Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Severn Tunnel - engineering improvements, events, incidents and history - merged posts In "London to South Wales" [375385/3861/11] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:57, 23rd May 2026 |      |
From the BBC:
Weeks of disruption for passengers on one of UK's busiest rail lines
People travelling on one of the UK's busiest rail lines face weeks of disruption as engineers replace overhead power lines that corrode quicker than any other part of the network.
The Severn Tunnel, which connects south Wales with London and Bristol, will shut for 16 days from Saturday as workers fit a pioneering copper power line inside what was once the world's longest underwater rail tunnels.
Water that would fill 20 Olympic pools is pumped from the 140-year-old tunnel every day as saltwater from the River Severn constantly drips through its thick walls.
Direct GWR services between London and south Wales will take longer on a revised timetable while buses replace some train services.
Passengers have been "strongly advised" to check their train times and allow extra travel time between south Wales and the south of England during the closure, between 23 May and 8 June.
Network Rail will also carry out track upgrade work around Bristol ready for the MetroWest project with a new station set to open on the former Filton airfield site later this year.
Rail bosses hope the £23m electrification upgrade project can ultimately improve train reliability and reduce the number of power failures and maintenance closures inside the Severn Tunnel .
About 200 trains normally travel through the 4.5 mile (7.2km) structure every day.
It has only once been shut for longer since it opened in 1886 - that was when electric wires were installed 10 years ago as part of the £2.8bn south Wales main line electrification project.
Network Rail has called the Victorian tunnel one of the most hostile environments on the UK rail network, where moisture, dripping saltwater and diesel soot accelerate wear on equipment.
(BBC article continues)
People travelling on one of the UK's busiest rail lines face weeks of disruption as engineers replace overhead power lines that corrode quicker than any other part of the network.
The Severn Tunnel, which connects south Wales with London and Bristol, will shut for 16 days from Saturday as workers fit a pioneering copper power line inside what was once the world's longest underwater rail tunnels.
Water that would fill 20 Olympic pools is pumped from the 140-year-old tunnel every day as saltwater from the River Severn constantly drips through its thick walls.
Direct GWR services between London and south Wales will take longer on a revised timetable while buses replace some train services.
Passengers have been "strongly advised" to check their train times and allow extra travel time between south Wales and the south of England during the closure, between 23 May and 8 June.
Network Rail will also carry out track upgrade work around Bristol ready for the MetroWest project with a new station set to open on the former Filton airfield site later this year.
Rail bosses hope the £23m electrification upgrade project can ultimately improve train reliability and reduce the number of power failures and maintenance closures inside the Severn Tunnel .
About 200 trains normally travel through the 4.5 mile (7.2km) structure every day.
It has only once been shut for longer since it opened in 1886 - that was when electric wires were installed 10 years ago as part of the £2.8bn south Wales main line electrification project.
Network Rail has called the Victorian tunnel one of the most hostile environments on the UK rail network, where moisture, dripping saltwater and diesel soot accelerate wear on equipment.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375384/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 15:52, 23rd May 2026 | |
There are some repeats here - a growing list of cancellations.
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:20
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
22:12 Swindon to Westbury due 22:55
22:12 Swindon to Westbury due 22:55 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:20
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
22:12 Swindon to Westbury due 22:55
22:12 Swindon to Westbury due 22:55 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
Why should a signalling fault earlier today result in cancellations for the next six hours?
As I write, journey check says nothing about alternative arrangements - just offers delay/repay which is 'nice' but does not help you reach your objective of getting home
| Re: What are the tipping standards across the South West? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [375383/32058/31] Posted by Mark A at 15:41, 23rd May 2026 | |
Clever of America to position it as an issue between customer and staff while the people responsible for this are able to stay out of the conversation completely.
Looking for USA hospitality businesses that have stepped away from the tipping model, here's an article:
https://www.fsrmagazine.com/feature/why-this-restaurateur-eliminated-tipping-and-what-it-means-for-the-future-of-hospitality/
Also, this article from National Geographic:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-you-should-know-about-tipping-in-us-tipflation
Mark
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375382/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 15:40, 23rd May 2026 | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:20
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:20
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00
19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
I am - relieved - that I did not go to Weymouth today.
| What are the tipping standards across the South West? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [375381/32058/31] Posted by grahame at 15:17, 23rd May 2026 | |
Service charges, wellness contributions, admin fees, tips, delivery charge, booking fee, tax ... I confess to much preferring a system under which I'm told up front what I will pay, where the staff are paid a living wage for their service, and enjoy their work and the company that supports them.
There is a cultural difference in the USA and the UK basics; perhaps I am too left wing and see it as the role of an employer to ensure that his team is remunermated, motivated and a part of the team. And that is rather than an employer who remunerates a pittance - not enough for the staff to even get their healthcare - and then encourgaes them to be high class beggars looking to lever the funding the employer (IMHO) should provide out of the customers. UK minimum wage - £12.71 per hour; USA stated server rates in many states are much lower - a fraction of that.
A conundrum - what and where should I tip in the UK? In restaurants where the order is taken at the table? Where you order online? Where you pick up at the counter? Should you tip the same percentage on an £50 bottle of wine as on a £20 bottle of wine - even though it's just as easy to open.
And should I tip food delivery people? Taxi drivers? Hotel staff? People who help wheelchair on and off trains? Information desks? Bus drivers? Amazon, Evri, DPD, Royal Mail deliveries? Tour guides? Workers send by their companies?
What are the standard in Melksham, Bath, England ... and elsewhere in Europe?
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375380/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 15:10, 23rd May 2026 | |
14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:06 will be terminated at Chippenham.
It will no longer call at Swindon.
It is being delayed at Melksham.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
It will no longer call at Swindon.
It is being delayed at Melksham.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
| Re: Torbay Airshow - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [375379/21539/24] Posted by REVUpminster at 14:55, 23rd May 2026 | |
The 2026 show kicks off Friday evening 645pm-2145pm with the Red Arrows flying. Fireworks at 10pm to finish.
No extra trains.
Saturday from Noon-4pm with the Red Arrows again.
Shuttle train between Newton Abbot-Paignton was to be operated by a probable 175 but since has changed to the usual 80x.
Also a steam train picked up at Taunton for a Wolverhampton-Kingswear tour.
Sunday 1pm-4pm
Shuttle between Newton Abbot and Paignton with an 80x.
As a side issue 16 travellers caravans have parked up on Paignton Green since last tuesday
| Re: A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375378/32057/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 10:15, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
8: Paddington
| Re: Paddle Steamer Waverley - merged posts In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [375377/19566/47] Posted by RailCornwall at 09:55, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by Mark A, bradshaw | |
I'm having a Bank Holiday treat on Monday on the Waverley, Falmouth - Penzance - Lands End - Penzance - Falmouth.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375376/31359/18] Posted by Mark A at 09:45, 23rd May 2026 | |
Wednesday, the day of the WWRUG meeting in Trowbridge (for which the trains were unperturbed by that time) a friend had headed for Weymouth for the day. After a remarkably cool and blustery but enjoyable day by the sea, they headed back to the station to find the 17:28 back to Bristol cancelled (the next being 20:14). For some reason they were given the impression that travel via Southampton was out of the question. After a short bit of hanging around, put in a taxi, they "enjoyed" a somewhat edge of seat ride to Westbury, from where there were trains back to Bristol, and they were back only around 15 minutes late.
*Significant detail* - a number of passengers for the Bristol train had been relying on there being a loo on the train once they were at the station - and the station loos were found to be locked - however a member of staff on request unlocked the accessible loo there and the day was saved.
Mark
| Re: A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375375/32057/30] Posted by eightonedee at 09:12, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
1 Stratford
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375374/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 08:37, 23rd May 2026 | |
07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:28
07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:28 is being delayed between Trowbridge and Melksham and is now expected to be 7 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:28 is being delayed between Trowbridge and Melksham and is now expected to be 7 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
I was very concerned at an alert flashing up this morning and especially for the train that becomes the "Weymouth Wizard" from Swindon, but no worries - this is much more and informational alert than an "oh shit!".
Personally, I would love to "do" Weymouth today - except I am pacing myself; want to keep up on other things and not be tired for when I head out next week.
| A week back in the UK In "The Lighter Side" [375373/32057/30] Posted by grahame at 08:27, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Back in the UK last Monday ... and although it's only Saturday, what a variety I have seen in public transport in just five days ... my arrival ...
and some places I have been, or seen out of the window.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Also seen this one, but as it's already been seen in another thread ...
| Re: long term future for overhead wires? In "Across the West" [375372/32056/26] Posted by John D at 08:24, 23rd May 2026 Already liked by Mark A, TaplowGreen, IndustryInsider | |
It's coming up to 9 years since Grayling killed parts of Great Western electrification (it was July 2017)
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
Why was it stopped? Was it way behind schedule and/or over budget?
Was going seriously over budget, (and behind schedule) and instead of saying pause and refocus, just took axe to it. Ignored the ongoing alternative costs it created.
It was a time when skills were being outsourced to consultants, so something like a drain cover where a mast was planned, meant leaving it, getting consultants out again, redesigning, expensively coming back later with electrification train. Rather than having skilled and empowered staff doing simple tweak to plan there and then.
The structure at the time was not incentivised to get it finished as efficiently as possible, but was more like see what extra work and revenue can get from it. HS2 contracts were devised in same cost plus era too.
| Re: long term future for overhead wires? In "Across the West" [375371/32056/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:13, 23rd May 2026 | |
It's coming up to 9 years since Grayling killed parts of Great Western electrification (it was July 2017)
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
Why was it stopped? Was it way behind schedule and/or over budget?
| Re: long term future for overhead wires? In "Across the West" [375370/32056/26] Posted by John D at 08:11, 23rd May 2026 | |
It's coming up to 9 years since Grayling killed parts of Great Western electrification (it was July 2017)
As photographed above there are a number of masts west of Chippenham doing nothing. I think about third of the mast bases and a few masts were also installed Didcot - Oxford.
Things have moved on with cost control, and the stupidity of not resuming it once costs were controlled has never really made sense as a long term strategy (and even less so in new era of high diesel prices).
Ironically the delay to ordering replacements for 158,159,165,166,168 diesel fleet might benefit a few electrified sections, if it means battery charging is possible, and don't have to fit diesel engines (which require servicing and maintenance of the engines). There is obviously a cost implication of adding diesel generators to replacement fleet (plus ongoing extra operational costs), which could be used to pay for some of the electrification instead.
But doing joined up thinking, or any form of mid or longer term planning seems to be beyond current batch of ministers, who seem to be more into short term thinking and regular U turns
| Re: long term future for overhead wires? In "Across the West" [375369/32056/26] Posted by grahame at 07:09, 23rd May 2026 | |
As I read it, it's all on "stop" at the moment - no money and no concrete plans to resume. Personal view - it is seen as more important to get people from Acton to Solihull as quickly as possible in 10 years time than it is to complete jobs which in some cases were already started. But yet with advancing technology, that just might make sense.
Works started and - would you describe them as abandoned? - at Thingley Junction.
Personal view - from my armchair - would be the Didcot to Oxford and Cocklebury Lane and Parkway to Temple Meads would be the next sensible steps. So many services would then be able to go pure electric; does not cut the need for power (moves it away from the train) but at least it can be sustainable and not fossil, trains last longer, have better performances curves, and can still electrically do London - Cardiff even when Badminton is closed for engineering or flooding.
Also makes sense for freight to get electric to Westbury and the quarries - via Pewsey and via Melksham - nd that brings in more electric passenger trains too.
| long term future for overhead wires? In "Across the West" [375368/32056/26] Posted by infoman at 05:20, 23rd May 2026 | |
Not sure if there are any plans for overhead Electrification in the West region.
Maybe
Stapleton road bank
Chippenham to Bristol
Cardiff to Swansea(possible on to LLanelli and Carmarthen
Although over head wires never look pleasant,especially in pretty view areas
Three places in this neck of the woods I would never like to see overhead wires is St Ives Newquay and Falmouth
with the Severn Beach line and Portishead lines.
Just wondering if the scheme on the Greenford branch could be introduced with underneath charging points at the the terminating station on the five routes mentioned.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375366/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 21:39, 22nd May 2026 | |
The train that operates our Westbury - Swindon services via Melksham has failed and there is no replacement train available. Melksham services are cancelled for the remainder of the day.
Adding up numbers from Wikipedia, GWR have 220 different trains that could be used to provide the service (the number does not include battery trains, purely electric units, or the sleepers)
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375365/31359/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 21:02, 22nd May 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham
Due to a broken down train between Westbury and Swindon the line is closed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Train services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham will be cancelled.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
-
The train that operates our Westbury - Swindon services via Melksham has failed and there is no replacement train available. Melksham services are cancelled for the remainder of the day.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375364/31359/18] Posted by Mark A at 20:42, 22nd May 2026 | |
GWR account on Bluesky.
"Due to a broken down train at Melksham"
Mark
https://bsky.app/profile/gwr.com/post/3mmhmoduamo2a
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375363/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 18:53, 22nd May 2026 | |
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
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 fault on this train.
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
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 fault on this train.
| Re: West Wiltshire Rail User Group meeting, Trowbridge, 20 May 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375362/32018/18] Posted by John D at 18:37, 22nd May 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
The mention of GWR/Chiltern - might this be the battery train?
It might be a multi-mode train
GWR could just about get away with battery EMU▸ , but realistically anything over about 60 miles (or 30miles out and 30 back) off an electrified line, especially in cold winter or very hot summer day is pushing it. Battery technology is improving so maybe this will go up a bit to nearer 80 miles.
If looking at regional train (say 5-6 cars, capable of 100-110mph on electric, maybe 90-100mph on diesel or battery, with seats and comfort suitable for 3+ hour journeys) then as GWR operate to Portsmouth, Weymouth, Gatwick really needs to be dual voltage.
But a quick look at a map, will show that routes like Cardiff-Exeter, Exeter-Basingstoke, Bristol-Great Malvern/Worcester etc are too far for the battery. So either got to add few miles of electrification where charging can happen, or fit train with diesel generator set too.
Chiltern probably need ability to work off Metropolitan line 4th rail. I think this is now 500v outer rail, -250v centre rail, but at least it is effectively 750v not the old 600v (400 and -200)
To be honest, if GBR▸ (or its shadow version) had ordered 70-100 of these, a cascade would probably solve 90% of train shortages or types coming up for renewal.
So yes, SWR» doesn't really need anything different to GWR regional fleet, or even others like Cross Country Cardiff-Nottingham. Can see why it is one type desperately needed (have built high speed bimodes, lots of commuter electric units in last 10 years, but no regional units for 34+ years). Nothing really that can work on part electrified routes that's mid to long distance, but not full intercity high speed
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375361/31359/18] Posted by IndustryInsider at 18:08, 22nd May 2026 | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 will be starting late from Westbury.
This is due to congestion.
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26 will be starting late from Swindon.
This is due to congestion.
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 will be starting late from Westbury.
This is due to congestion.
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26 will be starting late from Swindon.
This is due to congestion.
First one ran on time.
Second one left 11 minutes late (waiting sensibly for connections from London and Oxford), but looks like it only got a short way before returning to Swindon for some reason.
| UK sees hottest day of year as bank holiday travellers face queues In "Across the West" [375360/32055/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:58, 22nd May 2026 | |
From the BBC:
UK sees hottest day of year as bank holiday travellers face queues
The UK is experiencing the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures forecast to continue to climb above 30C over the bank holiday weekend.
Temperatures reached 28.4C at Heathrow in west London, Cranwell in Lincolnshire and Cambridge on Friday afternoon, the Met Office confirmed. The current May record is 32.8C.
Amber health alerts have been issued for parts of England as families attempt a half-term getaway.
Transport networks are expected to be busy over the bank holiday weekend. Passengers travelling to Europe from the Port of Dover earlier faced delays of several hours, due to the introduction of a new entry and exit system.
There have been warnings of potential congestion on roads to the port between Friday and Sunday, with some 18,000 cars expected to pass through.
(BBC article continues)
The UK is experiencing the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures forecast to continue to climb above 30C over the bank holiday weekend.
Temperatures reached 28.4C at Heathrow in west London, Cranwell in Lincolnshire and Cambridge on Friday afternoon, the Met Office confirmed. The current May record is 32.8C.
Amber health alerts have been issued for parts of England as families attempt a half-term getaway.
Transport networks are expected to be busy over the bank holiday weekend. Passengers travelling to Europe from the Port of Dover earlier faced delays of several hours, due to the introduction of a new entry and exit system.
There have been warnings of potential congestion on roads to the port between Friday and Sunday, with some 18,000 cars expected to pass through.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: West Wiltshire Rail User Group meeting, Trowbridge, 20 May 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375359/32018/18] Posted by ChrisB at 17:54, 22nd May 2026 | |
It's Latin....
Mark A....your luck might eventually be in for your Bristol service
Gradual blurring of TOC boundaries: lots of background work with GWR on future operation of various routes
across Wessex but changes will take time
across Wessex but changes will take time
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [375358/31359/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:50, 22nd May 2026 | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 will be starting late from Westbury.
This is due to congestion.
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26 will be starting late from Swindon.
This is due to congestion.
| Re: HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - Government proposals, alternative routes, discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [375357/5138/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:47, 22nd May 2026 | |
I don't argue that the capacity is needed. But the project is a farce, and, beyond the capacity that it might produce, has very little benefit (unless you're a consultant or civil engineering contractor. In which case you're right royally coining it)
The biggest blunder is cancelling phase 2 ie North of Birmingham to Manchester
As we're over £100 billion to get from Acton to Solihull, how much would the bill have been by now had phase 2 been included?
| Re: HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - Government proposals, alternative routes, discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [375356/5138/51] Posted by Electric train at 16:28, 22nd May 2026 Already liked by eightonedee, Mark A, Oxonhutch | |
I don't argue that the capacity is needed. But the project is a farce, and, beyond the capacity that it might produce, has very little benefit (unless you're a consultant or civil engineering contractor. In which case you're right royally coining it)
The farce was the Trumpian gold plating by previous Prime Ministers especially when then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave HS2 the official green light in February 2020, he highlighted its "extraordinarily fast journey times". While speaking in the House of Commons, Johnson stated that the new high-speed trains would "travel at speeds up to 225 miles per hour". Also the succession of start building in without all the consents and outline decisions being done.
The option to upgrade the existing WCML was never and option, it went through that in the early 2000's and by 2020 all the capacity had been used.
The biggest blunder is cancelling phase 2 ie North of Birmingham to Manchester
