Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Coffee Shop - statement on the three day challenge In "The Lighter Side" [357935/29855/30] Posted by grahame at 09:44, 5th February 2025 |      |
From Facebook
The Coffee Shop will remain open from the last day of February without interruption to the first day in March. I appreciate the risk of coffee / caffeine addiction, but it is up to members how they address this concern personally and what notice if any they take of any calls for a pause in their drinking.
| Re: Stop using the word ‘passenger’, Network Rail tells staff In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [357934/29845/51] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 09:43, 5th February 2025 | |
.....And there is a clear case for helping people who speak to the public know how to ensure that what they say is clear and understandable.
What you say is absolutely correct.....trouble is stuff like 'pregnant person' does precisely the opposite.
| Re: Uber credits In "Fare's Fair" [357933/29854/4] Posted by Clan Line at 09:38, 5th February 2025 | |
I seem to have the opposite. I did go as far as authorising the payment to see if the Uber credit was deducted at that stage - it wasn't, so I stopped the payment. I then got a text from my bank asking if I did or didn't want to go ahead with the (full) payment. I said NO !
| Re: Greatest Gathering - 1st to 3rd August 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [357931/29728/51] Posted by PrestburyRoad at 09:16, 5th February 2025 | |
I've just booked a ticket successfully (for the Friday). The booking office site actually opened a few minutes after 09:00 - I thought to myself it was gently emulating a train that keeps closely to the timetable albeit not exactly, and matching my mental expectation of keeping within 5 minutes of schedule.
Credit to the organisers for finding a new ticket provider that works.
| Re: Vibrant or dangerous? Colourful roundabout redesign divides village in Berkshire In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [357930/29847/31] Posted by eightonedee at 09:11, 5th February 2025 Already liked by PrestburyRoad | |
Perhaps the Department for Transport should now update their guidance on roundabouts in the Highway Code.
Their current illustrations bear no resemblance to these increasingly artistic variations which are now springing up. Roll Eyes
Their current illustrations bear no resemblance to these increasingly artistic variations which are now springing up. Roll Eyes
Better still - update their guidance to prohibit non-standard road markings. Surely the whole idea of standard road markings is for safety, so that all road users know what the rules are, they can be taught as part of teaching children pedestrian road safety and safe cycling and learner drivers to drive.
I do not have a problem in principle with Dutch-style "home zones" where motorised traffic has to cede priority to others in the right places, but there needs to be clear and universal road signage and marking.
| Re: Vibrant or dangerous? Colourful roundabout redesign divides village in Berkshire In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [357929/29847/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 09:04, 5th February 2025 Already liked by PrestburyRoad | |
Perhaps the Department for Transport should now update their guidance on roundabouts in the Highway Code.
Their current illustrations bear no resemblance to these increasingly artistic variations which are now springing up.
| Re: Millions of train tickets to be discounted next week In "Fare's Fair" [357928/29748/4] Posted by grahame at 08:33, 5th February 2025 | |
From The Standard
More than one million discounted train tickets were bought during a promotion last month, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.
The total of 1.01 million tickets purchased during the Rail Sale brought in £8.73 million in sales revenue, representing an increase of more than 70% compared with a similar scheme last year.
The total of 1.01 million tickets purchased during the Rail Sale brought in £8.73 million in sales revenue, representing an increase of more than 70% compared with a similar scheme last year.
Do they tell us what proportion of the sales are for journeys that would otherwise not have been made, what proportion are a transfer of journeys from other modes, and what proportion are people who would be travelling by train anyway simply taking advantage of the scheme?
| Re: Stop using the word ‘passenger’, Network Rail tells staff In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [357927/29845/51] Posted by grahame at 08:09, 5th February 2025 | |
I get it - poking fun at this document. BUT.
But there IS a clear case for clear speech.
And there is a clear case for helping people who speak to the public know how to ensure that what they say is clear and understandable.
| Re: Stop using the word ‘passenger’, Network Rail tells staff In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [357926/29845/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:54, 5th February 2025 Already liked by Bob_Blakey | |
I've got a good idea.
How about sacking the idiots that came up with this bull and using the over inflated salaries to employ staff to physically inspect the state of the permanent way?
How about sacking the idiots that came up with this bull and using the over inflated salaries to employ staff to physically inspect the state of the permanent way?
Can we say "cattle" rather than "bull" please?
You are assuming that the bovine in question identifies as male. Network Rail would also recommend that the preferred pronouns are ascertained.
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [357925/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 07:30, 5th February 2025 | |
175007 left Ely yesterday. Got as far as Leicester when it was realised they had the wrong unit, 175010, which has axle problems.
Apparently still at Leicester in the goods yard.
| Re: Uber credits In "Fare's Fair" [357924/29854/4] Posted by matth1j at 06:25, 5th February 2025 | |
I've found that it uses them automatically, no manual intervention required. Wasn't obvious though - hadn't noticed until I looked at my bank statement
| Re: Vibrant or dangerous? Colourful roundabout redesign divides village in Berkshire In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [357923/29847/31] Posted by Marlburian at 05:54, 5th February 2025 | |
| Uber credits In "Fare's Fair" [357922/29854/4] Posted by Clan Line at 20:43, 4th February 2025 | |
I am trying to use my accrued Uber credits to buy a train ticket. I cannot get the Uber website to accept the credits. I have more in credits than the cost of the ticket, but it keeps trying to charge the full price of the ticket to my card. The credits say that they are valid to May 2025.
Anyone else had this problem ? Am I missing something ?
| Re: Stop using the word ‘passenger’, Network Rail tells staff In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [357921/29845/51] Posted by UstiImmigrunt at 19:44, 4th February 2025 Already liked by Bob_Blakey | |
I've got a good idea.
How about sacking the idiots that came up with this bull and using the over inflated salaries to employ staff to physically inspect the state of the permanent way?
| Re: 18th December, Swindon 11:30 - Go-op Share Offer Launch In "Diary - what's happening when?" [357919/29623/34] Posted by grahame at 18:57, 4th February 2025 | |
Thirty-one days left on the crowdfunder to raise £2,500,000 - and they are standing at a rather paltry £82,190. A long way to go - I wonder whether someone will offer the remaining investment at the last moment? I'm sort of surprised no one is giving it a push....?
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/go-op-som-wilts-rail
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/go-op-som-wilts-rail
I have added the closing date to our calendar. Coffee Shop members are welcome to post here to encourage people to support Go-op by share purchase or otherwise, just as they are to encourage people to purchase shares in First group. As with any investment, the risks and benefits of the particular investment should be carefully considered.
| Re: Landslips and landslides on the transport networks In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [357918/29849/51] Posted by paul7575 at 17:56, 4th February 2025 | |
Updated BBC article on the SVR bridge failure.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy7g5yrvz5o
A chap from Network Rail has explained that it’s probably the excess water flow that’s washed out the bridge wall.
| Top and bottom stations for passenger convenience In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [357917/29853/51] Posted by grahame at 17:54, 4th February 2025 | |
European Railway Station Index - Posting in "UK" because it includes some UK Stations
https://consumerchoicecenter.org/european-railway-station-index-2023/
As the world grapples with post-Covid recovery, railway stations are witnessing a complex blend of continuity and transformation. In the UK, passenger numbers are steadily rebounding, reaching 95% of pre-Covid levels after a significant 70% global drop. However, this surge has brought its challenges, such as severe train delays and longer waiting times. Specific factors unique to each country, like Germany’s subsidy program impacting stations like Munich, and the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with millions seeking refuge in Europe, further complicate railway congestion. Against this backdrop, we present the fourth annual European Railway Station Index, evaluating fifty major stations to guide consumers towards the best travel experiences amidst these changing realities.
There are several upsides to choosing one of the top five stations for arrival or departure, such as less time spent waiting for trains, more convenient operating hours for ticket booths, more ticket packages to choose from, easier access to entrances, platforms, and restrooms for people using a wheelchair, more shops, kiosks, restaurants, and first-class lounges, better coverage, easier connections to and from the station, and less hassle traveling to other countries by train.
I suspect that few of us would choose a destination based on the station quality there - but very useful to take a look at what makes for a good and a bad station. Full report mirrored at https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/Railway-Index-2023.pdf for members
Originally from The Mirror
'Worst' train station in Europe is found in country famed for public transport
Despite being a country known for its "excellent" public transport, it appears Germany has one of the worst train stations in Europe - according to new research
Despite being a country known for its "excellent" public transport, it appears Germany has one of the worst train stations in Europe - according to new research
| Re: Greatest Gathering - 1st to 3rd August 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [357916/29728/51] Posted by grahame at 17:22, 4th February 2025 | |
Alstom has confirmed that tickets for The Greatest Gathering are set set to go back on sale following issues with the Mortons Media ticketing website last week.
Tickets originally went on sale on Friday last week, but sales were suspended a matter of hours later after many users received ‘Bad Gateway’ errors when trying to access the Mortons Media website.
Plenty of tickets remain available and will go back on sale tomorrow (5th February) at 9am
Based on last weeks demand, tickets wont be around for long and the new ticket website is being hosted by See Tickets, who are based in Nottingham.
Tickets originally went on sale on Friday last week, but sales were suspended a matter of hours later after many users received ‘Bad Gateway’ errors when trying to access the Mortons Media website.
Plenty of tickets remain available and will go back on sale tomorrow (5th February) at 9am
Based on last weeks demand, tickets wont be around for long and the new ticket website is being hosted by See Tickets, who are based in Nottingham.
| Re: Heathrow Southern Railway In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [357914/20681/28] Posted by ChrisB at 15:11, 4th February 2025 | |
The company has been around for years....that's where Graham Cross moved to after his stint with Adrian Shooter at Chiltern Railways.
| Re: Greatest Gathering - 1st to 3rd August 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [357912/29728/51] Posted by grahame at 13:34, 4th February 2025 Already liked by Mark A, GBM | |
Should have gone to wellhouse for a reliable build and service! 
Funnily enough ... when we hear people tell us about great online experiences with some very big organisations, they often turn out to be ones we have trained. It's amazing how much we got around.
When we appeared on Four in a Bed, our contestant care person (the person assigned by the production company to help the twits who have signed up to warned us to expect a huge spike when they broadcast our show. Took a look / listened to what we did and said "I don't think you'll have any problems". We didn't, though traffic was up that day by around 250 times.
I can't recall us training any of the companies who's booking engines have fallen over like in this example
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [357910/10737/21] Posted by Phantom at 13:17, 4th February 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
Thanks for posting that update, johnneyw. 
That is indeed a fairly large project of restoration / rebuilding / improvement work.
That is indeed a fairly large project of restoration / rebuilding / improvement work.
Out of interest when are the works due to be finished?
The station is so depressing with boards everywhere, it reminds me of New Street
| Re: 18th December, Swindon 11:30 - Go-op Share Offer Launch In "Diary - what's happening when?" [357909/29623/34] Posted by IndustryInsider at 12:49, 4th February 2025 | |
Thirty-one days left on the crowdfunder to raise £2,500,000 - and they are standing at a rather paltry £82,190. A long way to go - I wonder whether someone will offer the remaining investment at the last moment? I'm sort of surprised no one is giving it a push....?
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/go-op-som-wilts-rail
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/go-op-som-wilts-rail
Just 3% of the way there? It looks like an almighty shove is required rather than just a push!
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [357908/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 12:37, 4th February 2025 | |
And after some good days, when I've been hesitant to post anything, for fear of something going wrong...
Though yesterday the afternoon 'halts' train was cancelled.
11:52 London Paddington to Hereford due 14:44 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:04/02/2025 11:05
15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:04/02/2025 11:05
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:04/02/2025 11:05
15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:04/02/2025 11:05
| Re: Greatest Gathering - 1st to 3rd August 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [357907/29728/51] Posted by GBM at 12:33, 4th February 2025 | |
https://www.alstom.com/greatest-gathering
Should have gone to wellhouse for a reliable build and service! As part of this year’s Railway 200 celebrations, Alstom’s historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works will be front and centre, as it hosts the largest temporary gathering of trains and rail-related exhibits in a generation – The Greatest Gathering – between Friday 1 and Sunday 3 August.
After yesterday’s fantastic announcement regarding The Greatest Gathering happening at our Derby site in August, our ticketing provider’s site struggled to cope with unprecedented demand from around the world.
Even with a queuing system in place from mid-morning, this was not enough – and it will take time to secure additional capacity.
With that in mind, we have made the decision to suspend ticket sales until we are confident that our provider’s servers can handle the expected web traffic.
Rest assured, there are still thousands of tickets available across the three days and those who have already received a booking confirmation will receive their e-tickets in due course.
Details of when tickets will return to sale will be promoted on this website and on our social media channels.
Even with a queuing system in place from mid-morning, this was not enough – and it will take time to secure additional capacity.
With that in mind, we have made the decision to suspend ticket sales until we are confident that our provider’s servers can handle the expected web traffic.
Rest assured, there are still thousands of tickets available across the three days and those who have already received a booking confirmation will receive their e-tickets in due course.
Details of when tickets will return to sale will be promoted on this website and on our social media channels.
| Re: 18th December, Swindon 11:30 - Go-op Share Offer Launch In "Diary - what's happening when?" [357906/29623/34] Posted by ChrisB at 12:32, 4th February 2025 | |
Thirty-one days left on the crowdfunder to raise £2,500,000 - and they are standing at a rather paltry £82,190. A long way to go - I wonder whether someone will offer the remaining investment at the last moment? I'm sort of surprised no one is giving it a push....?
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/go-op-som-wilts-rail
