Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| West Midlands Metro ticket evaders now face £100 fines In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [379525/32500/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:21, 13th September 2026 |      |
From the BBC:
Metro ticket evaders now face £100 fines
Revenue officers are being deployed across the tram network to carry out ticket inspections - Image © West Midlands Metro
Ticket evaders on the West Midlands Metro will face a £100 penalty as a new inspection scheme comes into force.
Revenue officers are set to carry out regular inspections under the Buy Before You Board (BBYB) scheme, which has been fully introduced.
The changes mean passengers can no longer purchase a ticket from conductors while on board the tram and must buy a valid ticket or pass before climbing aboard.
Under the new rules, anyone who is caught travelling on a tram, or on the platform having just got off one without a valid ticket or pass, may be liable to pay the £100 penalty fare.
Most revenue officers on the Metro, which connects Birmingham to Wolverhampton, were former conductors who have been retrained for revenue protection duties, the transport provider added. Their role includes ensuring ticket checks take place throughout the day to help prevent fare evasion, alongside issuing penalty fares where necessary.
"At busy times, it has sometimes been difficult for conductors to cover an entire tram between stops, and we know that the vast majority of customers don't like to see some people travelling without paying their way," said Michael Reading-Skilton, Metro's head of commercial and customer experience. "Our revenue officers will now be out on Metro services to help customers understand the new ticketing process and make sure everyone is travelling with a valid ticket."
The number of ticket machines that accept card and cash at tram stops has increased, with tickets also available to be purchased using the MyMetro app.
Valid passes purchased as part of a season ticket or on the Swift card were also accepted, a spokesperson added.
Revenue officers are being deployed across the tram network to carry out ticket inspections - Image © West Midlands Metro
Ticket evaders on the West Midlands Metro will face a £100 penalty as a new inspection scheme comes into force.
Revenue officers are set to carry out regular inspections under the Buy Before You Board (BBYB) scheme, which has been fully introduced.
The changes mean passengers can no longer purchase a ticket from conductors while on board the tram and must buy a valid ticket or pass before climbing aboard.
Under the new rules, anyone who is caught travelling on a tram, or on the platform having just got off one without a valid ticket or pass, may be liable to pay the £100 penalty fare.
Most revenue officers on the Metro, which connects Birmingham to Wolverhampton, were former conductors who have been retrained for revenue protection duties, the transport provider added. Their role includes ensuring ticket checks take place throughout the day to help prevent fare evasion, alongside issuing penalty fares where necessary.
"At busy times, it has sometimes been difficult for conductors to cover an entire tram between stops, and we know that the vast majority of customers don't like to see some people travelling without paying their way," said Michael Reading-Skilton, Metro's head of commercial and customer experience. "Our revenue officers will now be out on Metro services to help customers understand the new ticketing process and make sure everyone is travelling with a valid ticket."
The number of ticket machines that accept card and cash at tram stops has increased, with tickets also available to be purchased using the MyMetro app.
Valid passes purchased as part of a season ticket or on the Swift card were also accepted, a spokesperson added.
| Direct Birmingham to Manchester Airport trains due to start in 2027 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [379524/32499/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:46, 13th September 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Direct Birmingham-to-Manchester Airport trains due
The first Birmingham to Crewe services will begin in December, with the extension to Manchester Airport following in May 2027 - Image © LNR
A direct train service from Birmingham to Manchester Airport is set to be launched next year, it has been revealed.
The London Northwestern Railway (LNR) service will be hourly, with trains going to the airport starting operation in May 2027, running from Birmingham New Street through the Black Country, Staffordshire and Cheshire.
Passengers currently travelling to the airport have to change trains at Crewe, Wilmslow or in Manchester city centre.
The direct airport service be the second of two stages of introduction, with the first starting on 13 December, when trains will run between Birmingham and Crewe, stopping at 12 stations including Darlaston and Willenhall.
Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said the route would provide "more sustainable transport options for those travelling abroad" and improve connections between the two regions. "I'm delighted to see new rail connections... offering more sustainable transport options for those travelling abroad, and improving connectivity across both regions," he said. "This new route also delivers additional services for those travelling within the West Midlands, including to our new stations in Willenhall and Darlaston."
Five months later, the route will then be extended to Manchester Airport, stopping at Sandbach, Holmes Chapel, Wilmslow and Styal.
Denise Wetton, managing director of LNR, said the service would provide "direct connectivity... for the first time in decades". It will also mean more trains for passengers travelling between Birmingham, the Black Country and Staffordshire.
Adam Jogee, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, said the announcement was "a brilliant step forward for the connectivity of our area". He said travelling to the airport for the announcement had highlighted the need for an alternative to driving, citing "the struggle for parking".
The direct airport service will call at 17 stations:
- Birmingham New Street
- Tame Bridge Parkway
- Darlaston
- Willenhall
- Wolverhampton
- Stafford
- Stone
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Longport
- Kidsgrove
- Alsager
- Crewe
- Sandbach
- Holmes Chapel
- Wilmslow
- Styal
- Manchester Airport
The first Birmingham to Crewe services will begin in December, with the extension to Manchester Airport following in May 2027 - Image © LNR
A direct train service from Birmingham to Manchester Airport is set to be launched next year, it has been revealed.
The London Northwestern Railway (LNR) service will be hourly, with trains going to the airport starting operation in May 2027, running from Birmingham New Street through the Black Country, Staffordshire and Cheshire.
Passengers currently travelling to the airport have to change trains at Crewe, Wilmslow or in Manchester city centre.
The direct airport service be the second of two stages of introduction, with the first starting on 13 December, when trains will run between Birmingham and Crewe, stopping at 12 stations including Darlaston and Willenhall.
Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said the route would provide "more sustainable transport options for those travelling abroad" and improve connections between the two regions. "I'm delighted to see new rail connections... offering more sustainable transport options for those travelling abroad, and improving connectivity across both regions," he said. "This new route also delivers additional services for those travelling within the West Midlands, including to our new stations in Willenhall and Darlaston."
Five months later, the route will then be extended to Manchester Airport, stopping at Sandbach, Holmes Chapel, Wilmslow and Styal.
Denise Wetton, managing director of LNR, said the service would provide "direct connectivity... for the first time in decades". It will also mean more trains for passengers travelling between Birmingham, the Black Country and Staffordshire.
Adam Jogee, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, said the announcement was "a brilliant step forward for the connectivity of our area". He said travelling to the airport for the announcement had highlighted the need for an alternative to driving, citing "the struggle for parking".
The direct airport service will call at 17 stations:
- Birmingham New Street
- Tame Bridge Parkway
- Darlaston
- Willenhall
- Wolverhampton
- Stafford
- Stone
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Longport
- Kidsgrove
- Alsager
- Crewe
- Sandbach
- Holmes Chapel
- Wilmslow
- Styal
- Manchester Airport
| Re: Is our consultant class too qualified and memberised for its good? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [379523/32494/40] Posted by Sixty3Closure at 22:19, 13th September 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Bit like TG I use it occasionally to keep in touch with people. I never quite had the confidence (audacity?) to embellish my titles and roles but it always makes me laugh when I see, for example, the Junior Project Manager I hired for a project describe themselves as the Project Lead.
Sometimes you need to adapt a job title to make sense to the wider world but too many of my former colleagues who might have been one of a dozen+ Operations Managers are suddenly Head of UK Operations.
I was also very wary about hiring someone young and/or inexperienced with too many qualifications as it suggested a focus on exams rather than practical experience. That did come back to bite me though when I applied recently for a government job and didn't get an interview on the basis of not having a particular low level qualification (or rather I did but had let it lapse about 20 years ago). I suspect though that's AI job filtering to strict criteria rather than my 30 years experience in the field.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [379522/32456/31] Posted by johnneyw at 21:59, 13th September 2026 Already liked by eightonedee | |
There's no use in having a good supply of candles if you've got no matches to light them with. I tested my box of Swan Vestas this morning and they all worked!
| Re: Where was JayMac today, 13th September 2026? In "The Lighter Side" [379521/32496/30] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 21:37, 13th September 2026 | |
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. ?
High ho silver away,ride into tomorrow today…..
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [379520/32456/31] Posted by broadgage at 21:26, 13th September 2026 | |
Sweden advises citizens how to prepare for WAR OR DISASTER. (English version)
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/03/26/the-swedish-handbook-in-case-of-crisis-or-war-official-resistance-resilience-brochure-for-citizens/
| Re: Llangollen Canal - Whitchurch, Shropshire canal breach: 22 Dec 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [379519/31316/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:49, 13th September 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
New leak forces closure of canal near collapse site
A new leak has forced the temporary closure of a stretch of canal close to where a major collapse happened just before Christmas last year.
The closure, from Monday, of the Llangollen Canal, in Whitchurch, Shropshire, comes nearly nine months after millions of litres of water were sent cascading onto nearby land, in the early hours of 22 December, leaving boat owners in disbelief.
Work by the Canal and River Trust (CRT) has been ongoing across the year, but a wet patch had been discovered, it said.
The Whitchurch Waterway Trust (WWT) said the leak is thought to be from the canal to the south of the works, which means that part of the canal will have to be temporarily closed by the CRT.
WWT said it had contacted all the boats moored on the stretch, known as the Arm, to explain the situation ahead of the closure. Owners have been given the option to stay where they are or move to moorings elsewhere on the canal.
In a statement on the group's Facebook page, it said the CRT had advised that the problem could be resolved within weeks or could extend for several months.
Hundreds had attended a festival at the site last week, aimed at encouraging more people to use the canal following the major incident.
"Coming so soon after our hugely successful canal festival, this is a setback," said WWT chair Mark Lacey. "But we understand that renovating a 200-year old structure built with pick and shovel will throw up obstacles along the way. We have an excellent relationship with the CRT project team and we will work with them to ensure the best possible outcomes for everyone who enjoys the Whitchurch Arm."
The collapsed embankment has been rebuilt in layers, and its structural integrity has been reinforced.
Repair work is expected to be finished by February, costing the CRT about £10m.
A new leak has forced the temporary closure of a stretch of canal close to where a major collapse happened just before Christmas last year.
The closure, from Monday, of the Llangollen Canal, in Whitchurch, Shropshire, comes nearly nine months after millions of litres of water were sent cascading onto nearby land, in the early hours of 22 December, leaving boat owners in disbelief.
Work by the Canal and River Trust (CRT) has been ongoing across the year, but a wet patch had been discovered, it said.
The Whitchurch Waterway Trust (WWT) said the leak is thought to be from the canal to the south of the works, which means that part of the canal will have to be temporarily closed by the CRT.
WWT said it had contacted all the boats moored on the stretch, known as the Arm, to explain the situation ahead of the closure. Owners have been given the option to stay where they are or move to moorings elsewhere on the canal.
In a statement on the group's Facebook page, it said the CRT had advised that the problem could be resolved within weeks or could extend for several months.
Hundreds had attended a festival at the site last week, aimed at encouraging more people to use the canal following the major incident.
"Coming so soon after our hugely successful canal festival, this is a setback," said WWT chair Mark Lacey. "But we understand that renovating a 200-year old structure built with pick and shovel will throw up obstacles along the way. We have an excellent relationship with the CRT project team and we will work with them to ensure the best possible outcomes for everyone who enjoys the Whitchurch Arm."
The collapsed embankment has been rebuilt in layers, and its structural integrity has been reinforced.
Repair work is expected to be finished by February, costing the CRT about £10m.
| Re: Bridge strike 11/6/26 WCML between Rugby and Nuneaton In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [379518/32118/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:22, 13th September 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Warwickshire businesses 'cut off' after railway bridge strike
A 64-year-old man was arrested after a lorry hit the railway bridge in June
Businesses in Warwickshire have said a planned five-month road closure following a bridge strike has left them unable to receive deliveries.
The railway bridge on Marston Lane, Whitestone, was hit by a lorry on 11 June and a large part of the brickwork fell away.
West Coast Mainline trains continue to cross the bridge but the road beneath it has been closed to road traffic since the incident, affecting access to the Marston Hall Industrial Estate.
Network Rail said the road closure was "helping to protect local communities, road users, railway passengers and the workforce delivering the repairs", and that it was expected to remain in place until November.
(BBC article continues, in some detail)
A 64-year-old man was arrested after a lorry hit the railway bridge in June
Businesses in Warwickshire have said a planned five-month road closure following a bridge strike has left them unable to receive deliveries.
The railway bridge on Marston Lane, Whitestone, was hit by a lorry on 11 June and a large part of the brickwork fell away.
West Coast Mainline trains continue to cross the bridge but the road beneath it has been closed to road traffic since the incident, affecting access to the Marston Hall Industrial Estate.
Network Rail said the road closure was "helping to protect local communities, road users, railway passengers and the workforce delivering the repairs", and that it was expected to remain in place until November.
(BBC article continues, in some detail)
| Watch: Great Western Railway offers video view inside its control room In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [379517/32498/49] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:45, 13th September 2026 | |
From RailAdvent:
Watch: Great Western Railway offers video view inside its control room
Great Western Railway (GWR) launched a four-part, behind-the-scenes video series called Beyond the Journey that takes viewers inside the daily operation of its control room on Friday 11 September.
The video is told from the point of view of control room workers, and shows the split-second decisions, high pressure and hard work that go into keeping the railway moving.
Production company So-Motive has co-produced the video series with GWR.
The video follows staff from both GWR and Network Rail during high-pressure days on the job. Workers can be seen live from the control room, as they carry out actions including rerouting services, keeping rails safe as temperatures rise, dealing with tens of thousands of football fans travelling to and from a major stadium, and making sure that the final 24 hours before the opening of a brand-new station run smoothly.
Episode 1: 24 hours to opening day (link to YouTube). Staff from Network Rail and Devon County Council, together with GWR’s Head of Third Party Delivery, Ian Mundy, look at the busy final 24 hours before the opening of the new Okehampton Interchange station.
Episode 2: Match day at the Principality. Staff, including GWR’s Customer Service and Events Manager for South Wales Kay Davies, manage the crowds as Cardiff’s Principality Stadium hosts Arsenal v Manchester City in the FA Community Shield. This involves managing additional train capacity and moving tens of thousands of fans safely to and from the game.
Episode 3: Beating the heat. This summer’s heatwaves provided a challenge to the railway network that was so severe that it had to impose speed restrictions. In this episode, Network Rail Track Maintenance Engineer, Michael Payne, explains the work that railway workers have to carry out in order to keep trains running safely during extreme heat. He also talks about what climate change will mean for the railway’s infrastructure in the years ahead.
Episode 4: Inside the Control Room. Staff at the joint GWR and Network Rail Control Room respond to live incidents across the network in real time. Along with GWR Duty Service Delivery Manager, Amy Sansum, they make split-second decisions that keep passengers moving when difficulties arise.
Episode 1 is already available, and the remaining three will be released one per week on GWR’s social media channels.
Great Western Railway (GWR) launched a four-part, behind-the-scenes video series called Beyond the Journey that takes viewers inside the daily operation of its control room on Friday 11 September.
The video is told from the point of view of control room workers, and shows the split-second decisions, high pressure and hard work that go into keeping the railway moving.
Production company So-Motive has co-produced the video series with GWR.
The video follows staff from both GWR and Network Rail during high-pressure days on the job. Workers can be seen live from the control room, as they carry out actions including rerouting services, keeping rails safe as temperatures rise, dealing with tens of thousands of football fans travelling to and from a major stadium, and making sure that the final 24 hours before the opening of a brand-new station run smoothly.
Episode 1: 24 hours to opening day (link to YouTube). Staff from Network Rail and Devon County Council, together with GWR’s Head of Third Party Delivery, Ian Mundy, look at the busy final 24 hours before the opening of the new Okehampton Interchange station.
Episode 2: Match day at the Principality. Staff, including GWR’s Customer Service and Events Manager for South Wales Kay Davies, manage the crowds as Cardiff’s Principality Stadium hosts Arsenal v Manchester City in the FA Community Shield. This involves managing additional train capacity and moving tens of thousands of fans safely to and from the game.
Episode 3: Beating the heat. This summer’s heatwaves provided a challenge to the railway network that was so severe that it had to impose speed restrictions. In this episode, Network Rail Track Maintenance Engineer, Michael Payne, explains the work that railway workers have to carry out in order to keep trains running safely during extreme heat. He also talks about what climate change will mean for the railway’s infrastructure in the years ahead.
Episode 4: Inside the Control Room. Staff at the joint GWR and Network Rail Control Room respond to live incidents across the network in real time. Along with GWR Duty Service Delivery Manager, Amy Sansum, they make split-second decisions that keep passengers moving when difficulties arise.
Episode 1 is already available, and the remaining three will be released one per week on GWR’s social media channels.
| Re: Westbury Station - lift out of order u.f.n. - 13 Sept 2026 In "London to the West" [379516/32495/12] Posted by bobm at 18:58, 13th September 2026 | |
If Journeycheck is to be believed, the lift is back in operation.
| Planned rail testing centre has cost taxpayers £70m but hasn't been built In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [379515/32497/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:44, 13th September 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Planned Gibraltar-sized rail testing centre has cost taxpayers £70m but hasn't been built
The project is based at the former Nant Helen opencast coal mine in Powys
The future of a proposed rail-testing centre that has received £70m of taxpayers' money but still has not been built is to be decided by the Welsh government.
The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) has not found the private-sector funding it needs as the risk is "too great" for potential investors, its boss has said.
Launched five years ago, the project is based at the former Nant Helen opencast coal mine near Ystradgynlais, Powys.
Ministers are now being asked to approve plans for a data centre there, which GCRE hopes will attract more funding for the rail project.
The Welsh government said GCRE - which it owns - has been "exploring a range of projects to revitalise" the site. "We are working with the company to assess next steps, in light of our productivity mission," a spokesperson added.
The Welsh government has given GCRE £50m since it was set up by Labour in 2021. The former Conservative UK government also provided £20m.
GCRE hoped to find £330m from private backers to transform the mine near Bannau Brycheiniog national park - also known as the Brecon Beacons.
(BBC article continues)
The project is based at the former Nant Helen opencast coal mine in Powys
The future of a proposed rail-testing centre that has received £70m of taxpayers' money but still has not been built is to be decided by the Welsh government.
The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) has not found the private-sector funding it needs as the risk is "too great" for potential investors, its boss has said.
Launched five years ago, the project is based at the former Nant Helen opencast coal mine near Ystradgynlais, Powys.
Ministers are now being asked to approve plans for a data centre there, which GCRE hopes will attract more funding for the rail project.
The Welsh government said GCRE - which it owns - has been "exploring a range of projects to revitalise" the site. "We are working with the company to assess next steps, in light of our productivity mission," a spokesperson added.
The Welsh government has given GCRE £50m since it was set up by Labour in 2021. The former Conservative UK government also provided £20m.
GCRE hoped to find £330m from private backers to transform the mine near Bannau Brycheiniog national park - also known as the Brecon Beacons.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Where was JayMac today, 13th September 2026? In "The Lighter Side" [379514/32496/30] Posted by JayMac at 18:39, 13th September 2026 Already liked by grahame, PhilWakely | |
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. ?
Sorry no. Twenty seven letters too many!
| Re: Where was JayMac today, 13th September 2026? In "The Lighter Side" [379513/32496/30] Posted by JayMac at 18:38, 13th September 2026 | |
Given the length of the totem, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch perchance?
Correct. Point shared with previous responders as they obviously knew the location too.
| Re: Where was JayMac today, 13th September 2026? In "The Lighter Side" [379512/32496/30] Posted by grahame at 17:59, 13th September 2026 Already liked by PhilWakely, JayMac, Mark A | |
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. ?
| Re: Where was JayMac today, 13th September 2026? In "The Lighter Side" [379511/32496/30] Posted by 1st fan at 17:26, 13th September 2026 Already liked by JayMac | |
Given the length of the totem, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch perchance?
| Re: Where was JayMac today, 13th September 2026? In "The Lighter Side" [379510/32496/30] Posted by PhilWakely at 17:22, 13th September 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
I was most disappointed when I was there last year! I wanted to get a platform ticket for my granddaughter, but they no longer do them! I had to settle for a fridge magnet in the style of a platform ticket!
Although, at the time, one particular scaffolder must have been very happy! Having their advert photographed by many a tourist
| Re: Where was JayMac today, 13th September 2026? In "The Lighter Side" [379509/32496/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 17:10, 13th September 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, JayMac | |
Sorry Jay, it would take me too long to say it!
| Where was JayMac today, 13th September 2026? In "The Lighter Side" [379508/32496/30] Posted by JayMac at 16:55, 13th September 2026 | |
I'm currently on holiday in the UK with Mumsy and Finn.
We had to get Mum some shoes this morning before our chosen visitor attraction for the afternoon. We parked up near this station. Where be it?
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [379507/32456/31] Posted by bobm at 14:24, 13th September 2026 Already liked by TaplowGreen, Phil | |
In my case it’s Fullers Golden Pride.
Down to 23 bottles now.
| Re: Westbury Station - lift out of order u.f.n. - 13 Sept 2026 In "London to the West" [379506/32495/12] Posted by bobm at 14:23, 13th September 2026 Already liked by Phil | |
That lift seems particularly susceptible to water ingress at the bottom of the shaft. Whether that is the case this time I don’t know but on previous occasions it has been back in operation fairly quickly.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [379505/32456/31] Posted by TaplowGreen at 13:14, 13th September 2026 | |
The only items I seem to have overlooked are bottles of Fullers beer: I shall rectify that later today.
A great feature of London Pride is that it can be consumed in the dark.
.......after having lit a candle and checked you haven't mistakenly picked up Greene King IPA of course!
| Westbury Station - lift out of order u.f.n. - 13 Sept 2026 In "London to the West" [379504/32495/12] Posted by grahame at 12:59, 13th September 2026 | |
Westbury: Lifts out of order
The lifts will be out of order between Platforms 2 & 3 and subway from now until further notice at Westbury station.
Additional Information
Platforms 2 & 3 have no step free access.
> Your journey may be possible using services to/from platform 1 at Westbury.
> If possible, staff will arrange for the train to use another platform with working lifts.
-
The National Rail Accessibility Map (accessmap.nationalrail.co.uk) may be helpful to plan your journey featuring accessibility features at every station.
-
Let us help you:
-
Please speak to staff, use a station help point or call our Passenger Assistance Team on 0800 197 1329.
Last Updated:12/09/2026 06:57
The lifts will be out of order between Platforms 2 & 3 and subway from now until further notice at Westbury station.
Additional Information
Platforms 2 & 3 have no step free access.
> Your journey may be possible using services to/from platform 1 at Westbury.
> If possible, staff will arrange for the train to use another platform with working lifts.
-
The National Rail Accessibility Map (accessmap.nationalrail.co.uk) may be helpful to plan your journey featuring accessibility features at every station.
-
Let us help you:
-
Please speak to staff, use a station help point or call our Passenger Assistance Team on 0800 197 1329.
Last Updated:12/09/2026 06:57
The advise seems to be tuned to passengers starting / ending their rail journeys at Westbury, even though it is such a key interchange. And - is it just me - it strikes me as being rarely possible to divert trains that need wheelchair access onto platform 1.
Message for passengers from Melksham / Chippenham / Swindon to Warminster / Frome / south thereof and vice versa - change at Trowbridge at the moment.
Does anyone here know how long the lift will be out for?
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [379503/31163/26] Posted by NickB at 12:41, 13th September 2026 | |
“ Whilst this disruption is ongoing, buses are a simple and direct alternative.”
What are these people smoking?!?
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [379502/32456/31] Posted by Oxonhutch at 10:48, 13th September 2026 Already liked by johnneyw | |
The only items I seem to have overlooked are bottles of Fullers beer: I shall rectify that later today.
A great feature of London Pride is that it can be consumed in the dark.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [379501/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:46, 13th September 2026 | |
Updated again this morning "Until Further Notice"
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/kensal-green-20260906/
| Re: Is our consultant class too qualified and memberised for its good? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [379500/32494/40] Posted by stuving at 10:05, 13th September 2026 Already liked by Mark A, Western Pathfinder | |
Noting that RailEI features in that list, and for those that are not up to date, earlier this year the Permanent Way Institution converted itself into the Railway Engineering Institution. There is a new, rebuilt, web site and one of the side effects of that is that (as far as I can see) everything in their "knowledge hub" - including local meetings - is now only accessible to members. if that is entirely true, and remains so, it's rather a shame as they were a useful source of detailed (and true!) information.
| Re: Is our consultant class too qualified and memberised for its good? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [379499/32494/40] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:11, 13th September 2026 | |
I was struck on Instagram this morning by the long lists of qualifactions and memberships of a significant proportion of the LinkedIn contributors and responders on a post I shared earlier. I have redacted the names, and these are NOT the person I quoted earlier, where I was able in a 100 word summary to encapsulate the gist of what he was saying. Just look at these:
[redacted] CEnv, FEI, FISEP, CMILT, CMVP, MSc, CRWM
[redacted] MAPM, MRailEI, MIET, MIfSE, ACIRO, MCIM
and someone who bangs his drum in a different style:
[redacted] "Senior Industry Expert"
Sums up Linkedin to a tee - it's become the home of ego, bullshit bingo, generally showing off and "look at me" type inspirational dissertations.
Following your name with a list of qualifications/membership like that is little more than willy waving.
I keep my (free) membership going as a means of keeping in touch with people I've interacted with in business over the years but other than that, rarely visit it.
There's a hilarious book called "The State of LinkedIn" which is well worth a read, and some great parodies too - enjoy this one!
https://x.com/StateOfLinkedIn/status/1989042552134148365?s=20
| Re: Derailment in Normandy In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [379498/32488/52] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 09:03, 13th September 2026 Already liked by broadgage, Western Pathfinder | |
Since even SNCF have said the accident was caused by the train hitting a length of rail perhaps this unfortunate incident will prompt Network Rail to clean up the linear scrap yard otherwise known as the UK rail network.
| Is our consultant class too qualified and memberised for its good? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [379497/32494/40] Posted by grahame at 08:58, 13th September 2026 | |
I should spend more time on LinkedIn and Instagram, and perhaps less on Facebook; I am content to remain at my current level of contributor activity here on the Coffee Shop though I suspect I should be stepping up elements of my coding work to modernise and help raise the visibilty and navigability of our resource.
I was struck on Instagram this morning by the long lists of qualifactions and memberships of a significant proportion of the LinkedIn contributors and responders on a post I shared earlier. I have redacted the names, and these are NOT the person I quoted earlier, where I was able in a 100 word summary to encapsulate the gist of what he was saying in 3,000. Just look at these:
[redacted] CEnv, FEI, FISEP, CMILT, CMVP, MSc, CRWM
[redacted] MAPM, MRailEI, MIET, MIfSE, ACIRO, MCIM
and someone who bangs his drum in a different style:
[redacted] "Senior Industry Expert"
For sure, we (who are on LinkedIn) all have to (or, rather, really need to) indicate what we are, and give at least a clue as to our background. These days, now that I am retired from so many elements, I have chosen to say no more than "Webmaster and Administrator at Great Western Coffee Shop Passenger Forum"; I have no rail industry qualifiactions what so ever - I didn't even study Geography as far as 'O' level, and I have just a lowley Batchelor's degree. You will pick up from my profile that I'm a director of TravelWatch SouthWest (a 3 year term from December 2024 to 2027) but I don't do headlining that.
Are there too many different qualifications, learned bodies, interested parties, meetings, committees and so forth for our own good in the rail industry? Or has it got so complicated we need them all?
Edited to correct typos
| Re: Derailment in Normandy In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [379496/32488/52] Posted by stuving at 08:35, 13th September 2026 | |
This was a train to Caen, so it had turned off the Paris line, onto one which runs into a long peninsula formed by a loop in the Seine. The line here is electrified, but later where it cuts off a corner in the main lines it isn't, hence the use of DMUs.
I think the geopolitical linkage with the Renault Ampère works is fanciful, but it's true that a couple of skinny 13-year olds would find that weight hard to lift. France has plenty of groups of potential amateur saboteurs all of its own, quite apart from bigger, stronger, or more numerous gangs of teenagers.
