Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Itchy feet - where have they taken me? In "The Lighter Side" [372379/31622/30] Posted by johnneyw at 18:56, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
I'm pretty sure that I know the first one because I think that I was there a couple of months back but I shall hold fire as I've had a guess at No2 already.
| Re: Itchy feet - where have they taken me? In "The Lighter Side" [372378/31622/30] Posted by johnneyw at 18:47, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
I'm thinking that 2 might be Newport.
| Re: Itchy feet - where have they taken me? In "The Lighter Side" [372377/31622/30] Posted by grahame at 18:36, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
1. Chester?
Yes, and no. 3 is Melksham. Nos. 2 and 4 are neither Cardiff nor Waterloo though.
| Re: Buying Tickets for Four Seniors In "Fare's Fair" [372376/31623/4] Posted by grahame at 18:35, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
Can you can buy the tickets online, collect at station and get reservations from the chap or chapess in the ticket office.
| Re: Itchy feet - where have they taken me? In "The Lighter Side" [372375/31622/30] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 18:29, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
1. Chester?
| Re: Buying Tickets for Four Seniors In "Fare's Fair" [372374/31623/4] Posted by ChrisB at 18:29, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
I doubt it - although you only need to travel with the railcards, so maybe?
| Buying Tickets for Four Seniors In "Fare's Fair" [372373/31623/4] Posted by Oxonhutch at 18:25, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
We are organising a group trip for four of us down to Cornwall in May. We all have Senior Railcards but all live in separate parts of Oxfordshire.
I would like to buy all four tickets together at the same time, and intend to use a station ticket office as I want seat reservations to have us all sitting together, plus book some Pullman Dining on the way home. My idea is to get tickets starting at Reading and have everyone, including myself organise our respective rail journeys to that Berkshire metropolis, in time for our chosen train.
Can I buy four SRC discounted tickets, including for myself, when I only have my railcard with me? Would save me a wasted trip to the station if not.
| Re: Itchy feet - where have they taken me? In "The Lighter Side" [372372/31622/30] Posted by bradshaw at 18:18, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
4 Cardiff? It is one of the Class 153 units, 153572, converted as an Active Travel unit for the Heart of Wales Line. They are coupled to a ‘normal’ 153 unit and provide 10 bicycle spaces.
| Re: Itchy feet - where have they taken me? In "The Lighter Side" [372371/31622/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:46, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
3. They haven't taken you far from home in that one: Melksham.

| Re: Itchy feet - where have they taken me? In "The Lighter Side" [372370/31622/30] Posted by ChrisB at 17:42, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
2. The walkway between Waterloo & Waterloo East?
| Itchy feet - where have they taken me? In "The Lighter Side" [372369/31622/30] Posted by grahame at 17:39, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
I have a theory that if I step out of a station and then post a "where am I" picture, it's a darned site harder for our members to identify. I suspect you'll prove me wrong
1.

on the way
2.

3.

4.

| Re: Mousehole, Cornwall: a bus route change (for the worse) In "Buses and other ways to travel" [372368/31600/5] Posted by Kernow Otter at 17:27, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
For those of us less mobile than we used to be, busses not serving the harbour is a massive problem.
Yes, the walk is 'only' around 500 or so yards, but it's very steep; encounter traffic each way. and will be soaking wet when it rains.
Three Sprinter 'vans' currently used by First will be replaced by a half hourly decker service, which will turn just pass the Old Coastguard Hotel.
That turn is tight, and can be problematic with traffic and pedestrian flow, especially when summer traffic comes in.
Yes, the walk is 'only' around 500 or so yards, but it's very steep; encounter traffic each way. and will be soaking wet when it rains.
Three Sprinter 'vans' currently used by First will be replaced by a half hourly decker service, which will turn just pass the Old Coastguard Hotel.
That turn is tight, and can be problematic with traffic and pedestrian flow, especially when summer traffic comes in.
For those disembarking at The Old Coastguard, do go in. One of my favourite places for dinner, bed, and breakfast.
https://oldcoastguardhotel.co.uk/
Edit to add link
| Re: Mousehole, Cornwall: a bus route change (for the worse) In "Buses and other ways to travel" [372367/31600/5] Posted by Mark A at 17:03, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [372366/28982/26] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 16:25, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [372365/10737/21] Posted by Red Squirrel at 16:19, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
Many of us suspect that BCC is deliberately trying to make car journeys across the city as awkward as possible to reduce traffic volumes :-)
If we want to make more room for public transport and active travel, something's got to give!
Incidentally, does anyone know:
- Will the bus stop be a replacement for the current Temple Gate stop?
- Will there be a new dedicated cycle bridge across the railway? The rendering seems to suggest that.
The southbound bus stop appears to be an additional stop. The northbound side of the road is outside the planning 'red line', so it may be the case that there is no corresponding northbound bus stop - which would seem to rather weaken the Southern Gateway's 'hub' potential.
There is no funding for the cycle bridge, so at best this is passive provision.
| Re: Somerset to Sydney without flying In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [372364/28286/52] Posted by broadgage at 16:06, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
Very unusually they returned to the UK on same ship that took them to the USA. It did not wait for them ! but made a return voyage to the UK whilst they enjoyed a holiday in upstate New York.
A different cook was aboard for this voyage, VERY lacking in experience, but willing to learn and eager to please. He now knows how to make Yorkshire puddings, and other traditional foods.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [372363/28982/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 15:30, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
Looks like the 175s are coming to Laira plus the two simulators. The 158s at Exeter to go to Bristol.
GWR to get all the class 175s. It be great to see them in service they are good units.
This hasn't aged very well.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [372362/10737/21] Posted by Noggin at 15:15, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
The part I am amazed at is how planning got approved to have these extra vehicles being on the Bath Road bridge.
That roundabout and area is congested at the best of times, but to have entry and exit to the car park must add additional problems
That roundabout and area is congested at the best of times, but to have entry and exit to the car park must add additional problems
Many of us suspect that BCC is deliberately trying to make car journeys across the city as awkward as possible to reduce traffic volumes :-)
More seriously. I suspect that the planning included modelling of the traffic flows. The station has relatively limited parking, so the bigger issue is likely to be taxis and drop off/pick up. But it's not a huge volume and IIRC, there will also be provision for that on the north side.
Incidentally, does anyone know:
- Will the bus stop be a replacement for the current Temple Gate stop?
- Will there be a new dedicated cycle bridge across the railway? The rendering seems to suggest that.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [372361/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 14:58, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
175011 is back at Laira somehow??
It is out an about and due to do the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance. I did a snip of the train at Saltash. It may not appear here.

It is out an about and due to do the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance. I did a snip of the train at Saltash. It may not appear here.
5Z13 shows 175011 allocated from Par, and RTT has reports of it from Par to (so far) St Germans. How it got to Par, and why it's not showing on Traksy, is another matter.
It has just popped up at Wivelscombe on Traksy. But how it's already got past Saltash on camera, I have no idea.
The 1340 was cancelled and only 175001 seems to be running round. GWR service gone to pot.
| Re: Buses: heating In "Buses and other ways to travel" [372360/31610/5] Posted by broadgage at 13:27, 13th February 2026 Already liked by PrestburyRoad | ![]() |
There have been many complaints on social media about cold buses on the First bus services that radiate (sic) from Taunton. The complaints have been about the new electric fleet not having sufficient warmth.
Heating a diesel bus should be easy, there is almost unlimited free heat from the engine.
With an electric bus, it is more challenging since every KWH used for heating depletes the battery. I would hope that the loses in the power electronics are recycled and used for heating. These loses are relatively small and probably only a few KW but every little helps.
ANY type of bus may be pre-heated before use by mains electricity, and on a diesel bus the engine may also be preheated.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [372359/28982/26] Posted by stuving at 12:46, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
175011 is back at Laira somehow??
It is out an about and due to do the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance. I did a snip of the train at Saltash. It may not appear here.

It is out an about and due to do the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance. I did a snip of the train at Saltash. It may not appear here.
5Z13 shows 175011 allocated from Par, and RTT has reports of it from Par to (so far) St Germans. How it got to Par, and why it's not showing on Traksy, is another matter.
It has just popped up at Wivelscombe on Traksy. But how it's already got past Saltash on camera, I have no idea.
| Wells - Bath, from April '26 timetable change (for the worse) In "Buses and other ways to travel" [372358/31621/5] Posted by Mark A at 12:43, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
Haven't yet found anything on this save for a petition on change.org. Indicates the last two services departing Wells after 5pm are to be axed.
Mark
https://www.change.org/p/pause-the-withdrawal-of-first-bus-174-early-evening-service
| Re: GWR's Battery Electric Train - ongoing discussion In "Thames Valley Branches" [372357/29641/13] Posted by Electric train at 12:40, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
This begs a question- what happens to these units when GWR's management contract ends later this year?
I think we've been told that GWR/First Group actually own these trains. Are they obliged to hand them over to the temporary DfT body running the network pending GBR finally being formed and taken over? Does this experiment simply come to an end leaving First/GWR to dispose of them as best they can?
I think we've been told that GWR/First Group actually own these trains. Are they obliged to hand them over to the temporary DfT body running the network pending GBR finally being formed and taken over? Does this experiment simply come to an end leaving First/GWR to dispose of them as best they can?
The answer to that question will be who the funders were / are. Just because the First Group are stated as the owners does not mean they own it outright.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [372356/10737/21] Posted by Red Squirrel at 12:30, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
While it’s too much to expect that the canopies at the Eastern end can be reinstated to their original length (now that the Royal Mail “bridge” has gone), I hope that the truncated ends can be finished with something rather better than the current decaying plywood - which as yet is untouched.
Last time I passed through it looked like they were starting work here. I'm pretty certain they don't plan to reinstate the sections that were hacked off for the mail conveyor, but the ends will, I'm sure, be daggerboarded.
For those of us less mobile than we used to be, busses not serving the harbour is a massive problem.
Yes, the walk is 'only' around 500 or so yards, but it's very steep; encounter traffic each way. and will be soaking wet when it rains.
Three Sprinter 'vans' currently used by First will be replaced by a half hourly decker service, which will turn just pass the Old Coastguard Hotel.
That turn is tight, and can be problematic with traffic and pedestrian flow, especially when summer traffic comes in.
Yes, the walk is 'only' around 500 or so yards, but it's very steep; encounter traffic each way. and will be soaking wet when it rains.
Three Sprinter 'vans' currently used by First will be replaced by a half hourly decker service, which will turn just pass the Old Coastguard Hotel.
That turn is tight, and can be problematic with traffic and pedestrian flow, especially when summer traffic comes in.
Cornwall Council should be restricting private motor vehicles in the village centre so that the buses can get in, not the other way round.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [372354/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 11:45, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
175011 is back at Laira somehow??
It is out an about and due to do the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance. I did a snip of the train at Saltash. It may not appear here.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [372353/10737/21] Posted by Phantom at 11:34, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
The part I am amazed at is how planning got approved to have these extra vehicles being on the Bath Road bridge.
That roundabout and area is congested at the best of times, but to have entry and exit to the car park must add additional problems
| Re: Where shall we go today? In "Railway History and related topics" [372352/31619/55] Posted by Oxonhutch at 09:51, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
... And then there is the mysterious 122a

Kier have apparently won contract to build the 379 space 7 storey multi storey car park (and 3 storey 530 space bike shed) that will replace all the car parking scattered around in the old station shed at Bristol Temple Meads
https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2026/02/13/kier-set-to-bag-35m-bristol-station-car-park-job/
https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2026/02/13/kier-set-to-bag-35m-bristol-station-car-park-job/
This is the contract award notice. It includes a rather more prosaic description of the works:
BTQ LLP requires a Main Contractor for its Bristol Temple Meads Southern Gateway Car Park project.
The Southern Gateway is a strategically significant infrastructure project forming a key component of the Bristol Temple Quarter (BTQ) regeneration programme-one of the largest city centre regeneration schemes in Europe. The Southern Gateway will deliver a new southern entrance to Bristol Temple Meads Station, enhancing connectivity, enabling sustainable transport modes, and unlocking development potential in the southern part of the BTQ area.
The scheme is being delivered by BTQ LLP, a joint venture between Bristol City Council, Homes England, and the West of England Combined Authority. While Network Rail is not
a formal member of the LLP, it is considered a critical delivery partner due to its role in station infrastructure and operational integration.
The key elements of the proposed development comprise of the following:
A 7 storey multi-storey car park (MSCP) at the centre of the site, providing both car parking and motorcycle parking;
A 3 storey cycle pavilion at the north-west of site, providing a mixture of secure Sheffield stands and two-tier cycle parking;
The creation of a high quality public realm between the MSCP and cycle pavilion, with dwell spaces and areas for temporary pop up uses. As well as hard and soft landscaping and drainage;
A new walkway and entrance into Temple Meads Station
An improved fully segregated full width pedestrian footway and two-way cycleway adjacent to Bath Road which is intended to connect into future active travel improvements along this section of the highway; A cycle route to the cycle pavilion from the improved cycleway adjacent to Bath Road;
1no. new bus stop with waiting facilities and layby adjacent to Bath Road; A signal-controlled vehicular access junction to the MSCP from Bath Road;
A Network Rail service yard and a relocated RRAP adjacent to the proposed Network Rail service yard.
The Southern Gateway is a strategically significant infrastructure project forming a key component of the Bristol Temple Quarter (BTQ) regeneration programme-one of the largest city centre regeneration schemes in Europe. The Southern Gateway will deliver a new southern entrance to Bristol Temple Meads Station, enhancing connectivity, enabling sustainable transport modes, and unlocking development potential in the southern part of the BTQ area.
The scheme is being delivered by BTQ LLP, a joint venture between Bristol City Council, Homes England, and the West of England Combined Authority. While Network Rail is not
a formal member of the LLP, it is considered a critical delivery partner due to its role in station infrastructure and operational integration.
The key elements of the proposed development comprise of the following:
A 7 storey multi-storey car park (MSCP) at the centre of the site, providing both car parking and motorcycle parking;
A 3 storey cycle pavilion at the north-west of site, providing a mixture of secure Sheffield stands and two-tier cycle parking;
The creation of a high quality public realm between the MSCP and cycle pavilion, with dwell spaces and areas for temporary pop up uses. As well as hard and soft landscaping and drainage;
A new walkway and entrance into Temple Meads Station
An improved fully segregated full width pedestrian footway and two-way cycleway adjacent to Bath Road which is intended to connect into future active travel improvements along this section of the highway; A cycle route to the cycle pavilion from the improved cycleway adjacent to Bath Road;
1no. new bus stop with waiting facilities and layby adjacent to Bath Road; A signal-controlled vehicular access junction to the MSCP from Bath Road;
A Network Rail service yard and a relocated RRAP adjacent to the proposed Network Rail service yard.
Note that Network Rail is not involved as customer, more of a concerned bystander.
| Re: Refurbs ! In "Cross Country services" [372350/31611/43] Posted by Mark A at 08:42, 13th February 2026 | ![]() |
There's... curious aspects... to that event. Not least that work to the carriage interiors is not complete.
Mark














