Re: TfW proposed services into Bristol In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [375154/32031/21] Posted by TaplowGreen at 15:17, 15th May 2026 | |
GWR have to object. It’s under the terms of the contract with the DfT.
Given GWR's days are numbered is it worth the bother?
| Re: TfW proposed services into Bristol In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [375153/32031/21] Posted by a-driver at 14:48, 15th May 2026 | |
GWR have to object. It’s under the terms of the contract with the DfT.
| Re: West Wiltshire Rail User Group meeting, Trowbridge, 20 May 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375152/32018/18] Posted by Mark A at 13:25, 15th May 2026 | |
The flyer for the meeting - it has the times, info for non-members etc.
Mark
(Image size modified to make it easier to read on the forum - bobm)
(Thanks: also, didn't know how to do that and now I do - marka)
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375151/28355/22] Posted by JohnM at 12:56, 15th May 2026 Already liked by grahame, Mark A, IndustryInsider | |
Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped. Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:
Brilliant! For my Melksham-Bristol commute:- it's now practical to catch the 07:21 from Melksham instead of the 06:29 (because if I miss the unofficial 07:33 connection at Chippenham (likely) there's the new 07:47, don't have to wait for the 08:09)
- what was going to be a >30 min wait at Chippenham (due to the 18:00 CPM-MKM moving to 18:09) is reduced to ~20 mins thanks to the new 17:15 from Bristol, which I'll catch instead of the 17:00.
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375150/28355/22] Posted by grahame at 12:45, 15th May 2026 | |
I'm wondering how the Coffeeshop forum's disruption map will render this service. (Obviously, also hoping it will not need to render it at all.)
Mark
Mark
It's been doing distruptions to the two Saturday trains AOK - it should show fine.
I did note that the King's Speech includes a rationalisation of 14 websites into one and there is no guarantee our feed will remain - so there may be changes needed at the Coffee Shop.
| Re: Bristol Airport Megabus experience left disabled woman 'in tears' In "Buses and other ways to travel" [375149/32032/5] Posted by Mark A at 12:22, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
What a terrible episode: there must be a point at which other passengers on the bus stop staring and decide to take direct action in support (of the passenger).
Mark
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375148/28355/22] Posted by Mark A at 12:16, 15th May 2026 | |
Can they be persuaded to continue the service on to Milton Keynes? I understand that there is an unmet need for such a service and a nice newly rebuilt line available...
*Snorts*: introducing the new East of the city park and ride for Bath: Oxford Parkway. :-)
Mark
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375147/28355/22] Posted by Mark A at 12:05, 15th May 2026 | |
I'm wondering how the Coffeeshop forum's disruption map will render this service. (Obviously, also hoping it will not need to render it at all.)
Mark
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375146/28355/22] Posted by eightonedee at 11:30, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby, Mark A, Richard Fairhurst, JayMac, grahame, Oxonhutch | |
Can they be persuaded to continue the service on to Milton Keynes? I understand that there is an unmet need for such a service and a nice newly rebuilt line available...
| Re: Kernow Connect - a new Okehampton to Bodmin line In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [375145/32014/28] Posted by paul7575 at 11:27, 15th May 2026 | |
Tacking a GBR logo on the ‘map’ won’t give it legitimacy…
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [375144/28355/22] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:53, 15th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A, Witham Bobby, grahame, JohnM | |
…so the longer the start is delayed, the better in terms of the problems with that.
I’m hearing the start might not be delayed now!
Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped. Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:SWI/2026-05-18/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=GW
| Re: Bristol Airport Megabus experience left disabled woman 'in tears' In "Buses and other ways to travel" [375143/32032/5] Posted by LiskeardRich at 08:17, 15th May 2026 | |
I can confirm it has been reinforced to staff yesterday via staff notice.
Personally I like someone sitting in those seats to have a yap to. On these coaches the driver is quite isolated away from the passengers, and it gets quite lonely! They also have audio cctv recording in the cab area, so the company will know exactly how the conversation went between driver and passenger.
| Re: Bus roof torn off on impact under railway bridge incidents - merged topics In "Buses and other ways to travel" [375142/6748/5] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 08:05, 15th May 2026 | |
Looks very much like it was …..
| Re: C2C Nationalised - 20th July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [375141/30469/51] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 08:00, 15th May 2026 Already liked by JohnM, eightonedee, GBM | |
What will stop is tax payers money paying the bubbly and canopies at the share holders meeting 
Canopies? Surely you meant Gazebos.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375140/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 05:52, 15th May 2026 | |
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09
Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.
Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.
I am - relieved - to report that there are not all that many long distance passengers on this train, with the majority go customers using it for short duration journeys. There are *some* longer distance mind - including regulars off the line north of Trowbridge and carrying on to Southampton.
| Re: The Enterprise, Dublin-Belfast new rolling stock order placed, 2026. In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [375139/32034/52] Posted by grahame at 05:45, 15th May 2026 | |
a question how far south from Belfast do the over head wires extend and how far North from Dublin do the over head wires extend?
Thank you.
Thank you.
From Dublin, the line is electrified from Connelly as far as Malahide though I don't the spur into the terminal platforms has overheads. In Belfast there is no electrification.
| Re: The Enterprise, Dublin-Belfast new rolling stock order placed, 2026. In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [375138/32034/52] Posted by infoman at 03:26, 15th May 2026 | |
a question how far south from Belfast do the over head wires extend and how far North from Dublin do the over head wires extend?
Thank you.
| The Enterprise, Dublin-Belfast new rolling stock order placed, 2026. In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [375137/32034/52] Posted by JayMac at 03:18, 15th May 2026 | |
From Translink, but a joint statement with Iarnród Éireann:
Iarnród Éireann and Translink have signed a landmark contract with leading Swiss manufacturer Stadler to design, build and technically support a new Enterprise fleet to operate a transformed Belfast – Dublin rail service.
This major £548m / €698m cross-border investment for new fleet and associated infrastructure, is jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Executive, Department for Infrastructure and the Government of Ireland, Department of Transport, and supported with €165m through PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
continues...
https://www.translink.co.uk/infrastructure-and-projects/current-projects/new-enterprise-trains-projectThis major £548m / €698m cross-border investment for new fleet and associated infrastructure, is jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Executive, Department for Infrastructure and the Government of Ireland, Department of Transport, and supported with €165m through PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
continues...
Stadler FLiRT is proving to be a very capable modular platform for a variety of passenger rail needs. Particularly when it comes to bi- and tri-mode flavours. It'll be interesting to see a 5'3" gauge variant. Although they already have Russian gauge versions (near 5ft) in the FLiRT family, so not too big of a deal. May just use those bodies on wider bogies.
| Re: No ticket barriers for Grade II listed station at York? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [375136/5581/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 01:26, 15th May 2026 | |
This goes back as far as 2009, here on the Coffee Shop forum:
Dozens of rail passengers and residents have formally objected to plans to install automated ticket barriers at York Station (link below.)
http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4025600.43_objections_to_York_ticket_barrier_bid/
http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4025600.43_objections_to_York_ticket_barrier_bid/
| Re: Clifton Rocks Railway, Bristol - merged topics In "Railway History and related topics" [375135/6335/55] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:44, 14th May 2026 Already liked by rogerw | |
From YouTube, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjzBgFVNJO4
| Re: Bus roof torn off on impact under railway bridge incidents - merged topics In "Buses and other ways to travel" [375134/6748/5] Posted by ChrisB at 21:43, 14th May 2026 | |
That wasn't one of their brand new electric buses?
