Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371688/31355/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:02, 27th January 2026 |      |
Just to show how local such extreme weather conditions can be, it's been flat calm with no wind or rain here in Nailsea (North Somerset) all day. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Bookshops, Mapshops and Stationery shops in Bristol - now all history In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371687/31524/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:57, 27th January 2026 | |
Blimey, johnneyw. [Image from here is not available to guests] We must have almost bumped into each other there. [Image from here is not available to guests]
I bought many items from that model shop, too: replica military items, most of their range of tins of colours in Humbrol paint - and a vast quantity of white metal 'Miniature Figurines', or 'minifigs'.
By the way: I still have many of those 'minifigs', from their Napoleonic range, in showroom condition: I am now unable to paint them, in my retirement as I originally intended, due to physical limitations with my fingers. If anyone would like them, please do contact me.
CfN.
| Re: We have photos out of place - now prose too! In "The Lighter Side" [371686/31527/30] Posted by johnneyw at 18:51, 27th January 2026 | |
I expect (tongue-in-cheek) there will be a steam-powered road vehicle to the GSWR station at Toddington, where the punters will transfer to the expected steam-hauled train to Cheltenham Racecourse station - and be pleased to avoid all the road chaos of Race Week.
Or (tongue-out-of-cheek) a nice modern coach from Evesham to Toddington.
Or (tongue-out-of-cheek) a nice modern coach from Evesham to Toddington.
Hmmm, yes, I rather think that is what was meant. I reckon that my alter ego "Capt Halfwit" was in charge when I first read it.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [371685/489/12] Posted by ChrisB at 18:50, 27th January 2026 | |
So tonight's down servce will need to return ECS to provide the same service on Thursday?
| Re: Bookshops, Mapshops and Stationery shops in Bristol - now all history In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371684/31524/31] Posted by johnneyw at 18:42, 27th January 2026 | |
I still have several of the items I bought, so many years ago now, from Ross's Legal Stationers in Fairfax Street.
Ah, that brought back memories of the model shop just a little further along the street where, pre and early teens, I spent most of my pocket money on various plastic model kits, paints, modelling supplies etc. If I say so myself, I got quite good at it, even to the point of modifying the kits and "scratch" building.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371683/31355/51] Posted by JayMac at 18:35, 27th January 2026 | |
Some very severe disruption to road transport in and around Taunton this morning. Many of the bus routes thst fan out from Taunton were badly disrupted. Some major A-roads were impassable due to flooding, including the A38 between Taunton and Bridgwater, and the A361 across the Somerset Levels. Difficult conditions also on the A358 near Ilminster, and the same road toward Minehead.
| Re: Bookshops, Mapshops and Stationery shops in Bristol - now all history In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371682/31524/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:33, 27th January 2026 | |
With my thanks to grahame for starting this topic - and with my profuse apologies for high-jacking it and amending the heading - it is now here. It all generally relates to Bristol.
I still have several of the items I bought, so many years ago now, from Ross's Legal Stationers in Fairfax Street.
CfN. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [371681/489/12] Posted by TaplowGreen at 18:23, 27th January 2026 | |
21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04
21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04 will be cancelled.
This is due to severe weather
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be diverted between Castle Cary and Exeter St Davids.
It will no longer call at Taunton.
This is due to flooding.
Wed, 28 January 21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04
28/01/26 21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04 will be cancelled.
This is due to severe weather.
Wed, 28 January 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55
28/01/26 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be cancelled.
This is due to severe weather.
| Re: Bookshops, Mapshops and Stationery shops in Bristol - now all history In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371680/31524/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:04, 27th January 2026 Already liked by JayMac | |
Thank you to all forum posters here for your prompting my own memories of shopping in central Bristol, many years ago.
I worked in an office at the lower end of Broad Street, so it was very convenient for me to stroll out in my lunch hour to peruse the HMSO in Wine Street, Stanfords in Clare Street - and one we haven't mentioned yet: Ross's legal stationers on Fairfax Street (directly under Union Street, next door to the Prince Rupert ph.)
| Hastings Diesel - 2026 In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [371679/31531/47] Posted by grahame at 18:00, 27th January 2026 | |
https://www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk/railtours/
11 April 2026: To East Somerset Railway (date confirmed)
20 June 2026: To Paignton (provisional)
19 September 2026: To Stamford and the Old Dalby Test Track (provisional)
There's just something about those trains - perhaps being brought up with them passing through Petts Wood and occasional opportunities to ride. Happy memories of travelling from Southampton to Fawley on one - and would hope to do so again some time.
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371678/22771/12] Posted by bobm at 18:00, 27th January 2026 | |
It is the small bridge/viaduct which takes the railway over the access to the beach just to the west of Dawlish railway station.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371677/31355/51] Posted by bobm at 17:58, 27th January 2026 | |
The middle section is not as clear as it might be due to the way the paragraphs are laid out.
At Dawlish, there will be a 12 hour overnight closure of the line between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot from 1900 on Wednesday 28 January until 0700 on Thursday 29 January.
Following the severe weather from Storm Ingrid, a large sink hole - measuring 8m x 3.5m - has appeared near the railway line. Network Rail teams will repair the ground overnight tomorrow using heavy machinery, which needs resolving as soon as possible.
A limited train service will continue to run between London and Exeter St Davids and between Penzance and Newton Abbot. Buses will be in operation between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids, and Plymouth and Tiverton Parkway. The Night Riviera Sleeper service will not run in either direction between Paddington and Penzance on Wednesday evening, resuming on the evening of Thursday 29 January.
Following the severe weather from Storm Ingrid, a large sink hole - measuring 8m x 3.5m - has appeared near the railway line. Network Rail teams will repair the ground overnight tomorrow using heavy machinery, which needs resolving as soon as possible.
A limited train service will continue to run between London and Exeter St Davids and between Penzance and Newton Abbot. Buses will be in operation between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids, and Plymouth and Tiverton Parkway. The Night Riviera Sleeper service will not run in either direction between Paddington and Penzance on Wednesday evening, resuming on the evening of Thursday 29 January.
I have got clarification that the service outlined in the last paragraph only applies during the line closure mentioned in the opening line. There are through trains at the moment, albeit with delays
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371676/22771/12] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:56, 27th January 2026 | |
Delays to services at Dawlish
Due to severe weather at Dawlish all lines are blocked.
Train services running through this station may be delayed by up to 30 minutes. Disruption is expected until 18:30 27/01.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
Due to reports of metal and brickwork falling onto the track in the Dawlish area all trains are on stop whilst we investigate
| Re: London Transport Museum Depot - Acton Town In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [371673/30761/47] Posted by bobm at 17:46, 27th January 2026 | |
What's wrong with that? He's kept his feet off the seats and he's not smoking.
He'd have looked rather more rugged wearing a Fedora, though. [Image from here is not available to guests]
These days I'd struggle to get my feet on the seats, let alone off again.
| Re: London Transport Museum Depot - Acton Town In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [371672/30761/47] Posted by grahame at 17:41, 27th January 2026 | |
https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/depot-open-days
Depot Open Days - Transport Depot, Acton, 2026
9th - 12th April
3rd - 5th July
18th - 20th September
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371670/31355/51] Posted by grahame at 17:35, 27th January 2026 | |
The following lines remain closed due to flooding, and with further inclement weather expected, we do anticipate continuing disruption:
Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple & Okehampton- multiple sites flooded, with disruption currently expected to last until the end of Friday 30th Jan - advice to customers is do not travel, we are not able to run replacement transport currently, there is ticket acceptance on local buses
Par to Newquay - multiple sites flooded, with disruption expected to last for several days
Taunton to Castle Cary - limited road replacement running
Taunton to Exeter St Davids - limited road replacement running
The line between Liskeard and Looe also remains closed until we are able to investigate the line safely.
Full details on the above (which is updated regularly) can be found at www.gwr.com/check. Images of the disruption are also available on Network Rail's X account.
At Dawlish, there will be a 12 hour overnight closure of the line between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot from 1900 on Wednesday 28 January until 0700 on Thursday 29 January.
Following the severe weather from Storm Ingrid, a large sink hole - measuring 8m x 3.5m - has appeared near the railway line. Network Rail teams will repair the ground overnight tomorrow using heavy machinery, which needs resolving as soon as possible.
A limited train service will continue to run between London and Exeter St Davids and between Penzance and Newton Abbot. Buses will be in operation between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids, and Plymouth and Tiverton Parkway. The Night Riviera Sleeper service will not run in either direction between Paddington and Penzance on Wednesday evening, resuming on the evening of Thursday 29 January.
Customers are advised to travel earlier on Wednesday 28 January or later on Thursday 29 January where their tickets will still be valid. Online journey planners are being updated and you can read more at our media release just issued here, and an update from GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood here.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused and would be grateful for any support you could provide in cascading this to your networks. We will continue to keep you updated as the situation develops and as ever if you have any questions please do not hesitate to let us know.
Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple & Okehampton- multiple sites flooded, with disruption currently expected to last until the end of Friday 30th Jan - advice to customers is do not travel, we are not able to run replacement transport currently, there is ticket acceptance on local buses
Par to Newquay - multiple sites flooded, with disruption expected to last for several days
Taunton to Castle Cary - limited road replacement running
Taunton to Exeter St Davids - limited road replacement running
The line between Liskeard and Looe also remains closed until we are able to investigate the line safely.
Full details on the above (which is updated regularly) can be found at www.gwr.com/check. Images of the disruption are also available on Network Rail's X account.
At Dawlish, there will be a 12 hour overnight closure of the line between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot from 1900 on Wednesday 28 January until 0700 on Thursday 29 January.
Following the severe weather from Storm Ingrid, a large sink hole - measuring 8m x 3.5m - has appeared near the railway line. Network Rail teams will repair the ground overnight tomorrow using heavy machinery, which needs resolving as soon as possible.
A limited train service will continue to run between London and Exeter St Davids and between Penzance and Newton Abbot. Buses will be in operation between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids, and Plymouth and Tiverton Parkway. The Night Riviera Sleeper service will not run in either direction between Paddington and Penzance on Wednesday evening, resuming on the evening of Thursday 29 January.
Customers are advised to travel earlier on Wednesday 28 January or later on Thursday 29 January where their tickets will still be valid. Online journey planners are being updated and you can read more at our media release just issued here, and an update from GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood here.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused and would be grateful for any support you could provide in cascading this to your networks. We will continue to keep you updated as the situation develops and as ever if you have any questions please do not hesitate to let us know.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371669/31503/31] Posted by ChrisB at 17:01, 27th January 2026 | |
One (larger, admittedly - but still smaller than 43 of them!) back office allows further funding of actual officers on the ground.
As for local accountability - name me an effective PCC that communicates properly with their electorate throughout their term and not just at election time (more money saved by their abolishment too).
| Re: We have photos out of place - now prose too! In "The Lighter Side" [371666/31527/30] Posted by PrestburyRoad at 16:04, 27th January 2026 | |
I expect (tongue-in-cheek) there will be a steam-powered road vehicle to the GSWR station at Toddington, where the punters will transfer to the expected steam-hauled train to Cheltenham Racecourse station - and be pleased to avoid all the road chaos of Race Week.
Or (tongue-out-of-cheek) a nice modern coach from Evesham to Toddington.
| Re: We have photos out of place - now prose too! In "The Lighter Side" [371665/31527/30] Posted by johnneyw at 15:42, 27th January 2026 | |
Curious. The blurb on the link mentions transferring at Evesham to a steam train to the racecourse and also mentions it will be on the GWSR (who own Cheltenham Racecourse Station). The trouble is, the GWSR don't have any connection to the national network at either the Racecourse or Broadway end, or anywhere in between, so I'm proper confused!
| Re: Mark Hopwood interview to appear on Green Signals You Tube channel, 27 January In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [371664/31498/49] Posted by ChrisB at 15:07, 27th January 2026 | |
I assume you mean TfW, not TfL?
I did though get the impression he was being somewhat guarded over what will happen next, even allowing for the considerable uncertainty that there clearly is. It is clear that he has concerns that some of what he sees as First Group/GWR's achievements may be at risk.
The DfT/Treasury are still trying to save money/cut budgets. Further service reductions I'm sure are on the cards.
| Re: Mark Hopwood interview to appear on Green Signals You Tube channel, 27 January In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [371663/31498/49] Posted by eightonedee at 14:56, 27th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Having just sat through the broadcast/video, I'd recommend it to forum members.
There's a defence of IETs and explanation of what seems to be wrong with the bi-mode units, an acknowledgement that the seats are a problem that's "being looked at", an explanation of the problems with the 175s (they had been run down by TfL to the end of the service maintenance cycle, suffered from storage and rely on technology that is now over 20 years old, giving recommissioning problems) as well as a clear indication that actually there is still not much clarity as to how GBR will work.
He also seems to have accepted that battery power rather than extending electrification looks like being the way forward, offering assurance that the technology has come a long way in recent years.
I did though get the impression he was being somewhat guarded over what will happen next, even allowing for the considerable uncertainty that there clearly is. It is clear that he has concerns that some of what he sees as First Group/GWR's achievements may be at risk.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371662/31355/51] Posted by GBM at 14:50, 27th January 2026 | |
Rain weather warning out for Cornwall and Devon for this Thursday [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: North Sea ferries - case for re-opening routes? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371661/31429/5] Posted by Mark A at 14:41, 27th January 2026 | |
Rosyth-Dunkerque proposal.
Mark
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/27/scotland-france-ferry-dunkirk-regeneration-plan
