Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Two plus Three seating in class 150? In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [361527/30255/25] Posted by grahame at 16:45, 15th May 2025 |      |
I remember 2+3 in the Wales & West 150/2s, these were converted to 2+2 when they were refurbished by Wessex Trains in 2002/3.
I have looked back at my pictures, and I suspect the carriage with 2 + 3 was part on 150202. Did it miss the refurb? Was it a later arrival?
Saw its older sister 150201 earlier today. Dressed differently, but looked like 2+3 as well.
| Re: May Timetable Change In "Across the West" [361525/30225/26] Posted by grahame at 15:54, 15th May 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
From GWR ...
Just a quick reminder that train timetables will be changing this Sunday, 18 May as part of the twice-yearly changes to timetables nationwide.
All amendments are now in journey planners and online systems, including www.gwr.com and National Rail Enquiries. We’re asking customers to double-check their journey before travelling as there may be some minor changes in timings affect their travel plans.
As well as our usual Summer Saturday services to Pembroke Dock, this change sees more connections to and from Gatwick Airport, helping to provide more rail options for customers travelling to and from the airport.
We’re also changing times on the Looe Valley line to provide quicker connections and a later train on the branch line, helping to increase opportunities both for leisure and business travel.
Looking ahead we are also adding some additional calls at Saltash to help with customers switching to rail from road during work on the Saltash road tunnels planned for later this year.
And finally, with a significant remodelling of CrossCountry train’s timetable, there will also be some changes to our services between Cardiff and Penzance. GWR will operate Penzance to Exeter direct, and Exeter to Cardiff (Taunton to Cardiff on Sundays), with cross-platform changes available at Newton Abbot/Taunton.
We have shared a news release here with more details of the changes - https://news.gwr.com/news/gwr-urges-customers-to-check-their-journey-as-timetable-changes-this-sunday - and as always if you have any questions please do not hesitate to let me know.
All amendments are now in journey planners and online systems, including www.gwr.com and National Rail Enquiries. We’re asking customers to double-check their journey before travelling as there may be some minor changes in timings affect their travel plans.
As well as our usual Summer Saturday services to Pembroke Dock, this change sees more connections to and from Gatwick Airport, helping to provide more rail options for customers travelling to and from the airport.
We’re also changing times on the Looe Valley line to provide quicker connections and a later train on the branch line, helping to increase opportunities both for leisure and business travel.
Looking ahead we are also adding some additional calls at Saltash to help with customers switching to rail from road during work on the Saltash road tunnels planned for later this year.
And finally, with a significant remodelling of CrossCountry train’s timetable, there will also be some changes to our services between Cardiff and Penzance. GWR will operate Penzance to Exeter direct, and Exeter to Cardiff (Taunton to Cardiff on Sundays), with cross-platform changes available at Newton Abbot/Taunton.
We have shared a news release here with more details of the changes - https://news.gwr.com/news/gwr-urges-customers-to-check-their-journey-as-timetable-changes-this-sunday - and as always if you have any questions please do not hesitate to let me know.
I kinda-associated the break of the Cardiff - Penzance service at Exeter with the introduction of 175s on the western leg of those service. Some see this split as a degradation, and it's interesting to associate it with the Cross Country changes
| Where was Finn today, 15th May 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [361524/30273/30] Posted by JayMac at 15:32, 15th May 2025 | |
Finn stopped and looked. He didn't listen though, what with being Mutt n' Jeff.
Bonus point for the exact name of the crossing.
| Re: Great British Railways In "Looking forward - the next 5, 10 and 20 years" [361523/30032/40] Posted by bobm at 12:51, 15th May 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Cholsey certainly did have GWR branding on the Up Relief platform in May 2019.
| Re: Great British Railways In "Looking forward - the next 5, 10 and 20 years" [361522/30032/40] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 12:04, 15th May 2025 | |
I’m currently on a journey from Charlbury to Basingstoke. Lots of the stations appear no longer to have GWR green branding on the signs. Most have FGW purple and Cholsey appeared to have nothing at all.
I swear that at least some of these (eg Oxford platform 3) were fully GWR-ed up until recently. Is this a deliberate debranding in anticipation of Great British Railways? Or am I imagining things and these were never GWR green at all?
| Re: Two plus Three seating in class 150? In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [361518/30255/25] Posted by Hafren at 22:21, 14th May 2025 | |
There were some of the 150s that don't have gangways (150/0?) transferred from West Mids to GWR in the 2010s IIRC. As they arrived well after the 2+2 refurbs were done they retained 3+2 seating. Not great when they turned up on the CDF-PMH journeys! I think most/all have left GWR since. Not sure if the remaining one was from that transfer or another one. I think some/all of the West Mids ones came in 3 car formation with /0 vehicles outside and a /1 vehicle in the middle i.e. middle car had gangways at both ends but outer cars didn't.
A couple of Northern 3+2 /1 units were with TfW temporarily in the last 1-2 years. Unlike the likes of Turbos where only the bays are 3+2, the 150s had 3+2 on the face-to-back seats as well, so two people have to move (or be climbed over) if the person in the window seat needs to get up. Comfort is also affected by the 3+2 seats being more bench-like, without armrests (or indeed space for them) and being low-backed - I find these affect the sense of personal space and make it harder to doze. Also the narrower gangways mean less space to stand or move around.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [361517/29711/14] Posted by charles_uk at 22:09, 14th May 2025 | |
Not showing on JourneyCheck but tonight's 1953 Paddington to Hereford and 2251 Paddington to Worcestershire Parkway are both five car short-formations which, presumably, will mean short-forms on the first two up services tomorrow morning.
| Re: English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) - now BRTA In "Who's who on Western railways" [361516/22385/2] Posted by Red Squirrel at 22:03, 14th May 2025 | |
I was there. All very interesting, and a good day out.
| Re: Bid to reduce single-use plastic at railway station - Bristol Temple Meads, 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361515/30270/51] Posted by Timmer at 19:14, 14th May 2025 Already liked by Red Squirrel, johnneyw | |
South Western Railways contribution to this is to replace its water point at Southampton Central with a pot plant! And then have repeated announcements to remind people to have enough water!!
Hope someone’s watering it. 
I’ll get my coat.| Re: Putting a number on the effect on passengers of cancellations In "Smoke and Mirrors" [361514/30257/3] Posted by John D at 17:47, 14th May 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Cancellations seem to still be a big thing on GWR
Latest figures show overall 3.68% cancelled
Reliability isn't great either, only 66.03% on time
0.31% are short formed (below the DfT agreed minimum)
https://www.gwr.com/-/media/gwr-sc-website/files/about-gwr/what-you-can-expect/our-performance/GWR-Periodic-Web-Report-P2513.pdf
So anyone with return journeys, each with change of train (4 trains in total) has high chance of not arriving on time (if train actually runs)
| Re: Bid to reduce single-use plastic at railway station - Bristol Temple Meads, 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361513/30270/51] Posted by CyclingSid at 15:44, 14th May 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
South Western Railways contribution to this is to replace its water point at Southampton Central with a pot plant! And then have repeated announcements to remind people to have enough water!!
| Re: English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) - now BRTA In "Who's who on Western railways" [361512/22385/2] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 14:56, 14th May 2025 | |
Yes but it's nice to go to the pub and chat with a couple of like minded souls occasionally.
| Re: English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) - now BRTA In "Who's who on Western railways" [361511/22385/2] Posted by ChrisB at 14:04, 14th May 2025 | |
Without money & members, it's a very small talking shop with a very high wishlist.
| Re: Major rail disruption after blaze close to tracks between Newport and Cardiff In "London to South Wales" [361510/30239/11] Posted by rogerw at 13:41, 14th May 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby, Chris from Nailsea, Western Pathfinder, Timmer, Mark A, Kempis, eightonedee | |
I was caught up in this on Sunday 4th. i had to travel up to London and I arrived at Bristol Parkway to find it full of people going nowhere fast. As I am currently having problems with my legs I had booked passenger assist but my booked 1555 departure was cancelled. I contacted a member of staff who advised me to stay in the waiting room and the supervisor would contact me when he had finished trying to sort out taxis. When he found me he said he would collect me nearer departure time once the platform for the 1655 (starting from BPW) had been confirmed. in the meantime regular announcements were being made about travel to south Wales explaining that there were difficulties sourcing replacement bus services because of the amount of engineering work in the area needing a significant number of replacement buses. the general mood among passengers was one of acceptance as they were being kept informed. anyway, about 20 minutes before my departure I was helped to my train and upgraded to first. The journey to Paddington went well and I was met and taken to the taxi rank by buggy. I thought that the staff at Parkway did a magnificent job despite their small number.
Incidentally I received my delay repayment in my bank account on Monday.
| Re: incident at Oldfield Park In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [361509/30271/10] Posted by Timmer at 13:36, 14th May 2025 | |
Cancellations to services between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads
Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident near the railway between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 14:00 14/05.
Customer Advice
We're sorry for the delay to your journey.
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All passengers wishing to travel to Bath Spa should change at Bristol Temple Meads for road transport.
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All passengers wishing to travel to Chippenham should change at Swindon for Wesbury services.
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Road transport is in place for passengers travelling between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa.
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Road transport is in place for passengers travelling between Chippenham and Bath Spa.
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You may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on the following First Bristol, Bath & the West bus routes:
19 - Bristol Parkway (Station) - Filton (Filton Road), Bath (Bus Station)
39/X39 - Bath (Bus Station), Keynsham (Church), Bristol (Temple Meads)
349 - Bristol (Temple Meads), Keynsham (St Johns Church)
Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident near the railway between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 14:00 14/05.
Customer Advice
We're sorry for the delay to your journey.
-
All passengers wishing to travel to Bath Spa should change at Bristol Temple Meads for road transport.
-
All passengers wishing to travel to Chippenham should change at Swindon for Wesbury services.
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Road transport is in place for passengers travelling between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa.
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Road transport is in place for passengers travelling between Chippenham and Bath Spa.
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You may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on the following First Bristol, Bath & the West bus routes:
19 - Bristol Parkway (Station) - Filton (Filton Road), Bath (Bus Station)
39/X39 - Bath (Bus Station), Keynsham (Church), Bristol (Temple Meads)
349 - Bristol (Temple Meads), Keynsham (St Johns Church)
| incident at Oldfield Park In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [361508/30271/10] Posted by infoman at 12:48, 14th May 2025 | |
reported at approx 11:45am Wednesday 14th May 2025
This is effecting trains through Chippenham and Bath and Bristol in both directions.
| Bid to reduce single-use plastic at railway station - Bristol Temple Meads, 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361507/30270/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:39, 14th May 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
From the BBC:
Rail passengers are being encouraged to ditch single-use plastic as they travel.
Network Rail and Bristol-based environmental charity City to Sea have installed free water refill stations and signs and digital screens encouraging rail passengers to use bottles throughout Bristol Temple Meads station.
City to Sea estimates around five million single-use plastic bottles are discarded across the county every day.
"By placing refilling at the heart of one of the UK's busiest travel hubs, we empowered hundreds of thousands of people to refill rather than reaching for a plastic bottle," said partnership manager Cyan Stuart. "This partnership with Network Rail shows just how powerful collaboration can be in driving behaviour change," she added.
The charity also provides an app which highlights where free water refills can be obtained. City to Sea estimates the refill station has already stopped more than 69,000 plastic bottles from being discarded.
Bristol Temple Meads' station manager at Network Rail, Gabriella Colwell, said: "We all have a part to play in tackling plastic pollution and we're proud to be working with City to Sea to make a difference at Bristol Temple Meads. By highlighting how simple and quick it is to fill up at the station, we're reducing the need for passengers to turn to single-use plastics."
| Re: English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) - now BRTA In "Who's who on Western railways" [361506/22385/2] Posted by grahame at 12:33, 14th May 2025 | |
I took a phone call earlier in the week and as I'm no longer a Town Councillor I didn't attend - BRTA organiser's call. I have been copied minutes for ciculation which suggests attenddance was 5 people (I may be 1 or 2 out)
Chair - David Ferguson
Apologies for absence - Richard Pill and David Start(BRTA members), Sarah Dyke (MP for Glastonbury & Somerton), Cllr.Richard Wilkins (Somerset Council), Alex Lawrie (Go-op Trains).
Radstock-Frome - We suggest that the West Wilts Rail Users Group would be best - which includes the Bristol-Weymouth service that uses Frome and Castle Cary. Both routes to Bath (for leisure/cycling rather than commuting) and Frome need route protection.
Barnstaple-Exeter - Crediton Junction uses a signal token where the Okehampton line diverges from the Barnstaple Line. In the longer term the refurbished Class 175s could be used on that route which will boost capacity.
Bristol Metro - We avidly support Pilning (on the South Wales main line close to the Severn Tunnel) which originally had 2 trains per week. That station is close to the Gloucester County Cricket ground and also some business parks. The former freight-only Tytherington branch is the proposed site of a new town at Thornbury,which neeeds a new station. A new station at North Filton (on the freight-only branch Bristol Parkway to Severn Beach) is needed since a Malaysian conglomerate is developing 1000 new homes. As regards the Portishead branch, the final business case is expected in July, and the proposed stations have only 1 platform - Pill and Portishead. On the Bristol Temple Meads-Bath route, there are line capacity issues which could affect both St.Annes Park and Saltford.
New Stations West of England - Cullompton Station is expected to be given the go-ahead by Devon County Council fairly soon. Meanwhile Devizes Parkway is a top priority. There is an alignment at Savernake Junction which used to run to Marlborough and is only 5 miles, which is better than the present terminus at Bedwyn.
New Stations South Wales Main Line - Grove Road Wantage is a top priority.
New Stations South West Main Line - Chard Junction is a top priority.
Bristol Temple Meads-Weymouth - Upgrade of Castle Cary Station very important, since it is used for the Glastonbury Festival and also the Bath & West Show at Shepton Mallet. Also Yeovil Junction-Yeovil Town should be double-tracked.
New Bridge River Severn - The River Severn is the second largest tide in Great Britain. The Western Gateway partnership has no money at present.
Bridport/Seaton/Lyme Regis - There is only 1 mile from the South West Main Line at Seaton Junction (between Axminster and Honiton) to the Seaton Tramway, which could be useful from road to rail access.
Bere Alston-Tavistock - A further 260 homes are being developed, which again must be a top priority.
Gravity Site Bridgwater - This must be a heavy rail option.
Apologies for absence - Richard Pill and David Start(BRTA members), Sarah Dyke (MP for Glastonbury & Somerton), Cllr.Richard Wilkins (Somerset Council), Alex Lawrie (Go-op Trains).
Radstock-Frome - We suggest that the West Wilts Rail Users Group would be best - which includes the Bristol-Weymouth service that uses Frome and Castle Cary. Both routes to Bath (for leisure/cycling rather than commuting) and Frome need route protection.
Barnstaple-Exeter - Crediton Junction uses a signal token where the Okehampton line diverges from the Barnstaple Line. In the longer term the refurbished Class 175s could be used on that route which will boost capacity.
Bristol Metro - We avidly support Pilning (on the South Wales main line close to the Severn Tunnel) which originally had 2 trains per week. That station is close to the Gloucester County Cricket ground and also some business parks. The former freight-only Tytherington branch is the proposed site of a new town at Thornbury,which neeeds a new station. A new station at North Filton (on the freight-only branch Bristol Parkway to Severn Beach) is needed since a Malaysian conglomerate is developing 1000 new homes. As regards the Portishead branch, the final business case is expected in July, and the proposed stations have only 1 platform - Pill and Portishead. On the Bristol Temple Meads-Bath route, there are line capacity issues which could affect both St.Annes Park and Saltford.
New Stations West of England - Cullompton Station is expected to be given the go-ahead by Devon County Council fairly soon. Meanwhile Devizes Parkway is a top priority. There is an alignment at Savernake Junction which used to run to Marlborough and is only 5 miles, which is better than the present terminus at Bedwyn.
New Stations South Wales Main Line - Grove Road Wantage is a top priority.
New Stations South West Main Line - Chard Junction is a top priority.
Bristol Temple Meads-Weymouth - Upgrade of Castle Cary Station very important, since it is used for the Glastonbury Festival and also the Bath & West Show at Shepton Mallet. Also Yeovil Junction-Yeovil Town should be double-tracked.
New Bridge River Severn - The River Severn is the second largest tide in Great Britain. The Western Gateway partnership has no money at present.
Bridport/Seaton/Lyme Regis - There is only 1 mile from the South West Main Line at Seaton Junction (between Axminster and Honiton) to the Seaton Tramway, which could be useful from road to rail access.
Bere Alston-Tavistock - A further 260 homes are being developed, which again must be a top priority.
Gravity Site Bridgwater - This must be a heavy rail option.
A useful review / reminder of some good projects, and some which I really don't see happening in the time visible in my crystal ball.
Their organiser's review of the meeting
FYI scroll up or down. Westbury Forum is a reasonable success and we welcome feedback. Need to fix a forum in Exeter and get the submitted Devon Rail Page to the Campaigns Pages esp. Tavistock and Bideford Reopenings.
I think Westbury is worth keeping on with and 2026 an Exeter meeting should be added with Coghill. I will put edited on the Facebook etc for wider appreciation. All the agenda is BRTA Policy, so I ignore dissent unless a very good argument.
I think Westbury is worth keeping on with and 2026 an Exeter meeting should be added with Coghill. I will put edited on the Facebook etc for wider appreciation. All the agenda is BRTA Policy, so I ignore dissent unless a very good argument.
| Re: Heart of Wessex (from Melksham) - should I renew my railcard for this year? In "Heart of Wessex" [361505/24746/19] Posted by grahame at 08:28, 14th May 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
The 06:36 from Melksham via Westbury if now the 06:32 and it DOES usually connect into the early train to Weymouth - unofficially and with a scramble underneath at Westbury - according to regulars is "usually" works. Best day return fare on this for Weymouth looks like it's now a split at Maiden Newton.
It's 2025: it's reasonable to ask why the UK is still in the business of overseeing the railway's degrading of services that previously connected with each other.
Mark
Yes - this is a case where an improvement in one area lead to a failure in another. Previously, one service ran every 3 hours and the other ran every 2 hours, making for a decent connection once every six hours. The three hourly service has been stepped up to every 2 hours, and in theory that is good for people on the line but in practise it has broken a number of previously relied on times and connections; those are not the major uses of the line and so, perhaps, a loss to be understood.
The real solution for both TransWilts and Heart of Wessex is to run them both hourly. And the long term, proper, solution for 2026 would be an hourly Swindon - Weymouth service, an hourly Bristol - Salisbury - Southampton - Romsey stopper, and with cross platform connections between the two trains every hour at Westbury. You know it makes sense. Varients are possible - to ensure the service works for those with a fear of getting out of one train and into another, alternative hours the trains could continue the opposite way, so Swindon - Southampton - Romsey and Bristol - Weymouth.
| Re: Heart of Wessex (from Melksham) - should I renew my railcard for this year? In "Heart of Wessex" [361504/24746/19] Posted by Mark A at 08:02, 14th May 2025 Already liked by eightonedee, Witham Bobby | |
The 06:36 from Melksham via Westbury if now the 06:32 and it DOES usually connect into the early train to Weymouth - unofficially and with a scramble underneath at Westbury - according to regulars is "usually" works. Best day return fare on this for Weymouth looks like it's now a split at Maiden Newton.
It's 2025: it's reasonable to ask why the UK is still in the business of overseeing the railway's degrading of services that previously connected with each other.
Mark
| Re: Heart of Wessex (from Melksham) - should I renew my railcard for this year? In "Heart of Wessex" [361503/24746/19] Posted by grahame at 05:52, 14th May 2025 | |
A question came up at last night's meeting as to whether the old ENCTS scheme that allowed a railcard discount to ENCTS card holders from Westbury to Weymouth and from Swindon to Worcester is still in operation (ENCTS hours only). On lines where there's no parallel bus service, the idea was to see whether a bus card discount on the train would be useful. Uptake was low, and the revenue outcome cost neutral, and the scheme was left it place. Is it still there??
Also to note on the thread I am following up ... 2x3 hour gaps have been replaced by 3x2 hour gaps from Westbury to Weymouth, and this has torn asunder the Melksham to Weymouth morning connection Monday to Friday. The 06:36 from Melksham via Westbury if now the 06:32 and it DOES usually connect into the early train to Weymouth - unofficially and with a scramble underneath at Westbury - according to regulars is "usually" works. Best day return fare on this for Weymouth looks like it's now a split at Maiden Newton.
| Re: Champion Reflections In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [361502/30259/47] Posted by PhilWakely at 22:38, 13th May 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
The return from Plymouth started 40 minutes late after being held up by control who, we were told, were concerned that if we departed on time, there was a risk of delaying scheduled services because of the time it would take to "cross onto the South Devon Railway at Totnes". If this really is what was the cause, it's the biggest load of hookum I've heard in a long time.
Sort of true! The timing of the tour meant that departure from Totnes and crossover to the branch was just 3 minutes after the last scheduled SDR service of the day, so there would have been a possibility of blocking the main line until the scheduled SDR service had cleared Staverton. Also, that scheduled SDR service was timed to take 30 minutes to get to Buckfastleigh, but the tour only 20 minutes - so something had to give.
| Re: And on a hot summer's evening ... In "Heart of Wessex" [361500/30269/19] Posted by WSW Frome at 17:33, 13th May 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
The 21.28 WEY service is Mo-Th only. It runs ecs on Fr and there is no Sa or Su equivalent.
The Fr ecs is clearly designed to mitigate the potential disturbance problem.
BTP did police the later Sa service (then at c20.20, but now runs slightly later), during the higher season periods. They did this by checking entry and also travelling to Yeovil! I have not used this service recently but I imagine there will still be some controls at least in the Summer months.
| Re: Champion Reflections In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [361499/30259/47] Posted by GBM at 15:33, 13th May 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, JayMac, Witham Bobby | |
I was on-board this train, treating myself to an early 70th birthday present with my wife, Pullman Class from Warwick Parkway
Absolutely excellent day out. Five stars. Would recommend. * * * * *
Absolutely excellent day out. Five stars. Would recommend. * * * * *
Many thanks for that lovely description.
Sorely tempted.
