Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373107/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 21:46, 6th March 2026 |      |
20:06 off Westbury this evening ... left a minute late to maintain a connection with the 18:36 from Paddington; sensible decision. At Melksham, 10 off and 12 on which is very much more than I might have guessed; I did not walk through the train and have no idea of what the through count was. Our trains seem to be getting busier.
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373106/31713/4] Posted by Surrey 455 at 20:16, 6th March 2026 | |
SWR have a Mixing Desk too. No idea if it will still be around in the future.
https://tickets.southwesternrailway.com/sw/en/JourneyPlanning/MixingDeck
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [373105/569/25] Posted by grahame at 20:11, 6th March 2026 | |
Route proving train for the Looe branch planned for this afternoon (06/03/26)
From Social media, public post ...
Don't need a snorkel anymore then
reply from one of the crewit's as dry as a Ginsters pasty..
| Re: Storing petrol In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [373102/22213/51] Posted by broadgage at 19:03, 6th March 2026 | |
Last time heating oil increased substantially in price, a rumour was spread that electric heating was cheaper (it was not).
Large numbers of sheeple used multiple electric heaters instead of oil central heating in the forlorn hope of saving money.
As a result numerous power cuts occurred as the distribution system was overloaded.
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373100/31713/4] Posted by Kernow Otter at 17:58, 6th March 2026 | |
The story is that it's a forced change for GWR (and some others) as their supplier, Wordline IT, is withdrawing from this market. However, Wordline do use the same engine on their own booking site, respottedhanky, at least for the time being.
Dare I ask if this change will stay into 'nationalisation', or will GWR customers have to migrate onto another state run booking system in due course?
| Re: Australian question In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [373099/31714/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:34, 6th March 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
Hmm. I rather think you will be unlucky in looking for any forum which deals 'exclusively' with 'Australian train issues only', infoman.
Here on the Coffee Shop forum, where we have always been based on railway issues in the south and west of England and Wales in the United Kingdom, we nevertheless also cover 'train issues in Australia'.
A 'Google search' offers some suggestions for you.
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [373098/569/25] Posted by a-driver at 14:59, 6th March 2026 | |
Route proving train for the Looe branch planned for this afternoon (06/03/26)
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373097/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 13:39, 6th March 2026 | |
Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it 
Presumably it is front two or possibly three coaches for Melksham on an IET?
All the first coach, all the second coach, and front door only on third carriage?
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373096/31713/4] Posted by Clan Line at 11:49, 6th March 2026 | |
Many thanks for the responses. Redspottedhanky has it ! I'll keep RTT in mind if RSH vanishes too.
| Re: Storing petrol In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [373095/22213/51] Posted by Sixty3Closure at 11:26, 6th March 2026 | |
I bought 600l of heating oil 10 days ago for 56p a litre. Current quote is well over 100p a litre. The local facebook page also has people complaining that some suppliers have been trying to put prices up on existing orders and threatening to cancel them if they don't agree.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373094/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 09:53, 6th March 2026 | |
Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it
Presumably it is front two or possibly three coaches for Melksham on an IET?
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373093/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 08:54, 6th March 2026 | |
...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"...
...and now cancelled. But there's a fleet of SUVs on the way, apparently...Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it
Not a perfect evening - but good to see better measures coming into place when things go wrong.
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373092/31713/4] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:37, 6th March 2026 | |
I find the LNER website very good for ticket purchase - also remembers your seating preferences etc - and they are excellent when it comes to delay/repay payments - often within 48 hours.
https://www.lner.co.uk/
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373091/31359/18] Posted by matth1j at 07:34, 6th March 2026 Already liked by grahame, Mark A | |
...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"...
...and now cancelled. But there's a fleet of SUVs on the way, apparently...Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it
| Australian question In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [373090/31714/52] Posted by infoman at 05:56, 6th March 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Would any one known of any forums(Australian based) that deal just with Australian train issues only?
Thanking you in advance.
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373089/31713/4] Posted by Hafren at 22:34, 5th March 2026 | |
I find Realtimetickets (same place as Realtimetrains) useful for seeing actual ticket types.
| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys In "Across the West" [373088/31709/26] Posted by broadgage at 22:33, 5th March 2026 | |
I would hope when they are retired we get the ones Mr Rule hinted at, but then didn’t deliver.
Sorry this is your view, but we've not sought to hide it. Staff started looking at and giving feedback on the plans for the new trains around three years ago.
I think many of the concerns you mention are based on the idea that somehow we think we can deliver this service with something similar to the current trolleys. We can't.
There are plenty of more sophisticated trolleys on the market that keep things hot, and keep things cool, and even serve a proper cup of coffee. A quick google will give you some idea.
Edit note: Quote marks fixed, purely for clarity. CfN.
A cynic like me might suspect that FGW "have generally not been very good at articulating what we intend to offer in terms of food and drink" because they wanted to conceal the fact that the new trains don't have buffets, until it was too late to alter this.
For some year on these forums I have offered as an opinion, and more recently I have stated as a fact that "the new trains wont have buffets"
Many respected members of these forums felt that such views were unduly negative.
"of course they will have buffets"
"they will probably have buffets"
"a buffet could be installed if the TOC want one"
"a buffet could be retrofitted"
And eventually an admission that they don't have buffets.
I too share the doubts expressed by others as to how precisely hot food is to be served in standard class from a trolley, I also have doubts about the sufficiency of trolley stocks of chilled beer. I have observed very substantial volumes of beer being sold on some trains and doubt that a trolley could cope.
For some year on these forums I have offered as an opinion, and more recently I have stated as a fact that "the new trains wont have buffets"
Many respected members of these forums felt that such views were unduly negative.
"of course they will have buffets"
"they will probably have buffets"
"a buffet could be installed if the TOC want one"
"a buffet could be retrofitted"
And eventually an admission that they don't have buffets.
I too share the doubts expressed by others as to how precisely hot food is to be served in standard class from a trolley, I also have doubts about the sufficiency of trolley stocks of chilled beer. I have observed very substantial volumes of beer being sold on some trains and doubt that a trolley could cope.
Sorry this is your view, but we've not sought to hide it. Staff started looking at and giving feedback on the plans for the new trains around three years ago.
I think many of the concerns you mention are based on the idea that somehow we think we can deliver this service with something similar to the current trolleys. We can't.
There are plenty of more sophisticated trolleys on the market that keep things hot, and keep things cool, and even serve a proper cup of coffee. A quick google will give you some idea.
Edit note: Quote marks fixed, purely for clarity. CfN.
And after TEN years what has happened ?
Improved trollies has changed from a commitment, to an aspiration, and now sunk without trace.
Hot food in standard class, also sunk without trace (after a brief trial that produced the expected result that it was uneconomic)
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373087/31713/4] Posted by stuving at 22:30, 5th March 2026 | |
The story is that it's a forced change for GWR (and some others) as their supplier, Worldline IT, is withdrawing from this market. However, Wordline do use the same engine on their own booking site, respottedhanky, at least for the time being.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373086/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 21:57, 5th March 2026 | |
All happening tonight!
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 is being delayed between Stonehouse and Gloucester.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 is being delayed between Stonehouse and Gloucester.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
| Re: First Bus pulling out of Cornwall, 14.2.2026 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [373085/31133/5] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 21:24, 5th March 2026 | |
I'm currently indirectly benefitting from First's withdrawal from Cornwall, as many of the buses have been transferred to the optimistically-named Berkshire and Thames Valley area (really Slough and surrounds). They now have more buses than they know what to do with and have introduced 2 frequent new routes forming a High Wycombe-Uxbridge-Slough triangle in a fight to the death with GoAhead's Carousel operation.
| Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373084/31713/4] Posted by Clan Line at 19:40, 5th March 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I have long used the GWR Mixing Deck booking site to buy my train tickets. This now seems to have vanished. Can anyone tell me of another site which tells me exactly what TYPE of ticket I am buying for my money/planned journey ? Is Mixing Deck still available - I fear not, its too simple and gives too much useful info away !
Every other site I have tried so far gives me a fare but doesn't detail whether it's "anytime", "off peak", "super off peak", "evening out" or what ever.
What I am trying ascertain is: if I turn up at my station to catch the 0740 to ?? what is the cheapest ticket I can buy for that service at that time ? That would be handy to know - in case I need a bank loan for when I get there !
Mixing Deck told me that, clearly and simply - the "new" websites are very glitzy but don't tell me what I wish to know
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373083/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 18:36, 5th March 2026 | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
It will no longer call at Melksham but will call additionally at Bath Spa.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 12 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
It will no longer call at Melksham but will call additionally at Bath Spa.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 12 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373082/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 18:18, 5th March 2026 | |
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373081/31359/18] Posted by matth1j at 18:13, 5th March 2026 | |
...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"...
...and now cancelled. But there's a fleet of SUVs on the way, apparently...| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373080/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 18:06, 5th March 2026 | |
18:35 Westbury to Chippenham due 19:16
An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 18:35 Westbury to Chippenham due 19:16.
An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 18:35 Westbury to Chippenham due 19:16.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373079/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 18:05, 5th March 2026 | |
17:36 London Paddington to Totnes due 20:46
17:36 London Paddington to Totnes due 20:46 will be diverted between Reading and Westbury.
It will no longer call at Newbury and Pewsey but will call additionally at Swindon, Chippenham and Melksham.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 19 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
17:36 London Paddington to Totnes due 20:46 will be diverted between Reading and Westbury.
It will no longer call at Newbury and Pewsey but will call additionally at Swindon, Chippenham and Melksham.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 19 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
I think that is the first one to make a special call at Melksham in the down direction.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373078/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 18:02, 5th March 2026 | |
...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"...
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
