Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Northumberland Line to open on Sun 15 December In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361780/29569/28] Posted by IndustryInsider at 23:41, 27th May 2025 |      |
And I do wonder with EWR whether 2 car trains are going to be big enough.
That's an easy one. NO they won't be anywhere near long enough!
| May 2025 RMT Overtime and RDW ban In "Cross Country services" [361779/30305/43] Posted by ray951 at 20:55, 27th May 2025 | |
Deep joy, RMT are introducing an overtime and RDW ban on Cross Country from June to October, excluding Sundays.
From the Oxford Clarion https://bsky.app/profile/oxfordclarion.bsky.social/post/3lq6gu6s4sk2f
| Re: Northumberland Line to open on Sun 15 December In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361778/29569/28] Posted by ray951 at 20:49, 27th May 2025 | |
It is great that people are using this service but the tickets are really cheap i.e. an anytime single Newcastle to Ashington (about 13 miles) is £2.60; in comparison a Didcot to Oxford (10 miles) anytime single is £8.70. 20p a mile compared with 87p a mile.
Northern is the English TOC with the highest subsidy so not sure how this is affordable, of course ideally we would like all services to be as highly subsidised.
Lets hope that as the fares rise the service continues to be used.
And I do wonder with EWR whether 2 car trains are going to be big enough.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [361777/10737/21] Posted by ChrisB at 20:17, 27th May 2025 | |
No indication of customer drop off, nor taxi rank relocation?
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [361776/10737/21] Posted by johnneyw at 20:09, 27th May 2025 | |
According to an article in Bristol 24/7, it's been confirmed that the bus stops serving Temple Meads are going to be moved from Station Approach to Friary (parallel to Station Approach but the other side of the old Brunel Shed).
More in the link below.
https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/bus-stops-outside-temple-meads-relocated/
| Re: Are Castle Class diagrams still available ? In "Across the West" [361775/30304/26] Posted by MVR S&T at 20:08, 27th May 2025 | |
https://www.railway-centre.com/
All workings on the home page.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [361774/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 16:59, 27th May 2025 | |
Tuesday May 27 (continued)
16:58 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:25 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:27/05/2025 16:22
19:45 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:27/05/2025 16:22
18:57 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 21:18.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:27/05/2025 08:52
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:27/05/2025 16:22
19:45 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:27/05/2025 16:22
18:57 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 21:18.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:27/05/2025 08:52
Later:
19:45 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:24 will be reinstated.
It will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:27/05/2025 17:01
It will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:27/05/2025 17:01
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361773/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 15:42, 27th May 2025 | |
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59 is being delayed at Swindon.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59 is being delayed at Swindon.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
| Re: Northumberland Line to open on Sun 15 December In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361772/29569/28] Posted by Timmer at 15:23, 27th May 2025 Already liked by IndustryInsider | |
Great and encouraging report IndustryInsider.
How many times have we said it, reopen a line and people will use it as I’m sure we’ll see when East West line reopens.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361771/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 14:47, 27th May 2025 | |
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00 will be starting late from Westbury and is expected to be 20 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00 will be starting late from Westbury and is expected to be 20 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Portsmouth to Cardiff running 50 minutes late ... now arrives in Westbury at 14:02 and I suspect the crew is transferring and is progammed to take a personal needs break.
All a very long way from Mockava I'm travelling on, which is supposed to pause at Trakiszki for 8 minutes but but was there for more like 30 ... couple of Polish border guards going through and checking passengers. Not sure whether it was just the two who got on, but the two who came to all compartments in uniform left with two others not in uniform.
| Re: Northumberland Line to open on Sun 15 December In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361770/29569/28] Posted by IndustryInsider at 14:32, 27th May 2025 Already liked by Timmer, Western Pathfinder, Mark A, Oxonhutch, eightonedee, RichardB, Andy, johnneyw, PrestburyRoad | |
Managed to get up to the North East to take a look last week.
Very impressive passenger numbers with all trains I saw loading well, and, on average, better than the long established service to Cramlington and Morpeth.
One Ashington train I caught from Manors in the peak was full and standing to Newsham. When you consider Northumberland Park (with Metro interchange), Blyth Bebside and Bedlington stations have yet to open, a 3/4 unit will be needed on many trains before long.
Speaking of the new stations, Blythe Bebside looked quite advanced, but the other two, especially Bedlington are still a long way off of opening. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s next summer for Bedlington.
At Ashington the eyesore building near the station was being demolished with a much more welcoming square to replace it.
All in all very impressive. I’ll try and upload a few photos when I get chance.
| Re: Are Castle Class diagrams still available ? In "Across the West" [361769/30304/26] Posted by lbraine at 14:15, 27th May 2025 | |
Huge thanks to everyone for the information.
Will make one little lad very happy.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [361768/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 13:36, 27th May 2025 | |
Monday May 27
After the short working first thing, the rest of the day was good.
Except for
1P06 22:00 Hereford to London Paddington (01:15), which lost time after Shrub Hill and arrived +26.
In turn, this delayed 1W45 22:51 London Paddington to Worcestershire Parkway at Wolvercote. It arrived +18.
Tuesday May 28
13:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 16:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:27/05/2025 12:37
The stock is running empty to Shrub Hill.This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:27/05/2025 12:37
| Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [361767/24045/21] Posted by johnneyw at 10:53, 27th May 2025 | |
There's a local Bristol Beeb news article about an artist being sought to provide a mural at Ashley Down station to make it "more welcoming". Personally I think that Ashley Down is okay as it is with other stations probably more in need of the four grand that seems to have been made available for the project.
Here's the link to the article in full.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1e6jq9yxp1o.amp
| Re: Staff benefits lost with nationalisation In "Fare's Fair" [361766/30299/4] Posted by Electric train at 09:01, 27th May 2025 | |
From Railway World
Spare a thought for those of us who will this weekend (25 May 2025) lose a major rail travel benefit as a result of South Western Railway (SWR) becoming the first rail operator to be nationalised by the Labour Government.
Over the past five years a major benefit for me of working part-time for a FirstGroup company has been an annual allocation of cheap day rover tickets that are valid on any of the First rail operations and, importantly for me, SWR.
But the change of ownership at SWR means losing that valuable perk that comes with role as a Rail Replacement Coordinator, although it will continue to be available on First’s two other franchises, GWR and Avanti, until they too are taken into the public sector.
Not so lucky are the many thousands of SWR staff, who will lose their entitlement to all of these Rover tickets as they have now become part of the public sector, and are no longer be employees of FirstGroup.
[snip]
After five years, I will bitterly miss the SWR Rovers that allowed me to begin longer distance trips with a cheap early morning journey to Waterloo, and it seems all the more regrettable when I realise that I will be back working for SWR next weekend (31 May 2025) on bus replacement duty!
Over the past five years a major benefit for me of working part-time for a FirstGroup company has been an annual allocation of cheap day rover tickets that are valid on any of the First rail operations and, importantly for me, SWR.
But the change of ownership at SWR means losing that valuable perk that comes with role as a Rail Replacement Coordinator, although it will continue to be available on First’s two other franchises, GWR and Avanti, until they too are taken into the public sector.
Not so lucky are the many thousands of SWR staff, who will lose their entitlement to all of these Rover tickets as they have now become part of the public sector, and are no longer be employees of FirstGroup.
[snip]
After five years, I will bitterly miss the SWR Rovers that allowed me to begin longer distance trips with a cheap early morning journey to Waterloo, and it seems all the more regrettable when I realise that I will be back working for SWR next weekend (31 May 2025) on bus replacement duty!
This is nothing in comparison to the loss of travel facilities to new employees enjoyed by prior to privatisation
| Re: Are Castle Class diagrams still available ? In "Across the West" [361765/30304/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 08:58, 27th May 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
HST's should be:
Mon Fri 0533, 1015, 1340 Plymouth Penzance. 1128 Exeter Penzance.
0745 Penzance Exeter, 13.15, 15.50, 1732 Penzance Plymouth
Saturday
0515, 0808, 09.11, 1241, 1638 from Plymouth 14.22 Exeter Plymouth
0740, 1039, 1150, 1515 1930, from Penzance
| Re: A Journey in Lithuania In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [361764/30301/52] Posted by froome at 08:55, 27th May 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
I would feel extremely vulnerable on a platform like that one in the penultimate photo.
| Re: Are Castle Class diagrams still available ? In "Across the West" [361763/30304/26] Posted by ray951 at 08:13, 27th May 2025 | |
They are listed on this website http://www.railtourinfo.co.uk/locohauled.html
But they don't appear to have been updated for the May 2025 timetable change, if there were any.
| Re: Are Castle Class diagrams still available ? In "Across the West" [361762/30304/26] Posted by bradshaw at 07:55, 27th May 2025 | |
The 11.28 Exeter to Penzance is booked for them today according to RTT
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P08887/2025-05-27/detailed#allox_id=0
Your best bet is to enter Pnz in RTT and go through each service to/from Plymouth or Exeter
| Are Castle Class diagrams still available ? In "Across the West" [361761/30304/26] Posted by lbraine at 07:08, 27th May 2025 | |
Hoping some informed members can help....
Son and I are off to the West Country (based in Exeter) for the week - and his request is to ride one of the remaining Castle Class 'units'.
Are they still diagrammed or have the 175's taken over now ?
I've searched GWR timetable, RTT and on this site and cannot find any list (or mention) of the diagrams being worked (if any).
Many thanks in advance
| Re: A Journey in Lithuania In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [361760/30301/52] Posted by grahame at 07:06, 27th May 2025 Already liked by GBM, froome, PrestburyRoad | |
Train from Vilnius to Trakai - a 30 minute ride. We stopped at an intermdiate stations at Paneriai where a vast frieght yard emphasised how important the goods traffic is to the railway here and the bareness of the station emphasised how little concern there is for the comfort of passengers - few seats, no canopies, nothing much on the long platforms. At one end, a subway, at the other a high bridge, and one lady who got off our train didn't face the hike but rather just walked over the (three) tracks to get to the exit. Platforms are low, but such practise would be frowned upon in the UK. Along the line, double track as far as Senieji Trakia, men were working on the overhead caternaty from a work train as we passed on the adjacent track; we were electic and I presume the power was on to us. We did slow at one point to what seemed to be an unguarded rail crossing, but took other crossings at line speed - half barriers stopping the traffic and just a chicane of fences to slow down / caution pedestrians. Nothing as fancy as gates, let alone ones that were remotely locked. And, yes, there were people around.
| Re: Cardiff Bay Station branch In "Shorter journeys in South and West Wales" [361758/26486/23] Posted by anthony215 at 00:34, 27th May 2025 | |
Platform 1 is now out of use at Cardiff Bay with Platform 2 having come into use and this only being accessible from lloyd George avenue
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361757/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 21:21, 26th May 2025 | |
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: Through Fares from Cotswold line stations to Chiltern Stations In "London to the Cotswolds" [361756/30296/14] Posted by paul7575 at 19:18, 26th May 2025 Already liked by Mark A, IndustryInsider, Oxonhutch | |
It’s about time fares managers were tasked well in advance to determine the impact of new routes, and setup necessary fares prior to opening.
What are the odds they’ll be taken completely by surprise by EWR’s opening, there’ll be a significant number of obvious new routes become available.
Didn’t some journeys around the same area, eg from South of Oxford, generate a route via Banbury rather than Oxford Parkway?
Paul
| Re: Staff benefits lost with nationalisation In "Fare's Fair" [361755/30299/4] Posted by grahame at 19:05, 26th May 2025 | |
One of the stated benefits of nationalisation is that it will make systems and fares less complicated - and the means loosing some of the none-universal perks and benefits. For staff as well as for the customers of the business.
I'm aware when catching trains from Southampton to Bournemouth that customers using GroupSave have been able to use one operator's trains and not another's ... as both of those companies become part of the national operator, will groupsave be expanded to cover all service, or dropped in the interest of standardisation and simplification (and taking more money without it being a "fare rise")
| Re: Shipping services across the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361754/30207/28] Posted by johnneyw at 18:46, 26th May 2025 | |
It looks like the company Ocean Prime wants to carry out research to gauge interest in ferry services possibly based in Swansea and Ilfracombe and not just serving each other but overseas destinations as well including Cork plus further afield.
Here's the article that I came across.
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/devon-top-european-destinations-ferry-10201008
| Re: Staff benefits lost with nationalisation In "Fare's Fair" [361753/30299/4] Posted by johnneyw at 18:21, 26th May 2025 | |
Would it be too unrealistic to suggest that these lost perks may be intended to be used as bargaining chips in future wage negotiations with the unions?
| Re: Staff benefits lost with nationalisation In "Fare's Fair" [361752/30299/4] Posted by LiskeardRich at 13:56, 26th May 2025 | |
SWR staff have also lost access to First bus weekly tickets they could purchase for, I believe £5-6.
Other TOC staff have also lost access to SWR.
First bus staff have lost their £6 SWR day Rovers too.
| Re: Fare evasion rates - some Irish stats. Are there UK figures of the same sort? In "Fare's Fair" [361751/30302/4] Posted by stuving at 11:52, 26th May 2025 Already liked by Mark A, eightonedee | |
Fare evasion, Ireland - from RTE
I wonder what the comparable stats for the UK and the GWR area might be ...
Fare dodgers cost public transport services estimated €20m
Over €20 million was lost in revenue on public transport services last year due to fare dodgers, according to estimates by transport regulatory bodies.
Figures released under Freedom of Information legislation by the National Transport Authority (NTA) show the highest fare evasion rates in 2024 were on DART and commuter rail services with 6.9% of passengers not having a valid ticket for their journey.
[snip]
Fare evasion rates as high as 15% were recorded on Dublin-Drogheda, Dublin-Longford and Dublin-M3 Parkway services.
The level of fare evasion on DART services ranged from 4% to 6%, while the lowest rate was on Cork-Mallow services at 1.3%.
Over €20 million was lost in revenue on public transport services last year due to fare dodgers, according to estimates by transport regulatory bodies.
Figures released under Freedom of Information legislation by the National Transport Authority (NTA) show the highest fare evasion rates in 2024 were on DART and commuter rail services with 6.9% of passengers not having a valid ticket for their journey.
[snip]
Fare evasion rates as high as 15% were recorded on Dublin-Drogheda, Dublin-Longford and Dublin-M3 Parkway services.
The level of fare evasion on DART services ranged from 4% to 6%, while the lowest rate was on Cork-Mallow services at 1.3%.
I wonder what the comparable stats for the UK and the GWR area might be ...
Many forms of fraud are inherently not countable, so you won't find any real "statistics". And the piece quoted starts by talking about "estimates", before drifting into more positive terminology. Of course some are detected and can be recorded as such, so are the figures given as "recorded" just for that? Probably not, as it doesn't say so.
I guess the best you might get is an official (insiders') estimate, with elements of detection rates and some guesswork. In your case no doubt you'd want to know how these figures were arrived at too.
