Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Belfast's Grand Central station, opening on Sunday 8th September 2024 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361390/29112/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:43, 9th May 2025 |      |
From the BBC:
Bryson gets permission to challenge station Irish signs
Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has been given permission by the High Court to challenge plans to have Irish language signs installed at Grand Central Station in Belfast.
He was granted leave to seek a judicial review into Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins' decision to approve the £150,000 scheme at the city's new public transport hub.
A judge ruled Mr Bryson had established a case that the move was so controversial it required agreement from the entire Northern Ireland Executive. The case has been listed for a full hearing in September.
Proceedings were issued after Ms Kimmins announced in March that Irish signage were to be installed at Grand Central and on ticket vending machines. She said the decision was based on a commitment to promote the language and the importance of the station reflecting all citizens.
Representing himself in the case, Mr Bryson contended she unlawfully breached the ministerial code by failing to refer the issue to the Executive Committee for discussion and agreement.
Under Stormont rules any controversial or cross-cutting decision should be tabled for consideration by the full power-sharing executive.
Mr Bryson argued the test was met based on publicly expressed views by a number of senior unionist politicians.
Disputing that assessment, counsel for the minister said a TUV petition in the assembly against the dual language signage attracted no signatures of support from any other MLAs.
Tony McGleenan KC told the court the mechanism deployed by Timothy Gaston in an attempt to have the issue referred to the executive "registered a nil return". But according to Mr Bryson, the petition could not have achieved anything more than a discussion about the planned Irish signage.
Mr Justice Scoffield was told that the issue has already been raised at an executive meeting last month. Granting leave following submissions, Mr Justice Scoffield held that there was sufficient merit in Mr Bryson's arguments to distinguish it from other "hopeless cases". With no planned work to install Irish language signage at the station set to begin for at least six months, the case was listed for a full hearing in September.
Speaking outside court, Mr Bryson stated: "It is unfortunate that so defiant is this Sinn Féin minister that it's going to require the court to uphold the law and her legal responsibilities which she has not complied with in this case." He added: "The end result, it is hoped, is that Irish language (signs) will not feature at Grand Central Station."
Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has been given permission by the High Court to challenge plans to have Irish language signs installed at Grand Central Station in Belfast.
He was granted leave to seek a judicial review into Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins' decision to approve the £150,000 scheme at the city's new public transport hub.
A judge ruled Mr Bryson had established a case that the move was so controversial it required agreement from the entire Northern Ireland Executive. The case has been listed for a full hearing in September.
Proceedings were issued after Ms Kimmins announced in March that Irish signage were to be installed at Grand Central and on ticket vending machines. She said the decision was based on a commitment to promote the language and the importance of the station reflecting all citizens.
Representing himself in the case, Mr Bryson contended she unlawfully breached the ministerial code by failing to refer the issue to the Executive Committee for discussion and agreement.
Under Stormont rules any controversial or cross-cutting decision should be tabled for consideration by the full power-sharing executive.
Mr Bryson argued the test was met based on publicly expressed views by a number of senior unionist politicians.
Disputing that assessment, counsel for the minister said a TUV petition in the assembly against the dual language signage attracted no signatures of support from any other MLAs.
Tony McGleenan KC told the court the mechanism deployed by Timothy Gaston in an attempt to have the issue referred to the executive "registered a nil return". But according to Mr Bryson, the petition could not have achieved anything more than a discussion about the planned Irish signage.
Mr Justice Scoffield was told that the issue has already been raised at an executive meeting last month. Granting leave following submissions, Mr Justice Scoffield held that there was sufficient merit in Mr Bryson's arguments to distinguish it from other "hopeless cases". With no planned work to install Irish language signage at the station set to begin for at least six months, the case was listed for a full hearing in September.
Speaking outside court, Mr Bryson stated: "It is unfortunate that so defiant is this Sinn Féin minister that it's going to require the court to uphold the law and her legal responsibilities which she has not complied with in this case." He added: "The end result, it is hoped, is that Irish language (signs) will not feature at Grand Central Station."
| Re: HS2 - Government proposals, alternative routes and general discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361389/5138/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:30, 9th May 2025 | |
From the BBC:
HS2 tunnel machine breaks through for milestone
A giant HS2 boring machine has broken through to complete the first section of a three and-a-half mile (5.6km) tunnel on the route's approach into Birmingham.
The 125m (137yd) long, 1,600-tonne machine emerged on Friday morning after 652 days and nights of construction work.
The device was named Mary Ann by the local community in a nod to the Warwickshire-born writer George Eliot, which was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans.
The tunnel is the first of two bores of the Bromford Tunnel, running from Water Orton in north Warwickshire to Washwood Heath in Birmingham, passing under the area's motorway network and the River Tame. The breakthrough - HS2's first in Birmingham - was described by officials as a "significant milestone" for the line.
About 31,000 people are employed on the programme across the 140-mile (225km) route.
An HS2 spokesperson estimated that the second bore of the Bromford Tunnel would be completed later this year by another tunnel boring machine, this one named Elizabeth, after the social reformer and activist Dame Elizabeth Cadbury.
Following the excavation, teams will begin fitting out the tunnel with cross passages, concrete finishing works, base slabs and emergency and maintenance walkways.
At peak production, Mary Ann advanced at about 30m (98ft) each day, with teams reinforcing the tunnel with more than 20,000 pieces of concrete.
"Today's breakthrough is a significant milestone for the project and I'm immensely proud of the men and women who have worked day and night to bring Mary Ann and her crew home safely," said Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd's chief executive. "Washwood Heath is set to become one of the most important sites on the entire HS2 network - the point at which the railway will be operated, controlled and maintained using the very latest digital technology."
Mary Ann dug out about a million tonnes of soil to create the structure, which will become the longest railway tunnel in the West Midlands. The earth which was excavated will be reused to support construction of a nearby network of 13 viaducts, officials added.
A giant HS2 boring machine has broken through to complete the first section of a three and-a-half mile (5.6km) tunnel on the route's approach into Birmingham.
The 125m (137yd) long, 1,600-tonne machine emerged on Friday morning after 652 days and nights of construction work.
The device was named Mary Ann by the local community in a nod to the Warwickshire-born writer George Eliot, which was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans.
The tunnel is the first of two bores of the Bromford Tunnel, running from Water Orton in north Warwickshire to Washwood Heath in Birmingham, passing under the area's motorway network and the River Tame. The breakthrough - HS2's first in Birmingham - was described by officials as a "significant milestone" for the line.
About 31,000 people are employed on the programme across the 140-mile (225km) route.
An HS2 spokesperson estimated that the second bore of the Bromford Tunnel would be completed later this year by another tunnel boring machine, this one named Elizabeth, after the social reformer and activist Dame Elizabeth Cadbury.
Following the excavation, teams will begin fitting out the tunnel with cross passages, concrete finishing works, base slabs and emergency and maintenance walkways.
At peak production, Mary Ann advanced at about 30m (98ft) each day, with teams reinforcing the tunnel with more than 20,000 pieces of concrete.
"Today's breakthrough is a significant milestone for the project and I'm immensely proud of the men and women who have worked day and night to bring Mary Ann and her crew home safely," said Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd's chief executive. "Washwood Heath is set to become one of the most important sites on the entire HS2 network - the point at which the railway will be operated, controlled and maintained using the very latest digital technology."
Mary Ann dug out about a million tonnes of soil to create the structure, which will become the longest railway tunnel in the West Midlands. The earth which was excavated will be reused to support construction of a nearby network of 13 viaducts, officials added.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361388/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 20:13, 9th May 2025 | |
Would someone please fix the bl**dy thing or split a couple of carriages off another train? You could even split 5 cars off a London to Plymouth evening service now as they get quieter when they get past Westbury.
I've taken the liberty and had a look in a couple of directions ... not ideal, but here are some multiple units passing through Westbury. 16:08, 17:06 and 18:03 could all drop 2 carriages on their way to Portsmouth. The first one would get a bit crowded further south, but the latter 2 with 3 and 2 carriages
What heads west - 10 carriages just after 6 p.m. and I'm sure only 5 are needed beyond Westbury. And there's that 9 car that goes out of service at Frome ;-)
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [361387/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 20:10, 9th May 2025 | |
Is the absence of crew that are able to make the repair during daylight hours a new thing or a recent (past 5yrs) thing?
From a non-expert/passenger perspective it seems remiss not to be able to fix problems for 12+ hours after they occur, but is the logic that the disruption to fix during daylight hours is => than managing the closed line for a day?
From a non-expert/passenger perspective it seems remiss not to be able to fix problems for 12+ hours after they occur, but is the logic that the disruption to fix during daylight hours is => than managing the closed line for a day?
Very good question, certainly the habit of routinely forecasting disruption "until the end of the day" seems quite a recent development.
I too do find the idea that there is no-one available from Network Rail to react to this type of incident for 12 hours incredible, especially given the significance, and state of the infrastructure in the Paddington-Reading area - these are hardly isolated incidents.
I feel for staff having to put a time on disruption and how long it will go on.
I tend to reserve my feelings for the customers- those who have paid for a service and end up being massively inconvenienced, time & time again on this route.
Those "having to put a time on disruption" at least have the comfort of being paid to do so.
| Re: Final Destination: Riding Britain’s Trains to the End of the Line In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [361386/30253/49] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:30, 9th May 2025 | |
... judge from The Great Pottery Throwdown.
That'll be Keith Brymer Jones, so https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pwllheli_railway_station then.
| Final Destination: Riding Britain’s Trains to the End of the Line In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [361385/30253/49] Posted by grahame at 18:42, 9th May 2025 | |
Final Destination: Riding Britain’s Trains to the End of the Line
Hardcover – 8 May 2025
by Nige Tassell (Author)
Amazon reviews this
All aboard for a one-of-a-kind journey by train to some of the most obscure parts of BritainOn the 200th birthday of the world’s first passenger-carrying railway, Nige Tassell sets out to ride Britain’s railway network all the way to its lesser-travelled-to corners, its seldom-visited outposts. From Wick to Penzance and many points in between, he stays on until the end of the line. He is the last man sitting.The sixteen final destinations he visits offer sixteen different stories. By delving into their histories, by speaking to their people and by having a good old-fashioned nose around, Tassell reveals much about places that rarely have light cast upon them – from ferry ports to abandoned resorts, from tiny hamlets to towns being reclaimed by the sea. It''s a journey that takes in Harry Potter, Muhammad Ali, goths, Alan Bennett, Vera Brittain, Viz comic, Alex Horne, Nigel Farage. Vikings, John Betjeman, Aneurin Bevan, Tyson Fury, Charlotte Rampling''s dad and the weepy judge from The Great Pottery Throwdown. All human life is here.So grab yourself a window seat for an odyssey that tells us much about Britain today. All aboard, all aboard.
Somehow I would love to know what the destinations actually are ... I will naughty speculate
Coryton
Bromley North
Hertford East
Parkend
Milngavie
Bere Alston ....
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361384/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 18:28, 9th May 2025 | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
I have a funny (peculiar, not haha) feeling that trains get swapped around and "fault on this train" is reported because an old crock or a train someone was doubtful about was assigned to the service. The feeling is boosted by the reaction when I made a comment at Westbury about waiting for / catching the Swindon train (I forget the comment exactly) and eyes were rolled in such a way that indicated the staff see it as the flakiest that runs from there.
And now ...
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
20:14 Swindon to Westbury due 20:57
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
20:14 Swindon to Westbury due 20:57
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Would someone please fix the bl**dy thing or split a couple of carriages off another train? You could even split 5 cars off a London to Plymouth evening service now as they get quieter when they get past Westbury.
| Re: Posting news items from the press / broadcast media on the Coffee Shop forum In "News, Help and Assistance" [361383/30248/29] Posted by grahame at 18:19, 9th May 2025 | |
Quite often news stories are based on press releases from Network Rail, local councils or other bodies who are actually quite keen to spread the word on what they are up to.
I have found at times that it's very rewarding to dig into links and research that's being reported even in advert-infected, paywall-bounded content, and then to report the real meat stuff behind.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [361382/29650/26] Posted by grahame at 18:16, 9th May 2025 | |
Is the absence of crew that are able to make the repair during daylight hours a new thing or a recent (past 5yrs) thing?
From a non-expert/passenger perspective it seems remiss not to be able to fix problems for 12+ hours after they occur, but is the logic that the disruption to fix during daylight hours is => than managing the closed line for a day?
From a non-expert/passenger perspective it seems remiss not to be able to fix problems for 12+ hours after they occur, but is the logic that the disruption to fix during daylight hours is => than managing the closed line for a day?
Very good question, certainly the habit of routinely forecasting disruption "until the end of the day" seems quite a recent development.
I too do find the idea that there is no-one available from Network Rail to react to this type of incident for 12 hours incredible, especially given the significance, and state of the infrastructure in the Paddington-Reading area - these are hardly isolated incidents.
I suspect that the issue may relate to access for staff to a live railway. In older day and you still see it in other counties, trains run on adjacent lines while work is ongoing but in order to reduce / eliminate as far as possible casualties, it's very rare if at all these days. So that means as nighttime stoppage ...
I feel for staff having to put a time on disruption and how long it will go on. The honest thing to say is "we don't know" but that is not helpful without an estimate, and systems are not set up to say "probably" and "possibly" and "if we're lucky", and I'm not sure how such terms and information would be taken by members of the public who are less analytic than readers here.
| New road bridge over River Clyde opens to traffic - May 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361381/30252/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:15, 9th May 2025 | |
From the BBC:
The first new road bridge across the River Clyde in nearly two decades has opened to traffic.
The Renfrew Bridge, linking the Renfrewshire town with Yoker and Clydebank on the north bank, is part of a £117m project to improve connectivity and regenerate waterfront areas.
The 184m (604ft) bridge is the first road crossing on the river capable of opening to allow large ships to pass. As well as a two-lane crossing for drivers, the bridge offers access to cyclists and pedestrians.
The Renfrew Bridge is the second new bridge over the Clyde in a year, after a pedestrian crossing opened between Govan and Partick. It is the first vehicular crossing over the river since the Clyde Arc, nicknamed the Squinty Bridge, in 2006.
A ceremonial opening event took place on Thursday which saw children from primary schools on both sides of the river meet in the middle. Pupils from Kirklandneuk Primary in Renfrew, Our Holy Redeemer's Primary in Clydebank and St Brendan's and Clyde primaries in Yoker waved flags and shook hands, accompanied by a pipe band.
Members of the public, cyclists and dogwalkers then streamed across the bridge for the first time, ahead of the full opening.
The leader of Renfrewshire Council, Iain Nicolson, said the bridge would bring major benefits for businesses and people living on both sides of the river. "It will connect all the communities around with regards to employment and economic development," he said. "They'll be able to travel across it, reach where they want to go - employment, Braehead shopping centre, Glasgow - quicker and faster. It will bring the communities together."
The completion of the bridge marks the culmination of the £117m Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project which also includes new roads and cycling routes.
The project received funding from both the Scottish and UK governments through the Glasgow Region City Deal. A major benefit is improved access to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District being developed next to Glasgow Airport.
Construction was carried out by civil engineers Graham, and the large bridge sections were manufactured in the Netherlands before being transported by barge.
Until now, the only way to cross the river at Renfrew was by using a small ferry that carries pedestrians and cyclists for a small fee. The Renfrew ferry has been operating, previously with larger car carrying vessels, for a century and is located closer to the town centre. The ferry will continue operating although the impact of the new bridge on its usage and future has yet to be established.
The Renfrew Bridge, linking the Renfrewshire town with Yoker and Clydebank on the north bank, is part of a £117m project to improve connectivity and regenerate waterfront areas.
The 184m (604ft) bridge is the first road crossing on the river capable of opening to allow large ships to pass. As well as a two-lane crossing for drivers, the bridge offers access to cyclists and pedestrians.
The Renfrew Bridge is the second new bridge over the Clyde in a year, after a pedestrian crossing opened between Govan and Partick. It is the first vehicular crossing over the river since the Clyde Arc, nicknamed the Squinty Bridge, in 2006.
A ceremonial opening event took place on Thursday which saw children from primary schools on both sides of the river meet in the middle. Pupils from Kirklandneuk Primary in Renfrew, Our Holy Redeemer's Primary in Clydebank and St Brendan's and Clyde primaries in Yoker waved flags and shook hands, accompanied by a pipe band.
Members of the public, cyclists and dogwalkers then streamed across the bridge for the first time, ahead of the full opening.
The leader of Renfrewshire Council, Iain Nicolson, said the bridge would bring major benefits for businesses and people living on both sides of the river. "It will connect all the communities around with regards to employment and economic development," he said. "They'll be able to travel across it, reach where they want to go - employment, Braehead shopping centre, Glasgow - quicker and faster. It will bring the communities together."
The completion of the bridge marks the culmination of the £117m Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project which also includes new roads and cycling routes.
The project received funding from both the Scottish and UK governments through the Glasgow Region City Deal. A major benefit is improved access to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District being developed next to Glasgow Airport.
Construction was carried out by civil engineers Graham, and the large bridge sections were manufactured in the Netherlands before being transported by barge.
Until now, the only way to cross the river at Renfrew was by using a small ferry that carries pedestrians and cyclists for a small fee. The Renfrew ferry has been operating, previously with larger car carrying vessels, for a century and is located closer to the town centre. The ferry will continue operating although the impact of the new bridge on its usage and future has yet to be established.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [361380/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:20, 9th May 2025 | |
Is the absence of crew that are able to make the repair during daylight hours a new thing or a recent (past 5yrs) thing?
From a non-expert/passenger perspective it seems remiss not to be able to fix problems for 12+ hours after they occur, but is the logic that the disruption to fix during daylight hours is => than managing the closed line for a day?
From a non-expert/passenger perspective it seems remiss not to be able to fix problems for 12+ hours after they occur, but is the logic that the disruption to fix during daylight hours is => than managing the closed line for a day?
Very good question, certainly the habit of routinely forecasting disruption "until the end of the day" seems quite a recent development.
I too do find the idea that there is no-one available from Network Rail to react to this type of incident for 12 hours incredible, especially given the significance, and state of the infrastructure in the Paddington-Reading area - these are hardly isolated incidents.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361379/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 17:19, 9th May 2025 | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
I have a funny (peculiar, not haha) feeling that trains get swapped around and "fault on this train" is reported because an old crock or a train someone was doubtful about was assigned to the service. The feeling is boosted by the reaction when I made a comment at Westbury about waiting for / catching the Swindon train (I forget the comment exactly) and eyes were rolled in such a way that indicated the staff see it as the flakiest that runs from there.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [361378/29650/26] Posted by NickB at 17:13, 9th May 2025 | |
Is the absence of crew that are able to make the repair during daylight hours a new thing or a recent (past 5yrs) thing?
From a non-expert/passenger perspective it seems remiss not to be able to fix problems for 12+ hours after they occur, but is the logic that the disruption to fix during daylight hours is => than managing the closed line for a day?
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361377/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:11, 9th May 2025 | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: Taking Train Operation into public ownership - Govt planning from 4.12.2024 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361376/29571/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:45, 9th May 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Greater Anglia to be nationalised - rail operator
Greater Anglia is set to be nationalised later this year, the rail operator has said.
The company, which runs trains across the East of England and into London, said it would be brought under public ownership on 12 October.
It said train services, timetables and station facilities would be unaffected by the transition, and employees' roles would all transfer across.
Martin Beable, the company's managing director, said the firm would "remain focused" on delivering its services. The Department for Transport has been approached for comment.
Greater Anglia runs trains throughout Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, including the Stansted Express airport service.
Mr Beable said: "I am very proud of what we have achieved here in East Anglia over the past 13 years, significantly improving standards, investing in a complete fleet of new trains and working closely with the local community."
Greater Anglia is set to be nationalised later this year, the rail operator has said.
The company, which runs trains across the East of England and into London, said it would be brought under public ownership on 12 October.
It said train services, timetables and station facilities would be unaffected by the transition, and employees' roles would all transfer across.
Martin Beable, the company's managing director, said the firm would "remain focused" on delivering its services. The Department for Transport has been approached for comment.
Greater Anglia runs trains throughout Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, including the Stansted Express airport service.
Mr Beable said: "I am very proud of what we have achieved here in East Anglia over the past 13 years, significantly improving standards, investing in a complete fleet of new trains and working closely with the local community."
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [361375/29650/26] Posted by UstiImmigrunt at 16:30, 9th May 2025 | |
Correct, no staff available during the day to replace the rail. There is tonight but it means cancelling the booked possession on the relief lines.
I've seen a picture of the broken rail and it is a bad break with the pandorol clip detached from the hook and a few inches away from the rail.
| Rediscovered Thomas & Friends pilot to be released on YouTube - 9 May 2025 In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [361374/30251/49] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:48, 9th May 2025 | |
From the BBC:
A rediscovered and restored version of the pilot episode of Thomas & Friends, the animated children's steam train series narrated by Sir Ringo Starr, is set to be seen for the first time since 1983.
The original test episode, titled Down The Mine, will appear online on Friday 9 May to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the famous talking tank engine franchise.
The popular character began his adventures in a book published in 1945 which was later adapted into a TV show, which ran from 1984 until 2021.
The 40-year-old plus recording of the original pilot - shot on 35mm film - has been dug up and updated digitally, and will be made available to view on YouTube at 18:00 BST.
Beatles drummer Sir Ringo can be heard narrating in the new footage alongside a slightly different bespoke musical arrangement of the theme tune by longtime series composer Mike O' Donnell.
Ian McCue, the series producer on the show from 2010 to 2020, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday the team had "stumbled across" the old film cans which had been put in storage and "had to piece it together with great love and care. I think that you can see that there's teething problems that they would have had had they not done that [the pilot]," he explained. "It was a very smart move to do that and to make sure everything was good for when they started season one."
"So obviously smoke coming from behind Thomas's face plate, and I know that, having talked to some of the crew that worked on it, they had problems with the radio control devices not getting through the actual engine builds." He added: "But I think there's a sort of a lovely charm and innocence about it, and I think even as a pilot, as a test piece, it still has that lovely, classic, timeless story to it, and the voices, everything is just so delightful."
Thomas first appeared on ITV before moving to Cartoon Network, Nick Jr, Channel 5 and can now be found on Netflix.
McCue attributes the show's enduring popularity to its evolution over time while maintaining themes of friendship and teamwork, aligned with its trustworthiness for parents. "Over the years, it's built up this amazing fandom, but we keep thinking about our next generation of Thomas fans, and keep it relevant for today," he said. "But we always remember the themes, the messages of friendship and teamwork and communication, and just make sure they're just fun, wholesome adventures and it's a trusted show. I think parents actually enjoy the fact that they could leave their children to watch Thomas without any concern."
Roberto Stanichi, from toy company Mattel, agreed that Thomas had "brought joy to generations, sharing timeless stories and valuable life lessons. As we celebrate this momentous year, we're unveiling 40-year-old footage and newly uncovered stories from the vault for the first time ever, offering longtime fans and new audiences the chance to reconnect with the beloved adventures of Thomas & Friends in new and nostalgic ways," he said.
The franchise will also put original pieces from the brand's history up for auction, to mark the big birthday celebrations, including artwork and props from the stop-motion scenes that first aired in 1984. Collectors and fans will have the chance to bid for items signed by celebrities who have voiced characters on the long-running series down the years, including English actors Olivia Colman, Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Bonneville. The proceeds from the auction - which is open for registration now, with bidding to commence from the 12 May - will be donated to the National Autistic Society.
| Plane caught fire as pilot confused left and right - Gatwick, 28 June 2024 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [361373/30250/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:41, 9th May 2025 | |
From the BBC:
A plane aborted take-off on a Gatwick runway after its co-pilot muddled up his left and right hands, investigators have found.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the error resulted in the aircraft's brakes catching fire.
The 28 June incident - involving a British Airways flight to Vancouver, Canada - led to a 50-minute runway closure and 23 cancelled departures at the West Sussex airport.
A British Airways spokesperson said: "Safety is always our highest priority and our pilots brought the aircraft to a safe stop."
Gatwick Airport has been contacted for comment.
A 13-person crew and 334 passengers were on board during the incident, according to the AAIB report.
Investigators said the co-pilot "unintentionally" moved a lever to his left when he was supposed to move a lever to his right instead.
This reduced the Boeing 777 aircraft's thrust at a time when the aircraft's commander called for the plane to start pulling up, they said. According to the investigation's findings, the co-pilot "momentarily" sped up again before abandoning take-off.
The plane "stopped some distance before the end of the runway" but airport firefighting crews were called to put out a fire on the right-hand landing gear. There were no reported injuries.
The AAIB said British Airways analysis of the event showed the morning was otherwise "unremarkable" and there were no obvious distractions or workload problems prior to the fire.
The co-pilot, who had over 6,100 hours of flying experience, "expressed surprise" over the mistake and "could not identify a reason for it", according to the report. He last flew two weeks before the incident.
British Airways had issued a safety notice reminding pilots to "pause before execution and cognitively consider what the required action is" four days before the incident, the AAIB said.
The agency added that the airline had "included 'mis-selections' in a new 'safety topic' section of its pre-flight briefing material for crew" and was promoting focus during regular simulator training for pilots.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [361372/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 12:52, 9th May 2025 | |
Friday May 9
Facilities on the 09:52 London Paddington to Hereford due 12:46.
Service full and standing from London Paddington.
Last Updated:09/05/2025 10:02
Preceding 1D18 09:23 London Paddington to Oxford cancelled.Service full and standing from London Paddington.
Last Updated:09/05/2025 10:02
| Re: Diary Of A Reasonably Frequent Rail User In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361371/17250/51] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 12:25, 9th May 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
02/05/25-07/05/25 - Grandson’s 1st Birthday Celebration In Yorkshire
Largely good train punctuality, but GWR seems to have given up on revenue protection.
Tickets
2 x Senior Railcard Advance Singles DIG>PAD £75.20 (£37.60 each)
2 x TfL Underground Off Peak Singles PAD>KGX £5.60 (£2.80 each)
2 x Senior Railcard 1st Class Advance Singles KGX>WKF £78.00 (£39.00 each)
2 x Senior Railcard Anytime Day Singles WKF>PFM £5.40 (£2.70 each)
2 x Senior Railcard Advance Singles PFM>GRA £24.50 (£12.25 each)
2 x Senior Railcard Advance Singles GRA>DIG £48.60 (£24.30 each)
The GRA>DIG tickets obviously included the cross-London journeys.
PFM = Pontefract Monkhill, GRA = Grantham
Outward - 02/05/25
DIG 0943 (OT)>EXD 0955 (0958): 2T12 EXM>PGN : 1 x 166/2 (3 Cars)
EXD 1015 (1017)>PAD 1229 (1227) : 1A78 PNZ>PAD» : 2 x 802/0 (10 Cars)
TfL Circle Line PAD>KGX
KGX 1403 (OT)>WKF 1558 (OT) : 1D17 KGX>LDS : 1 x IC225 (9 Cars)
WKF 1642 (1648)>PFM 1705 (1710) : 2A23 LDS>KNO : 1 x 150/2 (2 Cars)
2T12 was delayed at EXC waiting for 2F11, which departed from EXD P3 rather than P1, to clear the line.
20 pax boarded at DIG.
No ticket / railcard check.
Accessible toilet was OOS (according to the DIG PIS)
1A78 arrived at, and departed from, EXD 2 mins late.
It being the start of a Public Holiday weekend the train was well loaded.
It gradually lost time during the journey arriving at RDG 6 down but, due to the 8 min dwell time there, left on time and, much to my amazement, reached PAD 2 mins early!
Catering facilities were as advertised but…
No ticket / railcard check - I don’t recall this having happened to me on a long distance GWR service before.
So given that the train terminated in PAD P9 any ne’er-do-well prepared to chance it could have made our journey gratis.
On 1D17 the LNER service was what we nearly always get - an on-time departure & arrival, full ticket / railcard check shortly after leaving KGX, and an excellent 1st class food / drink service.
2A23 left LDS 7 minutes late; as the incoming 2A18 was on time I guess this was most likely a crew change issue.
Surprisingly no ticket / railcard check on 2A23 - Northern are usually pretty hot on this.
The WKF>PFM trip feels very slow - the average speed is 25.1mph.
The connection at WKF to PFM isn’t great because Northern can only run LDS>KNO via Wakefield hourly as there is also an hourly LDS>KNO via Castleford service and the line through Pontefract carries freight & Grand Central trains.
PFM station needs some TLC; the footbridge is showing it's age and the main pedestrian access is a steep, narrow stairway.
Return - 07/05/25
PFM 1245 (OT)>WKF 1309 (1310) : 2A12 KNO>LDS : 1 x 150/2 (2 Cars)
WKF 1328 (1331)>KGX 1530 (1526) : 1A31 LDS>KGX : 1 x IC225 (9 Cars)
TfL Hammersmith & City Line KGX>PAD
PAD 1635 (OT)>EXD 1902 (1900) : 1C89 PAD>PLY 2 x 802/0 (10 Cars)
EXD 1913 (OT)>DIG 1925 (OT) : 2F30 PGN>EXM : 1 x 166/2 (3 Cars)
Tickets, but not railcards, checked on 2A12.
Full ticket / railcard check on 1A31 after leaving Doncaster. Simon the TM spent quite a bit of time looking at our split tickets before deciding they were valid! He then moved on to the two passengers behind us who he found were travelling on invalid Advances and told them politely but firmly that he was going to let it go this time - the tickets were for the train 30 minutes later - but under normal circumstances they would be required to purchase completely new tickets. LNER appear not to use formal Penalty Fares but give their TM’s the option of either charging the excess or making the passenger buy a brand new ticket.
No ticket / railcard checks on either GWR service.
I wasn’t aware that GWR did any train divides at EXD but 1C89 drops the rear unit in P6, this returning to PAD as 1A37, before continuing to PLY.
| Re: trainee drivers will be allowed to drive trains from age 18 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361370/30247/51] Posted by matth1j at 11:50, 9th May 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
(but some coarse language, possibly NSFW)https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/theyll-be-live-streaming-it-why-gen-z-must-never-become-train-drivers-20250508256889
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [361369/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:52, 9th May 2025 | |
Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a broken rail between London Paddington and Reading some lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected until 09:30 09/05.
Customer Advice
Due to a broken rail at Slough services passing through this area will be delayed, altered or cancelled.
Due to a broken rail between London Paddington and Reading some lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected until 09:30 09/05.
Customer Advice
Due to a broken rail at Slough services passing through this area will be delayed, altered or cancelled.
And now........"Disruption is expected until the end of the day"
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [361368/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:53, 9th May 2025 | |
Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a broken rail between London Paddington and Reading some lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected until 09:30 09/05.
Customer Advice
Due to a broken rail at Slough services passing through this area will be delayed, altered or cancelled.
| Re: trainee drivers will be allowed to drive trains from age 18 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361367/30247/51] Posted by Zoe at 08:33, 9th May 2025 | |
How many 18 year olds are going to have previous experience of the specific situations that need to be demonstrated at the competency based interview though?
| Re: Where was I? 2nd May 2022. In "The Lighter Side" [361366/26323/30] Posted by grahame at 07:29, 9th May 2025 | |
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/person-struck-train-wagon-private-10159685
A few weeks old, but recording here for the record - and remaining us that even little trains can do big damage to people.
A person has been hit by a train wagon in Somerset. The person, who was a volunteer member of staff, was seriously injured after being struck near the Common Lane level crossing on the Gartell Light Railway on Thursday, April 17.
The person was hit by the wagon at around 9.35am, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has said. The wagon was part of a train transporting staff, equipment and materials to a work site.
The person was hit by the wagon at around 9.35am, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has said. The wagon was part of a train transporting staff, equipment and materials to a work site.
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks In "Heart of Wessex" [361364/30048/19] Posted by grahame at 07:01, 9th May 2025 | |
I plan to rise early again tomorrow and give it another go. Somewhat prophetically, I had decided to only buy my ticket once I knew the train had passed onto the single line on tine; same again in the morning. It's a more expensive train / ticket than I like as it's not "Off Peak". A rather strange definition of "Off Peak" because both of the trains load very thinly and so in colloquial terms the are NOT peak services. Weather forecast looks OK for the walk too.
I rose early, worried at the 9 minutes late at Stonehouse ... which was made up along the way ... 1 minute late at Melksham, and into Westbury in time for the connection. I noted last time I made the connection, and again today, that others were making the dash through the subway at Westbury too ... had a chat with them and it turns out they are regulars and it "usually" works.
There are no peak crowds on this train
| Edinburgh: Repairs to historic North Bridge delayed again to 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361362/30249/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:39, 8th May 2025 | |
From the BBC:
An over budget project to refurbish a historic bridge in Edinburgh is facing a fresh delay.
Work on the Category A-listed North Bridge began in 2018 to help safeguard its long-term use.
It was estimated the project would cost £22m but it is now thought the bill for the overhaul will be at least £85m after years of delays.
Edinburgh City Council last year said work would be completed by November 2025 but has now pushed this back to spring 2026. Contractors found the bridge in a much worse condition than expected when work began to repair or replace its 6,300 steel sections.
The impact of the Covid pandemic and ensuring the bridge is capable of taking any future tram lines in the city have also been blamed for the delays and cost overruns.
The North Bridge was built in 1897 - by the same firm which built the Forth Bridge - - as a city centre link between the Old and New Towns. The last major refurbishment was in 1933 and some areas of the structure have not been accessed since the bridge had been completed.
In November last year, the City of Edinburgh Council told BBC Scotland that a total of £72.5m had been spent on the project to date with the estimated final cost expected to be £85.6m. The council also said that it was expected to be finished by November this year. Now it is expected the work will be substantially completed by spring next year and fully finished by the summer.
Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, the council's transport convener, said: "When we installed scaffolding to gain access to areas not worked on for 125 years it became clear very quickly that more repairs would be required than initially anticipated. This has impacted on the length and the cost of the project as well as other factors such as the Covid pandemic and cost of rising inflation. We know that these works have taken longer than we had initially anticipated, and are grateful to the local business community, residents and commuters for their patience."
