Frome station - facilities, services, improvements, events and incidents - merged posts

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

I can go one better than that one BNM i'm afraid...!

I was with my friend a couple of months back, we decided to go out to a nightclub in Bristol and catch the 05:30 back to Bath...! Whilst we were down near the Hippodrome (sp?) about 3:00AM having a veggie burger and chips We spotted a complete and utter fool dropping his trousers against a wall when he was less than 10 metres away from a Portaloo... Just what you want to see when you're eating...!

Some people... Jeez...

[dviner]

This trains delays seem to get dumped down to either a signal failure or non maintenance of a flail strip.
What the hell is a flail strip?

An area of up to 5 metres from the running rail which is clear of foliage (so it doesn't "flail" any services passing through that area). This is distinct from "gauge", which (I believe) is more to do with hard structures.

Somehow, I wouldn't want to be flailed by a bridge. 

[tramway]

Not that I wish to go on about this... But the 18:28 Trowbridge - Weymouth was delayed by 45 minutes today...

Quite a few problems, incl cancellations on Fri steming from I've been told cable theft in the Tunnel Junction area.

[thetrout]

I boared the 08:02 at Frome this morning. The train was on time

However it was a 2 car 158. Except the rear coach had no lighting... As Frome station has a canopy this made being able to see rather awkward. But this isn't my concern.

The 08:02 starts at Weymouth. So would have started it's journey during the hours of darkness (This morning it was still dark at 07:30 when I left home). Surely this is a safety issue?!

Interestingly enough I didn't think it was a train fault as you could see the light was on in the rear cab as you could see it shining through the bottom of the cab door as I got on. However when the guard who was at the front of the train came to the rear coach and completed a "Tickets from Frome" check, they switched on the lighting just before arrival into Westbury

[super tm]

So by the sound of it the guard was in the front coach.  When he came to the back coach he found the lights had gone off so he turned them back on again.  If you feel this was a safety issue may I suggest next time you find the guard and tell them about it ?

[thetrout]

You're right super tm, I could have got the guard who was indeed at the front of the train. I'm probably a little OTT^▸ (Open Train Times website) on the safety side of things (It's something i've had hammered into me since a young age, as my Dad is a Safety Director) and for that I apologise.

But I was more worried at the fact a stepped on some poor sod's foot as I couldn't see what I was doing properly - hence my comment

[Mookiemoo]

Now, going up to the end of the platform to micturate is just about acceptable, but to evacuate ones bladder in full view of a dozen or so people is, in my humble opinion, a tad unacceptable.

And if I had the need and had to squat?

Sorry - its double standards

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Frome Times:

Frome fights plans to withdraw funding for regional rail partnership

Frome Town Council has agreed to fight a proposal that Somerset County Council withdraws funding from the Heart of Wessex Community Rail Partnership.

The partnership is a joint venture between the train operating company (First Great Western) and local authorities along the Bristol to Weymouth line.

At the council^s external affairs committee, members learned that the proposal is due to come before Somerset County Council^s Cabinet in November.

The partnership has played a key role in coordinating volunteer activity, promotional work and securing service and station improvements over its 10 year history.  This has included improvements to Frome station.

Speaking about the proposal, cllr Peter Macfadyen, Chair of external affairs said, ^Our worry is that the withdrawal of funding by Somerset County Council would result in other partners dropping out because Somerset is located in the middle of the route.

^Not only would this impact on promotion of the Bristol to Weymouth line and volunteer work along its route, but also it would weaken the region^s voice in influencing future investment by the train operating company, Network Rail and the Department for Transport.  Whilst the partnership is currently focused on the Bristol to Weymouth line, it has the potential to provide a strong voice for the region in relation to rail investment.

^This is a classic example of where saving a tiny amount of money will cascade into long term loss of volunteers, investment and regional income and a more thought through approach is required.^

In addition to writing to the county council, the town council is contacting other communities along the Bristol to Weymouth line to encourage them to take action.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Somerset Standard:

Frome Town Council fight to keep rail funding

Frome Town Council has agreed to fight a proposal by Somerset County Council to withdraw ^5,000 funding from the Heart of Wessex Community Rail Partnership.

The partnership is a joint venture between the train operating company First Great Western and local authorities along the Bristol to Weymouth line.

At a recent external affairs committee, members learned that the proposal is due to come before Somerset County Council's Cabinet this month.

The town council heard the partnership had played a key role in coordinating volunteer activity, promotional work and securing service and station improvements over its ten-year history. The council was also concerned it could have an adverse affect on tourism for Frome. This has included improvements to Frome station.

Speaking about the proposal, chairman of external affairs, Councillor Peter Macfadyen, said: "Our worry is that the withdrawal of funding by Somerset County Council would result in other partners dropping out because Somerset is located in the middle of the route. Not only would this impact on promotion of the Bristol to Weymouth line and volunteer work along its route but also it would weaken the region's voice in influencing future investment by the train operating company, Network Rail and the Department for Transport. While the partnership is currently focused on the Bristol to Weymouth line, it has the potential to provide a strong voice for the region in relation to rail investment. This is a classic example of where saving a tiny amount of money will cascade into long term loss of volunteers, investment and regional income and a more thought through approach is required."

In addition to writing to the county council, the town council is contacting other communities along the Bristol to Weymouth line to encourage them to take action.

The county council was due to make a decision this week on the funding but it has been deferred until later this month.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Frome Standard:

Frome Railway Station refurbishment celebration to be held on Friday


Frome Station before


Frome Station now

There will be celebrations on Friday at Frome Railway Station to mark the completion of a major renovation project by Network Rail.

The event is being hosted by First Great Western who manage the station and run the local rail services, and the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership whose voluntary Community Rail Team from all along the line will be there in force during the morning to help prepare the station for the event.

The Mayor of Frome, Councillor Dickon Moore and members of Frome Town Council will be at the celebrations at 12 noon.

Frome Station is a unique example of historic railway architecture of national importance due to the timber construction of the train shed, which is one of the oldest still in use.

Frome Station was originally part of the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway designed by J.R. Hannaford and opened in 1850. It is now a Grade 2 listed building.

The detailed and painstaking restoration project took over six months to complete by a specialist team from Network Rail, and cost ^700,000.

Andy Fant, Senior Asset Manager for Network Rail says: "The condition of the station had deteriorated significantly over its 164 years of service and we identified that extensive refurbishment of the timber work and a renewal of the electrical system were required to safeguard its future, not just because of its heritage status, but also due to its importance to the community of Frome given that there has been a doubling in the number of passengers using the station over the last ten years.

The project has taken longer to complete than was originally intended. Despite incredibly detailed examinations of the structure at the outset to identify the necessary works, it was only after work commenced and a truly intrusive examination of the hidden parts was possible was it realised that the extent of the work was more significant than had been anticipated.

After considering the options, Network Rail took the decision to invest the additional money needed required to ensure all the additional repairs and renewal of the timber structure identified were undertaken as part of this scheme."

[JayMac]

[cynic]
Couldn't the Frome Standard have got their 'before' and 'after' pictures from the same end of the trainshed? Who's to say that the paint job encompasses both ends.
[/cynic]

 

[Red Squirrel]

From the Frome Standard:

Andy Fant, Senior Asset Manager for Network Rail says: "The condition of the station had deteriorated significantly over its 164 years of service..."

<rant>
If the building had had no maintenance in 164 years, it would at best resemble a pile of compost by now.

Buildings that are properly maintained do not significantly deteriorate.

The problem here was that it had not been properly maintained. So rather than congratulating themselves on bringing a listed building back from the brink, maybe Network Rail should invest in some paint and procedures - much cheaper in the long run!
</rant>

[trainer]

Now that the the station looks respectable again, do we finally have a Frome with a view?

[paul7575]

Now that the the station looks respectable again, do we finally have a Frome with a view?

These things take time.  Frome wasn't built in a day...

Paul

[bobm]

[cynic]
Couldn't the Frome Standard have got their 'before' and 'after' pictures from the same end of the trainshed? Who's to say that the paint job encompasses both ends.
[/cynic]

 

Just for everyone's peace of mind I can confirm that both ends have indeed been painted - as witnessed today.