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Great Western Coffee Shop
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [368224/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 08:28, 16th November 2025
 
Both trains appear to have been reinstated overnight. Nothing on JourneyCheck now to say otherwise.

Thank you, and yes ...

Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion
In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [368223/28355/22]
Posted by grahame at 08:25, 16th November 2025
 
Many thanks for that insight into a complex situation, Ollie - I read the answer as being somewhere between a glib "no, no, no" and something that can obviously be done.  "Where there's a will, there's likely to be a way" - we haven't considered the cascading / transfer of trains to meet the commitments, for example.   Sorry - but I remain of the concern that GWR do not have enough resources or enough flexibility in their resources to meet their day to day commitments to a reasonably robust degree throughout.   Management thing - they have gotten into a situation where far too many difficult calls have to be made, and as those calls are made and the results do severe damage to the business, to the customers, and to the communities they 'serve'.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [368222/29726/18]
Posted by brooklea at 08:08, 16th November 2025
 
Sun, 16 November 10:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 12:57
16/11/25 10:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 12:57 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Sun, 16 November 13:32 Swindon to Weymouth due 15:45
16/11/25 13:32 Swindon to Weymouth due 15:45 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Both trains appear to have been reinstated overnight. Nothing on JourneyCheck now to say otherwise.

Re: London's fare dodgers - ongoing issue and discussion here on the forum
In "Transport for London" [368221/30940/46]
Posted by Bob_Blakey at 08:07, 16th November 2025
 
While understanding that the UK, and more specifically, TfL are skint I couldn't help but wonder if replacing some of the barrier units at evasion hotspots with something akin to those in use on the Paris Metro might ameliorate the problem.

The Paris gates are full height and open/close laterally from very narrow housings, rather than being hinged, which, I would think, renders pushing through very difficult if not impossible.



Far flung rail attractions
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [368220/31103/52]
Posted by grahame at 08:00, 16th November 2025
 
It was a massive move from Liverpool to London for my parents in 1960 ... and an incredibly exciting holiday when we flew for the first time in a plane from Southend to Rotterdam for a Thompsons package tour of the Netherlands with coaches to places like Arnhem and Keukenhof.   To some extent the world has become a smaller place and long distance travel a natural part of our / my life.  And yet - speaking with a local friend the other day - he's concerned to the extent of planning half a year ahead about the travel plans he has to take his girlfriend to Rome for a short break and how they'll manage with hiring a cat to get around. And I am minded that he and his friend were very concerned when I showed him the ropes of the summer Saturday train to and from Weymouth at the start of September ... and had a series of cancellations on the way home.

My data feeds are filled with far flung news of rail attractions (and Stella the Labrador!) such as the Darjeeling Himalaya Railway and I note that's a growing concern.  I can't think (may be wrong) there's a blossoming local traffic.
DHR is now continuously moving forward in service of tourists with new energy, first a total of 6 engines of diesel locomotive were serving NDM6 600, 601, 602, 603, 604 and 605 respectively and now 2 more LOCOMOTIVE is currently in the number 607 Another 608 and another engine 608 are expected to arrive next month, overall now diesel will be able to serve even better for efficient operation of POWER DHR!

My new passport arrived ... and I'll be headed off again next year. 













For 2026 - might you be travelling "far flung"



Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion
In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [368219/28355/22]
Posted by Ollie at 03:22, 16th November 2025
Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, grahame, Timmer
 
Route knowledge is probably a bit of a topic in itself, each depot has different routes and traction knowledge, then even within that depot the levels of route and traction knowledge will be different.

To use the current example, the Oxford - Bristol services are currently being operated by Paddington drivers, we do not sign via Melksham so wouldn't be of any use to cover the services Graham has mentioned. At Paddington on the non-HSS side, we are multi traction (not 158s) which is why the service was able to be a 166 vice 800 last week.

Re: Northumberland Line - reopened December 2024, further developments possible
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368217/29569/28]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:16, 15th November 2025
 
From the BBC:

Hopes popular railway line will be expanded to Newbiggin


More than 700,000 passenger journeys have been made on the Northumberland Line since it reopened

Campaigners have welcomed plans to extend a popular railway line as part of local regeneration plans.

The Northumberland Line reopened last December and there are hopes further destinations can be added including Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

South East Northumberland Rail Users Group (SENRUG) believe it could be achieved by building less than one mile (1.6km) of new track.

The town has not had a rail station since 1964, when it was closed under the Beeching cuts.

Northumberland County Council deputy leader Richard Wearmouth told a meeting that both the authority and the North East Combined Authority were "committed to trying to make it work".

The announcement follows the line's strong performance since reopening. More than 700,000 passenger journeys have been made between Ashington and Newcastle in its first year - double the number originally forecast.

Dennis Fancett, chair of SENRUG, said the extension was the campaign's original vision for the line, which it first proposed two decades ago. "We've always campaigned for the line to go that far - it was part of the plan from the start."

The group said the extension, mostly on existing operational freight track line would be achievable and affordable, with only 0.8 miles of new track needed from just east of the A189 Spine Road overbridge.

SENRUG believes reopening the final stretch would bring major economic benefits, boost tourism, support local businesses and improve access to jobs and education.

It also said a station near Woodhorn Museum could be a park-and-ride hub for nearby villages such as Linton and Ellington, easing congestion.

Newbiggin's original railway station opened in 1872 and shut in 1964 when the nation's rail network was restructured.

Feasibility work on extending the line began earlier this year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Two of the lines stations - Bedlington and Northumberland Park - have not yet opened.

The county council said there were no costings at this stage, while feasibility work was ongoing.


Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [368216/29726/18]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 22:17, 15th November 2025
 
Sun, 16 November 10:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 12:57
16/11/25 10:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 12:57 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Sun, 16 November 13:32 Swindon to Weymouth due 15:45
16/11/25 13:32 Swindon to Weymouth due 15:45 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion
In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [368215/28355/22]
Posted by grahame at 21:07, 15th November 2025
Already liked by Oxonhutch
 
Different depot.  Different traction.  Different route.

Graham knows this....

Not that simple.   yes, Chris, Bob has given the "official" answer ... but why is that so?

Bristol to Swindon services can be diverted via a reversal at Bradford South Junction and so surely drivers have that route knowledge, further there is a direct Bristol to London via Wesburty service ... and staff do overlap / work with the next depot.

And didn't I note that the Bristol -> Oxford ran - was it today or last week - 3 car. So the driver that time knew how to drive a 165, 166 or 158 which are exactly the units used on the Westbury to Swindon.

"Different depot.  Different traction.  Different route." is easy to say but those all overlap and have fuzzy edges, so it's a convenient reason to have.  It's not as if there was a spare driver at St Blazey or Redhill.    There is the wider question as to why there are such tight route knowledges and thin overlaps these days, so that if anything goes that bit wrong recovery, the system doesn't have the ability to switch and recover easily.

Newquay to London Gatwick flight route will still run despite airline's collapse
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368214/11098/5]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:04, 15th November 2025
 
From the BBC:

A vital flight route between Cornwall and London will return as planned, despite the company providing the aircraft suspending trading, Skybus has said.

The plane for the resumed route was originally going to be sourced from Blue Islands, but the Jersey-based company suspended trading on Friday.

The Newquay to London Gatwick route was suspended last month after the previous operator, regional airline Eastern Airways, announced it was on the brink of entering administration.

Jonathan Hinkles, Skybus managing director, said he was aware of the Blue Islands situation and reassured customers that plans for the service would go ahead as scheduled on 23 November. He added: "Clearly, the news means that we'll be using a different aircraft to deliver our services on the short-term basis in which we were going to be flying with Blue Islands. We're in the final stages of working through several available options to secure that capacity."

Skybus' leaders said they would provide "further updates as they are available".

The company currently runs services to the Isles of Scilly, with flights from Newquay, Land's End and Exeter, and is owned by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company (ISSC) which also runs boat services to the islands. It will initially operate daily flights, aiming to increase to twice-daily services on weekdays from 14 February 2026.

The route to London is provided under a Passenger Service Obligation (PSO) contract which lasts four years. Central government and Cornwall Council subsidise the cost of running it all year round, despite it being less profitable during winter, as it is seen as a vital economic link.


Re: Jersey: Aurigny and Loganair airlines step in to rescue Blue Islands passengers
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368213/31102/5]
Posted by ChrisB at 20:40, 15th November 2025
 
£50 between the islands & £80 Southampton - Jersey/Guernsey

Jersey: Aurigny and Loganair airlines step in to rescue Blue Islands passengers
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368212/31102/5]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:36, 15th November 2025
 
From the BBC:


Blue Islands announced on Friday it had ceased trading

Airlines have stepped in to offer "rescue flights" for Blue Islands passengers after the company's collapse.

The Jersey-based operator, which employed about 100 staff, announced on Friday it had ceased trading and cancelled all bookings.

Carl Walker, chairman of the Jersey Consumer Council, said he understood more than 1,000 passengers had been displaced and advice for affected customers has been issued.

Aurigny and Loganair have said they are putting on extra flights to help Blue Islands customers.

Loganair said it was putting on flights from Jersey to Guernsey, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton along with Guernsey to Southampton from Sunday, while Aurigny has added flights for the Southampton to Guernsey and Guernsey to Jersey routes on Saturday and "initially until Wednesday".

Both airlines said special rescue fares were being put on the flights to assist passengers who needed to travel on any of the affected routes.

A Loganair statement said: "We understand this will be a worrying time for those hoping to travel to and from Jersey and in response we're starting operations from Sunday 16 November."

An Aurigny spokesperson said the airline was "deeply saddened" about Blue Islands ceasing trading and had taken "immediate action to assist Blue Islands customers across the Channel Islands".

Luke Farajallah, Loganair chief executive, said Blue Islands had played a "vital role in the UK's regional aviation market".

"This is another sad day for regional aviation, coming so soon after the news about Eastern Airways," he said.

Mr Farajallah said Loganair had acted immediately to introduce flights to and from Jersey and opened up the possibility of the airline being a long-term operator for the island. In a statement discussing the extra flights, he said: "This will then lead to establishing a new permanent operating base in Jersey."

....

A statement from Blue Islands said it had been told on Friday that Jersey's government would be unable to provide further support. A spokesperson said: "This has meant that we now need to suspend flying immediately whilst we consider the options available and how we can help our customers, staff and stakeholders."

Blue Islands borrowed £8.5m from the Government of Jersey to help it secure its services during the Covid-19 pandemic. A report in August revealed the outstanding capital balance in June was £7m.

Jersey's Minister for Treasury and Resources, Elaine Millar, said it was very sad news for the island, but there was "a limit" on how much money the government could subsidise an airline.

Ports of Jersey said it was saddened by the news: "Blue Islands has been a valued operator at Jersey Airport for many years. We recognise that this news will come as a disappointment to its passengers, employees, and the wider island community," a statement said.

Guernsey Ports managing director Ross Coppolo said he hoped rescue flights with airlines such as Aurigny and Loganair would help minimise disruption. "Our priority now is passengers who are affected over the coming days," he said.

Southampton Airport advised passengers to not travel to the airport and visit Blue Island's website for more information. "It is with regret we have been notified that Blue Islands has suspended trading, meaning all flights it operated to and from Southampton have been cancelled," the airport said.

(BBC article continues)


Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion
In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [368211/28355/22]
Posted by ChrisB at 20:36, 15th November 2025
 
Graham knows this....

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [368210/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 20:03, 15th November 2025
 
Ah yes - showing on the map

Train Cancellations

18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:50
Additional 18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Additional Information
This replacement coach will no longer run, as the train is now running.

Of course, advertised under a Train Cancellation headline when it's not - it's a bus cancellation. ...

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [368209/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 19:55, 15th November 2025
 
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:50

An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:50.
And ultimately, this rail replacement bus was cancelled and replaced by a train….

The 16:23, 17:35 and 18:35 trains all ran in the end.

Thank you.  But they had lost my business when I got up in the morning and looking at my day out, I was told  had to leave London to come back at 14:00 or 20:00 (fingers crossed for that one) or trust in a bus or taxi.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [368208/29726/18]
Posted by brooklea at 19:46, 15th November 2025
 
And the 19:44 train has just left Swindon bound for Westbury.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [368207/29726/18]
Posted by brooklea at 19:36, 15th November 2025
 
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:50

An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:50.
And ultimately, this rail replacement bus was cancelled and replaced by a train….

The 16:23, 17:35 and 18:35 trains all ran in the end.

Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368206/31017/51]
Posted by JayMac at 19:27, 15th November 2025
Already liked by bradshaw, johnneyw, ChrisB, PhilWakely, broadgage, chuffed, Bob_Blakey, eightonedee
 
Great news.

Samir deserves formal recognition for his bravery. Shoe in for a George Medal hopefully.

Re: London's fare dodgers - ongoing issue and discussion here on the forum
In "Transport for London" [368205/30940/46]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 19:03, 15th November 2025
 
More people push through than go over, so taller barriers won't help.  It's easier to go through too as the barriers aren't allowed to be strong enough to deliberately trap you.

.....and to be honest, whether they push through or go over they are rarely challenged by TfL staff.

Re: London's fare dodgers - ongoing issue and discussion here on the forum
In "Transport for London" [368204/30940/46]
Posted by plymothian at 19:00, 15th November 2025
Already liked by Ralph Ayres
 
More people push through than go over, so taller barriers won't help.  It's easier to go through too as the barriers aren't allowed to be strong enough to deliberately trap you.

Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368203/31017/51]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:08, 15th November 2025
Already liked by johnneyw
 
Breaking news, from the BBC:

Train worker who saved passengers from stabbings leaves hospital

A rail worker credited with saving multiple lives during a mass stabbing on a train has been discharged from hospital.

Samir Zitouni was a member of the catering crew on the Doncaster to London King's Cross service on the evening of 1 November when an attacker struck as it passed through Cambridgeshire. The 48-year-old was one of 11 people treated for their injuries.

In a statement released by the British Transport Police (BTP), his family said: "We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the public, and very touched by all the kind words about Sam's brave actions on the night of the attack."

The BTP has already described his actions as "nothing short of heroic". Last week, the force said he remained "critically unwell" but stable at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Mr Zitouni has been credited with blocking the attack suspect from stabbing a girl, leaving him with a gash on his head and neck.


Re: London's fare dodgers - ongoing issue and discussion here on the forum
In "Transport for London" [368202/30940/46]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:59, 15th November 2025
 
From the BBC:


An estimated 3.5% of fares were evaded in the year to March 2025

Taller ticket barriers, dedicated fare evasion teams in stations and the creation of a taskforce would reduce fare dodging on Transport for London (TfL) services, City Hall Conservatives have claimed.

The number of prosecutions for fare evasion on the Tube reached their highest level for six years in 2023-24, figures obtained by the BBC show.

Thomas Turrell, Conservative transport spokesman, said the mayor of London "continues to pay lip service to the problem in spite of the concern Londoners have when using the Tube".

TfL said its "data-driven strategy" to tackle fare evasion was "already making an impact, with the pan-TfL fare evasion rate dropping to 3.5% from 3.8% in 2023-24". TfL previously said it had spent nearly £14.2m cracking down on fare dodging across the Tube and £7.7m on the bus network in 2023-24, collecting £1.3m in penalty charges.

Penalty fares are set at £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days.

The Conservatives said TfL's target was to reduce fare evasion from 3.4% to 1.5% by 2030, however based on current trends, that "simply isn't going to happen", said Turrell.

"Every Londoner has watched someone push through the barriers or jump over them to avoid paying the fare, knowing full well that they will be picking up the cost of the offender's non-payment in the form of eye-watching fare rises," he said. "It's not good enough, and Londoners are fed up with watching this happen unchallenged."

But Elly Baker, chair of the Transport Committee on the London Assembly, said the Tories were "political grandstanding".

"A recent cross-party Transport Committee report focused on improving safety and confidence through better staffing. The Conservatives could have put some of their suggestions into this report, but chose not to. They have chosen political grandstanding rather than suggesting practical solutions."

In May, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick posted a video on social media of him approaching people who had not paid. At the time, the Conservative said he was "sick to death of people fare dodging" and felt he needed to "highlight the issue".


Re: Wightlink: cross-Solent ferries between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368201/30915/5]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:33, 15th November 2025
 
From the BBC:

Ryde Pier Head ferry parking tariff to allow shorter stays


Ferry passengers park at Ryde Pier Head before ferry crossings to Portsmouth

Parking charges at an Isle of Wight transport hub are to be revised to allow motorists to pay for shorter stays.

Motorists parking at Ryde Pier Head, many taking passenger ferries to Portsmouth, currently have to pay £11.50 for periods ranging between two and 16 hours.

From December, new tarrifs for four, six and eight hours are set to be introduced.

Ferry operator Wightlink said the new bands would make it "easier and more flexible" for customers to park at the site.

Parking will remain free for the first 30 minutes. Instead of having to pay £11.50, regardless of duration, a four hour stay will now cost £5.50. Six hours will cost £7.50 and eight hours will cost £9.50. Two hour's parking will remain at £3.50 and a £13.50 charge will remain for up to 24 hours.

The ferry operator said: "Following customer feedback, we're making it easier and more flexible for customers to park at Ryde Pier Head. From 1 December, we're introducing additional time bands, giving passengers even more choice for shorter stays. We'll continue listening to Island residents to improve our services."

The car park is at the end of Victorian Pier which reopened in 2024 after a £10m refurbishment of the Ryde Interchange. Built in 1814, Ryde Pier is the UK's oldest and the second-longest seaside pier in the country at half a mile long.


Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion
In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [368200/28355/22]
Posted by bobm at 16:59, 15th November 2025
 
Different depot.  Different traction.  Different route.

Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion
In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [368199/28355/22]
Posted by grahame at 16:19, 15th November 2025
 
Nine coaches on today's services in place of the usual five (or the three which did last Saturday's first round trip).

So they have enough staff to run those experimental services but not the standard contracted bread and butter stuff between Westury and Swindion - two round trips on there cancelled again today, "shortage of staff".

Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion
In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [368198/28355/22]
Posted by bobm at 16:15, 15th November 2025
 
Nine coaches on today's services in place of the usual five (or the three which did last Saturday's first round trip).

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [368197/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 15:28, 15th November 2025
 
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:50

An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:50.

Calls to fix massive puddle outside Euston station - Nov 2025
In "Transport for London" [368195/31101/46]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:07, 15th November 2025
 
From the BBC:


The Royal National Institute for the Blind said it was concerned for disabled people in the area

Transport for London (TfL) bosses have been urged to resolve repeated episodes of flooding outside Euston Station.

Locally nicknamed the "Euston puddle", the large body of water forms following rainfall at the junction of Upper Woburn Place and Euston Road.

Commuters have been seen wading through deep water to access the station over the past year, while a charity warns the area could become a "no-go zone" for disabled people.

TfL said drainage work to resolve the problem was carried out last winter but the issue had since reoccurred. Water is to be cleared from the road in the short term while further investigations are carried out, it said.


The puddle causes problems for people on the pavement as well as those trying to cross the road

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Royal National Institute of Blind People urged the authorities to act "immediately" to fix the issue. The charity said it was concerned the puddle was affecting some people's ability to "walk safely and independently" in the area. Campaigns officer Clay Nash said the flood water blocks access to a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing that allows blind and partially-sighted people to safely cross the road.

One resident said elderly people and those with mobility issues were often being forced to dodge traffic, while many pedestrians were being sprayed with water by passing cars.

The pool of water - often spanning several metres - vanished for months after work was carried out on the roads but returned in July.

Camden Council's Adam Harrison called for a new plan to tackle the "notorious" puddle. "For years we have asked TfL to take action to stop the water collecting. It stops people from crossing safely at this busy corner next to Euston Station and risks them getting soaked."


The "Euston puddle" sometimes spans several metres

TfL, which manages Euston Road, apologised for the disruption and said they believed the issue had been resolved - but now that it had reoccurred they would "investigate the new drainage system working with Thames Water". It also said it would send maintenance teams to the location when heavy rain is forecast in an attempt to clear significant puddles.


 
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