Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Lancashire bus fare increases 'taking the mick', says MP Oliver Ryan In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371246/31482/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:46, 20th January 2026 |      |
From the BBC:
Bus fare increases 'taking the mick', says MP
[Image from here is not available to guests]
A rise in bus fares across Lancashire is "outrageous" and operator Transdev are "taking the mick", an MP has said.
All-day tickets are rising from £6 to £7.50, while a weekly ticket is increasing from £19 to £25.
Burnley's MP Oliver Ryan has joined his Labour colleague for Hyndburn, Sarah Smith, in writing to the bus company urging it to reconsider.
However, Transdev has defended the changes, insisting that for many they will actually make journeys cheaper and more flexible.
Ryan told BBC Radio Lancashire the increases were "outrageous" and Transdev were "taking the mick".
"If they'd come back with an inflation rise then people would probably live with that," he said. "But this is a 60-odd per cent increase."
He said parents and students had contacted him concerned about the changes and "when people are struggling I've got to do right by my constituents".
Ryan has since launched a petition calling on the bus company to rethink the hikes and to bring forward alternative ticketing options that protect frequent local passengers from higher costs.
A Transdev spokesman said that despite the changes, many customers would pay less for the same journey - notably to and from Manchester.
He added that other new fares would offer greater flexibility across a larger geographical area, with no change in ticket price for customers making a single or return journey.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
A rise in bus fares across Lancashire is "outrageous" and operator Transdev are "taking the mick", an MP has said.
All-day tickets are rising from £6 to £7.50, while a weekly ticket is increasing from £19 to £25.
Burnley's MP Oliver Ryan has joined his Labour colleague for Hyndburn, Sarah Smith, in writing to the bus company urging it to reconsider.
However, Transdev has defended the changes, insisting that for many they will actually make journeys cheaper and more flexible.
Ryan told BBC Radio Lancashire the increases were "outrageous" and Transdev were "taking the mick".
"If they'd come back with an inflation rise then people would probably live with that," he said. "But this is a 60-odd per cent increase."
He said parents and students had contacted him concerned about the changes and "when people are struggling I've got to do right by my constituents".
Ryan has since launched a petition calling on the bus company to rethink the hikes and to bring forward alternative ticketing options that protect frequent local passengers from higher costs.
A Transdev spokesman said that despite the changes, many customers would pay less for the same journey - notably to and from Manchester.
He added that other new fares would offer greater flexibility across a larger geographical area, with no change in ticket price for customers making a single or return journey.
| Re: Recycling rubbish and charity shops - something of a minefield? Ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371245/30854/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:06, 20th January 2026 | |
Rather more of a minefield than recycling? From the BBC:
Bomb squad called after 'ammunition' handed in to Swindon charity shop
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The 'military ammunition' was reportedly handed in to a charity shop in a small bag
A large section of a retail park was temporarily evacuated after suspected ammunition was reportedly handed in to a charity shop.
The items, believed to have been donated in a small bag, were handed into the Cancer Research UK store at the Greenbridge Retail Park in Swindon earlier.
The items have since been taken by bomb disposal experts for testing and a cordon, set up around the building at 10:30 GMT, has since been lifted.
The Cancer Research UK store is expected to remain closed for the rest of Tuesday.
Wiltshire Police said: "The rest of the retail park remains open as usual."
Around five pieces of ammunition were reportedly handed in at the shop, with four of the items being 7.62mm - the standard size for many military small arms munitions.
A fifth item is thought to be a much larger type of round.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The 'military ammunition' was reportedly handed in to a charity shop in a small bag
A large section of a retail park was temporarily evacuated after suspected ammunition was reportedly handed in to a charity shop.
The items, believed to have been donated in a small bag, were handed into the Cancer Research UK store at the Greenbridge Retail Park in Swindon earlier.
The items have since been taken by bomb disposal experts for testing and a cordon, set up around the building at 10:30 GMT, has since been lifted.
The Cancer Research UK store is expected to remain closed for the rest of Tuesday.
Wiltshire Police said: "The rest of the retail park remains open as usual."
Around five pieces of ammunition were reportedly handed in at the shop, with four of the items being 7.62mm - the standard size for many military small arms munitions.
A fifth item is thought to be a much larger type of round.
| Re: Landslips and landslides on the transport networks In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371244/29849/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:39, 20th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
How landslides can affect rail travel
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Landslides are often triggered by weather conditions like heavy rain
If you're a regular train user, you may have experienced delays caused by landslides.
But what are they and why do they cause so many issues?
After a landslide in the New Forest led to a line closure and significant disruption, we've taken a closer look at the impact they have on Britain's rail network.
What is a landslide?
A landslide – also known as a landslip – is when rocks, earth and debris fall from a natural slope like a cliff, hill or mountain.
Why do landslides happen?
In scientific terms, landslides occur when the force of gravity acting on a slope exceeds its resisting forces. They can happen suddenly or over long periods of time and take place most frequently after periods of heavy rain when the ground is saturated with water.
Other factors that increase the chances of a landslip include:
- Prolonged hot or dry weather
- Cold weather
- Wind and storms
- Erosion
- Vibrations caused by traffic or construction work
It's believed that climate change could lead to an increase in landslides due to an increase in extreme weather conditions.
How do landslides affect rail travel?
Unlike vehicles on the road, trains are unable to swerve to avoid debris if it falls onto a railway line. This means services often have to be re-routed, leading to delays while Network Rail engineers remove the blockage. Any debris has to be removed from the line and infrastructure needs to be checked to ensure it is safe.
When a landslide takes place, the slope is often weakened, making further slips much more common.
Sometimes slopes on either side of a set of railway tracks need to be strengthened by improving drainage or adding stronger materials such as steel rods or soil nails. This work to stabilise the earth can take time and lead to significant disruption.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Three people were killed and six injured when a train derailed after hitting a landslide in Aberdeenshire in 2020
How common are landslides in the south?
According to a Freedom of Information request submitted to Network Rail by New Civil Engineer, the British rail network experienced 147 land movements between 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024.
The Southern region, which includes Dorset and Hampshire, experienced the highest number at 45.
A Great Western Railway service ran into rubble after a landslide at Cassington Road bridge, between Oxford and Hanborough in 2023.
Train lines were closed between Reading and London Paddington in 2024 due to a landslip and an unsafe tree.
A rail line in Bicester was partially closed after part of the track bed subsided following a landslip in 2024.
A landslip near Hook in Hampshire caused a railway track to collapse leaving passengers facing major disruption in 2023.
Two landslides in the space of three days led to a derailment and significant disruption in Dorset in 2009.
How dangerous can they be?
Though landslides most typically result in travel delays and structural damage, they can have more serious consequences.
In 1995, a train was derailed at Aisgill after hitting a landslide on the Settle to Carlisle line and was subsequently hit by another train. A guard died and nearly 30 people were injured.
A train derailed at Carmont in Aberdeenshire on 12 August 2020 after hitting a landslide following heavy rain. Three people died and six were injured in the incident. Network Rail was fined £6.7m in 2023 after admitting a series of failings which led to the deaths.
Last year, a train came off the tracks on the West Coast Main Line at Shap in Cumbria. Of the 87 people on board, four were left with minor injuries but no-one required hospital treatment.
What work is being done to mitigate the impact of landslides?
Network Rail uses helicopters equipped with laser imaging, detection and ranging to identify sites prone to landslides.
Where sites are at risk, motion sensors and CCTV are used to detect soil and rock movement. These sensors set off an alarm if a risk is detected and the area will be inspected by engineers.
Slopes can be stabilised by putting in drainage or using steel rods or soil nails. If these options are not enough to fix the issue, Network Rail will re-profile the slope to reduce its angle, making it less prone to landslides.
Network Rail deploys people and resources to areas under flood warnings by the Environment Agency and Flood Forecasting Centre.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Landslides are often triggered by weather conditions like heavy rain
If you're a regular train user, you may have experienced delays caused by landslides.
But what are they and why do they cause so many issues?
After a landslide in the New Forest led to a line closure and significant disruption, we've taken a closer look at the impact they have on Britain's rail network.
What is a landslide?
A landslide – also known as a landslip – is when rocks, earth and debris fall from a natural slope like a cliff, hill or mountain.
Why do landslides happen?
In scientific terms, landslides occur when the force of gravity acting on a slope exceeds its resisting forces. They can happen suddenly or over long periods of time and take place most frequently after periods of heavy rain when the ground is saturated with water.
Other factors that increase the chances of a landslip include:
- Prolonged hot or dry weather
- Cold weather
- Wind and storms
- Erosion
- Vibrations caused by traffic or construction work
It's believed that climate change could lead to an increase in landslides due to an increase in extreme weather conditions.
How do landslides affect rail travel?
Unlike vehicles on the road, trains are unable to swerve to avoid debris if it falls onto a railway line. This means services often have to be re-routed, leading to delays while Network Rail engineers remove the blockage. Any debris has to be removed from the line and infrastructure needs to be checked to ensure it is safe.
When a landslide takes place, the slope is often weakened, making further slips much more common.
Sometimes slopes on either side of a set of railway tracks need to be strengthened by improving drainage or adding stronger materials such as steel rods or soil nails. This work to stabilise the earth can take time and lead to significant disruption.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Three people were killed and six injured when a train derailed after hitting a landslide in Aberdeenshire in 2020
How common are landslides in the south?
According to a Freedom of Information request submitted to Network Rail by New Civil Engineer, the British rail network experienced 147 land movements between 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024.
The Southern region, which includes Dorset and Hampshire, experienced the highest number at 45.
A Great Western Railway service ran into rubble after a landslide at Cassington Road bridge, between Oxford and Hanborough in 2023.
Train lines were closed between Reading and London Paddington in 2024 due to a landslip and an unsafe tree.
A rail line in Bicester was partially closed after part of the track bed subsided following a landslip in 2024.
A landslip near Hook in Hampshire caused a railway track to collapse leaving passengers facing major disruption in 2023.
Two landslides in the space of three days led to a derailment and significant disruption in Dorset in 2009.
How dangerous can they be?
Though landslides most typically result in travel delays and structural damage, they can have more serious consequences.
In 1995, a train was derailed at Aisgill after hitting a landslide on the Settle to Carlisle line and was subsequently hit by another train. A guard died and nearly 30 people were injured.
A train derailed at Carmont in Aberdeenshire on 12 August 2020 after hitting a landslide following heavy rain. Three people died and six were injured in the incident. Network Rail was fined £6.7m in 2023 after admitting a series of failings which led to the deaths.
Last year, a train came off the tracks on the West Coast Main Line at Shap in Cumbria. Of the 87 people on board, four were left with minor injuries but no-one required hospital treatment.
What work is being done to mitigate the impact of landslides?
Network Rail uses helicopters equipped with laser imaging, detection and ranging to identify sites prone to landslides.
Where sites are at risk, motion sensors and CCTV are used to detect soil and rock movement. These sensors set off an alarm if a risk is detected and the area will be inspected by engineers.
Slopes can be stabilised by putting in drainage or using steel rods or soil nails. If these options are not enough to fix the issue, Network Rail will re-profile the slope to reduce its angle, making it less prone to landslides.
Network Rail deploys people and resources to areas under flood warnings by the Environment Agency and Flood Forecasting Centre.
| Re: Spain - High Speed Train crash, at least 39 dead, Cordoba province - 18 Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [371243/31475/52] Posted by Witham Bobby at 11:21, 20th January 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Utterly horrible event
Talk of a 30cm gap in a rail is very alarming - a gap of a foot seems so wild
May those lost rest in peace, and those who have survived recover well
| Re: Samaritans are asking us to talk to one another more In "Across the West" [371242/20726/26] Posted by bobm at 11:07, 20th January 2026 Already liked by grahame, Chris from Nailsea | |
The Samaritans were also out in force in Swindon yesterday.
The thought of chatting to one another more is a familiar one in local transport circles and reminded me of the Happy to Chat bench unveiled in Melksham's King George V park in 2024. It commemorates the ethos of long time rail campaigners Peter and Margaret Blackburn.
The bench seen here with two of their sons.
| Re: Spain - High Speed Train crash, at least 39 dead, Cordoba province - 18 Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [371241/31475/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:57, 20th January 2026 | |
Sadly, the death toll has now risen to 'at least 41 people'. [Image from here is not available to guests]
From the BBC:
Spain train crash recovery continues as investigators probe 'gap' in rail
Heavy machinery is being used to assist in the recovery following a two-train crash in southern Spain which killed at least 41 people.
Rescuers worked through a second night as more bodies are feared to be trapped in the wreckage.
More than 120 people were injured when carriages on a Madrid-bound train derailed and crossed over to the opposite tracks, hitting an oncoming train in Adamuz on Sunday evening.
A faulty or damaged weld on a rail is being investigated as a factor in the crash, Spanish media report.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has cancelled his planned trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, pledging to get to the bottom of Spain's worst train disaster in more than a decade.
Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia will visit the site later on Tuesday. Three days of national mourning have been announced.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said the death toll "is not yet final". Officials are working to identify the dead.
Puente said the investigation could take at least a month, describing the incident as "extremely strange".
Spanish media report that a 30cm gap in one of the rails is the current focus of the investigation.
Technicians told the El Mundo newspaper that a "bad" or "deteriorated" weld was "more than likely" the cause for the derailment.
Ignacio Barron, head of Spain's Commission of Investigation of Rail Accidents (CIAF), said on RTVE: "What always plays a part in a derailment is the interaction between the track and the vehicle, and that is what the commission is currently [looking into]."
However, Spain's El País newspaper reports that it was not clear whether the fault was a cause or a result of the crash.
On Monday, Renfe President Álvaro Fernández Heredia apparently ruled out "human error", telling RNE TV show Las Mañanas that, if "the driver makes a mistake, the system itself corrects it".
Four hundred passengers and staff were on board the two trains, the rail authorities said. Emergency services treated 122 people, with 41, including children, still in hospital. Of those, 12 are in intensive care.
Heavy machinery is being used to assist in the recovery following a two-train crash in southern Spain which killed at least 41 people.
Rescuers worked through a second night as more bodies are feared to be trapped in the wreckage.
More than 120 people were injured when carriages on a Madrid-bound train derailed and crossed over to the opposite tracks, hitting an oncoming train in Adamuz on Sunday evening.
A faulty or damaged weld on a rail is being investigated as a factor in the crash, Spanish media report.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has cancelled his planned trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, pledging to get to the bottom of Spain's worst train disaster in more than a decade.
Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia will visit the site later on Tuesday. Three days of national mourning have been announced.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said the death toll "is not yet final". Officials are working to identify the dead.
Puente said the investigation could take at least a month, describing the incident as "extremely strange".
Spanish media report that a 30cm gap in one of the rails is the current focus of the investigation.
Technicians told the El Mundo newspaper that a "bad" or "deteriorated" weld was "more than likely" the cause for the derailment.
Ignacio Barron, head of Spain's Commission of Investigation of Rail Accidents (CIAF), said on RTVE: "What always plays a part in a derailment is the interaction between the track and the vehicle, and that is what the commission is currently [looking into]."
However, Spain's El País newspaper reports that it was not clear whether the fault was a cause or a result of the crash.
On Monday, Renfe President Álvaro Fernández Heredia apparently ruled out "human error", telling RNE TV show Las Mañanas that, if "the driver makes a mistake, the system itself corrects it".
Four hundred passengers and staff were on board the two trains, the rail authorities said. Emergency services treated 122 people, with 41, including children, still in hospital. Of those, 12 are in intensive care.
| Re: New Forest trainline closed for emergency repairs after landslip In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371240/31464/51] Posted by Red Squirrel at 10:29, 20th January 2026 | |
Yes - I had a grin about the wording in the BBC article, so I made a point of quoting it verbatim. [Image from here is not available to guests]
According to the OED 'train line' has been in use since 1828.
Shunting it into a single word is probably more recent, possibly due to its use in that form by a railway ticket retailer.
Technically there is some ambiguity in using this term to refer to railway track, as it can also refer to the hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical systems of a train. But the meaning was pretty clear in this case, wasn't it?
| Re: Delays on Devon services - merged posts, ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [371239/28378/24] Posted by REVUpminster at 07:49, 20th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A, Mark A | |
Have to say The Devon Metro is operating this week with optimum services by using six 3 car turbos, two 4 car 150s two 2 car 150s and two 3 car 158s to cover the twelve diagrams. Long may it last.
On the downside the 150s, of which five are being used in Cornwall (I include Gunnislake), are being used on the mainline as the solitary 175 hasn't been used in passenger service this week.
175001 (refurbished) and 175007 (un-refurbished) have been the only trains out of eight at Laira that have been used in passenger service.
| Alex Gordon - former RMT President leads the British Communist Party In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371238/31481/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 06:38, 20th January 2026 | |
A sideways move;
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/former-rmt-president-alex-gordon-elected-leader-communist-party-britain
| Re: Samaritans are asking us to talk to one another more In "Across the West" [371237/20726/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:12, 19th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Samaritans offer 'Brew Monday' chats at railway stations
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Samaritan volunteers were at Newton Abbot train station
Samaritan volunteers have been at railway stations to encourage people to talk about feelings.
Members of the south Devon branch were in Newton Abbot, and more volunteers were at Cornwall's Truro station, to talk to passers-by and remind them to "reach out" to people they cared about for a cup of tea and a catch-up.
The charity said there was no such thing as Blue Monday - considered to be the third Monday in January and said to be the most depressing day of the year. It said "feeling low isn't just something that happens on Mondays or a random day in January".
It renamed the day Brew Monday to "remind everyone how good human connection feels. How easy it is. And what a difference it can make".
Robert Langdon, from the charity, said at this time of year people did not know how "low and depressed" others might be. "It's good to catch-up with people who are on their own and talk to them about things that are going on in their life."
He said the volunteers were available on the phone on 116 123 for anyone who needed to talk, adding not to be reluctant to ring them if they were "struggling".
"We're here to give a listening ear to someone going through a difficult period of their life," Langdon added.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Samaritan volunteers were at Newton Abbot train station
Samaritan volunteers have been at railway stations to encourage people to talk about feelings.
Members of the south Devon branch were in Newton Abbot, and more volunteers were at Cornwall's Truro station, to talk to passers-by and remind them to "reach out" to people they cared about for a cup of tea and a catch-up.
The charity said there was no such thing as Blue Monday - considered to be the third Monday in January and said to be the most depressing day of the year. It said "feeling low isn't just something that happens on Mondays or a random day in January".
It renamed the day Brew Monday to "remind everyone how good human connection feels. How easy it is. And what a difference it can make".
Robert Langdon, from the charity, said at this time of year people did not know how "low and depressed" others might be. "It's good to catch-up with people who are on their own and talk to them about things that are going on in their life."
He said the volunteers were available on the phone on 116 123 for anyone who needed to talk, adding not to be reluctant to ring them if they were "struggling".
"We're here to give a listening ear to someone going through a difficult period of their life," Langdon added.
| Re: Slough bus station, badly damaged by fire, now to be sold off In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371236/26838/5] Posted by CyclingSid at 18:38, 19th January 2026 Already liked by Ralph Ayres | |
Logically (?) it could/should have been thought about with the redevelopment of the Slough shopping centre that is just beginning.
| Re: Railway bridges struck by road vehicles - merged topic, ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371235/8910/51] Posted by CyclingSid at 18:36, 19th January 2026 | |
Ultimately it will come down to money. If the companies and drivers are hit hard financially it should concentrate minds and change attitudes.
| Re: New Forest trainline closed for emergency repairs after landslip In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371234/31464/51] Posted by CyclingSid at 18:33, 19th January 2026 | |
A fair length of the line already has sheet piling.
| Re: Protest held against 'short-sighted' Queensbury tunnel plan In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371233/31474/51] Posted by CyclingSid at 18:32, 19th January 2026 | |
Seems a slightly more enlightened attitude in Wales https://road.cc/content/news/rhondda-tunnel-excavation-progress-317695 ?
[Image labelled CC]
| Re: Spain - High Speed Train crash, at least 39 dead, Cordoba province - 18 Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [371232/31475/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:01, 19th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
What we know about Spain's worst rail disaster in over a decade
[Image from here is not available to guests]
At least 39 people have died and dozens more have been injured after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain, the country's Civil Guard has said.
The incident near the city of Córdoba has been described by local officials as Spain's worst rail crash in more than a decade.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the scene on Monday, where he announced a three-day mourning period.
Here's what we know about the incident so far.
Where did the crash happen?
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The crash occurred at around 19:45 local time (18:45 GMT) on Sunday, about an hour after one of the trains departed Málaga for Madrid. The train derailed and crossed over to the opposite track, operator Adif said.
It then collided with an oncoming train travelling from south Madrid to Huelva, which was forced into an embankment running alongside the track, Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente said on Sunday. The majority of those killed and injured were in the front carriages of the Huelva-bound train, he added.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
What caused the crash?
What caused the train to derail remains unclear.
Officials say an investigation has been launched but it is not expected to determine what happened for at least a month.
Puente has described the crash as "extremely strange" and said all the railway experts consulted by the government "are extremely baffled by the accident".
The president of Spain's state-owned rail operator, Renfe, said he had "discarded" the possibility that the incident occurred due to excessive speed or human error.
Álvaro Fernández Heredia told Spain's national radio RNE that even if a mistake had been made, a system within the train would have fixed it. He added that both trains were travelling under the maximum speed limit on the stretch of track where the crash happened. Fernández Heredia suggested a mechanical fault or an infrastructure issue was a more likely cause.
Meanwhile, at a news conference during his visit to Adamuz, Prime Minister Sánchez vowed to uncover the cause of the crash and thanked emergency workers for their help "in a moment of such pain and tragedy".
Are people still trapped in the trains?
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The Spanish Civil Guard arrived on scene to assess the situation and begin the evaluation process
There were around 400 passengers and staff on the two trains, operated by Iryo and Renfe, according to a statement from Renfe. It is not clear if there are people still trapped inside the carriages but rescue teams are on site.
"The problem is that the carriages are twisted, so the metal is twisted with the people inside," Francisco Carmona, head of firefighters in Córdoba, told Spanish public broadcaster RTVE. "We have even had to remove a dead person to be able to reach someone alive. It is hard, tricky work," he added.
The president of the Andalusian regional government, Juanma Moreno, told local outlet Canal Sur that they are waiting for "heavy machinery" to "practically lift" parts of the second train, which "has taken the worst part of this accident".
"Until the heavy machinery can do its job and free the wagons from the track", emergency services will not be able to start "searching and identifying" any remaining victims, he added.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Who are the victims?
The 39 victims of the crash have not yet been identified, with Puente saying the death toll "is not yet final" as investigations into the crash commence.
As of Monday afternoon, 122 people had received medical assistance, 48 of whom remained hospitalised, local emergency services said. Among the 48 victims still in hospital, five are under the age of 18.
Moreno said teams are working to identify those who have died.
What have the survivors said?
Passengers on board the Madrid-bound train described the moment of impact feeling like an "earthquake" and said it shattered the train's windows, displaced luggage and threw people to the floor.
"I was in the first carriage. There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed," journalist Salvador Jimenez told Canal Sur. "There were people screaming, calling for doctors," he added.
Another passenger, Lucas Meriako, told Spanish broadcaster La Sexta Noticias he was in the fifth carriage of the same train when he started to "feel some banging" that got louder and louder. "Another train passed us and everything started vibrating. There was a jolt behind us and the feeling that the whole train was going to fall apart," he described.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
At least 39 people have died and dozens more have been injured after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain, the country's Civil Guard has said.
The incident near the city of Córdoba has been described by local officials as Spain's worst rail crash in more than a decade.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the scene on Monday, where he announced a three-day mourning period.
Here's what we know about the incident so far.
Where did the crash happen?
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The crash occurred at around 19:45 local time (18:45 GMT) on Sunday, about an hour after one of the trains departed Málaga for Madrid. The train derailed and crossed over to the opposite track, operator Adif said.
It then collided with an oncoming train travelling from south Madrid to Huelva, which was forced into an embankment running alongside the track, Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente said on Sunday. The majority of those killed and injured were in the front carriages of the Huelva-bound train, he added.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
What caused the crash?
What caused the train to derail remains unclear.
Officials say an investigation has been launched but it is not expected to determine what happened for at least a month.
Puente has described the crash as "extremely strange" and said all the railway experts consulted by the government "are extremely baffled by the accident".
The president of Spain's state-owned rail operator, Renfe, said he had "discarded" the possibility that the incident occurred due to excessive speed or human error.
Álvaro Fernández Heredia told Spain's national radio RNE that even if a mistake had been made, a system within the train would have fixed it. He added that both trains were travelling under the maximum speed limit on the stretch of track where the crash happened. Fernández Heredia suggested a mechanical fault or an infrastructure issue was a more likely cause.
Meanwhile, at a news conference during his visit to Adamuz, Prime Minister Sánchez vowed to uncover the cause of the crash and thanked emergency workers for their help "in a moment of such pain and tragedy".
Are people still trapped in the trains?
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The Spanish Civil Guard arrived on scene to assess the situation and begin the evaluation process
There were around 400 passengers and staff on the two trains, operated by Iryo and Renfe, according to a statement from Renfe. It is not clear if there are people still trapped inside the carriages but rescue teams are on site.
"The problem is that the carriages are twisted, so the metal is twisted with the people inside," Francisco Carmona, head of firefighters in Córdoba, told Spanish public broadcaster RTVE. "We have even had to remove a dead person to be able to reach someone alive. It is hard, tricky work," he added.
The president of the Andalusian regional government, Juanma Moreno, told local outlet Canal Sur that they are waiting for "heavy machinery" to "practically lift" parts of the second train, which "has taken the worst part of this accident".
"Until the heavy machinery can do its job and free the wagons from the track", emergency services will not be able to start "searching and identifying" any remaining victims, he added.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Who are the victims?
The 39 victims of the crash have not yet been identified, with Puente saying the death toll "is not yet final" as investigations into the crash commence.
As of Monday afternoon, 122 people had received medical assistance, 48 of whom remained hospitalised, local emergency services said. Among the 48 victims still in hospital, five are under the age of 18.
Moreno said teams are working to identify those who have died.
What have the survivors said?
Passengers on board the Madrid-bound train described the moment of impact feeling like an "earthquake" and said it shattered the train's windows, displaced luggage and threw people to the floor.
"I was in the first carriage. There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed," journalist Salvador Jimenez told Canal Sur. "There were people screaming, calling for doctors," he added.
Another passenger, Lucas Meriako, told Spanish broadcaster La Sexta Noticias he was in the fifth carriage of the same train when he started to "feel some banging" that got louder and louder. "Another train passed us and everything started vibrating. There was a jolt behind us and the feeling that the whole train was going to fall apart," he described.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [371231/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 16:16, 19th January 2026 | |
Reporting systems for Melksham are from equipment a little way from the station; whilst we have had occasions where a train has left early, in practise most train manager and drivers do wait until the due time; the lines showing early departures above are in most cases accounted for by a train that's ready to leave early, but in fact hung around.
For those trains fitted with working GPS, the reports should be totally accurate. For those that don't it does rely upon a guesstimate from when the train passes the previous signal berth at the junction either end - usually pretty accurate, but not so if there's a delay at the station or a long speed restriction etc.
Interesting. I can be at Melksham Station and it tells me my train has arrived when it hasn't!
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [371230/31359/18] Posted by IndustryInsider at 15:58, 19th January 2026 | |
Reporting systems for Melksham are from equipment a little way from the station; whilst we have had occasions where a train has left early, in practise most train manager and drivers do wait until the due time; the lines showing early departures above are in most cases accounted for by a train that's ready to leave early, but in fact hung around.
For those trains fitted with working GPS, the reports should be totally accurate. For those that don't it does rely upon a guesstimate from when the train passes the previous signal berth at the junction either end - usually pretty accurate, but not so if there's a delay at the station or a long speed restriction etc.
| Rail Data Marketplace - Hackathon 2026 - call for participants In "Diary - what's happening when?" [371229/31479/34] Posted by grahame at 15:43, 19th January 2026 | |
Rail Data Marketplace Hackathon 2026
Entries are open for the 2026 RDM / RIA Innovation Hackathon, following a great response to last year's event.
If you have an idea that could improve the rail industry, this is your chance to put it to the test and share it with industry leaders at the RIA Innovation Conference.
The conference will take place on 17 and 18 March 2026 at the ICC Wales in Newport
This year, we’re excited to introduce two new challenges:
Challenge 1: Accessibility
Challenge 2: Ticket eligibility
We’re looking for practical solutions that could make a real difference to rail passengers.
Entries are open for the 2026 RDM / RIA Innovation Hackathon, following a great response to last year's event.
If you have an idea that could improve the rail industry, this is your chance to put it to the test and share it with industry leaders at the RIA Innovation Conference.
The conference will take place on 17 and 18 March 2026 at the ICC Wales in Newport
This year, we’re excited to introduce two new challenges:
Challenge 1: Accessibility
Challenge 2: Ticket eligibility
We’re looking for practical solutions that could make a real difference to rail passengers.
Full document
| Re: Spain - High Speed Train crash, at least 39 dead, Cordoba province - 18 Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [371227/31475/52] Posted by Mark A at 11:23, 19th January 2026 | |
Two posts from Bluesky: video from on board one of the services, the train manager providing leadership.
Mark
https://bsky.app/profile/ogilvie.org.uk/post/3mcrhgwt2js2n
| Re: Derailment at Goodrington In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [371226/31459/24] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:38, 19th January 2026 | |
All back to normal this morning?
| Re: Spain - High Speed Train crash, at least 39 dead, Cordoba province - 18 Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [371225/31475/52] Posted by grahame at 10:08, 19th January 2026 | |
From the Irish Times
What caused the derailment?
Unlike the 2013 disaster, the derailment on Sunday happened on a straight portion of the track. An independent commission has been launched to investigate what caused it.
Óscar Puente, Spain’s transport minister, told reporters that the first train to derail was only a few years old and that the section of the track where the crash occurred had been recently renovated.
“The crash is extremely strange,” he said. “It happened on a straightaway. All the experts we have consulted are extremely baffled.”
He added: “If there had not been an oncoming train, we would not be talking about casualties of any type.”
Unlike the 2013 disaster, the derailment on Sunday happened on a straight portion of the track. An independent commission has been launched to investigate what caused it.
Óscar Puente, Spain’s transport minister, told reporters that the first train to derail was only a few years old and that the section of the track where the crash occurred had been recently renovated.
“The crash is extremely strange,” he said. “It happened on a straightaway. All the experts we have consulted are extremely baffled.”
He added: “If there had not been an oncoming train, we would not be talking about casualties of any type.”
| Re: Copyright of images - do you need to check your old posts? In "News, Help and Assistance" [371222/31403/29] Posted by grahame at 09:17, 19th January 2026 | |
Update - and there may be a further tuning update as I / we get feedback. This will also form a "lead" and pinned thread to explain to everyone who clicks the (?) links that the copyright statements lead to
Copyright on Images and other content that's posted on the Coffee Shop.
If you are posting, it is your responsibility to ensure that you're allowed by copyright and all the varius other laws, and your forum agreement, to do so. And whilst our admin and moderator team can help if something needs to be followed up because of a problem, the responsibity for the consequences remains with the person who posted in then first place. Thus far, no problems here, so this update is a piece or preventative maintenance if you like.
The images in your posts now default be being Member Only visible. That was a precautionary change added to the Coffee Shop about a fortnight ago, and has now been made permanent. It does not absolve you from checking the copyright on what you post, but is does help you ensure that images aren't world visible unless you have thought it through.
In your posts, you may add markups as follows and if any of these are added on a post on a public board, the images in that post will also be shared in public:
[PD] to state "Image is in Public Domain"
[CC] to state that an image is yours and you shared in via Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
[CR] to state that an image is yours and you reserve copyright
[CD] to confirm than an image is cleared to be posted
[CO] to state that an image has other copyright limitations (e.g. a different CC license or originator)
[FU] to apply a fair use exception
[CN] No statement is made, but the image is never the less public visible
If you wish to state wider copyright on something you've written on the Coffee Shop, you may also add
[AR] All rights reserved
and that's a flag to help you warn people off cutting and pasting your prose or poetry.
Finally, images held in the Coffee Shop libraries of mine are:
[CS] shared Creative Commons (by grahame) CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 - see https://www.wellho.info/pix
| Re: Thousands of Network Rail redundancies under Labour's GBR plans In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [371221/31455/40] Posted by Electric train at 09:12, 19th January 2026 | |
Thousands of rail workers are to be made redundant as part of Labour's plan to nationalise the railways.
Network Rail is making cuts to its workforce as it faces a budget shortfall potentially as high as £1.8bn, insiders said.
An estimated 2,000 employees out of the organisation's total headcount of 41,000 could be laid off in the coming months.
Network Rail is making cuts to its workforce as it faces a budget shortfall potentially as high as £1.8bn, insiders said.
An estimated 2,000 employees out of the organisation's total headcount of 41,000 could be laid off in the coming months.
The Q$64,000 for me is "what will/would happen to their work" is it happens.
Would someone else take it over from within the remaining 39,000?
Would the work remain undone and a backlog be generated?
Is there work that is no longer needed being done by these people?
Would things like speed standards be reduced so that less maintenance is needed?
Would AI and other automation take over?
Would the network be reduced / part passed to local operators to take on maintenance staff?
Would the work they do still be done but by private contractors?
Does the goverment's plan actually consider these issues?
The privatisation generated a lot of duplication of jobs, for example trains are delayed / cancelled the TOC / TOCs and FOC put in a claim "schedule 8 payment" for example, this can be TOC on TOC, TOC on FOC TOC on NR all these can go through attribution (aka apportion blame) if there is a dispute ................ this employs a lot of people; Route Control will have both TOC and NR staff. There will be other rolls and jobs where there is duplication or similarity.
For managers grades (Bands 1 to 4) there was a "no compulsory redundancies for 3 years" agreement in the in 2024/5 pay settlement which set the pay raise for 3 pay deal at RPI plus a small % I suspect there will be many who will be willing to take voluntary redundancies especially those close to retirement but that will be a significant experience drain
| Forty places to go by public transport (and Shank's Pony) in Wiltshire In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371220/31477/31] Posted by grahame at 09:08, 19th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A, Chris from Nailsea | |
Image is shared Creative Commons (by poster) (?)
Also on my blog at https://grahamellis.uk/blog1844.html where all the images are clickable to see them much bigger and on my Faceplant feed at https://www.facebook.com/graham.ellis.melksham/
Careful analysis suggests that a three of the pictures were taken on a day out by car, indeed one is taken from the passenger seat.
| Re: Spain - High Speed Train crash, at least 39 dead, Cordoba province - 18 Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [371219/31475/52] Posted by Mark A at 08:43, 19th January 2026 | |
West of the town of Adamuz, a pair of crossovers, referred to here:
"De acuerdo con esta misma fuente, el tren LD AV Iryo 6189, que realizaba el trayecto Málaga–Puerta de Atocha, descarriló en los desvíos de entrada de la vía 1 de Adamuz e invadió la vía contigua, por la que circulaba el convoy LD AV 2384 Puerta de Atocha–Huelva, que también descarriló."
An automatic translation:
"According to the same source, the LD AV Iryo 6189 train, which was traveling the Málaga–Puerta de Atocha route, derailed at the entry switches of track 1 in Adamuz and invaded the adjacent track, on which the LD AV 2384 Puerta de Atocha–Huelva train was also traveling, causing it to derail as well."
Source: https://www.fuenlabradanoticias.com/articulo/actualidad/39-mueertos-152-heridos-descarrilamiento-dos-trenes-alta-velocidad-adamuz-cordoba/20260118213807186538.html
Thoughts with the people caught up in this.
Mark
| Re: Paddington to Bristol <-> service updates and amendments - ongoing discussion In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [371218/18525/10] Posted by grahame at 08:37, 19th January 2026 | |
Quite an unusual train next Sunday morning.
07:45 Bristol - Paddington is via Melksham
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V49372/2026-01-25/detailed
07:45 Bristol - Paddington is via Melksham
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V49372/2026-01-25/detailed
Unusual yes - it has been done before. In Melksham, I / we are on the lookout ahead of time for engineering works which send London expresses through the town. With good notice (and subject to timing and loading) there is a marketing opportunity if the train stops - and IETs can now - for promotion of services and a day trip to London. For this weekend, there is no alternative train to get home ... and the last thing newcomers would want on the end of the day is a change (? at Westbury) or a bus ride.
| Re: Engineering overrun - to Gatwick, 19th January 2026 In "North Downs Line" [371217/31476/16] Posted by Electric train at 08:21, 19th January 2026 | |
BBC reports - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdjnrdl8d24o
No mention of GWR (perhaps GBR will bring joined up reporting) but Journeycheck tells us
Rail passengers have been warned of disruption on Monday morning as weekend engineering work overruns.
Work has been taking place on Brighton Mainline between Gatwick Airport, Redhill and Reigate, Purley and East Croydon.
National Rail, external said on Sunday the work was not expected to be finished in time, with disruption to services likely until the end of Monday.
Thameslink , externaland Southern rail, external also warned of disruption and said only two of four lines between Gatwick and East Croydon would be available on Monday, which meant there would be "a reduced service across the network".
'Short notice changes'
Passengers were advised to check journey planners ahead of travelling and allow extra time to complete journeys.
National Rail provided a list of expected changes but said other short notice changes and delays were also likely.
Journey planners were due to be updated by 22:00 GMT on Sunday, it added.
People who want to delay their journey until Tuesday will be able to use Monday-dated tickets on Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services, National Rail said.
Southern services between Reigate and London Victoria and between Redhill and Tonbridge in Kent will run normally.
Work has been taking place on Brighton Mainline between Gatwick Airport, Redhill and Reigate, Purley and East Croydon.
National Rail, external said on Sunday the work was not expected to be finished in time, with disruption to services likely until the end of Monday.
Thameslink , externaland Southern rail, external also warned of disruption and said only two of four lines between Gatwick and East Croydon would be available on Monday, which meant there would be "a reduced service across the network".
'Short notice changes'
Passengers were advised to check journey planners ahead of travelling and allow extra time to complete journeys.
National Rail provided a list of expected changes but said other short notice changes and delays were also likely.
Journey planners were due to be updated by 22:00 GMT on Sunday, it added.
People who want to delay their journey until Tuesday will be able to use Monday-dated tickets on Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services, National Rail said.
Southern services between Reigate and London Victoria and between Redhill and Tonbridge in Kent will run normally.
No mention of GWR (perhaps GBR will bring joined up reporting) but Journeycheck tells us
Or maybe just poor reporting on the part of the BBC by just focusing on the 2 principle TOCs
Alterations to services between Redhill and Gatwick Airport
Due to engineering works not being finished on time between Redhill and Gatwick Airport some lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be terminated at Redhill. Gatwick Airport will not be served. Disruption is expected until 09:00 19/01.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
-
GWR have been informed by Network Rail that engineering works will overrun, reducing the number of lines open between Redhill and Gatwick Airport. Therefore, GWR trains will terminate at Redhill instead of Gatwick Airport and GWR trains that start at Gatwick Airport will start at Redhill instead.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
GWR customers travelling to Gatwick Airport are advised to allow extra time for their journey. Customers should change at Redhill for onward connections.
Arrangements have been made for GWR tickets to be accepted on Thameslink trains between Redhill and Gatwick Airport in both directions at no extra cost.
-
What are your options?
-
We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today, these are the current options available to you:
-
Option 1: If there are other rail companies or local public transport operators who may be able to help you make your journey, we will provide details here: Thameslink are accepting GWR tickets between Redhill and Gatwick Airport.
-
Option 2: Replacement transport provided by us such as a buses, coaches or taxis, have not been requested at this time as trains are still running.
-
Option 3: If your train is cancelled, you may travel on either of the two services before, or two services after, your original train. If these are peak services or less flexible, you can still travel with your original ticket, at no extra cost.
-
Option 4: Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
-
For more information:
-
Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the live departure boards or speak to a member of station staff.
-
Let us help you:
-
If you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
-
If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to staff at the station or on the train. Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 06:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 06:00 and 23:00, or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
-
Delay Repay:
-
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
-
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
If you require further information please speak to our staff at the station or on the train, use the Customer Help Point, tweet us @GWRHelp or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950.
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
Last Updated:19/01/2026 04:04
Due to engineering works not being finished on time between Redhill and Gatwick Airport some lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be terminated at Redhill. Gatwick Airport will not be served. Disruption is expected until 09:00 19/01.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
-
GWR have been informed by Network Rail that engineering works will overrun, reducing the number of lines open between Redhill and Gatwick Airport. Therefore, GWR trains will terminate at Redhill instead of Gatwick Airport and GWR trains that start at Gatwick Airport will start at Redhill instead.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
GWR customers travelling to Gatwick Airport are advised to allow extra time for their journey. Customers should change at Redhill for onward connections.
Arrangements have been made for GWR tickets to be accepted on Thameslink trains between Redhill and Gatwick Airport in both directions at no extra cost.
-
What are your options?
-
We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today, these are the current options available to you:
-
Option 1: If there are other rail companies or local public transport operators who may be able to help you make your journey, we will provide details here: Thameslink are accepting GWR tickets between Redhill and Gatwick Airport.
-
Option 2: Replacement transport provided by us such as a buses, coaches or taxis, have not been requested at this time as trains are still running.
-
Option 3: If your train is cancelled, you may travel on either of the two services before, or two services after, your original train. If these are peak services or less flexible, you can still travel with your original ticket, at no extra cost.
-
Option 4: Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
-
For more information:
-
Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the live departure boards or speak to a member of station staff.
-
Let us help you:
-
If you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
-
If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to staff at the station or on the train. Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 06:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 06:00 and 23:00, or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
-
Delay Repay:
-
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
-
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
If you require further information please speak to our staff at the station or on the train, use the Customer Help Point, tweet us @GWRHelp or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950.
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
Last Updated:19/01/2026 04:04
Again - perhaps GBR will bring the automatic ability to use the next train in the event of disruption - however it's painted (though I understand that there's a lot of swapping of 387 units been going on, and the paint job does not confirm who's running it these days!
In theory under GBR there will be no longer the use of the phrase "TOC 'A' are accepting TOC 'B' tickets between X and Y" (with the exception of TfL etc) with "tickets will be accepted via any reasonable route"
