Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Llangollen Canal - Whitchurch, Shropshire canal breach: 22 Dec 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371137/31316/51] Posted by Mark A at 12:44, 16th January 2026 |      |
Thanks for that link. Good to see this handled somewhat sensitively here and also reflects well on the Canal and River Trust.
Mark
| Re: Llangollen Canal - Whitchurch, Shropshire canal breach: 22 Dec 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371136/31316/51] Posted by paul7575 at 11:25, 16th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
The two boats that were down in the breach had been pulled out onto the level canal bed by yesterday evening, today should see them refloated by building a portable dam behind them. There are loads of YouTube videos of yesterday’s work, but here’s one which covers both and has the best coverage of the more difficult second boat, (the one with the bow partially buried), which was pulled stern first:
https://youtu.be/9ErDrPh4hD8?si=hewNSddJSQiiu4qP
| Re: Coffeeshop Map 4-12-25 In "The Lighter Side" [371135/31199/30] Posted by Mark A at 11:18, 16th January 2026 | |
Last night I dreamed that I caught a TfW class 175 train from Hereford, the train calling at Bath on its way to Southampton - and on the train's exterior, as branding, that glyph, used by TfW for their interregional services through Wiltshire.
Today, the Cornwall glyph's shrunk, but it's lent its strength to a second more ghostly one centred on Reading and Basingstoke.
Mark
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [371134/28982/26] Posted by plymothian at 10:03, 16th January 2026 | |
175001 (paired with 009), the only unit that can run in public traffic, was terminated on its training run at Liskeard as the windscreen spontaneously cracked in 2 places.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [371132/28982/26] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 07:47, 16th January 2026 | |
It does make you wonder how they were maintained towards the end of their time in Wales
I think that's reasonably well known - the maintenance contract was taken away from Alstom (who built the trains) and given to CAF (who built their replacements), and CAF were either uninterested or unknowledgeable. There was a series of Adelante-like fires in 2023.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [371131/28982/26] Posted by Timmer at 07:36, 16th January 2026 | |
Something seriously wrong with these trains.
Even by railway standards, the entry into service of these existing trains is happening at glacial pace. It does make you wonder how they were maintained towards the end of their time in Wales and the length of time they were stored outside has played a part.| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [371130/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 07:27, 16th January 2026 | |
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 is being delayed between Salisbury and Warminster and is now expected to be 18 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 is being delayed between Salisbury and Warminster and is now expected to be 18 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [371129/28982/26] Posted by Red Squirrel at 23:44, 15th January 2026 | |
[...]
Something seriously wrong with these trains.
[...]
Something seriously wrong with these trains.
[...]
You may well be right, but let's hope not. When the 165/6's came to Bristol they were plagued with reliability issues while the local maintenance teams got the hang of them. Now they're not too bad, given their age and unsuitability for short-stop metro-style services.
| Re: Crane collapses onto train, Thailand. In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [371127/31449/52] Posted by stuving at 23:09, 15th January 2026 | |
This is the BBC's static news item on his accident, Its content is mostly as in the rolling news item, and it is still dated yesterday; I would point to this paragraph:
Local outlet The Nation reported that the incident occurred while the crane was lifting a large concrete section which dropped on to the train, causing several coaches to derail.
There is also this picture, credited to Reuters, which strongly suggests a major failure of the launch girder system itself. The perspective is confusing - The Times had a better view, I think from Getty, which I can't find anywhere on-line.
Image not available to guests
You may remember how such a system works, from the one used on the Colne Valley Viaduct (aka Dominique). The girder must rest on two supports at all times, and it moves forwards along the viaduct either by a support crawling along the now-built viaduct, or using a third support.
What I see in the picture suggests something along these lines: the forward support has collapsed, the girder has fallen onto a pier ahead of where segments are being added, and it has buckled. The moving crane that carries the segments was operating at the time, and could not sustain the shock as the girder landed; part of that crane, and perhaps the segment, fell off. That forward support can't be seen, so most of it may also have fallen onto the train.
Note that this is not unprecedented - another launch girder operating in Thailand, this one building a road viaduct (and painted blue) collapsed in January 2024.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [371126/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 22:10, 15th January 2026 | |
175003 did not run but 175001 took it's place. So a second of four has still not run in public service. Something seriously wrong with these trains.
See what tomorrows delivery from Wolverton is.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K60141/2026-01-16/detailed
| Re: Crane collapses onto train, Thailand. In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [371125/31449/52] Posted by ChrisB at 20:25, 15th January 2026 | |
Latest count 28.
A second crane from the same site fell the following day in the other direction on to a road, and killed two further people, both driving vehicles.
| Re: North Sea ferries - case for re-opening routes? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371124/31429/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:35, 15th January 2026 Already liked by Richard Fairhurst | |
: Chris from Nailsea
This is a true story. On one of our family holidays, courtesy of a friend who owned a narrowboat on the Kennet & Avon Canal, we moored somewhere and at about 9:30am went to stroll into the village for fresh bread and milk. There on the towpath in front of us, next to his narrowboat, was the most inebriated Swede I have ever seen - trying to drive his boat's anchor into the towpath. Image not available to guests
There is (or was) a narrowboat hire fleet called Viking Afloat. On more than one occasion we saw their distinctive yellow craft being crewed by holidaymakers of clearly Scandinavian origin. I have no difficulty at all believing your account...
Thanks for that topical update, Richard. Image not available to guests
Our own family experience, some 15 years ago, after mooring somewhere on the southern towpath of the Kennet & Avon Canal, was really very funny. Having enjoyed our own breakfast, we decided to stroll down into the nearest village (they used to have shops, then) to buy some fresh bread and milk.
There on the towpath, rolling around on his back, wielding the anchor, was the clearly inebriated Swede. I rather think we got his connections to Sweden from the nomenclature on his narrowboat and his own jovial exclamations. He was clearly 'out of it', but quite inoffensive.
CfN. Image not available to guests
| Re: Protecting children (and others) in taxis (and other modes of transport) In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371122/31456/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:21, 15th January 2026 | |
I'm not disagreeing with you, ChrisB: tell Lilian Greenwood! Image not available to guests
| Re: Protecting children (and others) in taxis (and other modes of transport) In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371120/31456/5] Posted by ChrisB at 17:47, 15th January 2026 | |
1. The CCTV recordings don't have to be watched by someone all day, every day: the recording will be available as evidence in court, if required.
2. A clear notice, next to cameras in taxis (other means of transport are available) that 'You are being recorded' should deter most potential offenders.
2. A clear notice, next to cameras in taxis (other means of transport are available) that 'You are being recorded' should deter most potential offenders.
That wold have been my choices too except for the GDPR problem - how do you secure all the millions of hours worth of CCTV each taxi records & collects - coz it'll not be centrally stored - who's paying for that? Frankly, it's unworkable
| Re: Protecting children (and others) in taxis (and other modes of transport) In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371119/31456/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:38, 15th January 2026 Already liked by Red Squirrel | |
My personal view(s):
1. The CCTV recordings don't have to be watched by someone all day, every day: the recording will be available as evidence in court, if required.
2. A clear notice, next to cameras in taxis (other means of transport are available) that 'You are being recorded' should deter most potential offenders.
CfN. Image not available to guests
| Serial rail fare evader faces jail over 112 unpaid tickets - Jan 2026 In "Fare's Fair" [371118/31458/4] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:21, 15th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Image not available to guests
Charles Brohiri arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court for a previous hearing
One of Britain's most prolific rail fare dodgers could face jail after admitting dozens of travel offences.
Charles Brohiri, 29, pleaded guilty to travelling without buying a ticket on Govia Thameslink train journeys a total of 112 times, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. He could be ordered to pay more than £18,000 in unpaid fares and legal costs, the court was told.
District Judge Nina Tempia warned Brohiri "could face a custodial sentence because of the number of offences he has committed".
Brohiri, from Hatfield in Hertfordshire, was dressed in black as he pleaded guilty to 76 offences on Thursday. Each offence was read out to him, with Brohiri quietly and repeatedly replying "Guilty" for around 20 minutes.
It came after he was convicted in his absence of 36 charges at a previous hearing.
During Thursday's hearing, Judge Tempia dismissed a bid by Brohiri's lawyers to have the 36 convictions overturned. They had argued the prosecutions were unlawful because they had not been brought by a qualified legal professional. But Judge Tempia rejected the argument, saying there had been "no abuse of this court's process".
A Govia Thameslink Railway spokesperson welcomed decision to uphold previous 36 convictions.
The 112 charges span from February 2024 to November 2025. They relate to journeys between London and Brighton, and on the Thameslink lines into Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
In addition, Brohiri is also accused of continuing to dodge fares in late November and December last year, and in January, prosecutor Lyndon Harris told the court. The most recent allegation was three days ago - on 12 January, he said.
At a previous hearing in August last year, Brohiri was bailed and told "not to be present on or attempt to gain access to any train owned or operated by Govia Thameslink".
He was bailed on the same conditions as imposed at previous hearings, to return for sentencing on 11 February.
In addition, he is accused of failing to pay fines worth £48,682 from separate prosecutions between August 2019 and April 2025.
Charles Brohiri arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court for a previous hearing
One of Britain's most prolific rail fare dodgers could face jail after admitting dozens of travel offences.
Charles Brohiri, 29, pleaded guilty to travelling without buying a ticket on Govia Thameslink train journeys a total of 112 times, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. He could be ordered to pay more than £18,000 in unpaid fares and legal costs, the court was told.
District Judge Nina Tempia warned Brohiri "could face a custodial sentence because of the number of offences he has committed".
Brohiri, from Hatfield in Hertfordshire, was dressed in black as he pleaded guilty to 76 offences on Thursday. Each offence was read out to him, with Brohiri quietly and repeatedly replying "Guilty" for around 20 minutes.
It came after he was convicted in his absence of 36 charges at a previous hearing.
During Thursday's hearing, Judge Tempia dismissed a bid by Brohiri's lawyers to have the 36 convictions overturned. They had argued the prosecutions were unlawful because they had not been brought by a qualified legal professional. But Judge Tempia rejected the argument, saying there had been "no abuse of this court's process".
A Govia Thameslink Railway spokesperson welcomed decision to uphold previous 36 convictions.
The 112 charges span from February 2024 to November 2025. They relate to journeys between London and Brighton, and on the Thameslink lines into Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
In addition, Brohiri is also accused of continuing to dodge fares in late November and December last year, and in January, prosecutor Lyndon Harris told the court. The most recent allegation was three days ago - on 12 January, he said.
At a previous hearing in August last year, Brohiri was bailed and told "not to be present on or attempt to gain access to any train owned or operated by Govia Thameslink".
He was bailed on the same conditions as imposed at previous hearings, to return for sentencing on 11 February.
In addition, he is accused of failing to pay fines worth £48,682 from separate prosecutions between August 2019 and April 2025.
| Graham Ellis on West Wilts Radio, talking about railways, especially Melksham In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [371117/31432/49] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:03, 15th January 2026 | |
Thank you, Graham. It's great to have that recorded here, for the information of future readers / listeners on the Coffee Shop forum.
Chris from Nailsea. Image not available to guests
| Re: Thousands of Network Rail redundancies under Labour's GBR plans In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [371116/31455/40] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:34, 15th January 2026 | |
I'm hoping it doesn't impact NR's effective 24/7 helpline.
Anecdote not data: being spooked by something, after new year, I had cause to ring that number close to 11pm on a Sunday night and it was answered, by a person, within a few seconds. No interminable sequence of hold music interspersed with an upbeat voice repeating 'Your call is *very* important to us' which is what I heard when at NR's request I also rang the organisation immediately responsible for the structure in question.
Mark
Anecdote not data: being spooked by something, after new year, I had cause to ring that number close to 11pm on a Sunday night and it was answered, by a person, within a few seconds. No interminable sequence of hold music interspersed with an upbeat voice repeating 'Your call is *very* important to us' which is what I heard when at NR's request I also rang the organisation immediately responsible for the structure in question.
Mark
Thanks for your post, Mark A.
For all of our readers, please see also https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31262.msg370149#msg370149
Chris from Nailsea.
| Re: HS2, now Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - Government proposals, alternative routes, discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371115/5138/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:07, 15th January 2026 | |
In the meantime, I have revised the heading of this topic, pending the result of a discussion among the admin / moderator team here on the Coffee Shop forum.
Democracy in action. CfN. Image not available to guests
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [371114/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 16:04, 15th January 2026 | |
13:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 16:24 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link and Worcester Foregate Street.
It will be delayed at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a member of on-train staff being taken ill.
14:53 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:04 will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh and Honeybourne.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 17 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed.
It will no longer call at Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link and Worcester Foregate Street.
It will be delayed at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a member of on-train staff being taken ill.
14:53 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:04 will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh and Honeybourne.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 17 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed.
And not previously mentioned, Monday's 8:51 Paddington to Great Malvern service and the return 11:58 GMV:PAD was started/terminated at Reading and a two car turbo short-form.
| Re: 13th [and 15th] January 2026 / West Wilts Radio In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [371112/31432/49] Posted by grahame at 15:35, 15th January 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, Western Pathfinder | |
Listen to what I actually said! Recording saved at https://grahamellis.uk/wwrug_wwradio_20260113.m4a
From my blog
I did a rail interview for West Wilts Radio on 13th January 2026. A wonderful opportunity, over some 20 minutes, introduce the listeners to:
* what has been achieved,
* where challenges remain,
* why some things are as they are, and
* to look forward for a year and perhaps for a decade.
And a chance to answer some of those questions that you may have wondered about, or never thought to ask.
* what has been achieved,
* where challenges remain,
* why some things are as they are, and
* to look forward for a year and perhaps for a decade.
And a chance to answer some of those questions that you may have wondered about, or never thought to ask.
| Re: North Sea ferries - case for re-opening routes? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371109/31429/5] Posted by grahame at 14:01, 15th January 2026 | |
: Chris from Nailsea
This is a true story. On one of our family holidays, courtesy of a friend who owned a narrowboat on the Kennet & Avon Canal, we moored somewhere and at about 9:30am went to stroll into the village for fresh bread and milk. There on the towpath in front of us, next to his narrowboat, was the most inebriated Swede I have ever seen - trying to drive his boat's anchor into the towpath. Image not available to guests
There is (or was) a narrowboat hire fleet called Viking Afloat. On more than one occasion we saw their distinctive yellow craft being crewed by holidaymakers of clearly Scandinavian origin. I have no difficulty at all believing your account...
Ah yes ... mind you, it was the Black Prince fleet, which seems to have an on/off throttle with nothing in between and they were either stopped at the least convenient point, or going a long creating a magnificent wave ...
| Re: Coffeeshop Map 4-12-25 In "The Lighter Side" [371108/31199/30] Posted by bobm at 13:56, 15th January 2026 | |
It's appeared again. As a symbol, there's something cruel and totalitarian about it.
Mark
Mark
Yeah ... short term cancellations between Liskeard and Looe ... nothing has run there yet this year, and indeed nothing was expected today of for at least another week. However, no-one actually entered the medium term cancellations into JourneyCheck feeds, so it's come up as a train planning type "oopsie" this morning.
I am wondering if they are remaining in the system as the "blame" for them not running can be pointed to Network Rail rather than an internal GWR issue. Presumably NR are footing the bill for customer compensation and road transport.
