Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: 5029 Nunney Castle - March 1963 Newport to Salisbury (YouTube video) In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [379339/32477/49] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:09, 8th September 2026 |      |
Many thanks for posting that link, eightonedee. Just under 13 minutes of anyone's time - well worth watching.
I was indeed enthralled at that historic footage - some of it taken, as you say, from the footplate. No way anyone would be allowed to do that, in these days of Elfin Safety.
CfN.
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379338/32475/30] Posted by eightonedee at 22:26, 8th September 2026 | |
Pines Express ran between Manchester and Bournemouth West over the old, and beloved, S&DJR▸ .
The 7- to 10-year old trainspotter me was glad that for the latter part of its life, it was diverted to run via Reading and Basingstoke, giving me the opportunity to see Bulleid Pacifics (and occasional Southern Region Standard 4-6-0s) from the vantage point of a small tree in our garden, as a break from increasingly shabby ex-GWR engines and new diesel hydraulics and DMUs.
I'm also a "me too" for the Clansman being the only one I travelled on.
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379337/32475/30] Posted by Merthyr Imp at 22:25, 8th September 2026 | |
If I remember right The Flying Kipper ran from Tidmouth to Vicarstown. Or did it then continue onto the mainland through Barrow?
The Highwayman - I think that started from Potters Bar and ran to Newcastle.
| 5029 March 1963 Newport to Salisbury (YouTube video) In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [379336/32477/49] Posted by eightonedee at 22:02, 8th September 2026 | |
This came up on my YouTube feed - a well-preserved colour film (if somewhat shaky in places!) of a ride on the footplate of "Nunney Castle" across our patch towards the end of the harsh 1962-3 winter. I thought forum members might enjoy it-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvCHxk-OWls
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379335/10737/21] Posted by Red Squirrel at 21:23, 8th September 2026 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
I hear the new entrance etc cost £23 million, surely that can't be true? Does anyone know the actual figure?
Apparently so, and I believe part of £94m allocated for the three new entrances (South, East and I presume the renovations and public realm around the Midland Shed on the north side).
Yes, it's a bonkers amount of money but take a look at the photo at https://www.bristoltemplequarter.com/news/eastern-entrance-reaches-construction-milestone-with-building-shell-complete/ - there's more to it than you think, don't forget that it all had to be done around a live railway just metres away from passengers and the underpass.
Incidentally, the floating footpath to Temple Quay apparently cost £10m. I believe that was paid for by the University as a planning condition.
We just paid the best part of £23 million for a loft extension, some think they got a pretty good deal really.
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379334/32475/30] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 21:07, 8th September 2026 | |
The Elizabethan was a top link service twixt Kings Cross and Edinburgh,middle of the day departure,usually A4 as traction ,features in an excellent BTF episode iirc.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [379333/31163/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:01, 8th September 2026 | |
Journeycheck now saying disruption is likely to last until next Tuesday (15th).
Probably best not to let TG see that.
Oops - too late!
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379332/32475/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:57, 8th September 2026 | |
"Clansman" was Euston-Inverness in both directions.
The only one in the list that I can recall travelling with.
The only one in the list that I can recall travelling with.
Ditto.
I'm fairly sure that none of us muggles could ever travel on the Hogwarts Express ...
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379331/32475/30] Posted by stuving at 20:55, 8th September 2026 | |
My recollection is of the Talisman running KX to Aberdeen - but logically it ought only to have gone to Edinburgh.
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379330/32475/30] Posted by grahame at 20:53, 8th September 2026 | |
'Ports to Ports Express'. Need a time machine for that one.
Ah - now that's a new one on me ... had to look it up ...
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379329/32475/30] Posted by Mark A at 20:27, 8th September 2026 | |
'Ports to Ports Express'. Need a time machine for that one.
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379328/32475/30] Posted by John D at 20:06, 8th September 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Palatine ran from London St Pancras to Manchester Central using the now closed line through Peak District via Matlock and Chinley
Not very commonly known is The Pines Express was the only Express that used the Bushbury Junction to Portobello Junction (near Wolverhampton) and Walsall - Sutton Coldfield - Kings Norton route. It missed out Birmingham New Street. And for years had a through coach to Liverpool
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [379327/31163/26] Posted by NickB at 20:03, 8th September 2026 | |
[slow hand clap]
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379326/32475/30] Posted by Trowres at 20:03, 8th September 2026 | |
The "Red Dragon", unsurprisingly, was Paddington-Swansea. Modelled by the original Hornby Dublo.
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379325/32475/30] Posted by grahame at 20:00, 8th September 2026 | |
"Clansman" was Euston-Inverness in both directions.
The only one in the list that I can recall travelling with.
The only one in the list that I can recall travelling with.
Ditto.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [379324/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 20:00, 8th September 2026 | |
The 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury via Swindon left 27 minutes late and was still 20 late when it departed Swindon after reversing.
Service also running with no on board toilets according to Tiger.
Service also running with no on board toilets according to Tiger.
And terminated at Westbury "due to the train operator's request (TB)"
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379323/32475/30] Posted by Trowres at 19:58, 8th September 2026 | |
"Clansman" was Euston-Inverness in both directions.
The only one in the list that I can recall travelling with.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379322/10737/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:46, 8th September 2026 | |
Dunno about new vs existing, but the Portishead line's business case forecast 1.2 million extra journeys by 2040, so the way these things usually work, expect 2m by 2030.
| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379321/32475/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:16, 8th September 2026 | |
The Hogwarts Express is the iconic red steam train (a GWR engine, 5972, built in Swindon) from the Harry Potter series that carries students from Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station to Hogsmeade Station, via the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [379320/31163/26] Posted by bobm at 19:11, 8th September 2026 | |
Journeycheck now saying disruption is likely to last until next Tuesday (15th).
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [379319/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 19:07, 8th September 2026 | |
The 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury via Swindon left 27 minutes late and was still 20 late when it departed Swindon after reversing.
Service also running with no on board toilets according to Tiger.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379318/10737/21] Posted by TonyN at 18:48, 8th September 2026 | |
The suggestion was that GBR/DfT» were waiting to see the results of the Scottish rolling stock procurement exercise, and then would add theirs if they liked what they saw.
If the Scots use the same team as they have for new ferries we may end up with trains that sink.| Re: Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379317/32475/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 18:40, 8th September 2026 | |
Pines Express ran between Manchester and Bournemouth West over the old, and beloved, S&DJR.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379316/10737/21] Posted by Noggin at 17:55, 8th September 2026 | |
Passed through their yesterday
I am intrigued how much use it will get and how much increased footfall there will be going the opposite way to normal at the station
I am intrigued how much use it will get and how much increased footfall there will be going the opposite way to normal at the station
The estimate was 2m people p/a - so 20% of station users-ish
Now - is that 2 million abstracted from the main entrance, or two million new customers? And if the latter, where are the extra carriages on trains like the Cross Country ones, and the services to Cardiff and via Bradford-on-Avon to cope?
Dunno about new vs existing, but the Portishead line's business case forecast 1.2 million extra journeys by 2040, so the way these things usually work, expect 2m by 2030.
IIRC there's supposed to be a GBR rolling stock procurement plan published by the end of this year. The suggestion was that GBR/DfT were waiting to see the results of the Scottish rolling stock procurement exercise, and then would add theirs if they liked what they saw.
| Re: Bristol trams - their possible resurrection, ongoing discussion In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379315/24687/21] Posted by Noggin at 17:43, 8th September 2026 | |
From the BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8egjgejxxo
Will Bristol ever get a tram network?
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to "making progress" on a mass transit system for Bristol - leaning into a decades-long saga that has left the West of England as one of the biggest city regions in the country without a tram or light rail.
"Mass transit" can include buses, trams and trains - the key is the service moves separately to other vehicles, preventing it from getting stuck in traffic.
Labour's West of England Mayor Helen Godwin has already allocated £150m to develop a mass transit "vision", with the aim of work starting within five years.
But government funding to deliver the project has not been guaranteed. A similar project for a tram system in Leeds is set to cost £2.1bn.
"The big cities of England... should have mass transit systems," Burnham said. "I'm talking about Leeds, I'm talking about Bristol.
"I will work with the wonderful mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, to make progress on that.
"To connect Bristol, its new arena, the station, the development at Temple Meads, into a mass transit system that takes Bristol forward."
Why hasn't Bristol got a mass transit system?
Continues ...
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to "making progress" on a mass transit system for Bristol - leaning into a decades-long saga that has left the West of England as one of the biggest city regions in the country without a tram or light rail.
"Mass transit" can include buses, trams and trains - the key is the service moves separately to other vehicles, preventing it from getting stuck in traffic.
Labour's West of England Mayor Helen Godwin has already allocated £150m to develop a mass transit "vision", with the aim of work starting within five years.
But government funding to deliver the project has not been guaranteed. A similar project for a tram system in Leeds is set to cost £2.1bn.
"The big cities of England... should have mass transit systems," Burnham said. "I'm talking about Leeds, I'm talking about Bristol.
"I will work with the wonderful mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, to make progress on that.
"To connect Bristol, its new arena, the station, the development at Temple Meads, into a mass transit system that takes Bristol forward."
Why hasn't Bristol got a mass transit system?
Continues ...
Curious timing for this to pop up with no real news - perhaps no coincidence that it's in the run up to the Budget?
For those interested, a good reference is February's vision doc linked from https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/about-us/our-strategy/transport-vision/. p39 suggest the routes, their goal was stated to have the first bit "in delivery" within 4 to 5 years (whatever that means).
As ever, the easy win for a first line would seem to be Airport to Temple Meads via the new Epic offices in Long Ashton and Ashton Gate Stadium, on the basis that the three could be called upon to contribute.
| Chiltern Railway Company -> Chiltern Rail, 20.9.2026 In "Chiltern Railways services" [379314/32476/44] Posted by grahame at 17:35, 8th September 2026 | |
Dear Graham,
From 20th September, Chiltern will be operated by a new company Chiltern Rail Limited as part of a planned transition into public ownership. Although the legal operator is changing, you'll continue to see the same Chiltern Railways, and the same teams running your trains.
Responsibility for your personal data will transfer from The Chiltern Railway Company Limited to Chiltern Rail Limited. This is a legal change only - your data will continue to be handled in the same systems, by the same teams, and used for the same purposes.
You don't need to take any action now. The updated privacy notice for Chiltern Rail Limited will be published on 20th September.
Our reasons for collecting and using your data remain unchanged. The new operator will also have some additional responsibilities - such as the Freedom of Information Act - but these won't affect how your data is used day to day.
From 20th September, Chiltern will be operated by a new company Chiltern Rail Limited as part of a planned transition into public ownership. Although the legal operator is changing, you'll continue to see the same Chiltern Railways, and the same teams running your trains.
Responsibility for your personal data will transfer from The Chiltern Railway Company Limited to Chiltern Rail Limited. This is a legal change only - your data will continue to be handled in the same systems, by the same teams, and used for the same purposes.
You don't need to take any action now. The updated privacy notice for Chiltern Rail Limited will be published on 20th September.
Our reasons for collecting and using your data remain unchanged. The new operator will also have some additional responsibilities - such as the Freedom of Information Act - but these won't affect how your data is used day to day.
| Named train - but where did it run? In "The Lighter Side" [379313/32475/30] Posted by grahame at 17:11, 8th September 2026 | |
Named trains like the "Cornish Riviera Express", the "Atlantic Coast Express", and the "Bewdley Flyer" contain an indication in their very names of their destination areas - but that's not obvious from all train names from the past. For how many of these can you identify the route served?
Benjamin Britten
Clansman
Elizabethan
Enterprise
Fair Maid
Flying Kipper
Highlandman
Highwayman
Hogwarts Express
Inter City Express
Palatine
Pines Express
Red Dragon
Sunny South Express
Talisman
Zephyr
| Re: Little Libraries In "Across the West" [379312/32473/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:02, 8th September 2026 | |
Opened a month ago ... this one had missed my radar. From the White Horse News
A small library has opened at Westbury railway station, giving passengers of all ages the chance to pick up a book for their journey.
The Great Western Railway (GWR) Little Library opened on Tuesday 4th August as part of a summer reading initiative aimed at encouraging children to keep reading during the school holidays. Following the success of the scheme, the Westbury library will now remain at the station permanently and has books for both children and adults.
The Great Western Railway (GWR) Little Library opened on Tuesday 4th August as part of a summer reading initiative aimed at encouraging children to keep reading during the school holidays. Following the success of the scheme, the Westbury library will now remain at the station permanently and has books for both children and adults.
GWR’s Little Libraries are also located at Didcot Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Gloucester, Penzance, Plymouth, Reading, Swindon, Truro and Worcestershire Parkway.
Famous Five?
| Rail freight increase targets - 40% by 2040 and 75% by 2050 In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [379311/32474/40] Posted by grahame at 16:53, 8th September 2026 | |
A written statement from Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport
I wish to inform the House of an additional target that the government is setting for the growth of rail freight, as part of continued support for the freight sector to realise its economic and environmental benefits.
We have previously affirmed our support for the existing target of:
at least a 75% increase in freight moved by rail in net tonne kilometres by 2050
To help realise this ambition, I am now setting an additional target as a milestone towards achieving the desired growth, namely of:
at least a 40% increase in freight moved by rail in net tonne kilometres by 2040
We have previously affirmed our support for the existing target of:
at least a 75% increase in freight moved by rail in net tonne kilometres by 2050
To help realise this ambition, I am now setting an additional target as a milestone towards achieving the desired growth, namely of:
at least a 40% increase in freight moved by rail in net tonne kilometres by 2040
it goes on to say ...
This new target reflects not only our ambition for the sector, but our commitment to improving supply chain resilience, economic growth and decarbonising our logistics sector.
It is estimated that delivering the 2040 growth target will increase the value of goods moved by rail freight from £33.7 billion to £49.5 billion.
It is also estimated that meeting the target would save a million tonnes of CO2 per year compared to if the freight went by road.
It is estimated that delivering the 2040 growth target will increase the value of goods moved by rail freight from £33.7 billion to £49.5 billion.
It is also estimated that meeting the target would save a million tonnes of CO2 per year compared to if the freight went by road.
| Little Libraries In "Across the West" [379310/32473/26] Posted by grahame at 16:35, 8th September 2026 | |
Opened a month ago ... this one had missed my radar. From the White Horse News
A small library has opened at Westbury railway station, giving passengers of all ages the chance to pick up a book for their journey.
The Great Western Railway (GWR) Little Library opened on Tuesday 4th August as part of a summer reading initiative aimed at encouraging children to keep reading during the school holidays. Following the success of the scheme, the Westbury library will now remain at the station permanently and has books for both children and adults.
The Great Western Railway (GWR) Little Library opened on Tuesday 4th August as part of a summer reading initiative aimed at encouraging children to keep reading during the school holidays. Following the success of the scheme, the Westbury library will now remain at the station permanently and has books for both children and adults.
GWR’s Little Libraries are also located at Didcot Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Gloucester, Penzance, Plymouth, Reading, Swindon, Truro and Worcestershire Parkway.
