Great Western Coffee Shop

I've just returned home from somewhere on the FGW network: any suggestions?  Both pictures were taken at the same location.

(http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8484/picture138g.jpg) (http://img254.imageshack.us/i/picture138g.jpg/)

(http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8484/picture141.jpg) (http://img534.imageshack.us/i/picture141.jpg/)

Swindon somewhere  :P

Just east of Bath Spa?

No, not Swindon - but I see your line of reasoning.  ;)


No, not east of Bath Spa.  :)

Kemble....and that's the old Tetbury platform?

Blimey, that was quick!  Correct - excellent answer, Richard: full marks!  ;) :D ;D

I spent some time exploring Kemble station this afternoon: it's a fascinating piece of railway history.

It was intriguing that some parts of it are apparently derelict (my second picture, for example) - but within yards of that photo being taken, this was happening - just the other side of that apparent ruin!

(http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/7145/picture133bp.jpg) (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/picture133bp.jpg/)

I've had a similar wander around Kemble station, Chris, and completely agree.

I spent a very pleasant day a couple of years ago exploring the Tetbury and Cirencester lines using what must count as the rail replacement bus, which then ran roughly every two hours between Tetbury, Kemble station and Cirencester (and hopefully still does).

I even had a pint at the famous Trouble House Inn which is now an upmarket "foodie" pub.

There's talk of Sustrans taking over the Tetbury branch and creating a cycleway.  From what I could see, apart from a few missing overbridges, it should be pretty straightforward. 

Thanks, Richard!

I've no idea about the bus service - I was driving between Tetbury and Cirencester via Kemble today (owing to there being no trains, sadly ::) )

I drove past the Trouble House Inn - any idea why it's called that? - and I was nearly rammed by a succession of Jaguars and Range Rovers turning into their car park: I decided not to stop!  ::)

I also agree on the Tetbury branch being suitable for a cycleway - all in place, apart from a few overbridges, as you say!  ;)

Certainly does, Stagecoach route 881, subsidised by Gloucestershire County Council, which runs Monday-Saturday. There are also a few Cirencester-Kemble journeys operated by Pulham's Coaches route 855, which runs on the Fosse Way from Moreton-in-Marsh to Cirencester, so with a bit of careful planning you can probably manage some sort of circular trip taking in both of the Cotswolds' surviving rail routes and a stop or two along the way.