Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary In "Who's who on Western railways" [368695/29546/2] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:03, 29th November 2025 |      |
Well, at least she had some company!
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368694/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 06:58, 29th November 2025 | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary In "Who's who on Western railways" [368693/29546/2] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 05:49, 29th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
'I've sat on train floors' - transport secretary
The transport secretary has said she has sat on the floors of overcrowded trains as she vowed to improve the rail network.
When asked about delays and overcrowding on the railways, Heidi Alexander told BBC Radio Wiltshire: "I've had this problem myself to be honest. I am on trains a lot and I've sat on the floor on a couple of occasions," the South Swindon MP added. "As Secretary of State, I've sat on the floor on a Great Western train from Paddington to Swindon."
She said managing driver and train crew availability was key to solving the problem alongside having a sufficient number of carriages on services. Great Western Railway has been contacted for comment.
Great Western Railway is among the four operators named in the government's plan to nationalise nearly all rail services in England. Launched earlier this year and expected to finish in 2027, the nationalisation process comes under the Rail Public Ownership Bill, which was passed by the government when Labour came to power last year. The government claims the move will "end years of fragmentation, driving up standards for passengers, and making journey easier and better value for money".
Shadow transport minister Jerome Mayhew previously said he feared that nationalisation would end up costing taxpayers more money in increased costs for leasing rolling stock. "The government is risking this successful operation for ideological reasons," he said.
Overcrowding on trains in the UK is not a new issue. In 2024, train passengers reported fainting on busy services while passengers quizzed rail bosses over the issue in 2023.
Ms Alexander said it was "really important" for passengers to have a "comfortable journey".
"We'll be doing more work on that as Great Western comes into public ownership," she added.
She said overcrowding is sometimes caused by trains on "short formations" - for example, where there is a "five-car train as opposed to a longer train turning up".
"The government is writing a new rolling stock strategy [an industry term for the train carriages]," she said.
Heidi Alexander was speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire as part of the Bring Out The Boss series and also shared her views on a proposal to revoke planning consent for a tunnel to be built near Stonehenge and reacted the stabbing of the stabbing of an 18-year-old in north Swindon. Listen to the full interview here.
The transport secretary has said she has sat on the floors of overcrowded trains as she vowed to improve the rail network.
When asked about delays and overcrowding on the railways, Heidi Alexander told BBC Radio Wiltshire: "I've had this problem myself to be honest. I am on trains a lot and I've sat on the floor on a couple of occasions," the South Swindon MP added. "As Secretary of State, I've sat on the floor on a Great Western train from Paddington to Swindon."
She said managing driver and train crew availability was key to solving the problem alongside having a sufficient number of carriages on services. Great Western Railway has been contacted for comment.
Great Western Railway is among the four operators named in the government's plan to nationalise nearly all rail services in England. Launched earlier this year and expected to finish in 2027, the nationalisation process comes under the Rail Public Ownership Bill, which was passed by the government when Labour came to power last year. The government claims the move will "end years of fragmentation, driving up standards for passengers, and making journey easier and better value for money".
Shadow transport minister Jerome Mayhew previously said he feared that nationalisation would end up costing taxpayers more money in increased costs for leasing rolling stock. "The government is risking this successful operation for ideological reasons," he said.
Overcrowding on trains in the UK is not a new issue. In 2024, train passengers reported fainting on busy services while passengers quizzed rail bosses over the issue in 2023.
Ms Alexander said it was "really important" for passengers to have a "comfortable journey".
"We'll be doing more work on that as Great Western comes into public ownership," she added.
She said overcrowding is sometimes caused by trains on "short formations" - for example, where there is a "five-car train as opposed to a longer train turning up".
"The government is writing a new rolling stock strategy [an industry term for the train carriages]," she said.
Heidi Alexander was speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire as part of the Bring Out The Boss series and also shared her views on a proposal to revoke planning consent for a tunnel to be built near Stonehenge and reacted the stabbing of the stabbing of an 18-year-old in north Swindon. Listen to the full interview here.
| Stranraer-Ayr rail line closes for £1m upgrade to cut flood risks In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368692/31167/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 04:56, 29th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
The work will make the line less likely to close due to weather-related issues
A rail route across south-west Scotland has closed for nine days to allow a £1m upgrade to be carried out to reduce the risk of weather-related disruption.
The line between Stranraer and Ayr will be shut until 8 December with replacement buses running.
Network Rail said teams would work "around the clock" to improve drainage and reinforce embankments. It thanked passengers for their "understanding" while the route was closed.
Network Rail said it was necessary in order for the work to be carried out "safely and efficiently". It advised passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.
Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: "This weekend marks the start of a significant investment in the Stranraer line. Scotland's weather is sometimes unforgiving, and heavy rainfall can put real pressure on the railway. By upgrading drainage and ensuring key structures are in good condition, we're making the route stronger and more reliable for the future."
He said the company understood the inconvenience for customers. "We know there's never a great time to close the line, but this work can only be carried out safely when trains aren't running," he added. "We really appreciate passengers' understanding as we deliver these improvements."
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said it was committed to keeping people moving during the "essential work".
"We have a robust rail replacement plan in place, with clear, up-to-date information to help customers plan their journeys and travel with confidence and reliability throughout the works," he said. "We're grateful for our customers' patience and understanding while these important improvements are carried out."
| Re: Suggestions from Campaign for Better Transport for the budget In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [368691/31049/40] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 04:42, 29th November 2025 | |
Rachel from Accounts is having a bad day in the office: from the BBC, see 'Reeves on brink' and 'Chancer of the Exchequer'
| wide spread air plane disruption forecast weekend 29/30 november In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368689/31166/5] Posted by infoman at 02:10, 29th November 2025 | |
from the BBC:
Airlines around the world have announced flights could be delayed after Airbus requested immediate modifications to thousands of planes over its discovery that intense radiation from the sun could corrupt data crucial to flight controls.
About 6,000 planes are thought to be affected, around half the European aerospace giant's global fleet, but it is understood most will be able to undergo a simple software update.
The UK's aviation regulator said carrying out the updates would likely cause "some disruption and cancellations to flights".
Airbus said the problem was discovered following a recent "incident" in the US involving an A320 family aircraft and apologised for disruption to passengers.
The incident, which happened on 30 October, involved a JetBlue Airways A320 making an emergency landing in Florida, after a sudden drop in altitude. At least 15 people were reported to have been injured.
Live updates on this story
The issue affects the A320 - its best selling aircraft - but also models from the same design fleet, including the A318, A319 and the A321.
It is understood that on around 5,100 Airbus planes, the issue can be addressed using a relatively simple software update which would typically take about three hours.
However, the remaining 900 aircraft, which are older versions, will need computers replaced and will not be allowed to carry passengers again until the job has been completed. The length of time that takes will depend on the availability of replacement computers.
Airbus said it acknowledged this will lead to "operational disruption to passengers and customers", and has apologised.
Aviation analyst Sally Gethin told the BBC the situation is "very much out of the ordinary", saying the disruption to passengers will depend on the "different approaches" airlines take to upgrade their software.
"I understand that Lufthansa is saying it may take its aircraft out of service to do this, in other cases airlines are saying that it shouldn't have much of an impact at all," she said.
London's two biggest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, both provided updates.
Heathrow said the required maintenance on some Airbus aircraft currently has no impact on its operations.
Gatwick reported "some disruption", but only "impacting a small number of airlines" and directed passengers to contact their airlines for further information.
Easyjet said said it was "expecting this to result in some disruption" but later added it had started and "already completed the software update on many aircraft".
"We plan to operate our flying programme normally on Saturday and ask that customers travelling continue to monitor their flights on flight tracker," a spokesman said.
"Safety is our highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with manufacturers guidelines."
British Airways is understood not be be heavily impacted by the issue.
Wizz Air added some of its aircraft were among those that require updates and that it had scheduled the necessary maintenance, while Air India said the directive from Airbus could lead to delays.
In the US, the software issue emerged on the same weekend as Thanksgiving, one of the busiest holiday travel periods.
American Airlines said 340 of its planes were affected and that it expected "some operational delays", but added the vast majority of updates would be completed on Friday or Saturday. Delta Airlines said it believed the impact on its operations would be "limited".
Australian low-cost airline Jetstar said some of its Airbus-operated flights were unable to depart.
"We're working through the impacts on our fleet and to our customers. We'll have more information shortly," the company said.
Airline giant Qantas, who owns Jetstar, did not report any impacts to its fleet.
Airbus boss admits long delays in making aircraft
Published
26 July 2024
The Civil Aviation Authority [CAA], the UK's aviation regulator, said only some airlines would be affected, with others not impacted at all.
"The requirement will mean the airlines flying these aircraft will in some cases have to change software over the days ahead or remain on the ground from Sunday onwards until the software has been changed," the regulator said.
Tim Johnson, policy director at CAA, told the BBC: "That unfortunately may mean there is some disruption, some delays or cancellations over the coming days."
He added that aviation was still "one of the safest forms of transport" due to the rigorous maintenance programs airlines have and this was "a very rare event".
Giancarlo Buono, director of aviation safety at CAA, added: "Passengers should check with their airline whether their flights are affected. Airlines have a duty of care to look after passengers when a flight is delayed."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said "the impact on UK airlines seems limited".
"It is heartening this issue has been identified and will be addressed so swiftly, demonstrating the high aviation safety standards globally," she added.
'Precautionary action'
The problem that could impact the A320 family aircraft is that intense solar radiation at high altitudes can affect the working of the ELAC computer, which controls the elevators and ailerons – aerodynamic surfaces that are used to make the aircraft pitch up or down or roll to turn.
However, Airbus said the JetBlue incident was the only time this has actually happened.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued an emergency airworthiness directive, ordering airlines to replace ELAC computers on the worst affected planes before carrying passengers again.
The EASA directive stipulated that as of 29 November, these planes can only fly passengers once they've been fixed. They will be allowed to make so-called "ferry flights", without passengers, in order to get to a maintenance facility.
The A320 family are what is known as "fly by wire" planes. This means there is no direct mechanical link between the controls in the cockpit and the parts of the aircraft that actually govern flight. The pilot's actions are interpreted by computers - which actually "fly" the plane.
Airbus has issued an alert to airlines requesting them to take "immediate precautionary action…in order to implement the available software and/or hardware protection and ensure the fleet is safe to fly".
| Re: Floods, power cuts and travel risk amid heavy rain warning for Wales In "Shorter journeys in South and West Wales" [368688/31165/23] Posted by TaplowGreen at 21:40, 28th November 2025 | |
Roof closed at the Principality Stadium then?
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [368687/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 21:38, 28th November 2025 | |
The 175 move Wolverton to Laira was cancelled today. Maybe another go next week? It will be 4 weeks since the last move.
175002 and 175114 have been at Laira for a year!!
| Floods, power cuts and travel risk amid heavy rain warning for Wales In "Shorter journeys in South and West Wales" [368686/31165/23] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:34, 28th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
The Met Office says power cuts, longer journey times and disruption on public transport could happen amid heavy rain
Heavy rain could cause travel disruption and flooding as yellow weather warnings are placed across Wales.
The Met Office said parts of south and mid Wales faced potentially 20-50mm (0.78in- 1.9in) of rainfall on Saturday and 20-80mm (0.78in-3.14in) on Monday, with strong winds expected on both days.
The warning comes two weeks after danger to life alerts were in force following Storm Claudia, which flooded businesses and homes in Monmouth.
The Met Office said there was a "slight chance" of power cuts, and journey times could take longer because bus and train timetables could be disrupted.
Saturday's weather warning will be in place between 06:00 and 23:59 GMT, and Monday's will be between midnight and 15:00.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368685/29726/18] Posted by brooklea at 18:40, 28th November 2025 | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Updated to show now starting from Westbury.17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368684/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:12, 28th November 2025 | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
| Bus routes costing more than £100 a passenger are to be axed in 2026 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368683/31164/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:39, 28th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Two rural bus services that cost more than £100 to run for every passenger who used them are to be cut.
The once-weekly 15 service between Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire, and Royston, Hertfordshire, cost £48,297 to run in 2024-25, working out at a cost per passenger of £180.
Meanwhile, the 8A service offering one journey a day in each direction between March, Cambridgeshire, and Milton Park and Ride, Cambridge, cost £188,753 to run, with each passenger journey working out at just over £100.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has agreed to stop subsidising both services, saying it had to make "tough choices" based on cost and usage.
At a meeting on Wednesday the authority's board heard that the 8A route had been extended to take it to the park and ride in the hope it would improve passenger numbers. However, a report stated there had been a "limited change" in numbers, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Officers told the board that the loss of the 15 service would be mitigated through the expansion of the Tiger On Demand service in South Cambridgeshire. They said an agreement had been reached with South Cambridgeshire District Council to use money provided by developers to fund the expansion of this service.
Anna Bailey, the Conservative leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said discussing bus services was an "emotive subject" but there was not enough money to support every service across the area. She said they had to make tough choices as there was not an "endless pot of money".
Lucy Nethsingha, the Liberal Democrat leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said it was a "controversial" decision but she would be supporting it.
Anna Smith, a Labour cabinet member at Cambridge City Council, said they needed to make sure people in rural communities did not become "trapped" when losing a bus service.
The two services will not be cut immediately as 112 days' contractual notice must be given to the traffic commissioner.
The board agreed to continue supporting a number of other bus services in Cambridgeshire, including ones that connect to neighbouring Lincolnshire and Suffolk.
The services include:
- 8, between Cambridge and Papworth Everard
- 46A, between Newmarket and Linton
- 5A, between St Ives and Bar Hill
- 27, between Stamford and Peterborough
- 61, between Eynesbury and Eaton Ford
- 68, Wisbech Town Service
- V4, between St Ives Bus Station and Boxworth
The once-weekly 15 service between Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire, and Royston, Hertfordshire, cost £48,297 to run in 2024-25, working out at a cost per passenger of £180.
Meanwhile, the 8A service offering one journey a day in each direction between March, Cambridgeshire, and Milton Park and Ride, Cambridge, cost £188,753 to run, with each passenger journey working out at just over £100.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has agreed to stop subsidising both services, saying it had to make "tough choices" based on cost and usage.
At a meeting on Wednesday the authority's board heard that the 8A route had been extended to take it to the park and ride in the hope it would improve passenger numbers. However, a report stated there had been a "limited change" in numbers, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Officers told the board that the loss of the 15 service would be mitigated through the expansion of the Tiger On Demand service in South Cambridgeshire. They said an agreement had been reached with South Cambridgeshire District Council to use money provided by developers to fund the expansion of this service.
Anna Bailey, the Conservative leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said discussing bus services was an "emotive subject" but there was not enough money to support every service across the area. She said they had to make tough choices as there was not an "endless pot of money".
Lucy Nethsingha, the Liberal Democrat leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said it was a "controversial" decision but she would be supporting it.
Anna Smith, a Labour cabinet member at Cambridge City Council, said they needed to make sure people in rural communities did not become "trapped" when losing a bus service.
The two services will not be cut immediately as 112 days' contractual notice must be given to the traffic commissioner.
The board agreed to continue supporting a number of other bus services in Cambridgeshire, including ones that connect to neighbouring Lincolnshire and Suffolk.
The services include:
- 8, between Cambridge and Papworth Everard
- 46A, between Newmarket and Linton
- 5A, between St Ives and Bar Hill
- 27, between Stamford and Peterborough
- 61, between Eynesbury and Eaton Ford
- 68, Wisbech Town Service
- V4, between St Ives Bus Station and Boxworth
| Re: GWR Black Friday sale In "Fare's Fair" [368682/31139/4] Posted by ChrisB at 11:46, 28th November 2025 Already liked by grahame, Timmer, Western Pathfinder | |
With zero fuss/promotion that I've seen, this sale went live this morning. Savings are genuine against Advances, but if available to you, you might find Railcard discounted fares are cheaper
| Re: Interrail Black Friday Sale - 25/11 to 17/12/2025 (for use in 2026) In "Fare's Fair" [368681/31140/4] Posted by grahame at 11:21, 28th November 2025 | |
Whilst there was no particular rush (we still have three weeks to go) I have booked an Interrail pass for next year. Various sites are available - I use https://www.interrail.eu/en which I commend to you. My pass needs activation by 26th October 2026 and I am now wondering if I can find anything to do in Europe. Lisa will be with me some of the time.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368680/29726/18] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:46, 28th November 2025 Already liked by grahame, Timmer | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
Facilities on the 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5. First class reduced.
Facilities on the 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5. First class reduced.
Gobsmacked - was that schedule to be an IET? No reason why not, of course, as far as Westbury but the idea of holding a hand out to stop an IET at Dilton Marsh is surreal
A possible explanation as to why an entry was made by mistake is that the set that forms that train (2V68, 13:28 WEY-GCR) is booked with 5-cars (166 and a 165) between Bristoland Gloucester with the 165 locked out of use and detaching at Gloucester.
| Re: Full and standing 27 November 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [368679/31160/14] Posted by charles_uk at 10:04, 28th November 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Today's 9:52 Paddington to Hereford has just departed. The GWR app is showing no seats available.
GWR's passenger charter actually says "you shouldn’t have to stand on an off-peak train at all". I did ask GWR a number of years ago how they ensured this commitment was met and what steps they took if a particular service struggled to meet it. There was no response...
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368678/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 08:02, 28th November 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
Gobsmacked - was that schedule to be an IET? No reason why not, of course, as far as Westbury but the idea of holding a hand out to stop an IET at Dilton Marsh is surreal
Are IETs even cleared for travel south of Westbury to Salisbury? They may be for getting to Eastleigh for repairs to their yaw damper brackets. (Yes I had to look that up 
)As far as I am aware they are NOT cleared to Salisbury. I have certainly not seen any of the IET stop boards south of Westbury.
The JourneyCheck and Real Time Trains we echo here are supremely useful in looking and learning about serious problems - cancellations, service short runs and delays, to inform in the "here and now" and look back and see what and why at later dates. Mixed in with those superbly useful reports are a sprinkling of frivolous ones where the systems have reported something that really does not matter to the passengers (3 cars rather than 2, delayed by a minute) or is plain wrong (5 cars with first class to Salisbury) - they lighten the message and help maintain the humour and humanity but can dilute the serious message. Case in point, this report here ...
| Re: Full and standing 27 November 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [368677/31160/14] Posted by charles_uk at 22:40, 27th November 2025 | |
This service wasn't a short-form - it's always a five car train. That said, it always does seem to be quite busy even if it's unusual for it to be "full and standing" due to overcrowding.
| Re: Cheltenham Road Viaduct - scope for possible redoubling (split topic, ongoing discussion) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368676/31161/21] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 22:18, 27th November 2025 Already liked by Ralph Ayres, Chris from Nailsea, TonyK, johnneyw | |
Depends on who gets the contract ....
| Re: Full and standing 27 November 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [368675/31160/14] Posted by Timmer at 22:02, 27th November 2025 | |
No concrete evidence for this but I suspect cases of short forms will be more prevalent away from the London Bristol route over the next two and a half weeks as every effort is made to ensure maximum capacity for Bath Christmas market which started today.
Oh yes, got to make sure everyone can get to visit the Bath sheds.| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368674/29726/18] Posted by Timmer at 21:42, 27th November 2025 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
Gobsmacked - was that schedule to be an IET? No reason why not, of course, as far as Westbury but the idea of holding a hand out to stop an IET at Dilton Marsh is surreal
Are IETs even cleared for travel south of Westbury to Salisbury? They may be for getting to Eastleigh for repairs to their yaw damper brackets. (Yes I had to look that up )| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [368673/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 21:24, 27th November 2025 | |
Delays to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a safety inspection of the track between London Paddington and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 15 minutes. Disruption is expected until 18:00 27/11.
Due to a safety inspection of the track between London Paddington and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 15 minutes. Disruption is expected until 18:00 27/11.
This one seemed to have disappeared but is now back again.........now until the end of the day.
Delays to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a safety inspection of the track between London Paddington and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 15 minutes. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
| Re: Full and standing 27 November 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [368672/31160/14] Posted by bobm at 20:14, 27th November 2025 | |
No concrete evidence for this but I suspect cases of short forms will be more prevalent away from the London Bristol route over the next two and a half weeks as every effort is made to ensure maximum capacity for Bath Christmas market which started today.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368670/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 19:44, 27th November 2025 | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
Facilities on the 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5. First class reduced.
Facilities on the 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5. First class reduced.
Gobsmacked - was that schedule to be an IET? No reason why not, of course, as far as Westbury but the idea of holding a hand out to stop an IET at Dilton Marsh is surreal
| Re: Cheltenham Road Viaduct - scope for possible redoubling (split topic, ongoing discussion) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368669/31161/21] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 19:03, 27th November 2025 Already liked by grahame, Chris from Nailsea, johnneyw, Western Pathfinder, eightonedee, rogerw, TonyK | |
As well as the previous noted items, the bridge over the port entrance at Sea Mills needs replacing badly.
I hope you meant "...badly needs replacing."?| Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [368668/31163/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:43, 27th November 2025 | |
I have been reminded of my original post, on another topic here - simply because of its ongoing topicality. Those major infrastructure problems won't go away with Great British Railways, nor any of Rachel Reeves' Budget announcements :
No, I haven't lost the plot! 
Rather, I'm sharing member ChrisB's view that this sort of problem won't suddenly go away on New Year's Eve:
CfN.
Rather, I'm sharing member ChrisB's view that this sort of problem won't suddenly go away on New Year's Eve:
And the first for 2025....New Thread please!
I'm merely preparing the ground here, ready for member TaplowGreen to develop this topic, in due course.CfN.
This is clearly an area of concern (understatement?) to our members and readers of the Coffee Shop forum, in terms of their experiences of travelling on the railways in our wider area.
While starting this topic (in preparation), may I also reassure all of our members that their ongoing contributions to this, and indeed any other topic, will continue to be very welcome.
Chris from Nailsea.
| Re: Problems with IET trains from April 2021 In "Across the West" [368667/24934/26] Posted by ChrisB at 17:11, 27th November 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Across the whole entire GWR IET fleet, there’s approximately 100 engines isolated. If they’re rectifying 3 a day, that’ll be over a months worth of worth excluding new failures. Add to that, the countless speed restrictions in place because of track defects and the picture is grim.
Same problem from last month's discussion
