The Eurostar trains slow right down as they go through Antwerp Central anyway ... and remember that you loose a significant proportion of customers travelling from C to A if you make them changes at B - and not just crossplatform along the way.

Seems odd really when Antwerp is only 50km or so from Brussels and there are plentiful HS services along that route - perhaps testing the waters or trying to keep the competition at bay.

All fares ought to be the same for recognised routings....based on one metric (miles per £1 maybe?)

Indeed.  Perhaps in a parallel universe, the UK would have been a part of the Schengen zone (and indeed remained in the EU) and travel from Belgium to the UK would have been as easy as crossing the German - Poland border which I think we have done 4 times in the last few days.   I say "I think" - I know we did it twice on the train, but I think that the rail replacement bus from Goerlitz to Zittau took us from Germany into Poland and back into Germany again.

well, it's done on shortest, not quickest....shortest always valid

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has released more details about the problems with its fleet of trains which prompted it to reduce services.

Last week, the company said reliability and maintenance issues with the new Aurora (Class 810) trains - made by Hitachi Rail - were to blame.

Now EMR has outlined "challenges" with both the 810s and the older Class 222s, affecting the toilets, air conditioning and catering equipment.

It added that the Class 222 trains had also required "additional maintenance support to accommodate increased running and operational requirements".

The operator first introduced the Aurora trains into passenger service in December, after what EMR said was a three-year delay.

Several Intercity services, which run to and from London St Pancras, have been cancelled because of problems with the new fleet, while other services will have fewer carriages.

Will Rogers, managing director of EMR, said the performance of the Class 810 fleet had "fallen below the levels we and our customers expect", and that the timetable change was "necessary"...

Pewsey to Bristol Temple Meads via Taunton IS a mapped route in the Routeing Guide. However it fails the 'fare check' rule meaning it isn't a permitted route.

The fare from Pewsey to Taunton is more expensive than the fare from Pewsey to Bristol Temple Meads. This rules out using the Pewsey to Bristol TM ticket via Taunton.

When it says "VIA WESTBURY" does it mean that the ticket is only valid when changing trains at Westbury or does it cover trains that stop at Westbury and go onto Taunton from where I can change and get a train to Bristol?

I did the same on the GWR site with the same result.

There is this on BR Fares concerning the £21.40 ticket.

Others may find different but to me that £21.40 fare to Bristol Temple Meads seems to be valid only via Westbury.

Others may find different but to me that £21.40 fare to Bristol Temple Meads seems to be valid only via Westbury.

SYDENHAM HILL STATION & ITS HIGHWAY TO HELL.  Built for the Palace: Opened in 1863 to serve the Crystal Palace, it sits right at the mouth of the massive 2km Penge Tunnel.  The station dropped "for Crystal Palace" from its name in 1936—the year the Palace burned down. Very active station to present day.

With an incoming interim MD so quickly, I would think that "thems in the know" at EMR didn't find Will Roger departure yesterday quite so sudden.

Rogers said he was leaving to spend more time with his family after what he described as a privilege to lead the organisation.

He said: “It has been a privilege to lead EMR since 2020 and to support our teams through a period of significant change. I am sad to say goodbye to a business and to colleagues who have meant so much to me. I have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside such talented, committed and caring people, and I will always be grateful for the experiences, friendships and memories we’ve shared. But it is the right time for me to step back and spend some more time with my family, and I would like to thank you all for your support, your friendship and for allowing me to be part of this journey. It has been a privilege.”

Neil Grabham will take on the role of interim managing director, returning to EMR after three years as managing director of Merseyrail, which has consistently ranked among the UK’s top rail operators for train performance and customer satisfaction.

Grabham previously held the position of customer services director at EMR and is expected to focus on maintaining continuity across the business, with priorities including safety, fleet performance and customer service.

Grabham said: “I am genuinely pleased to be returning to EMR on an interim basis and to have the opportunity to work alongside colleagues once again. EMR has always held a special place for me, and I know first-hand the dedication, professionalism and commitment that exists across the business. I look forward to reconnecting with colleagues and supporting the team as we continue to deliver for our customers and communities.”

All the reports I have seen state that there will not be an Antwerp stop in the opposite direction and changing trains at Brussels, to complete immigration checks, will be required.

RAIL Magazine are reporting "Will Rogers, Managing Director at EMR, has left with immediate effect".   Article is behind a paywall so I don't know if any reasons given.

The Managing Director (MD) of East Midlands Railway (EMR) was Will Rogers, who led the company from January 2020 until his departure in July 2026. An interim successor or permanent replacement announcement from parent company Transport UK is expected following his sudden exit

Route(s) affected

Great Western Railway between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour and also between Bristol Temple Meads and Warminster / Salisbury

South Western Railway between Yeovil Junction / Yeovil Pen Mill and Salisbury, and also between Yeovil Junction and London Waterloo

Description

A fault with the signalling system between Warminster and Salisbury means that trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines. As a result, trains running between these stations may be delayed by up to 20 minutes.
Disruption is expected until 14:00.

Due to congestion at Salisbury fewer trains are able to run on some lines.
Impact:
Train services running through this station will be cancelled or delayed by up to 35 minutes. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice:
-
What has happened?
-
Due to congestion in the Salisbury area, rail traffic through the station and surrounding junctions is currently restricted. Passengers may experience cancellations, alterations, or extended journey times while congestion is managed.