Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Travelling Post Office and Royal Mail trains - merged topics In "Railway History and related topics" [370842/24488/55] Posted by grahame at 10:59, 10th January 2026 |      |
Very good update yesterday from Courier Checker
On this day 22 years ago, the last Travelling Post Office made its final journey.
The night of 9/10 January 2004 marked the end of sorting mail on moving trains – a service that had run for 166 years.
The night of 9/10 January 2004 marked the end of sorting mail on moving trains – a service that had run for 166 years.
Travelling Post Offices - with sorting on the way - ran from 1838 to 2004, and then (carrying mail but not sorting on the move) the last dedicated mail train ran in 2024.
Letters posted have changed out of all recognition. Twenty Five years ago, we at Well House Consultants produced a printed brochure that we mailed out twice a year to around 1000 customers and prospective customers, we invoiced by post, paid bills by cheque in the post and received payments from customers in the same way. A trip into Melksham to pay in cheques at our local bank branch was a regular undertaking.
The local branches of all of the big banks have closed, and although concerned we ourselves have not really missed them. There is still a Nationwide and a Coventy in town, and a Post Office too. And the Post Office still has that tradition of people queueing out of the door with less than half the five tills staffed. People for the most part are posting parcels; my own visits are very occasional - before Christmas to mail out a handful of hard copies of the Melksham Timetable to operators based away from the town, and last week to email a legal document for which I needed proof of posting and with no online alternative being available.
| Re: Storm Goretti 'weather bomb' to hit South West England In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370841/31405/25] Posted by a-driver at 10:18, 10th January 2026 | |
If your travelling to Cornwall from London today the latest you can depart is at 1303. Sleeper's cancelled and all other services will terminate at Plymouth.
The preceding 12:05 to Penzance appears to be soldiering on. It left Truro over two hours late just after 18:30 but looks not to have moved past Penwithers Junction on the way to Redruth since 18:42.
The 13:03 relies on a connection at Plymouth to reach Cornwall and that is just ahead of the 12:05 but again seems not to be moving, having overtaken it at Truro.
To complete the story, the 12:05 finally reached Penzance at 21:01 - nearly four hours late. The connection off the 13:03 arrived half an hour earlier - delayed by an hour and 45 minutes.
The 12:05 did sit at Saltash for close to 90 minutes waiting on an ambulance for an ill passenger - that didn't help with the storm incoming.
Some GWR staff got stranded and were forced to sleep the night in the depot. Early in the morning there was a belief the storm would be worse then expected so GWR did, some would say for a change, a top job in keeping everyone safe,
| Re: Storm Goretti 'weather bomb' to hit South West England In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370840/31405/25] Posted by Pb_devon at 08:46, 10th January 2026 Already liked by Oxonhutch, Western Pathfinder, Mark A | |
The Cornwall duty NR MOM, the well known Craig Munday, has described his shift for the night on the CRS daily news here https://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/latest-input--news--old-pictures-etc
It’s currently (0845 10/1/25) at the top but later readers may have to scroll down to the 10 Jan section.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [370839/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 08:40, 10th January 2026 | |
07:45 Westbury to Chippenham due 08:11
07:45 Westbury to Chippenham due 08:11 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Last Updated:10/01/2026 07:05
07:45 Westbury to Chippenham due 08:11 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Last Updated:10/01/2026 07:05
Here is that same train 4 weeks ago - 14th December. At that date, it was running to both Chippenham and Swindon. For today, it had been cut back to Chippenham because of planned engineering, and then less than an hour before it was due, it was cancelled.
Image © 2026 by Graham Ellis is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. I am taking this opportunity to post / remind readers of the copyright on my photographs shared / used on the Coffee Shop - it's been a recent subject of discussion (here) and it's worthy of occasional reminder.
| BRTA, Westbury Forum, 9th May 2026 In "Diary - what's happening when?" [370838/31418/34] Posted by grahame at 08:17, 10th January 2026 | |
Sharing from my email
Dear All,
I am a member of the British Regional Transport Association(BRTA), which is a small unincorporated voluntary association which subject to resources, seeks to advance towards better public transport across the United Kingdom. Indeed, we are very keen to see a rolling programme of local line reopenings, rebuilds and select new builds of conventional railways for passenger and freight. We also campaign for an environmentally friendly, integrated, comprehensive, inclusive and affordable transport system including buses, cycling and pedestrian facilities.
I am now writing to say that the BRTA will be holding another Westbury Forum on Saturday, 9 May at the Railway Inn, Station Road, Westbury BA13 4HW https://www.railwayinn-westbury.co.uk/index (Phone 01373-228109) and I am wondering whether any of you would like to attend that meeting. Please do let me know whether or not you would be attending.
Website: https://brtarail.com/southwest/
Yours faithfully,
Simon Barber - Administrator
British Regional Transport Association
I am a member of the British Regional Transport Association(BRTA), which is a small unincorporated voluntary association which subject to resources, seeks to advance towards better public transport across the United Kingdom. Indeed, we are very keen to see a rolling programme of local line reopenings, rebuilds and select new builds of conventional railways for passenger and freight. We also campaign for an environmentally friendly, integrated, comprehensive, inclusive and affordable transport system including buses, cycling and pedestrian facilities.
I am now writing to say that the BRTA will be holding another Westbury Forum on Saturday, 9 May at the Railway Inn, Station Road, Westbury BA13 4HW https://www.railwayinn-westbury.co.uk/index (Phone 01373-228109) and I am wondering whether any of you would like to attend that meeting. Please do let me know whether or not you would be attending.
Website: https://brtarail.com/southwest/
Yours faithfully,
Simon Barber - Administrator
British Regional Transport Association
I attended a previous BRTA meeting at the same venue. I'll let Simon know that whilst I would like to attend, I will be meeting my cousins visiting the Netherlands from their home in the USA that day and have to turn down invite. I found the previous meeting very useful in helping to bring some "left field" ideas to the table there, giving me an opportunity to give them a thought and consider whether there was a logic in some of them. It was also an opportunity to network with a handful of others and to fill in those visiting on various current ideas with which we were all more familiar.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [370837/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 07:49, 10th January 2026 | |
08:44 Chippenham to Westbury due 09:19
08:44 Chippenham to Westbury due 09:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Last Updated:10/01/2026 07:20
08:44 Chippenham to Westbury due 09:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Last Updated:10/01/2026 07:20
07:45 Westbury to Chippenham due 08:11
07:45 Westbury to Chippenham due 08:11 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Last Updated:10/01/2026 07:05
07:45 Westbury to Chippenham due 08:11 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Last Updated:10/01/2026 07:05
| Re: WECA becomes WEMCA - December 2025 / January 2026 In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [370835/31414/21] Posted by stuving at 21:49, 9th January 2026 | |
The launch of the WEMCA branding was in December 2024, which I missed. That date agrees with what Wikipedia says. I don't think you need to feel any shame if you missed it completely!
| Re: MetroWest services begin In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [370834/25753/21] Posted by TonyK at 21:06, 9th January 2026 | |
Mark Weston is of course the Councillor for Henbury & Brentry - I suspect that a fair chunk of his constituents work in Avonmouth and would benefit from an extension of the line to Severn Beach / Avonmouth, particularly if a new station was built near the Amazon depot.
Some years ago, I was working in the now closed Jobcentre in Stapleton Road. I wasn't doing work coaching stuff, but was aware of developments. A logistics centre in Severn Beach, before Amazon, needed night shift staff. I realised that very few people seemed to know that Severn Beach was accessible by train. One manager, who in fairness lived elsewhere, asked how people would get to Temple Meads, and was shocked when I pointed out the station a couple of hundred metres away. Despite this, I saw a number of young men without their own transport jump at the chance, showing that rumours of nobody wanting a job were unfounded, none of whom were put off by the train times not fitting the shift pattern. Alas, having to arrive at work almost an hour before the shift starts, then spend over an hour in a shelter on the the platform hoping the first train home wasn't cancelled can knock the enthusiasm out of the keenest young worker. Many did not last the second week. I suggested asking the company to be more flexible with timings, but despite their desperation for staff, they couldn't/wouldn't change. Which is sad.
Mark Weston is probably in a far better position to talk to employers on Severnside and in Avonmouth about things like this, and may be able to boost any business case for the loop with answers to the right questions. Poor transport links are often cited as a hurdle to employment and expansion, so why not take the opportunity to do some real in-depth research into not what would be achieved as things stand, but what could be achieved by linking housing and employment centres well away from the traditional central area.
| Re: Storm Goretti 'weather bomb' to hit South West England In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370831/31405/25] Posted by TonyK at 20:44, 9th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A, Pb_devon, PrestburyRoad | |
We had no snow in Devon. I was woken by wind last night, and it sounded bad outside as well.
To make up for it, I watched this programme on BBC4, which has a long section from way back when with lots of footage of Devon railways during the 1962-63 winter. Worth a watch.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01q9d86/winterwatch-1963-the-big-freeze
| Re: Person hit by train, Taunton 24/10/2025 - Harry Basham, age 17, walking to work In "London to the West" [370830/30967/12] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:23, 9th January 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Mum of boy killed at Taunton rail crossing calls for change
Image not available to guests
Leanne Golding said her son Harry Basham used the crossing regularly to get to work
The mother of a boy killed on a pedestrian railway crossing is calling for urgent safety improvements to "stop others going through" the same.
Harry Basham, 17, was struck by a train in Taunton, Somerset just before 07:00 GMT on 24 October as he walked to work.
His mum Leanne Golding wants to see changes before her son's inquest takes place in May, saying "lighting needs to be in place, a traffic light system and gates that lock".
Network Rail has described what happened as a "tragic accident" and said it will "engage with local authorities, stakeholders and the community on the future of the crossing".
Image not available to guests
Harry Basham's family wants to see safety improvements at the foot crossing in Taunton
Golding said her son would have walked across the foot crossing "hundreds of times" to get to and from work. "It would have been pitch black that morning, nothing is lit up. The gates don't lock, you don't know when the train's coming. We're not here to blame anyone, we just don't want it to happen to anyone else," she added.
Network Rail said train drivers were instructed to sound their horn at some crossings and it urged people to be alert. Trackside signs, known as whistle boards, instruct train drivers to warn pedestrians they are approaching, but Golding said the family were not sure at what time in the morning drivers start sounding their horns.
Image not available to guests
Tributes to Harry Basham have been left near the foot crossing
A petition calling for safety improvements at the crossing has been set up on Change.org by family friend Vicky Butland. "I just hugely believe it would have prevented this tragedy if these safety measures were in place. I am doing this in Harry's name. It's a huge loss of life and we will forever remember him," she added.
The family's campaign is being supported by the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington Gideon Amos. "Ideally I would like to see an alternative crossing, an underpass or a footbridge. I am meeting with Network Rail next week so that we can discuss what the options are," Amos added.
In a statement, Network Rail said: "Our thoughts are with Harry's family and friends and the local community following the tragic accident at the 5/13 railway crossing. Network Rail will of course co-operate with the inquest and any relevant investigations as is appropriate," it added.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said it sent a team of inspectors to the scene at the time of the incident. A spokesperson added: "RAIB has submitted a report summarising the evidence gathered during our preliminary examination to His Majesty's Coroner. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic accident," they added.
Image not available to guests
Leanne Golding said her son Harry Basham used the crossing regularly to get to work
The mother of a boy killed on a pedestrian railway crossing is calling for urgent safety improvements to "stop others going through" the same.
Harry Basham, 17, was struck by a train in Taunton, Somerset just before 07:00 GMT on 24 October as he walked to work.
His mum Leanne Golding wants to see changes before her son's inquest takes place in May, saying "lighting needs to be in place, a traffic light system and gates that lock".
Network Rail has described what happened as a "tragic accident" and said it will "engage with local authorities, stakeholders and the community on the future of the crossing".
Image not available to guests
Harry Basham's family wants to see safety improvements at the foot crossing in Taunton
Golding said her son would have walked across the foot crossing "hundreds of times" to get to and from work. "It would have been pitch black that morning, nothing is lit up. The gates don't lock, you don't know when the train's coming. We're not here to blame anyone, we just don't want it to happen to anyone else," she added.
Network Rail said train drivers were instructed to sound their horn at some crossings and it urged people to be alert. Trackside signs, known as whistle boards, instruct train drivers to warn pedestrians they are approaching, but Golding said the family were not sure at what time in the morning drivers start sounding their horns.
Image not available to guests
Tributes to Harry Basham have been left near the foot crossing
A petition calling for safety improvements at the crossing has been set up on Change.org by family friend Vicky Butland. "I just hugely believe it would have prevented this tragedy if these safety measures were in place. I am doing this in Harry's name. It's a huge loss of life and we will forever remember him," she added.
The family's campaign is being supported by the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington Gideon Amos. "Ideally I would like to see an alternative crossing, an underpass or a footbridge. I am meeting with Network Rail next week so that we can discuss what the options are," Amos added.
In a statement, Network Rail said: "Our thoughts are with Harry's family and friends and the local community following the tragic accident at the 5/13 railway crossing. Network Rail will of course co-operate with the inquest and any relevant investigations as is appropriate," it added.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said it sent a team of inspectors to the scene at the time of the incident. A spokesperson added: "RAIB has submitted a report summarising the evidence gathered during our preliminary examination to His Majesty's Coroner. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic accident," they added.
| Re: WECA becomes WEMCA - December 2025 / January 2026 In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [370829/31414/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:50, 9th January 2026 | |
However, their use of the WEMCA name throughout, even before it was made public, makes it impossible to know whether December was the public launch of the name or a relaunch!
Thanks, stuving. It wasn't just me, wasting my valuable time trying to work out what happened, then. I'll expand the heading of this topic accordingly. Image not available to guests
| Re: WECA becomes WEMCA - December 2025 / January 2026 In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [370828/31414/21] Posted by stuving at 18:05, 9th January 2026 | |
There was a rather silly FoI exchange on this. The response says:
The legal name of the Authority is set out in the West of England Combined
Authority Order 2017 as “the West of England Combined Authority”.
The legal name has not been changed. There is therefore no correspondence
to HM Government requesting the change of the name of the authority.
Authority Order 2017 as “the West of England Combined Authority”.
The legal name has not been changed. There is therefore no correspondence
to HM Government requesting the change of the name of the authority.
WEMCA is a branding. There is a bit more information about them being upset that they have so little public recognition (a common problem!). So there was a relaunch of the new branding in December with new logos. However, their use of the WEMCA name throughout, even before it was made public, makes it impossible to know whether December was the public launch of the name or a relaunch!
| Re: Network Rail staff hailed heroes after rescuing woman in snow - Insch, Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370825/31413/51] Posted by IndustryInsider at 17:14, 9th January 2026 Already liked by johnneyw | |
Fantastic work, chapeau chaps!
| Re: Storm Goretti 'weather bomb' to hit South West England In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370823/31405/25] Posted by Trowres at 16:54, 9th January 2026 | |
Hello Bob; yes that message makes me smile. Image not available to guests
Journeycheck sometimes has similar oddities; it isn't perfect.
But, having looked at what other TOCs have been offering in the way of misinformation, I would have to say that I'm quite happy with GWR and its use of Journeycheck; also its provision of live departure info using TIGER. The information given out in the last day or so seems to have been a fair representation of reality. (As I write, Journeycheck is somewhat behind on the reopening between Plymouth and Par).
In contrast, TfW have abandoned Journeycheck and replaced it with something inferior.
West Midlands Railway's info last night was a mess (as much as the railway service itself) and major disruption at Snow Hill (which there was) expanded to escalators being out of order...nothing about the trains.
Cross Country don't get much praise on this forum, but the information they published this morning was a succinct and readable summary of what they planned to run, and much easier than trying to work out from 100 cancellation notices whether or not any services would be left.
I cannot help commenting, though, that with certain notable exceptions, severe weather has been over-used as a reason for not running trains.
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370822/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 16:51, 9th January 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
Ah, they have this::
You may use your ticket on the following alternative dates at no extra cost, but please note services may still be disrupted by heavy snowfall any day up to and including Monday 12 January.
Mark
| Hot air balloon passenger suffered electric shock in crash: Essex, 10 April 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370821/31416/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:50, 9th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Passenger suffered electric shock in balloon crash
Image not available to guests
After severing the power cables, a fire was ignited under the hot air balloon's basket
A passenger in a hot air balloon suffered an electric shock when it struck a series of low-level power cables as it landed, an investigation has revealed.
One pilot and 10 passengers were onboard the Cameron Z-275 craft, operated by Virgin Balloon Flights, during the landing near Earls Colne in Essex on 10 April.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) concluded that while the pilot had seen a row of power lines parallel to the road, he had not seen a second line of cables.
After severing the cables, a fire was ignited under the basket and metal parts of the structure conducted the electricity, inspectors said
The hot air balloon had taken off from Petersfield Village - which is a retail and business park - in Gosfield in Essex at about 17:00 BST.
After 40 minutes in the air, the pilot chose a field off Newhouse Road to land in because Earls Colne airfield was closed.
The report said the crew member did not see a line of cables which was 30ft (9.1m) away from the road.
The fuel cylinders were turned off, but the fallen wires started a fire on the surrounding grass and smoke began to come from under the basket.
Two passengers were injured as the hot air balloon was evacuated, including a man who suffered the shock. He was treated in hospital for minor burn injuries, and also suffered a sprained ankle and chest pains.
Fire crews gave first aid, cooled the balloon's cylinders and worked with UK Power Networks to make the scene safe.
The investigation concluded the pilot followed his flight manual correctly by directing his passengers to landing positions. "There was insufficient time for the pilot to explain that parts of the basket structure might be electrically live, or that people should not touch the ground and the basket simultaneously," the report said.
The power cables that the pilot struck were not depicted on any of the maps he used, the inspectors continued.
A Virgin spokesman said after the incident: "The pilot responded swiftly and with the utmost care, ordering a prompt disembarkation of the basket to ensure passenger safety."
Image not available to guests
After severing the power cables, a fire was ignited under the hot air balloon's basket
A passenger in a hot air balloon suffered an electric shock when it struck a series of low-level power cables as it landed, an investigation has revealed.
One pilot and 10 passengers were onboard the Cameron Z-275 craft, operated by Virgin Balloon Flights, during the landing near Earls Colne in Essex on 10 April.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) concluded that while the pilot had seen a row of power lines parallel to the road, he had not seen a second line of cables.
After severing the cables, a fire was ignited under the basket and metal parts of the structure conducted the electricity, inspectors said
The hot air balloon had taken off from Petersfield Village - which is a retail and business park - in Gosfield in Essex at about 17:00 BST.
After 40 minutes in the air, the pilot chose a field off Newhouse Road to land in because Earls Colne airfield was closed.
The report said the crew member did not see a line of cables which was 30ft (9.1m) away from the road.
The fuel cylinders were turned off, but the fallen wires started a fire on the surrounding grass and smoke began to come from under the basket.
Two passengers were injured as the hot air balloon was evacuated, including a man who suffered the shock. He was treated in hospital for minor burn injuries, and also suffered a sprained ankle and chest pains.
Fire crews gave first aid, cooled the balloon's cylinders and worked with UK Power Networks to make the scene safe.
The investigation concluded the pilot followed his flight manual correctly by directing his passengers to landing positions. "There was insufficient time for the pilot to explain that parts of the basket structure might be electrically live, or that people should not touch the ground and the basket simultaneously," the report said.
The power cables that the pilot struck were not depicted on any of the maps he used, the inspectors continued.
A Virgin spokesman said after the incident: "The pilot responded swiftly and with the utmost care, ordering a prompt disembarkation of the basket to ensure passenger safety."
| Re: Storm Goretti 'weather bomb' to hit South West England In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370820/31405/25] Posted by bobm at 15:58, 9th January 2026 Already liked by matth1j, TaplowGreen | |
There are times the automated emails from GWR make no friends.
Disruption has been reported between Teignmouth and Exeter St Davids.
Services are no longer being affected by severe weather.
The 22:15 will be cancelled due to severe weather.
Services are no longer being affected by severe weather.
The 22:15 will be cancelled due to severe weather.
| Cyclists concerned about 'slippery' new cycle lane causing accidents - Jan 2026 In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [370819/31415/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:52, 9th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Cyclists concerned about 'slippery' new cycle lane
A university has written to their local authority with concerns over the safety of a new cycle lane near one of its campuses, following reports of slip accidents.
Road and cycle path improvements on the A4174 Ring Road between Bromley Heath and Frenchay in South Gloucestershire finished last November.
Staff at the university of the West of England's Frenchay campus have reported slip accidents and near misses while using the new cycle lane.
A spokesperson at South Gloucestershire Council said it has no concerns about the surface of the cycle path and asked people to take extra care during freezing conditions - adding surfaces can be slippery even after gritting.
Image not available to guests
The cycle path between the Wick Wick roundabout and UWE's Frenchay campus has been painted green
Lukas Greiwe, who cycles to work, said the cycle lane was "very slippery" shortly after it was installed due to wet leaves on the path. He said he was concerned about a ledge which divides the cycle route from the pedestrian lane which runs alongside it. "There is a height difference between the lanes. Now I know it's there, but for someone who cycles for the first time or cycles in the dark, I think you can miss the ledge quite easily."
A council spokesperson added that it "routinely inspects that area of the network both proactively and where any concerns have been raised".
The cost of the road and cycle improvements was funded by the Department for Transport and secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
Sean Rhodes, cabinet member for communities and local place at South Gloucestershire Council, called the completion of the improvements "a major milestone" in providing "more sustainable travel choices" across the county.
A university has written to their local authority with concerns over the safety of a new cycle lane near one of its campuses, following reports of slip accidents.
Road and cycle path improvements on the A4174 Ring Road between Bromley Heath and Frenchay in South Gloucestershire finished last November.
Staff at the university of the West of England's Frenchay campus have reported slip accidents and near misses while using the new cycle lane.
A spokesperson at South Gloucestershire Council said it has no concerns about the surface of the cycle path and asked people to take extra care during freezing conditions - adding surfaces can be slippery even after gritting.
Image not available to guests
The cycle path between the Wick Wick roundabout and UWE's Frenchay campus has been painted green
Lukas Greiwe, who cycles to work, said the cycle lane was "very slippery" shortly after it was installed due to wet leaves on the path. He said he was concerned about a ledge which divides the cycle route from the pedestrian lane which runs alongside it. "There is a height difference between the lanes. Now I know it's there, but for someone who cycles for the first time or cycles in the dark, I think you can miss the ledge quite easily."
A council spokesperson added that it "routinely inspects that area of the network both proactively and where any concerns have been raised".
The cost of the road and cycle improvements was funded by the Department for Transport and secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
Sean Rhodes, cabinet member for communities and local place at South Gloucestershire Council, called the completion of the improvements "a major milestone" in providing "more sustainable travel choices" across the county.
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370818/569/25] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:34, 9th January 2026 | |
See member a-driver's post, just above here. Image not available to guests
| WECA becomes WEMCA - December 2025 / January 2026 In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [370817/31414/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:26, 9th January 2026 | |
I have today discovered that the West of England Combined Authority has recently renamed itself as the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
There has been no public announcement of this change, so far as I am aware, and the WECA website - https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/ - makes no specific reference to the change.
However, as it has apparently happened, I have updated our Coffee Shop forum 'abbreviations & acronyms' page, at https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/acronyms.html to include expansions and links to 'WECA' and 'WEMCA' - they are interchangeable - in the interests of clarity here.
CfN. Image not available to guests
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [370816/489/12] Posted by bobm at 14:50, 9th January 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, GBM, Pb_devon | |
Well that's gotten to the bottom of that then. Image not available to guests
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [370815/489/12] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:49, 9th January 2026 | |
To be fair, I do prefer 'forecast', but I won't refuse to acknowledge 'forecasted' as a word. Image not available to guests
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [370814/489/12] Posted by bobm at 14:43, 9th January 2026 | |
SWR use forecast rather than forecasted in their Journeycheck entries.
| Network Rail staff hailed heroes after rescuing woman in snow - Insch, Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370813/31413/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:13, 9th January 2026 Already liked by eightonedee, rogerw, IndustryInsider, johnneyw, PrestburyRoad, Oxonhutch, TonyK, PhilWakely | |
From RailUK:
Network Rail staff hailed heroes after rescuing woman in snow
Image not available to guests
Three Network Rail workers have been hailed as heroes for rescuing a woman and her two dogs after she fell in deep snow.
Joanne Reid, 60, says she feared the worst after falling during her normal dog walk on Monday morning near Insch station. With reports of 23 inches of snow and drifts even higher, she was completely hidden from view and unable to get back on her feet due to mobility issues.
Fortunately, a team of Network Rail colleagues were working to clear the heavy snow from railway lines nearby and heard Mrs Reid shouting for help. Darren Stalker, Stuart Fraser and Allan Rough were able to find her and her dogs lying in the deep drifts and help them to safety.
Mrs Reid said: “I couldn’t get up so I started to crawl towards the field, hoping there was something to help me, but I couldn’t get far. My support dog, Riley, was shaking as he knew something was wrong. My other dog, Rufus, lay down beside me. I was next to the railway, but trees were masking me. I couldn’t see how anyone was going to find me, so I started shouting. Eventually after ten or fifteen minutes, I saw an orange jacket through the trees and the three men appeared.
“The relief was unbelievable. I burst into tears. I really believed that if I hadn’t got somebody soon, the dogs and I could’ve been dead. I was so grateful. It was cold and horrible and they’re out working in this weather. Not only are they helping get the railway back up and running, but they’ve also just rescued somebody. I really do believe they saved my life. They say all heroes don’t wear capes, and that’s exactly what they were. Wearing bright orange safety gear and hard hats. They are my heroes.”
After getting back to their vital work clearing the railway, the team returned later in the day to check on Mrs Reid at home.
Darren Stalker, Stuart Fraser, and Allan Rough said: “We are just glad that the lady and her dogs are home safe and well. The weather was treacherous, so being stuck outside was certainly not ideal for her. We really appreciate all the recognition, but anyone in that situation would have done the same. We were glad we were there to help. Thanks from us all.”
Liam Sumpter, manager director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our colleagues whose quick thinking and compassion made such a difference in truly brutal conditions. They were out there working tirelessly to keep the railway running safely yet didn’t hesitate for a second to help someone in real distress. Their actions show the very best of Network Rail. I’d like to give a big thank you to them and all our other teams working hard in such challenging weather.”
Image credit: Network Rail
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Three Network Rail workers have been hailed as heroes for rescuing a woman and her two dogs after she fell in deep snow.
Joanne Reid, 60, says she feared the worst after falling during her normal dog walk on Monday morning near Insch station. With reports of 23 inches of snow and drifts even higher, she was completely hidden from view and unable to get back on her feet due to mobility issues.
Fortunately, a team of Network Rail colleagues were working to clear the heavy snow from railway lines nearby and heard Mrs Reid shouting for help. Darren Stalker, Stuart Fraser and Allan Rough were able to find her and her dogs lying in the deep drifts and help them to safety.
Mrs Reid said: “I couldn’t get up so I started to crawl towards the field, hoping there was something to help me, but I couldn’t get far. My support dog, Riley, was shaking as he knew something was wrong. My other dog, Rufus, lay down beside me. I was next to the railway, but trees were masking me. I couldn’t see how anyone was going to find me, so I started shouting. Eventually after ten or fifteen minutes, I saw an orange jacket through the trees and the three men appeared.
“The relief was unbelievable. I burst into tears. I really believed that if I hadn’t got somebody soon, the dogs and I could’ve been dead. I was so grateful. It was cold and horrible and they’re out working in this weather. Not only are they helping get the railway back up and running, but they’ve also just rescued somebody. I really do believe they saved my life. They say all heroes don’t wear capes, and that’s exactly what they were. Wearing bright orange safety gear and hard hats. They are my heroes.”
After getting back to their vital work clearing the railway, the team returned later in the day to check on Mrs Reid at home.
Darren Stalker, Stuart Fraser, and Allan Rough said: “We are just glad that the lady and her dogs are home safe and well. The weather was treacherous, so being stuck outside was certainly not ideal for her. We really appreciate all the recognition, but anyone in that situation would have done the same. We were glad we were there to help. Thanks from us all.”
Liam Sumpter, manager director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our colleagues whose quick thinking and compassion made such a difference in truly brutal conditions. They were out there working tirelessly to keep the railway running safely yet didn’t hesitate for a second to help someone in real distress. Their actions show the very best of Network Rail. I’d like to give a big thank you to them and all our other teams working hard in such challenging weather.”
Image credit: Network Rail
