Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Delay repay delay In "Your rights and redress" [381794/32556/6] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:05, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
''Don't panic, Captain Wainwaring!' It will all be well when GBR take over the running of our railways.

| Re: Padlocking your luggage to the train to prevent theft In "Across the West" [381793/32706/26] Posted by didcotdean at 21:46, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
There was that time that someone getting off a train at Reading lifted a bag that didn't belong to him which turned out to contain seven kilograms of Semtex. (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/man-who-stole-bomb-kit-fears-retaliation-by-ira-1416060.html)
| Re: New station at North Filton - now named as 'Bristol Brabazon' - ongoing discussion In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381792/24927/21] Posted by grahame at 21:25, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
... Wonder how many people will use it to commute to and from work in either central Bristol or the Brabazon/North Filton area? The limited hourly service may not match up very well to the hours they work. For instance for someone working in the central Bristol area, finishing work at say 4pm or 5pm, then they're not going to get to Temple Meads in time to get either the 4:04pm or 5:04pm services to Bristol Brabazon, and have a very long wait for the next service instead. Which isn't very appealing! Then there's also the risk of some of these services being cancelled on some days due to reasons such as "More trains than usual needing repairs" and "A shortage of train crew". So they may just stick to using the 75 bus instead! ...
My "rule of thumb" would be to suggest that a service that runs at least once every 30 minutes is appropriate. Long writeup could follow. I would guess (an educated guess, but still a guess) that an hourly service will carry less than half the passengers of a 30 minute service. In other words, double the service from the initial and you'll more than double the station's passenger numbers. A further doubling of service would probably not result in a further doubling of traffic, but that maths get complex because of other stations served along the route, which will have different, and perhaps significant, extra flows.
I am, of course, a bit personally jealous of a service that runs even hourly!. In our town, miss the 15:14 back from Swindon and the next one's 17:45.
| Re: Delay repay delay In "Your rights and redress" [381791/32556/6] Posted by TonyN at 21:04, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
Xc state their response times are 40 working days currently....
Geeze! They probably spend more time managing follow up enquiries than actually answering!
And the queue will be getting longer by the hour. They are cancelling trains on the Nottingham Cardiff service right left and centre. Every one must lead to another 100 claims.
| Re: Padlocking your luggage to the train to prevent theft In "Across the West" [381790/32706/26] Posted by johnneyw at 20:29, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
I do wonder what the rate of return is from stealing luggage from racks.
Perhaps in some cases it's the luggage itself. There's some quite expensive bags around that might fetch a few bob, especially if you're lurking near the First Class section?
| Re: Delay repay delay In "Your rights and redress" [381789/32556/6] Posted by grahame at 20:06, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
Xc state their response times are 40 working days currently....
Geeze! They probably spend more time managing follow up enquiries than actually answering!
| Re: Delay repay delay In "Your rights and redress" [381788/32556/6] Posted by ChrisB at 19:47, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
Xc state their response times are 40 working days currently....
| Re: Delay repay delay In "Your rights and redress" [381787/32556/6] Posted by XPT at 19:44, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
I'm still awaiting my CrossCountry Delay Repay from 7th September! My claim is still "In progress"! Anyone else been waited a similar or longer time than that?
| Re: New station at North Filton - now named as 'Bristol Brabazon' - ongoing discussion In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381786/24927/21] Posted by ChrisB at 19:37, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
Probably wasn't worth opening it then?

| Re: New station at North Filton - now named as 'Bristol Brabazon' - ongoing discussion In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381785/24927/21] Posted by XPT at 19:33, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
Whilst it's great that this new station is finally(wasn't it around 2016 that they originally said it would be built and open by?! And also Henbury and Horfield stations!) opening, just one service per hour for the time being(probably until at least 2028 when Henbury station is expected open!) in each direction is disappointing really. No match atall to the much more frequent suburban rail services around the Cardiff area for instance. Wonder how many people will use it to commute to and from work in either central Bristol or the Brabazon/North Filton area? The limited hourly service may not match up very well to the hours they work. For instance for someone working in the central Bristol area, finishing work at say 4pm or 5pm, then they're not going to get to Temple Meads in time to get either the 4:04pm or 5:04pm services to Bristol Brabazon, and have a very long wait for the next service instead. Which isn't very appealing! Then there's also the risk of some of these services being cancelled on some days due to reasons such as "More trains than usual needing repairs" and "A shortage of train crew". So they may just stick to using the 75 bus instead!
A similar issue with Ashley Down station which opened just over 2 years ago. Still only ONE service per hour in each direction, and there can be cancellations on some days too. And also not expected to be upgraded to two services per hour until Henbury station is finally expected to be built and open in 2028! Not sure how many people living in the Ashley Down area use it to commute to work in town. Probably more reliable to use the more frequent 70 bus instead. I think really they could fairly easily increase the frequency of services to TWO services per hour to and from this station by incorporating a stop there in say the Bristol-Gloucester or Bristol-Worcester Foregate Street services too, rather than just the Bristol Temple Meads-Filton Abbey Wood/Bristol Brabazon services.
It will be interesting to see how it goes anyway.
| Re: Padlocking your luggage to the train to prevent theft In "Across the West" [381784/32706/26] Posted by grahame at 19:23, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
I do wonder what the rate of return is from stealing luggage from racks. ...
Pretty poor I would imagine - but then the act of stealing a piece of luggage in some circumstances is probably low risk. The damage done to the confidence of the victim and the distress and nuisance caused can be massive. In fact, this thread has reminded me that I should be carrying my medications I my close-hand baggage; cost to replace - an apology to my doctor, hassle and problem of so doing if I am in [say] Klangenfurt would be massive.
| Re: Automatic can use multi-operator if train cancelled In "Fare's Fair" [381783/32502/4] Posted by grahame at 19:07, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
However, there was been no clarification on Network Railcard discount travel outside of the L&SE area, but seeing as everything else is to be ignored, then that restriction can probably be ignored too.
I cannot see the rail industry - even it's most pedantic jobsworth - throwing the book at a Waterloo to Exeter traveller who purchased a ticket and got it discounted using his Network Railcard, but then has been left with no option but to travel via Westbury and Taunton because The Mule is blocked at Crewkerne. The press would have a field day!
| Re: New station at North Filton - now named as 'Bristol Brabazon' - ongoing discussion In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381782/24927/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:49, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
Wot, like a Bristol and Bath Metro rail service, you mean?

| Re: New station at North Filton - now named as 'Bristol Brabazon' - ongoing discussion In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381781/24927/21] Posted by Red Squirrel at 18:33, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
I have added a calendar link into the Coffee Shop diary. For those of us from further afield, first train would involve staying away from home the night before (hotel, hostel, park bench) and I will probably be with you in spirit rather than in person.
I admit - slight jealousy. New stations at Ashely Down, Portway Parkway, Bristol Parkway, Yate, Cam and Dursley, and Pill and Portishead physically under way ("shovels in the ground") with Henbury not far behind. Last brand new station in Wiltshire - 1937. Just one re-opening of a Beeching era (1966) closure in 1985 and with a much thinner service than any of the WECA / Bristol area stations. Congratulations to the area, including all the campaigners and community advocates and partners in the area who have and continue to help on this appropriate re-inviguration of rail in the area.
I admit - slight jealousy. New stations at Ashely Down, Portway Parkway, Bristol Parkway, Yate, Cam and Dursley, and Pill and Portishead physically under way ("shovels in the ground") with Henbury not far behind. Last brand new station in Wiltshire - 1937. Just one re-opening of a Beeching era (1966) closure in 1985 and with a much thinner service than any of the WECA / Bristol area stations. Congratulations to the area, including all the campaigners and community advocates and partners in the area who have and continue to help on this appropriate re-inviguration of rail in the area.
As Mark A says, a rising tide lifts all boats. We need to improve links between Bristol, Bath and West Wiltshire next.
| Re: [otd] 10th November 1840 - Boiler explosion, Bromsgrove In "Railway History and related topics" [381780/32707/55] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:38, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
I found this in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, Wednesday, 12 June 1895
... as you happen to do, when you have just a few minutes to spare, browsing the internet.
You must have even more time to do so than me, even in my retirement, stuving. Thank you for your post.
CfN.

There's also the problem that goes under the heading of "suspicious packages" to consider. Promptly moving or removing such items is only going to be made more difficult for the emergency services.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381778/32456/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:08, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
You will not be able to flush the toilet. Do not try to in any way as the sewage system will not be working. You should collect your poo in plastic bags, which should be sealed and disposed of with normal household waste, ideally in an outside bin.
Would anyone like to check if there's a "how to" video online?

Ooh, err, missus

| Re: Automatic can use multi-operator if train cancelled In "Fare's Fair" [381777/32502/4] Posted by plymothian at 15:52, 9th November 2026 Already liked by Mark A | ![]() |
* It says "ticket" singular, so a split ticket booked journey must still stick to the "must call at" rule.
Had clarification on this, splits are to be ignored, so passengers CAN travel on routes/operators that don't call at split stations.
However, there was been no clarification on Network Railcard discount travel outside of the L&SE area, but seeing as everything else is to be ignored, then that restriction can probably be ignored too.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381776/32456/31] Posted by Trowres at 14:32, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
gov.uk has some information on the scripts to be used on the radio in times of a nationwide power cut:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-health-advice-from-uk-cmos-during-a-national-power-outage/water-and-sanitation-scripts-for-broadcast-media
You will not be able to flush the toilet. Do not try to in any way as the sewage system will not be working. You should collect your poo in plastic bags, which should be sealed and disposed of with normal household waste, ideally in an outside bin.
Would anyone like to check if there's a "how to" video online?

| Re: [otd] 10th November 1840 - Boiler explosion, Bromsgrove In "Railway History and related topics" [381775/32707/55] Posted by stuving at 14:08, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
I found this in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, Wednesday, 12 June 1895
FEDERATION ENGINEMEN.
A three days' conference of the National Federation of Enginemen's Protective Association of Great Britain was opened Glasgow yesterday under the presidency of Mr, Thomas Weighell, of Bedlingham, Northumberland. The Secretary reported that the membership was 9,123, increase 1,500. The proceedings on the Engines and Boilers Certificate Bill were detailed. The action Mr. H. Wilson, M.P., in blocking the measure was criticised. The report was adopted the motion Mr. Nicholson, Durham, seconded by Mr. John Green, Yorkshire Federation. The Chairman afterwards delivered an address. A resolution was adopted that the Executive the Federation should introduce a bill providing for the compulsory examination of steam boilers.
A three days' conference of the National Federation of Enginemen's Protective Association of Great Britain was opened Glasgow yesterday under the presidency of Mr, Thomas Weighell, of Bedlingham, Northumberland. The Secretary reported that the membership was 9,123, increase 1,500. The proceedings on the Engines and Boilers Certificate Bill were detailed. The action Mr. H. Wilson, M.P., in blocking the measure was criticised. The report was adopted the motion Mr. Nicholson, Durham, seconded by Mr. John Green, Yorkshire Federation. The Chairman afterwards delivered an address. A resolution was adopted that the Executive the Federation should introduce a bill providing for the compulsory examination of steam boilers.
That bill was lost. There were also attempts to legislate for certificates for supervising engineers, as had been done for marine engineers in 1862. (The Merchant Shipping Act Amendment Act of 1862 introduced Board of Trade examinations.) That was to apply to mine winding engines as well as boilers.
The bill sponsored by the Enginemen's Federation became the "Steam Engines and Boilers (Persons in Charge) Bill". This was discussed in Parliament in 1901, but I can't find any act of that name.
So, it must be after that ...
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381774/32456/31] Posted by TaplowGreen at 13:48, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
You might watch this - if you didn't see it back in 1982....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCXXzPcwj3c
A Nuclear Bomb in London | Q.E.D.: A Guide to Armageddon | BBC Archive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCXXzPcwj3c
A Nuclear Bomb in London | Q.E.D.: A Guide to Armageddon | BBC Archive
Well, I'm sure that's perked everyone up!
| Re: Egypt - At least seven killed, over 100 injured, in train collision - 8 Nov 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [381773/32702/52] Posted by GBM at 13:29, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
Slightly off topic.
We did a hot air balloon Trip several years ago.
One of the Q&A's was along the lines of how old is this balloon.
The reply was only a few years old - before being declared unsafe by whatever ministry.
The 'old' balloons are sold to Egypt for tourist flights.
Seems at that time Egypt didn't have balloon safety checks!
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381772/32456/31] Posted by broadgage at 12:57, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
Trivia alert, the solar modules pictured, do not appear to be very well installed !
It would appear that the modules are partly shaded by tree branches.
It is not always appreciated, that shading say 1% of the area, can reduce the energy produced by at as much as 50%.
Any branches that cause even minor shading should be cut back, or the modules relocated to an area with a clear view of the sun.
Thanks for that, this is not well known (or not by me, anyway)
This explains the often poor performance of solar panels when installed on sailing boats/yachts, It is likely that masts and rigging will cause shading.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381771/32456/31] Posted by Mark A at 12:48, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
Trivia alert, the solar modules pictured, do not appear to be very well installed !
It would appear that the modules are partly shaded by tree branches.
It is not always appreciated, that shading say 1% of the area, can reduce the energy produced by at as much as 50%.
Any branches that cause even minor shading should be cut back, or the modules relocated to an area with a clear view of the sun.
Thanks for that, this is not well known (or not by me, anyway)
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381770/32456/31] Posted by broadgage at 12:37, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
Going off at a slight tangent here (and I can, because I'm an admin
), there is a somewhat related topic article, from the BBC:
No doubt the Council will pay their own (misguided) legal costs - at their taxpayers expense.
), there is a somewhat related topic article, from the BBC:Hut owner wins battle to keep living in off-grid home he built

Finnimore believes building the hut was the best option during a cost-of-living and housing crisis - Image © Geoffrey Finnimore
An off-grid hut that produces its own heating and electricity can continue to be the home of the man who built it, a council has decided.
Geoffrey Finnimore, a self-employed architectural designer, erected the structure in Glandwr, near Crymych, in 2020, but never told authorities or asked for permission.
Pembrokeshire council told him he must apply for retrospective permission for the home that is self-sufficient, and also collects rain water.
However, the local authority found that because it has now been occupied as a home for more than four years, it is immune from prosecution action.
"Without my home, which I created to solve my own problems without state assistance, having to pay for other accommodation would be catastrophic for my finances and well-being," Finnimore said.
The council asked him to apply for a lawful development certificate for the property. This is a formal legal document confirming the development is lawful.
But as he had lived there for more than four years, it meant he could not be prosecuted, so his application was accepted, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Finnimore believes building the hut was the best option during a cost-of-living and housing crisis - Image © Geoffrey Finnimore
An off-grid hut that produces its own heating and electricity can continue to be the home of the man who built it, a council has decided.
Geoffrey Finnimore, a self-employed architectural designer, erected the structure in Glandwr, near Crymych, in 2020, but never told authorities or asked for permission.
Pembrokeshire council told him he must apply for retrospective permission for the home that is self-sufficient, and also collects rain water.
However, the local authority found that because it has now been occupied as a home for more than four years, it is immune from prosecution action.
"Without my home, which I created to solve my own problems without state assistance, having to pay for other accommodation would be catastrophic for my finances and well-being," Finnimore said.
The council asked him to apply for a lawful development certificate for the property. This is a formal legal document confirming the development is lawful.
But as he had lived there for more than four years, it meant he could not be prosecuted, so his application was accepted, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
No doubt the Council will pay their own (misguided) legal costs - at their taxpayers expense.

Trivia alert, the solar modules pictured, do not appear to be very well installed !
It would appear that the modules are partly shaded by tree branches.
It is not always appreciated, that shading say 1% of the area, can reduce the energy produced by at as much as 50%.
Any branches that cause even minor shading should be cut back, or the modules relocated to an area with a clear view of the sun.
| Re: New station at North Filton - now named as 'Bristol Brabazon' - ongoing discussion In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381769/24927/21] Posted by Mark A at 11:24, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
The development's website... I'm sort of getting the hang of it.
https://www.brabazon.co.uk/
Another from Feilden Clegg Bradley, the architects practice, references the public park that is to run 'the length of the runway'. *Puzzledface emoji*
https://fcbstudios.com/projects/brabazon-masterplan/
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381768/32456/31] Posted by ChrisB at 10:41, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
You might watch this - if you didn't see it back in 1982....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCXXzPcwj3c
A Nuclear Bomb in London | Q.E.D.: A Guide to Armageddon | BBC Archive
| Re: Padlocking your luggage to the train to prevent theft In "Across the West" [381767/32706/26] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 10:25, 9th November 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | ![]() |
I do wonder what the rate of return is from stealing luggage from racks. In most cases you'd just end up with someone's part-worn clothes and toiletries, with any valuables surely(?) on the owner's body or in a small bag kept with them. It's a pity though that modern trains with seats crammed together don't readily allow for putting luggage behind seats to keep an eye on.
Back in the day I did used to worry a bit about my bike being stolen mid-journey from the guard's van everyone had access to. Knowing that locking it to the train wouldn't go down well, I compromised by locking it to itself, so that at least it would have to be carried rather than wheeled, making any theft harder and more obvious.
| [otd] 10th November 1840 - Boiler explosion, Bromsgrove In "Railway History and related topics" [381766/32707/55] Posted by grahame at 10:07, 9th November 2026 | ![]() |
From Wikipedia
10th November 1840 – The Bromsgrove Boiler Explosion: One of the earliest recorded fatal locomotive accidents in Britain occurred on the Lickey Incline. The boiler of an experimental steam locomotive named Surprise (often associated with Dr. William Church) exploded at Bromsgrove station in Worcestershire, killing two railway employees. A famous headstone at St John the Baptist Church in Bromsgrove commemorates the engineers
We often read / hear of steam engine boilers being "in ticket until ..." or "out of ticket" but I have drawn pretty close to a blank on researching the history of when these became mandatory. Further links and quotes would be helpful!
The history of steam engine boiler certificates and safety inspections evolved from early 19th-century industrial disasters into a structured system of periodic testing and insurance
Going off at a slight tangent here (and I can, because I'm an admin
), there is a somewhat related topic article, from the BBC:Hut owner wins battle to keep living in off-grid home he built

Finnimore believes building the hut was the best option during a cost-of-living and housing crisis - Image © Geoffrey Finnimore
An off-grid hut that produces its own heating and electricity can continue to be the home of the man who built it, a council has decided.
Geoffrey Finnimore, a self-employed architectural designer, erected the structure in Glandwr, near Crymych, in 2020, but never told authorities or asked for permission.
Pembrokeshire council told him he must apply for retrospective permission for the home that is self-sufficient, and also collects rain water.
However, the local authority found that because it has now been occupied as a home for more than four years, it is immune from prosecution action.
"Without my home, which I created to solve my own problems without state assistance, having to pay for other accommodation would be catastrophic for my finances and well-being," Finnimore said.
The council asked him to apply for a lawful development certificate for the property. This is a formal legal document confirming the development is lawful.
But as he had lived there for more than four years, it meant he could not be prosecuted, so his application was accepted, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Finnimore believes building the hut was the best option during a cost-of-living and housing crisis - Image © Geoffrey Finnimore
An off-grid hut that produces its own heating and electricity can continue to be the home of the man who built it, a council has decided.
Geoffrey Finnimore, a self-employed architectural designer, erected the structure in Glandwr, near Crymych, in 2020, but never told authorities or asked for permission.
Pembrokeshire council told him he must apply for retrospective permission for the home that is self-sufficient, and also collects rain water.
However, the local authority found that because it has now been occupied as a home for more than four years, it is immune from prosecution action.
"Without my home, which I created to solve my own problems without state assistance, having to pay for other accommodation would be catastrophic for my finances and well-being," Finnimore said.
The council asked him to apply for a lawful development certificate for the property. This is a formal legal document confirming the development is lawful.
But as he had lived there for more than four years, it meant he could not be prosecuted, so his application was accepted, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
No doubt the Council will pay their own (misguided) legal costs - at their taxpayers expense.















