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Great Western Coffee Shop
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379342/32475/30]
Posted by grahame at 07:04, 9th September 2026
 
If I remember right The Flying Kipper ran from Tidmouth to Vicarstown. Or did it then continue onto the mainland through Barrow?

I don't know.  The documentation provided by Rev. Awdry was very much operational - from the view of the railway operational team - rather than from the customer perspective once locomotives and staff were changed for through services.  I rather suspect the train (or at least the wagons) did carry on through England as I can't imagine that the people of Vicarstown or Barrow could eat that much fish.

The Highwayman - I think that started from Potters Bar and ran to Newcastle.

Goodness - yes - that rings a bell.  A service to provide point to point travel in the Ryanair style from "London - Potters Bar" to Newcastle and not put on the pressure, or expense, of a high priced and overcrowded resource such as Kings Cross.  Before the days of Platform 0 and Thameslink.

Improvements at South Eastern
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [379341/32478/51]
Posted by grahame at 06:55, 9th September 2026
 
From the South Eastern Press Office

Express service to cut Hastings to London journey times from December



* New weekday express service between Hastings and Charing Cross launches from 14 December.

* Fastest journey time of 1 hour 18 minutes from Hastings to London Bridge, and 1 hour 28 minutes to Charing Cross - around 14 minutes quicker than today's fastest peak service.

* Part of a wider December timetable change delivering more frequent services, better connections and increased capacity across south-east London, Kent and East Sussex.

South Eastern Railway will introduce an express weekday service between Hastings and Charing Cross from December, cutting the total journey time to London Bridge by 14 minutes for customers travelling from Hastings, Battle and Tunbridge Wells.

Further down the release

This  service forms part of a wider package of improvements being introduced across Kent, East Sussex and south-east London from December. Customers on the Hastings line will benefit from the return of half-hourly semi-fast services between Tunbridge Wells and Charing Cross throughout the day on weekdays and Saturdays, alongside additional late-evening journeys to and from Hastings. Customers on the Maidstone East line will benefit from more frequent services, additional direct trains to Charing Cross and, for the first time, a train to Charing Cross every hour on Sundays, creating a train to London approximately every 30 minutes when combined with existing Victoria services.

On the Isle of Sheppey, customers at Sheerness-on-Sea, Queenborough and Kemsley will gain trains every 30 minutes throughout the day, seven days a week, delivering the most frequent timetable on the line in 30 years and improving connections at Sittingbourne.

Other timetable improvements include:

* Half-hourly semi-fast services between Charing Cross and Tunbridge Wells throughout off-peak periods on weekdays and across Saturdays, providing more frequent journeys to Orpington, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells.

* Restored half-hourly services between Victoria and Ashford via Maidstone East throughout the day, alongside additional direct Charing Cross services.

* Additional 16:58 evening peak service between Cannon Street and Ashford via Tonbridge and Headcorn, providing extra capacity at the busiest time of the day

* Two trains an hour throughout the day, seven days a week, on the Sheerness branch, providing the best timetable on the line for 30 years and better connections at Sittingbourne.

* A more connected Metro network across south-east London, with almost all Metro routes operating at least four trains an hour during the daytime from Monday to Saturday and improved links to the Elizabeth line at Abbey Wood.

* More frequent services on the Bexleyheath line, including up to six trains an hour and half hourly all day direct services to Charing Cross.

The December timetable builds on improvements introduced in May this year, including additional peak-time capacity on Highspeed routes serving Canterbury West and Thanet, helping create a more frequent and better-connected railway across Kent, East Sussex and south-east London.

Southeastern has also submitted a business case to the Department for Transport for a new Metro train fleet, supporting its longer-term ambition to improve capacity and accessibility across the network.


Part of me has a twinge of jealousy - but just a twinge.  I am happy for the people who live and want to travel along the corridor, and I am delighted at the example being set.

It shows me that innovative changes can be made at a timetable recast - and could be done in the recast that SWR (rather than SER) are preparing for December 2027 - it sets a precedent for improvements, such as joining up the Bristol -> Salisbury service to the Salisbury -> Waterloo service

It acknowledged that services from residential areas into the centre of London to different termini throughout the day are a useful / wanted / required service, and with that is a reminder that Paddington is not Waterloo and that services from Bath and Westbury to both termini will be servicing different markets rather than competing with each other

It confirms the need for two trains an hour - or four or six per hours in the inner suburbs - for a Metro service suitable for daily lives in the areas

Based on previous experience, there may be teething troubles and I really hope that SER have the stock, staff and track capacity to deliver at least 90% of the trains they promise - but then with the frequency timetabled, if a train is cancelled there will be another one along at a maximum of 30 minutes later.   What a contrast to my home station where a cancellation leaves the next one not along until 120 minutes later, and because that's likely to be the same train or crew it's liable to be cancelled too.    Give us the 30 minute service and we'll fill the trains, especially with the 80% uplift in new house numbers that's planned

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [379340/31359/18]
Posted by grahame at 06:26, 9th September 2026
 
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12

22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Re: 5029 Nunney Castle - March 1963 Newport to Salisbury (YouTube video)
In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [379339/32477/49]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:09, 8th September 2026
 
Many thanks for posting that link, eightonedee.  Just under 13 minutes of anyone's time - well worth watching. 

I was indeed enthralled at that historic footage - some of it taken, as you say, from the footplate.  No way anyone would be allowed to do that, in these days of Elfin Safety. 

CfN. 

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379338/32475/30]
Posted by eightonedee at 22:26, 8th September 2026
 
Pines Express ran between Manchester and Bournemouth West over the old, and beloved, S&DJR▸ .

The 7- to 10-year old trainspotter me was glad that for the latter part of its life, it was diverted to run via Reading and Basingstoke, giving me the opportunity to see Bulleid Pacifics (and occasional Southern Region Standard 4-6-0s) from the vantage point of a small tree in our garden, as a break from increasingly shabby ex-GWR engines and new diesel hydraulics and DMUs.

I'm also a "me too" for the Clansman being the only one I travelled on.

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379337/32475/30]
Posted by Merthyr Imp at 22:25, 8th September 2026
 
If I remember right The Flying Kipper ran from Tidmouth to Vicarstown. Or did it then continue onto the mainland through Barrow?

The Highwayman - I think that started from Potters Bar and ran to Newcastle.

5029 March 1963 Newport to Salisbury (YouTube video)
In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [379336/32477/49]
Posted by eightonedee at 22:02, 8th September 2026
 
This came up on my YouTube feed - a well-preserved colour film (if somewhat shaky in places!) of a ride on the footplate of "Nunney Castle" across our patch towards the end of the harsh 1962-3 winter. I thought forum members might enjoy it-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvCHxk-OWls

Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)
In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379335/10737/21]
Posted by Red Squirrel at 21:23, 8th September 2026
Already liked by Western Pathfinder
 
I hear the new entrance etc cost £23 million,  surely that can't be true? Does anyone know the actual figure?

Apparently so, and I believe part of £94m allocated for the three new entrances (South, East and I presume the renovations and public realm around the Midland Shed on the north side).

Yes, it's a bonkers amount of money but take a look at the photo at https://www.bristoltemplequarter.com/news/eastern-entrance-reaches-construction-milestone-with-building-shell-complete/ - there's more to it than you think, don't forget that it all had to be done around a live railway just metres away from passengers and the underpass.

Incidentally, the floating footpath to Temple Quay apparently cost £10m. I believe that was paid for by the University as a planning condition.   



We just paid the best part of £23 million for a loft extension, some think they got a pretty good deal really.

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379334/32475/30]
Posted by Western Pathfinder at 21:07, 8th September 2026
 
The Elizabethan was a top link service twixt Kings Cross and Edinburgh,middle of the day departure,usually A4 as traction ,features in an excellent BTF episode iirc.

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026
In "Across the West" [379333/31163/26]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:01, 8th September 2026
 
Journeycheck now saying disruption is likely to last until next Tuesday (15th).

Probably best not to let TG see that.

Oops - too late! 

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379332/32475/30]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:57, 8th September 2026
 
"Clansman" was Euston-Inverness in both directions.

The only one in the list that I can recall travelling with.

Ditto.

I'm fairly sure that none of us muggles could ever travel on the Hogwarts Express ...  

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379331/32475/30]
Posted by stuving at 20:55, 8th September 2026
 
My recollection is of the Talisman running KX to Aberdeen - but logically it ought only to have gone to Edinburgh.

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379330/32475/30]
Posted by grahame at 20:53, 8th September 2026
 
'Ports to Ports Express'. Need a time machine for that one.

Ah - now that's a new one on me ... had to look it up ...

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379329/32475/30]
Posted by Mark A at 20:27, 8th September 2026
 
'Ports to Ports Express'. Need a time machine for that one.

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379328/32475/30]
Posted by John D at 20:06, 8th September 2026
Already liked by Mark A
 
Palatine ran from London St Pancras to Manchester Central using the now closed line through Peak District via Matlock and Chinley



Not very commonly known is The Pines Express was the only Express that used the Bushbury Junction to Portobello Junction (near Wolverhampton) and Walsall - Sutton Coldfield - Kings Norton route.    It missed out Birmingham New Street.  And for years had a through coach to Liverpool

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026
In "Across the West" [379327/31163/26]
Posted by NickB at 20:03, 8th September 2026
 
[slow hand clap]

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379326/32475/30]
Posted by Trowres at 20:03, 8th September 2026
 
The "Red Dragon", unsurprisingly, was Paddington-Swansea. Modelled by the original Hornby Dublo.

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379325/32475/30]
Posted by grahame at 20:00, 8th September 2026
 
"Clansman" was Euston-Inverness in both directions.

The only one in the list that I can recall travelling with.

Ditto.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [379324/31359/18]
Posted by grahame at 20:00, 8th September 2026
 
The 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury via Swindon left 27 minutes late and was still 20 late when it departed Swindon after reversing.

Service also running with no on board toilets according to Tiger.

And terminated at Westbury "due to the train operator's request (TB)"

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379323/32475/30]
Posted by Trowres at 19:58, 8th September 2026
 
"Clansman" was Euston-Inverness in both directions.

The only one in the list that I can recall travelling with.

Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)
In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379322/10737/21]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:46, 8th September 2026
 

Dunno about new vs existing, but the Portishead line's business case forecast 1.2 million extra journeys by 2040, so the way these things usually work, expect 2m by 2030.


 

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379321/32475/30]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:16, 8th September 2026
 
The Hogwarts Express is the iconic red steam train (a GWR engine, 5972, built in Swindon) from the Harry Potter series that carries students from Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station to Hogsmeade Station, via the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026
In "Across the West" [379320/31163/26]
Posted by bobm at 19:11, 8th September 2026
 
Journeycheck now saying disruption is likely to last until next Tuesday (15th).

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026
In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [379319/31359/18]
Posted by bobm at 19:07, 8th September 2026
 
The 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury via Swindon left 27 minutes late and was still 20 late when it departed Swindon after reversing.

Service also running with no on board toilets according to Tiger.

Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)
In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379318/10737/21]
Posted by TonyN at 18:48, 8th September 2026
 
The suggestion was that GBR/DfT» were waiting to see the results of the Scottish rolling stock procurement exercise, and then would add theirs if they liked what they saw.
If the Scots use the same team as they have for new ferries we may end up with trains that sink.

Re: Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379317/32475/30]
Posted by Oxonhutch at 18:40, 8th September 2026
 
Pines Express ran between Manchester and Bournemouth West over the old, and beloved, S&DJR.

Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)
In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379316/10737/21]
Posted by Noggin at 17:55, 8th September 2026
 
Passed through their yesterday
I am intrigued how much use it will get and how much increased footfall there will be going the opposite way to normal at the station

The estimate was 2m people p/a - so 20% of station users-ish

Now - is that 2 million abstracted from the main entrance, or two million new customers?    And if the latter, where are the extra carriages on trains like the Cross Country ones, and the services to Cardiff and via Bradford-on-Avon to cope?

Dunno about new vs existing, but the Portishead line's business case forecast 1.2 million extra journeys by 2040, so the way these things usually work, expect 2m by 2030.

IIRC there's supposed to be a GBR rolling stock procurement plan published by the end of this year. The suggestion was that GBR/DfT were waiting to see the results of the Scottish rolling stock procurement exercise, and then would add theirs if they liked what they saw.
 

Re: Bristol trams - their possible resurrection, ongoing discussion
In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379315/24687/21]
Posted by Noggin at 17:43, 8th September 2026
 
From the BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8egjgejxxo

Will Bristol ever get a tram network?

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to "making progress" on a mass transit system for Bristol - leaning into a decades-long saga that has left the West of England as one of the biggest city regions in the country without a tram or light rail.

"Mass transit" can include buses, trams and trains - the key is the service moves separately to other vehicles, preventing it from getting stuck in traffic.

Labour's West of England Mayor Helen Godwin has already allocated £150m to develop a mass transit "vision", with the aim of work starting within five years.

But government funding to deliver the project has not been guaranteed. A similar project for a tram system in Leeds is set to cost £2.1bn.

"The big cities of England... should have mass transit systems," Burnham said. "I'm talking about Leeds, I'm talking about Bristol.

"I will work with the wonderful mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, to make progress on that.

"To connect Bristol, its new arena, the station, the development at Temple Meads, into a mass transit system that takes Bristol forward."

Why hasn't Bristol got a mass transit system?

Continues ...


Curious timing for this to pop up with no real news - perhaps no coincidence that it's in the run up to the Budget?

For those interested, a good reference is February's vision doc linked from https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/about-us/our-strategy/transport-vision/. p39 suggest the routes, their goal was stated to have the first bit "in delivery" within 4 to 5 years (whatever that means).

As ever, the easy win for a first line would seem to be Airport to Temple Meads via the new Epic offices in Long Ashton and Ashton Gate Stadium, on the basis that the three could be called upon to contribute.


Chiltern Railway Company -> Chiltern Rail, 20.9.2026
In "Chiltern Railways services" [379314/32476/44]
Posted by grahame at 17:35, 8th September 2026
 
Dear Graham,

From 20th September, Chiltern will be operated by a new company Chiltern Rail Limited as part of a planned transition into public ownership. Although the legal operator is changing, you'll continue to see the same Chiltern Railways, and the same teams running your trains.

Responsibility for your personal data will transfer from The Chiltern Railway Company Limited to Chiltern Rail Limited. This is a legal change only - your data will continue to be handled in the same systems, by the same teams, and used for the same purposes.

You don't need to take any action now. The updated privacy notice for Chiltern Rail Limited will be published on 20th September.

Our reasons for collecting and using your data remain unchanged. The new operator will also have some additional responsibilities - such as the Freedom of Information Act - but these won't affect how your data is used day to day.

Named train - but where did it run?
In "The Lighter Side" [379313/32475/30]
Posted by grahame at 17:11, 8th September 2026
 
Named trains like the "Cornish Riviera Express", the "Atlantic Coast Express", and the "Bewdley Flyer" contain an indication in their very names of their destination areas - but that's not obvious from all train names from the past.    For  how many of these can you identify the route served?

Benjamin Britten
Clansman
Elizabethan
Enterprise
Fair Maid
Flying Kipper
Highlandman
Highwayman
Hogwarts Express
Inter City Express
Palatine
Pines Express
Red Dragon
Sunny South Express
Talisman
Zephyr

 
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