Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Talyllyn Railway, Gwynedd, Wales - heritage line, run by volunteers since 1951 In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [374965/32005/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:28, 9th May 2026 |      |
I am quoting their whole article here, with full copyright credit to the BBC, as I think it deserves the widest coverage.
From the BBC:
Railway which inspired Thomas the Tank Engine marks 75 years since becoming world first
The Talyllyn Railway has been operated by volunteers since 1951 - Image © Getty Images
A Welsh railway where the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine volunteered as a guard is celebrating 75 years since becoming a world first.
In 1951, the Talyllyn Railway in Gwynedd became the first railway to be operated by volunteer enthusiasts. Among the first was the children's author Rev Wilbert Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, who based some of his stories on his experiences while working there.
Railway historian and broadcaster Tim Dunn said the Talyllyn Railway had made its way into a number of Awdry's beloved books, adding that it was now the "spiritual home" of Thomas the Tank Engine.
The Talyllyn Railway, seen here in 1951 with the late Duke of Edinburgh, becomes the first in the world to be operated by enthusiast volunteers - Image © Talyllyn Railway collection
When volunteers took over 75 years ago, the railway's owner had just died and it was about to close. The seven miles of track from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn was in a poor state and the one working steam locomotive was almost completely worn out, with no working brakes at times.
"For volunteers to take over and run a public railway was a completely new thing," said Ian Drummond from the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society. "There had been volunteering before in other areas, but this was something bigger and something new. It attracted attention across the globe. We are the world's first preserved railway and the start of a movement which began here in Wales."
Rev Wilbert Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine (left) with his son and grandson at the Talyllyn Railway - Image © Talyllyn Railway collection
Under volunteer control, the railway carried a record number of passengers and made it through the 1951 season – though only just. On one occasion the steam locomotive ran out of water, leaving the crew sprinting to a nearby farm to borrow buckets and top it up from a stream.
The following year, a new volunteer arrived at Talyllyn - Rev Wilbert Awdry. Already famous for writing the Thomas the Tank Engine books, he offered to help as a guard on the train.
One of Rev Awdry's own model railways, including a miniature Thomas the Tank Engine, is now in the Talyllyn Railway's museum - Image © Talyllyn Railway collection
Stories from Awdry's time working on the railway found their way into his books, such as the time he managed to leave the refreshment lady behind at Abergynolwyn, the far end of the line.
Tim Dunn, railway historian and TV presenter who is also a volunteer at Talyllyn, said the railway had become the "spiritual home" of Thomas the Tank. "Awdry created new characters in the Thomas the Tank Engine books, based on the locomotives of the Talyllyn Railway. He wasn't just inspired by the locations, the locomotives and some of the things that had happened to him. The whole ethos of a friendly little railway made its way into his books, the sort of place with a quirk and a charm that children could warm to."
Railway historian and broadcaster Tim Dunn said the Talyllyn Railway is now the "spiritual home" of Thomas the Tank Engine - Image © Nathan Spence
Some doubted whether the Talyllyn Railway could succeed, but the volunteers saved the railway from closing and inspired others to do the same elsewhere in the UK, Europe, America and Australia.
The Talyllyn Railway now has around 450 active volunteers, including 18-year-old Isabel Richmond, who said that working on the railway in her spare time had inspired her to take up a career in engineering.
18-year-old Isabel Richmond started working at the railway as a hobby, but now plans to take up engineering as a career
"It's fun – when the weather is fine, it's nice to be outside and keeping busy," said Isabel. "There are loads of amazing people here, it's like a big family. I want to follow engineering as a career path, and there's loads of people here I can talk to and learn so much from – it's really valuable for me."
The Talyllyn Railway has been operated by volunteers since 1951 - Image © Getty Images
A Welsh railway where the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine volunteered as a guard is celebrating 75 years since becoming a world first.
In 1951, the Talyllyn Railway in Gwynedd became the first railway to be operated by volunteer enthusiasts. Among the first was the children's author Rev Wilbert Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, who based some of his stories on his experiences while working there.
Railway historian and broadcaster Tim Dunn said the Talyllyn Railway had made its way into a number of Awdry's beloved books, adding that it was now the "spiritual home" of Thomas the Tank Engine.
The Talyllyn Railway, seen here in 1951 with the late Duke of Edinburgh, becomes the first in the world to be operated by enthusiast volunteers - Image © Talyllyn Railway collection
When volunteers took over 75 years ago, the railway's owner had just died and it was about to close. The seven miles of track from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn was in a poor state and the one working steam locomotive was almost completely worn out, with no working brakes at times.
"For volunteers to take over and run a public railway was a completely new thing," said Ian Drummond from the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society. "There had been volunteering before in other areas, but this was something bigger and something new. It attracted attention across the globe. We are the world's first preserved railway and the start of a movement which began here in Wales."
Rev Wilbert Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine (left) with his son and grandson at the Talyllyn Railway - Image © Talyllyn Railway collection
Under volunteer control, the railway carried a record number of passengers and made it through the 1951 season – though only just. On one occasion the steam locomotive ran out of water, leaving the crew sprinting to a nearby farm to borrow buckets and top it up from a stream.
The following year, a new volunteer arrived at Talyllyn - Rev Wilbert Awdry. Already famous for writing the Thomas the Tank Engine books, he offered to help as a guard on the train.
One of Rev Awdry's own model railways, including a miniature Thomas the Tank Engine, is now in the Talyllyn Railway's museum - Image © Talyllyn Railway collection
Stories from Awdry's time working on the railway found their way into his books, such as the time he managed to leave the refreshment lady behind at Abergynolwyn, the far end of the line.
Tim Dunn, railway historian and TV presenter who is also a volunteer at Talyllyn, said the railway had become the "spiritual home" of Thomas the Tank. "Awdry created new characters in the Thomas the Tank Engine books, based on the locomotives of the Talyllyn Railway. He wasn't just inspired by the locations, the locomotives and some of the things that had happened to him. The whole ethos of a friendly little railway made its way into his books, the sort of place with a quirk and a charm that children could warm to."
Railway historian and broadcaster Tim Dunn said the Talyllyn Railway is now the "spiritual home" of Thomas the Tank Engine - Image © Nathan Spence
Some doubted whether the Talyllyn Railway could succeed, but the volunteers saved the railway from closing and inspired others to do the same elsewhere in the UK, Europe, America and Australia.
The Talyllyn Railway now has around 450 active volunteers, including 18-year-old Isabel Richmond, who said that working on the railway in her spare time had inspired her to take up a career in engineering.
18-year-old Isabel Richmond started working at the railway as a hobby, but now plans to take up engineering as a career
"It's fun – when the weather is fine, it's nice to be outside and keeping busy," said Isabel. "There are loads of amazing people here, it's like a big family. I want to follow engineering as a career path, and there's loads of people here I can talk to and learn so much from – it's really valuable for me."
| Re: Lake District joint bus-train ticket in car-free tourism plan In "Buses and other ways to travel" [374964/32004/5] Posted by ChrisB at 16:57, 9th May 2026 | |
It's only available in the train+bus direction.
| Re: Lake District joint bus-train ticket in car-free tourism plan In "Buses and other ways to travel" [374963/32004/5] Posted by Mark A at 16:53, 9th May 2026 | |
Does this offer increased resilience for people travelling on an advance through ticket - i.e. travel on a subsequent service should the bus miss a booked connection at Penrith?
Mark
| Re: So what do we expect of a nationalised GWR? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [374962/32002/40] Posted by ChrisB at 16:50, 9th May 2026 | |
First thing to state is that DfTO confirmed that there would be one GBR overall branding eventually - although the names may remain on those brandings. To commence once all TOCs are nationalised.
GWR Churchward not likely to happen until "the mid-2030s"
| Re: New Oxford - Bristol direct service, ongoing developments and discussion In "Oxford, Didcot and Reading from the West" [374961/28355/22] Posted by ChrisB at 16:42, 9th May 2026 | |
Rich Wilcox has tweeted/x'd -
The ORR has approved GWR's bid to run two-hourly Weekday and Saturday services from Bristol to Oxford.
However, Network Rail has to implement risk measures at 13 level crossings before any GWR services can start
This only for a trial period - to end 2027 & ORR is quite clear that a "strong presumption of continuation of rights does NOT apply"
However, Network Rail has to implement risk measures at 13 level crossings before any GWR services can start
This only for a trial period - to end 2027 & ORR is quite clear that a "strong presumption of continuation of rights does NOT apply"
Suspect that level crossing work will delay the service starting....
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [374960/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 15:04, 9th May 2026 | |
14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01
14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01 is being delayed between Chippenham and Swindon and is now expected to be 16 minutes late.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01 is being delayed between Chippenham and Swindon and is now expected to be 16 minutes late.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
| Lake District joint bus-train ticket in car-free tourism plan In "Buses and other ways to travel" [374959/32004/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:32, 9th May 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Hopes joint ticket will boost car-free tourism
The joint bus and train ticket links Penrith with Keswick in the Lake District
It is hoped a joint train and bus ticket will boost the number of tourists visiting the Lake District without a car.
Those travelling to Penrith by train and then onwards to Keswick by bus will able to get a single, integrated ticket for the journey year-round as part of the Let's Go Car Free campaign. It follows a trial over the past two summers which saw a boost in passenger numbers, operators involved said.
However, frequent traveller Amy D'Agorne, 33, was sceptical and said it was no replacement for the actual train that ran to Keswick in the 1960s, adding: "It doesn't seem any different to what it has been previously. It's just an extra button."
Keswick was added as a destination in rail journey planners for both Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express passengers.
As part of the rollout, Stagecoach doubled the frequency of its bus services connecting Keswick and Penrith to every half an hour.
Managing director Tom Waterhouse said the ticket, officially launched last week, helped create "easy, seamless travel".
President of Cumbria Tourism Jim Walker claimed it would make "low-carbon journeys even easier, more accessible and appealing for both visitors and local residents".
D'Agorne frequently travels between York and Keswick and has used public transport for the past few months while her car is repaired. "I don't know if this is a bit of a cop-out or an excuse for not having an actual train station in Keswick, which is kind of crazy because it's such a big tourist destination," she said.
She does not believe the ticketing will encourage her to stay using public transport because it was "still such a nightmare" to do the route. It takes just over two hours to drive, but about four hours on public transport, not including delays.
But in 2025, the second year the integrated ticket was in place, Avanti West Coast said it saw a 48% increase in travellers to and from Penrith over the summer months compared to 2019, prior to Covid.
TransPennine Express said it saw a 58% jump over the same period.
Stagecoach said it recorded "similarly strong growth after the trial" with nearly 442,000 trips over the summer season (April - November), which was 14% more than in 2023.
The joint bus and train ticket links Penrith with Keswick in the Lake District
It is hoped a joint train and bus ticket will boost the number of tourists visiting the Lake District without a car.
Those travelling to Penrith by train and then onwards to Keswick by bus will able to get a single, integrated ticket for the journey year-round as part of the Let's Go Car Free campaign. It follows a trial over the past two summers which saw a boost in passenger numbers, operators involved said.
However, frequent traveller Amy D'Agorne, 33, was sceptical and said it was no replacement for the actual train that ran to Keswick in the 1960s, adding: "It doesn't seem any different to what it has been previously. It's just an extra button."
Keswick was added as a destination in rail journey planners for both Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express passengers.
As part of the rollout, Stagecoach doubled the frequency of its bus services connecting Keswick and Penrith to every half an hour.
Managing director Tom Waterhouse said the ticket, officially launched last week, helped create "easy, seamless travel".
President of Cumbria Tourism Jim Walker claimed it would make "low-carbon journeys even easier, more accessible and appealing for both visitors and local residents".
D'Agorne frequently travels between York and Keswick and has used public transport for the past few months while her car is repaired. "I don't know if this is a bit of a cop-out or an excuse for not having an actual train station in Keswick, which is kind of crazy because it's such a big tourist destination," she said.
She does not believe the ticketing will encourage her to stay using public transport because it was "still such a nightmare" to do the route. It takes just over two hours to drive, but about four hours on public transport, not including delays.
But in 2025, the second year the integrated ticket was in place, Avanti West Coast said it saw a 48% increase in travellers to and from Penrith over the summer months compared to 2019, prior to Covid.
TransPennine Express said it saw a 58% jump over the same period.
Stagecoach said it recorded "similarly strong growth after the trial" with nearly 442,000 trips over the summer season (April - November), which was 14% more than in 2023.
| Points failure at Thetford blocks lines and disrupts services - 9 May 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [374958/32003/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:02, 9th May 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Railway lines blocked after points failure
Railway services have been disrupted after a points failure, resulting in bus replacement services, delays and cancellations.
Greater Anglia said the fault at Thetford in Norfolk, external was blocking the line to Wymondham, and Network Rail workers were due on site.
Trains are running between Norwich and Wymondham, with passengers for Thetford then taking a replacement bus journey of about 40 minutes.
A replacement bus service between Thetford and Cambridge North, via Brandon and Ely, is also in place due to planned engineering work.
Railway services have been disrupted after a points failure, resulting in bus replacement services, delays and cancellations.
Greater Anglia said the fault at Thetford in Norfolk, external was blocking the line to Wymondham, and Network Rail workers were due on site.
Trains are running between Norwich and Wymondham, with passengers for Thetford then taking a replacement bus journey of about 40 minutes.
A replacement bus service between Thetford and Cambridge North, via Brandon and Ely, is also in place due to planned engineering work.
| Re: Network Rail issues warning over Featherstone level crossing In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [374957/31894/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:45, 9th May 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Featherstone crossing could be shut for six months after misuse
A level crossing where children were spotted "playing chicken" with oncoming trains could remain closed for six months, Network Rail has said.
The operator imposed an emergency 21-day closure of the Sportsfield crossing in Featherstone on 23 April after "a sustained period of serious safety concerns". At the time, it said there had been four instances of "dangerous misuse" in just two weeks, which included a report of a child being allowed to wander onto the railway.
Network Rail has now applied for an extended, six-month closure to allow time to develop plans for enhanced safety measures, including stop lights and CCTV cameras. Since last month's closure, it said temporary mesh fencing had been replaced with continuous palisade fencing to prevent access.
It said staff and British Transport Police (BTP) officers had also stepped up patrols to deter trespassers and prevent misuse elsewhere on the line. The operator has also visited schools across the area to give safety advice to 2,730 pupils.
Level crossing manager Darren Robertson-Wilson said: "Network Rail understands the inconvenience the current closure of Sportsfield level crossing may cause for some people, but safety must remain the highest priority. We've seen repeated, reckless behaviour here and the actions we've taken are about preventing someone from being seriously injured or killed. Our position remains that increased safety measures are needed before Sportsfield level crossing can be reopened safely. While the crossing has been closed, we've continued to work closely with the community, Wakefield Council and BTP to that end."
A level crossing where children were spotted "playing chicken" with oncoming trains could remain closed for six months, Network Rail has said.
The operator imposed an emergency 21-day closure of the Sportsfield crossing in Featherstone on 23 April after "a sustained period of serious safety concerns". At the time, it said there had been four instances of "dangerous misuse" in just two weeks, which included a report of a child being allowed to wander onto the railway.
Network Rail has now applied for an extended, six-month closure to allow time to develop plans for enhanced safety measures, including stop lights and CCTV cameras. Since last month's closure, it said temporary mesh fencing had been replaced with continuous palisade fencing to prevent access.
It said staff and British Transport Police (BTP) officers had also stepped up patrols to deter trespassers and prevent misuse elsewhere on the line. The operator has also visited schools across the area to give safety advice to 2,730 pupils.
Level crossing manager Darren Robertson-Wilson said: "Network Rail understands the inconvenience the current closure of Sportsfield level crossing may cause for some people, but safety must remain the highest priority. We've seen repeated, reckless behaviour here and the actions we've taken are about preventing someone from being seriously injured or killed. Our position remains that increased safety measures are needed before Sportsfield level crossing can be reopened safely. While the crossing has been closed, we've continued to work closely with the community, Wakefield Council and BTP to that end."
| Re: Advance fares - hardly the most robust offering In "Fare's Fair" [374956/31978/4] Posted by ChrisB at 11:46, 9th May 2026 | |
It is mad - and needs sorting under GBR....
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374955/31999/26] Posted by ChrisB at 11:41, 9th May 2026 | |
(Asking more in hope than expectation) - can anyone tell me how this, and GBR in general, will result in a better experience for customers?
Very little. The DfT want rail subsidies cut even further for starters.
Indeed they do.
Confirmation yesterday too that all stock running under GBR Rail will eventually carry the same GBR design....So the GWR green will disappear.
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374954/31999/26] Posted by ellendune at 11:00, 9th May 2026 | |
(Asking more in hope than expectation) - can anyone tell me how this, and GBR in general, will result in a better experience for customers?
If you read the articles in the railway press on the first integrated management structures set up in this current change, particularly the article on the Greater Anglia one in the May edition of Modern Railways, I think you will see the sort of savings that the management believe can be made through integration.
| Re: So what do we expect of a nationalised GWR? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [374953/32002/40] Posted by Mark A at 11:00, 9th May 2026 | |
Also available on Bluesky (unless someone has an account, X is pretty much a closed book, Bluesky's essentially a public web site.)
Mark
https://bsky.app/profile/noeldolphin.bsky.social/post/3mle5putw6c2j
| Re: Advance fares - hardly the most robust offering In "Fare's Fair" [374952/31978/4] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:49, 9th May 2026 | |
Yes, split ticketing is a whole different discussion altogether. And you won’t find me arguing with anyone who thinks it’s mad!
| Re: On tour, May 2026, Grahame In "The Lighter Side" [374951/31997/30] Posted by stuving at 10:43, 9th May 2026 | |
Well, now we know from the crib sheet that this is Flushing. At first sight on the satellite views it looks wrong though - those glazed hoops are hard to match between the two pictures.
The area next door looks odd too: very much like an abandoned major vehicle ferry terminal with its queueing area and control tower. But there's only a bike and people ferry there ... for the obvious reason; there is now a tunnel. I wonder how important that is psychologically to the inhabitants of Dutch Flanders, who are otherwise marooned on a narrows trip of land surrounded by Belgians!
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374950/31999/26] Posted by plymothian at 09:46, 9th May 2026 | |
(Asking more in hope than expectation) - can anyone tell me how this, and GBR in general, will result in a better experience for customers?
Very little. The DfT want rail subsidies cut even further for starters.
| Re: So what do we expect of a nationalised GWR? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [374949/32002/40] Posted by bradshaw at 09:24, 9th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
This is an interesting read, on Twitter/X, the first post is below
Yesterday was @railforum_uk's TOCTalk conference heavily led by DfTO (DfT Operator). Here's my top take-aways: 1) All 3 DfTO speakers said focus was on reducing the net subsidy to rail in the short term. Lots of ways to improve decision-making & drive better value, but.... (1/8)
https://x.com/noeldolphin/status/2052784732102877671?s=61&t=VlafMC5gF9tidw36b1Y8JQ
| Re: Advance fares - hardly the most robust offering In "Fare's Fair" [374948/31978/4] Posted by grahame at 09:07, 9th May 2026 | |
That’s why there’s no ability to do that at present, and tap on/off is generally only available in metropolitan areas.
On the flip side, I suppose the system could have just ‘kept quiet’ about availability on the 18:04, just to be on the safe side, if the 17:12’s (and other trains after it) have reached their quota…and not offer the good price at all? There would be no way of knowing that it had!
On the flip side, I suppose the system could have just ‘kept quiet’ about availability on the 18:04, just to be on the safe side, if the 17:12’s (and other trains after it) have reached their quota…and not offer the good price at all? There would be no way of knowing that it had!
No easy way, alas ... this has reminded me to follow up on the other aspect here - if I need to arrive in London for 10:30 - next Thursday as an example - I am offered
Paying personally, wow, £112 is a big "gulp". However, from Chippenham:
and £55 - with an extra fiver or so for a single from Melksham to Chippenham - much more affordable.
And telling the booking engine that I want to travel from Melksham to arrive by 10:30 does NOT give me the lower cost option ... is still suggests I need to pay £112, and it puts a "cheapest" flag alongside that in the result set too.
| Re: Advance fares - hardly the most robust offering In "Fare's Fair" [374947/31978/4] Posted by IndustryInsider at 08:09, 9th May 2026 | |
That’s why there’s no ability to do that at present, and tap on/off is generally only available in metropolitan areas.
On the flip side, I suppose the system could have just ‘kept quiet’ about availability on the 18:04, just to be on the safe side, if the 17:12’s (and other trains after it) have reached their quota…and not offer the good price at all? There would be no way of knowing that it had!
| So what do we expect of a nationalised GWR? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [374946/32002/40] Posted by grahame at 07:25, 9th May 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Yesterday brought the official announcement that GWR (Great Western Railway) is to be nationalised on 13th December. There was no surprise in this - it has been expected or even anticipated around that date. It means that the First Group will no longer be our train operator in Melksham - rather our trains will be operated by DfT Operator Limited - a public sector operating company. The "Great Western Railway" name will remain as it's a trading name that's actually been owned by the government and licensed to First. Our operating staff and their managers will be "TUPE"d (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) across to DFTO and we will initially see little change. It's unclear to me as to who will transfer at Director level, who will remain with First group, and whether some will chose to move on, start a new career or retire.
I have made some very good friends over the years in First Group (on the bus side too) though not always been in total agreement with their or their company's decisions. We have understood one another and co-operated in the promotion and improvement of the offering to passengers, explaining the apparently-perverse to the public where necessary, and pointing out to First elements which it's in the common interest to update. Of late, there has been a regrettable but natural drift for the team at a management level to tow the government line even where it's not fully considerate of the customer's needs, and a tendency for things to get lost in the treacle of bureaucracy or perhaps be put onto a back burner so they can be an early-win success story for DFTO to help show the benefits of nationalisation.
Crystal Ball time - what might we see under DFTO - or in future years "Great British Railways" - the newly integrated single public sector organisation combining tracks and passenger train operation (not, you will note, freight train operation nor ownership of the trains, which will remain largely in the private sector)?
There will be no big windfall income to the government. Profits to First Group on operations are only a couple of percent, and indeed there's a case for saying that this has been worth paying for their local skilled directors. There may be a saving on admin - things like delay attribution and planning with each train operator having its own team looking after its interests. Some of that will remain - there will still be a need to analyse issues, and to make payments back and forth when a freight or open access train interferes with, or is interfered by, a nationalised one, or where the nationalised operator has an accident or event that damages one of the trains owned privately by a RoSCo (Rolling Stock Company).
We expect the branding to stay; it was deliberate that the GWR name was only licensed to First, and indeed we may see more branding. HMG wants to move to "localisation" and we may see more rather than less of a postcode lottery on rail services; it's already notable that South Wales and the Bristol area have seen lots of new stations and improvements and lines, as has Devon, but in Wiltshire and Dorset the last brand new station opened was in 1937, with Melksham a sorta-new station in 1985 having been closed in overenthusiastic zeal 19 years earlier. Service is still far thinner than it should be.
The rail fare system has grown over the years to the extent it's considered over-complex and not fit for future purpose; the problem has been how to sort that out without creating too many losers who will complain far into the future. An element of the same can be said for certain service patterns. In both cases, some of the problems relate to multiple operators - it's been worthwhile searching fare databases for good deals set by different companies, for example, or to travel on one train operator rather than another. There is scope for change, but from the evidence I see "simplification" can often mean the elimination of cheaper and more practical customer options for the "operational convenience" and better overall stats as seen by the Department for Transport.
There is scope for improvement ... but risk of dumbing down to a basic standard. How does a nationalised railway operator justify on-train restaurant car catering for example, when the kitchen space could be used for more seats? And there is scope - governments seem to love it - for making things more complex. Will bicycles and dogs continue to travel for free? Or only be allowed on certain trains? The free reservation system sorta-works but it generates nothing to pay for its operation, and results in lots of unoccupied seats. Stations with low passenger numbers may be at risk - there are multiple closures proposed on the Bletchley to Bedford line at present and with - in the case of Bow Brickhill - no adequate replacement that I can see. The jury is out - a golden opportunity, but also an opportunity to reduce to a very basic provision. Not always a problem if modern technology does provide a friendly alternative.
South Western Railway was nationalised a year ago ... and on 20th May, Andrew Ardley of SWR will be talking to the West Wiltshire Rail User Group in Trowbridge. Easily reachable at the Bethesda Church Hall - 100 yards from Trowbridge Station, and timed for people arriving from and returning to other stations including Melksham and Chippenham. SWR still have a few services to Warminster and Westbury, though they have "rationalised" away their services at Trowbridge and Bradford-on-Avon leaving those stations without any through trains from London. It will be very interesting to hear what Andrew - a good friend over may years - has to tell us, including an update on what they are doing on their core line in the south of the county.
In amongst the "don't know" elements is the passenger voice and I worry if and how that will get due weight into the future. We have good friends at Transport Focus which, however, has lacked authority. Marketing words suggest a positive future for them, but from what I have seen the toothlessness may still remain. We will see; as an advocate of public transport I really hope for a mainstream strong and informed passenger voice / advocate.
No conclusions here - an explanation, a look ahead into a rather foggy crystal ball, and an encouragement to come along on 20th May. Join me on the 18:10 train from Melksham; return on the 21:22 from Trowbridge.
| Summer 2026 - rail travels in Europe In "Introductions and chat" [374945/32001/1] Posted by grahame at 05:34, 9th May 2026 Already liked by PrestburyRoad, Oxonhutch | |
I'm off ... my long continuous pass from last year's Black Friday sale activated for an initial journey from Schiedam Central to Vlissingen, and as I go I'll be writing - where appropriate sharing here. In recent (err - 20!) years I have been an advocate for rail travel and in my retirement I have had the pleasure of donating more of my time to seeing how other do it, and to making suggestions for improvements / changes which (very) occasionally have resulted in small changes that have made a big difference. And also - very happy to answer questions that share my love of travel and of sustainable public transport development in my home area.
In past years, I have posted for Interrail Users my initial views of towns along the way, and given a flavour so that others can decide whether or not they wish to stop there, and more rail-oriented stuff on the Coffee Shop. "In about an hour" I have said in previous years, but yesterday I allowed myself three hours in Vlissingen, having arrived into the Netherlands on the ferry from Harwich and only headed for Antwerp on the first day.
Fears of long queues at passport control arriving into the EU have been overstated - or perhaps I was just lucky. Three minutes ... and transfer to the Rotterdam Metro to Schiedam. Swiped in and out on a credit card; gone are the days of long distance / international trains from the ferry ports. At least on the Harwich route there isn't the dreaded bus-onto-ship scenario.
I have seen Vlissingen on the map, and trains headed there before - but never been. A wonderful breath of fresh air and a lovely town to look around. Be aware that if you're carrying your luggage - even if light - it's a fair step from the station, and I would not want to do it in inclement weather. An hour would not have been enough - and indeed I had allowed three. As seems far too frequent, memories of wartimes across Europe in the past. Of course we should and do remember; let's hope that these horrors don't return to our shores - but I will admit to sometimes despair. Anyway - then onwards to Antwerp.
Dutch trains comfortable, reasonable fast and clean. The Belgian train that sticks its nose into The Netherlands and is "International" is basic, all stations, and externally about the filthiest I had ever seen. It's supposed to call at Antwerp Centraal but didn't - it took the freight bypass and dropped us all off at an overcrowded Antwerp Berchem where, it seems, almost everyone got off and transferred through the narrow subway to a train headed back into Central which is where they all really wanted to go.
| Re: Advance fares - hardly the most robust offering In "Fare's Fair" [374944/31978/4] Posted by grahame at 04:10, 9th May 2026 | |
Looking at the same journey next week, on the GWR website and elsewhere, it seems to default to connecting you onto the 17:12 from Swindon and giving you the wait at Stratford instead.
That suggests very much to me that it was quota related on the day you travelled and that the quota for advance tickets on the 17:12 had been reached, but there was availability on the 18:04, which, as it meets minimum connection times, was suggested instead.
That suggests very much to me that it was quota related on the day you travelled and that the quota for advance tickets on the 17:12 had been reached, but there was availability on the 18:04, which, as it meets minimum connection times, was suggested instead.
It could be ... but with so much "intelligence" built into system algorithms these days on top of a fare system which is complex and opaque, it's very hard indeed to know - just having to guess based on the evidence provided and be aware to take a special look each time the journey is made.
Arriving in Hoek van Holland and taking the Rotterdam Metro into Schiedam Central, I noted that a sign in English that all I had to do was swipe in with a credit card/ debit card and swipe out again at the other end - no physical ticket needed. Now I'm naturally enquiring and careful by took a quick decision that, yes, I would do that and such is becoming much more prevalent.
But would I have swiped in at Melksham and out again at Harwich International without knowing the amount charged up front? Hell no - I don't trust the system to give me the best (or even a decent, or appropriate) deal, and in any case where it's "per train" how is it going to know which train you were on, or how are you to know which is today's best value train?
| Re: Advance fares - hardly the most robust offering In "Fare's Fair" [374943/31978/4] Posted by IndustryInsider at 01:20, 9th May 2026 | |
Good price - but - WHY sell me a ticket that has me waiting nearly an hour at Swindon, then is followed by tight changes at Paddington and Stratford? Would it not be logical to offer an earlier train into Paddington
Could the advance ticket quotas have sold out at the good price on the earlier trains?
Maybe ... but the GWR website [new] journey planner didn't offer any alternatives at any price. I suspect that with a less frequent service at both ends of the journey, it skewed it towards the later trains in "the middle".
Looking at the same journey next week, on the GWR website and elsewhere, it seems to default to connecting you onto the 17:12 from Swindon and giving you the wait at Stratford instead.
That suggests very much to me that it was quota related on the day you travelled and that the quota for advance tickets on the 17:12 had been reached, but there was availability on the 18:04, which, as it meets minimum connection times, was suggested instead.
| Re: Harrow & Wealdstone 8th October 1952 & Nursing Lieutenant Abbie Sweetwine. In "Railway History and related topics" [374942/25546/55] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:44, 8th May 2026 | |
Again, not any particular anniversary, just a topic I stumbled across on YouTube: see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8sUo2m3V40 (37 minutes).
| Re: Difficulty of booking international rail tickets In "Fare's Fair" [374941/31906/4] Posted by LiskeardRich at 22:42, 8th May 2026 | |
I found using Omio app the easiest and most clear location for searching European transport for my recent exploration of Europe.
I then went direct to the advertised providers website to book direct. I had no issues finding any of my desired journeys on the Omio app, but found operator websites hard to navigate in the planning stage.
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374937/31999/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:01, 8th May 2026 Already liked by IndustryInsider, eightonedee, Mark A, rogerw | |
No.
Other than that we will be able to blame the Government, rather than private shareholder's expectations, for the ongoing woeful performance.
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374936/31999/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 21:55, 8th May 2026 | |
(Asking more in hope than expectation) - can anyone tell me how this, and GBR in general, will result in a better experience for customers?
