Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Finn and JayMac's travels. Day 2 where were we? In "The Lighter Side" [374824/31984/30] Posted by JayMac at 22:37, 5th May 2026 |      |
| Re: Finn and JayMac's travels. Day 2 where were we? In "The Lighter Side" [374823/31984/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:20, 5th May 2026 | |
3. ... is in Northern Ireland, by the way.
| Re: Finn and JayMac's travels. Day 2 where were we? In "The Lighter Side" [374822/31984/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:10, 5th May 2026 | |
| Re: Server slow ... In "News, Help and Assistance" [374821/30293/29] Posted by bobm at 21:46, 5th May 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
In a way it proves the wealth of information here that AI wants to plunder it for their memory banks. However it peeves me they are using our resources for their benefit.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance - ongoing discussion In "London to the West" [374820/31911/12] Posted by bobm at 21:42, 5th May 2026 | |
Given the scarcity of 57s, if they are sending one to Highbridge there won’t be one available to couple to the back of the up sleeper to bring it back to Reading Traincare Depot from London Paddington. Hence why it is terminating at Reading.
| Re: Finn and JayMac's travels. Day 2 where were we? In "The Lighter Side" [374819/31984/30] Posted by bobm at 21:35, 5th May 2026 | |
3. I know, but again I cheated, so I won't answer here yet. 
How can you cheat? Have you secreted a tracker on me at some point in the past?
Gosh the secrets that could tell!
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance - ongoing discussion In "London to the West" [374818/31911/12] Posted by a-driver at 21:29, 5th May 2026 | |
The failed sleeper from last night has now failed on its way up to Reading. Currently dumped in Highbridge loop.
Tonight’s down sleeper likely to be cancelled.
Tonight’s down sleeper likely to be cancelled.
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of trains because of extra safety inspections.
Additional Information
Due to a unit failure we are unable to operate this evenings Sleeper service between London Paddington and Penzance.
We have arranged for this service to be operated by one of our regular Intercity Express Trains which will offer a Standard and First Class seating service only. There will be no accommodation facilities.
And a rude awakening for those on the Up sleeper tonight.....
21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:09
21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:09 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
A shortage of train crew….. or a shortage of a 57 to work it from Reading to Paddington.
I believe they are planning to send a 57 light engine from Reading to Highbridge in the early hours of the morning and triple head the failed sleeper set back to Long Rock via Bristol TM.
| Re: Finn and JayMac's travels. Day 2 where were we? In "The Lighter Side" [374817/31984/30] Posted by JayMac at 21:23, 5th May 2026 | |
3. I know, but again I cheated, so I won't answer here yet.
How can you cheat? Have you secreted a tracker on me at some point in the past?
| Re: On train (self) catering, electrical implications and safety equipment In "Across the West" [374816/31969/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:37, 5th May 2026 | |
Thank you for your very tactful correction, IndustryInsider.
| Re: On train (self) catering, electrical implications and safety equipment In "Across the West" [374815/31969/26] Posted by IndustryInsider at 20:34, 5th May 2026 | |
At the risk of digressing from the original point, I’d love to know how a train manager would make it through some of the packed commuter trains that we know occur on a daily basis, waving a bunch of keys for the fire extinguisher cupboard, potentially with hundreds of passengers coming in the opposite direction to avoid a fire.
They don’t have to. A rare slip up from CfN as extinguishers are readily available in each carriage…no key waving from staff required. Their location is indicated by red signs in the carriage.
| Re: Finn and JayMac's travels. Day 2 where were we? In "The Lighter Side" [374814/31984/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:34, 5th May 2026 | |
3. I know, but again I cheated, so I won't answer here yet.
| Re: Finn and JayMac on their travels. In "The Lighter Side" [374813/31975/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:26, 5th May 2026 | |
You keep your Italianate facades to yourself.
| Finn and JayMac's travels. Day 2 where were we? In "The Lighter Side" [374812/31984/30] Posted by JayMac at 20:25, 5th May 2026 | |
Yesterday's picture has confirmed the two countries I'm visiting for a holiday.
Here's a couple stations and a 'railway' location we visited today. One guess each.
1.
2.
3.
4. This is the start of a railway overbridge. What's the location and what's it's TV drama significance?
| Re: Server slow ... In "News, Help and Assistance" [374811/30293/29] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:23, 5th May 2026 | |
Thanks, as ever, for your work sorting that out, grahame.
It's all a foreign language to me, as an innate Luddite.
| Re: Finn and JayMac on their travels. In "The Lighter Side" [374810/31975/30] Posted by JayMac at 20:00, 5th May 2026 | |
And Bradshaw comes along and poaches the goal!
Correct!
Here's the more 'classic' shot of the station with its Italianate facade.
| Re: Server slow ... In "News, Help and Assistance" [374809/30293/29] Posted by grahame at 18:46, 5th May 2026 | |
Ooops - sorry about some slow running this afternoon ... 86,000 requests from a single AI learning bot ... to give you an idea, the second most active visitor has made just 2,400 requests. The servers copes well for the most part - though your may have seen the occasional "Bad Gateway" as the receptionist tries to contact a very busy worker
| Re: On train (self) catering, electrical implications and safety equipment In "Across the West" [374808/31969/26] Posted by CyclingSid at 18:36, 5th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Way off subject.
Many years ago I had a job arranging travel for our overseas engineers. The occasion that sprang to mind in this case was an engineer travelling across the Middle East on a cheap flight during the Haj was a little disconcerted when one of the passengers apparently fired up a primus stove in the aisle. I said he was joshing but insisted that was the was the case. Another result of not providing catering?
| Tales of tunnels underneath north Oxfordshire village prove to be true In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [374807/31983/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:29, 5th May 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Tales of tunnels underneath village prove to be true
The group now has "quite a few lines of enquiry" of other places to explore - Image © Bloxham Underground Tunnel Society
"Since I was a boy, there were rumours circulating and, as you do, you listen to all of the villagers - and that's where the stories came from."
In 2024, a Facebook discussion in Bloxham about a long-mythologised set of hidden tunnels running underneath the north Oxfordshire village saw locals compare their subterranean tales.
Following that exchange of stories, Dave Green - along with a group of fellow villagers - decided to set up the Bloxham Underground Tunnel Society to see if there was any truth to the legend.
In the two years since it was first formed, the society has now investigated and uncovered an ever expanding network underneath the quaint village on the edge of the Cotswolds.
"You've always got sceptics that say there's no such thing as a tunnel, there's nothing like that, but we're out there to prove that there are," Green said. He explained that the tales of the tunnels had "come from the past, but the problem is people don't investigate and people die, and the stories die".
"Unless, that is, you do something about it and try to find out - which is quite difficult," he said.
(BBC article continues)
The group now has "quite a few lines of enquiry" of other places to explore - Image © Bloxham Underground Tunnel Society
"Since I was a boy, there were rumours circulating and, as you do, you listen to all of the villagers - and that's where the stories came from."
In 2024, a Facebook discussion in Bloxham about a long-mythologised set of hidden tunnels running underneath the north Oxfordshire village saw locals compare their subterranean tales.
Following that exchange of stories, Dave Green - along with a group of fellow villagers - decided to set up the Bloxham Underground Tunnel Society to see if there was any truth to the legend.
In the two years since it was first formed, the society has now investigated and uncovered an ever expanding network underneath the quaint village on the edge of the Cotswolds.
"You've always got sceptics that say there's no such thing as a tunnel, there's nothing like that, but we're out there to prove that there are," Green said. He explained that the tales of the tunnels had "come from the past, but the problem is people don't investigate and people die, and the stories die".
"Unless, that is, you do something about it and try to find out - which is quite difficult," he said.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Finn and JayMac on their travels. In "The Lighter Side" [374806/31975/30] Posted by bradshaw at 18:26, 5th May 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, grahame, Mark A | |
Dublin Connolly Station
| Trip Report: 02-03/05/2026 Led Zeppelin Tribute Concert At The Poole Lighthouse! In "South Western services" [374805/31982/42] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 18:26, 5th May 2026 | |
02/05/2026 - Exeter To Poole
DIG 0914 (OT)>EXC 0922 (OT) : 2T11 EXM>PGN : 1 x 166 (3 Cars)
EXC 0930 (OT)>SAL 1116 (OT) : 1L36 EXD>WAT : 2 x 159 (6 Cars)
SAL 1134 (OT)>SOU 1204 (OT) : 1F61 WSB>PMH : 2 x 158 (4 Cars)
SOU 1224 (OT)>POO 1224 (OT) : 1W63 WAT>WEY : 2 x 444 (10 Cars To BMH), 1 x 444 (5 Cars To POO)
Tickets (All with Senior Railcard, 2 Pax, Price Per Person): DIG>PIN Off Peak Day Single £2.85, PIN>SAL Advance Single £11.70, SAL>SOU Anytime Day Single £8.45, SOU>POO Advance Single £6.50
2T11 lightly loaded to POL where around 25 pax boarded. Tickets but not Railcards checked.
1L36 was fairly well loaded from EXC and plenty of pax boarded at AXM & SHE. Tickets but not Railcards were checked. And as seems to be fairly common on these WoE services the on-train PIS was not working properly - it was stuck on 'Next Station Exeter Central' all the way to Salisbury and in between these messages displayed random 24 hour clock times. Why doesn't the TM just turn the bloody thing off if they can't get it to work?
There were no ticket checks between SAL & POO - hardly assisting the reduction of fare evasion!
03/05/2026 - Poole To Exeter
POO 1032 (1034)>SOU 1123 (OT) : 1W36 WEY>WAT : 1 x 444 (5 Cars To BMH), 2 x 444 (10 Cars To SOU)
SOU 1157 (1158)>SAL 1226 (OT) : 1F66 PMH>WSB : 2 x 158 (4 Cars)
SAL 1247 (OT)>EXC 1438 (1444) : 1L29 WAT>EXD : 2 x 159 (6 Cars)
EXC 1456 (OT)>DIG 1501 (OT) : 2F14 PGN>EXM : 1 x 165/1 (3 Cars)
Tickets (All with Senior Railcard, 2 Pax, Price Per Person): POO>SOU Advance Single £5.75, SOU>SAL Sunday Out Single £6.95, SAL>PIN Advance Single £7.55, PIN>DIG Off Peak Day Single £2.85
No ticket checks POO>SAL. SOU was a bit mad dealing with the fallout from the Southampton Marathon.
On 1L29 the Wi-Fi was inoperative. A passenger sat opposite us had got the TM to reboot the system but it was still 'Computer Says No'. Tickets and railcards were checked (wonders will never cease!).
1L29 was delayed 5 minutes at Axminster West Junction waiting for the late running 1L52, which itself had had to wait at PIN for 1L25, to clear the single line from HON. That was the only noticeable delay on the whole trip. Double Track PIN>YVJ Now!
Footnote: This trip was entirely the idea of SWTSMBO who saw it advertised on Facebook (which I stopped using several years ago). However I was happy to go along as the concert involved 3 singers, a four piece band and, most importantly because I attend all of their dates at the University of Exeter Great Hall, a sizeable chunk of the Bornemouth Symphony Orchestra ensemble which made for a brilliant evenings' entertainment. The Poole Lighthouse - my first visit - was an excellent venue.
| Re: Finn and JayMac on their travels. In "The Lighter Side" [374804/31975/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:53, 5th May 2026 | |
| Re: Finn and JayMac on their travels. In "The Lighter Side" [374803/31975/30] Posted by ChrisB at 17:51, 5th May 2026 | |
Ireland - Dublin?
| Re: Finn and JayMac on their travels. In "The Lighter Side" [374802/31975/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:49, 5th May 2026 | |
Close - but go down a bit.
| Re: Finn and JayMac on their travels. In "The Lighter Side" [374801/31975/30] Posted by ChrisB at 17:48, 5th May 2026 | |
Northern Ireland?
| Re: Finn and JayMac on their travels. In "The Lighter Side" [374800/31975/30] Posted by JayMac at 17:43, 5th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Feel free to answer CfN or Mark A.
They're will be another one later this evening when I get back to my accommodation.
Along with an outbound trip report if I don't crash out. I've been up mountains, into the (pretend) bowels of an ocean liner and to the coast.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance - ongoing discussion In "London to the West" [374799/31911/12] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:17, 5th May 2026 | |
The failed sleeper from last night has now failed on its way up to Reading. Currently dumped in Highbridge loop.
Tonight’s down sleeper likely to be cancelled.
Tonight’s down sleeper likely to be cancelled.
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of trains because of extra safety inspections.
Additional Information
Due to a unit failure we are unable to operate this evenings Sleeper service between London Paddington and Penzance.
We have arranged for this service to be operated by one of our regular Intercity Express Trains which will offer a Standard and First Class seating service only. There will be no accommodation facilities.
And a rude awakening for those on the Up sleeper tonight.....
21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:09
21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:09 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [374798/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 17:13, 5th May 2026 | |
The 1152 London Paddington to Hereford was terminated at Hayes & Harlington due to a problem with the brakes (MN). Subsequently:
15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be 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 more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
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 more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
| Re: Return of The Scotsman In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [374797/31979/51] Posted by rogerw at 17:02, 5th May 2026 | |
From The Independent
A name change/addition to existing services, or something new?
An iconic British rail service will return to London for the first time in years.
Rail operator LNER will reinstate a Flying Scotsman service from London’s King's Cross more than 100 years after it began operating.
A daily service – using LNER Azuma trains – will now depart from both Edinburgh and London at 10am and 10.30am respectively.
Historically, the Flying Scotsman operated two simultaneous 10am departures from London King’s Cross and the Scottish capital.
Rail operator LNER will reinstate a Flying Scotsman service from London’s King's Cross more than 100 years after it began operating.
A daily service – using LNER Azuma trains – will now depart from both Edinburgh and London at 10am and 10.30am respectively.
Historically, the Flying Scotsman operated two simultaneous 10am departures from London King’s Cross and the Scottish capital.
A name change/addition to existing services, or something new?
Just naming existing services
| Ulsterbus: 'People buy classic cars, I buy classic buses' In "Buses and other ways to travel" [374796/31981/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:51, 5th May 2026 Already liked by FarWestJohn | |
From the BBC:
All aboard: Meet the 22-year-old 'nerd' pulling up at the takeaway in his own buses
Luke Wilson has spent almost £10,000 on buying, preserving and restoring his two old buses - Image © Luke Wilson
A Saturday night takeaway with friends is a regular enough occurrence for many young people - but how many pull up outside in a restored Ulsterbus?
Self-confessed nerd Luke Wilson has spent almost £10,000 on buying, preserving and restoring two old buses, which have more than one million miles on the road between them.
The 22-year-old passed his bus-driver test in January and, while his licence is limited to non-fee-paying passengers, Wilson has taken families on short trips and joined old bus rallies, as well as ferrying his friends for that weekend treat.
"It's very nerdy for a 22-year-old - I actually agree with that," he said. "But at the end of the day, I could be putting my money in worse places. At least I have something to show for it."
Wilson has a group of friends who share his passion for old buses. They work together repairing the vehicles and take them to the old bus rallies.
(BBC article continues)
Luke Wilson has spent almost £10,000 on buying, preserving and restoring his two old buses - Image © Luke Wilson
A Saturday night takeaway with friends is a regular enough occurrence for many young people - but how many pull up outside in a restored Ulsterbus?
Self-confessed nerd Luke Wilson has spent almost £10,000 on buying, preserving and restoring two old buses, which have more than one million miles on the road between them.
The 22-year-old passed his bus-driver test in January and, while his licence is limited to non-fee-paying passengers, Wilson has taken families on short trips and joined old bus rallies, as well as ferrying his friends for that weekend treat.
"It's very nerdy for a 22-year-old - I actually agree with that," he said. "But at the end of the day, I could be putting my money in worse places. At least I have something to show for it."
Wilson has a group of friends who share his passion for old buses. They work together repairing the vehicles and take them to the old bus rallies.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Nostalgia - Wiltshire's lost stations In "Railway History and related topics" [374795/31980/55] Posted by grahame at 16:38, 5th May 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
... and, very nearly, Melksham. 
Indeed - lost in April 1966, and re-opening in May 1985.
Looking at my Summer 1991 timetable, there was a Monday to Saturday train at 07:44 to Swindon, and a train at 17:30 from Swindon that called at 17:57 returning, with an extra train on Saturdays from Swindin at 14:30 getting in at 14:57. We have come a long way since then - there are now 9 trains timetabled each way Monday to Friday, and 7 each way on Saturday and Sunday.
We have come a long way back but we have a long way to go ... social media comment from yesterday:
Thank god for the buses because the train service to and from Melksham is shabby and I’m being EXTREMELY polite there with the sparse service with, at the time of writing this, 2 trains leaving in the next 3.5 hours and lack of time to change to get to Bath, Bristol and beyond (GWR is notoriously unreliable).
