Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Shh ... it's an ekranoplan, isn't it? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363021/25116/5] Posted by stuving at 09:44, 8th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I was just going to add a note to this thread about reports that the Chinese have built an ekranoplan. Here is one from Aerotime:
Is China working on a wing-in-ground vehicle? Here’s what we know so far
ByMiquel Ros July 7, 2025, 17:57 (UTC +3) Defense
China may be testing a wing-in-ground vehicle, according to reports that have emerged on social media.

Photographs taken from afar show a mysterious vehicle with a design that suggests it may be some sort of wing-in-ground vehicle, also known as “ekranoplan”, after the first designs of this type produced in the Soviet Union.
The pictures were reportedly taken in the Bohai Sea, which is the semi-enclosed northwestern section of the Yellow Sea.
Western analysts have scrambled to examine the images and try to deduce the characteristics of this previously unknown flying vehicle. Defense-focused publication The War Zone, for example, speculated about the type of propulsion this craft may be using, and whether the mounts visible on top of the fuselage are jet engines or the receptacles for some sort of propeller.
This revelation takes place amid an armaments race between the United States and China with a view to getting ready for a hypothetical military confrontation in the Indo-Pacific region, a theater of operations in which amphibious capabilities would play a central role...
ByMiquel Ros July 7, 2025, 17:57 (UTC +3) Defense
China may be testing a wing-in-ground vehicle, according to reports that have emerged on social media.

Photographs taken from afar show a mysterious vehicle with a design that suggests it may be some sort of wing-in-ground vehicle, also known as “ekranoplan”, after the first designs of this type produced in the Soviet Union.
The pictures were reportedly taken in the Bohai Sea, which is the semi-enclosed northwestern section of the Yellow Sea.
Western analysts have scrambled to examine the images and try to deduce the characteristics of this previously unknown flying vehicle. Defense-focused publication The War Zone, for example, speculated about the type of propulsion this craft may be using, and whether the mounts visible on top of the fuselage are jet engines or the receptacles for some sort of propeller.
This revelation takes place amid an armaments race between the United States and China with a view to getting ready for a hypothetical military confrontation in the Indo-Pacific region, a theater of operations in which amphibious capabilities would play a central role...
Supposedly the China Sea is small (and flat?) enough that such a thing might serve to shift an army across it to a beach in short order. Those reports also mentioned the DARPA programme called Liberty Lifter, aiming for a bigger one able to cross oceans. And then guess what - yesterday DARPA announced the abrupt closure of that pgroramme. In Aviation week:
DARPA Ends Liberty Lifter Program
Brian Everstine July 07, 2025

DARPA artist impression of Liberty Lifter Credit: DARPA
DARPA has ended its Liberty Lifter effort to build a full-scale seaplane demonstrator earlier than originally expected, with the agency deciding it was not cost-effective or feasible to build the aircraft...
Brian Everstine July 07, 2025

DARPA artist impression of Liberty Lifter Credit: DARPA
DARPA has ended its Liberty Lifter effort to build a full-scale seaplane demonstrator earlier than originally expected, with the agency deciding it was not cost-effective or feasible to build the aircraft...
Hard to keep up, isn't it?
Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [363020/231/28] Posted by chuffed at 09:35, 8th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I think the three stations are Wellington, Cullompton and Haxby near Liverpool. I would have thought a W&C Parkway might have made more sense, but some tanked up lager louts might have other ideas!
Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [363019/231/28] Posted by grahame at 09:29, 8th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The government is also announcing key rail projects across the country, including reinstating a passenger rail line between Bristol city centre and Portishead, which last ran over 60 years ago, delivering 3 brand new train stations, bringing thousands more people closer to a railway...
Source: gov.uk press releaseThree stations... so Portishead, Pill and, er..?
Is there any commitment to employ enough trained staff to run a train service reliable enough for people to use once the line and stations are provided?
Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [363018/231/28] Posted by Red Squirrel at 09:15, 8th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The government is also announcing key rail projects across the country, including reinstating a passenger rail line between Bristol city centre and Portishead, which last ran over 60 years ago, delivering 3 brand new train stations, bringing thousands more people closer to a railway...
Source: gov.uk press releaseThree stations... so Portishead, Pill and, er..?
Re: Locomotives on Bank Notes In "The Lighter Side" [363017/30435/30] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 08:41, 8th July 2025 Already liked by Mark A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I'd very much like to see the Titfield thunderbolt on a £10 note .
Re: didn't think being a Transport minister was this dangerous In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363016/30438/52] Posted by TaplowGreen at 06:43, 8th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rather fortunate that the same hara-kiri isn't expected of British Transport Ministers/Civil Servants when they get the chop or have to resign due to some past/recent misdemeanour or incompetence - there would be scarcely a lamppost on Whitehall without a (highly subsidised!) body dangling from it!

Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363015/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 06:31, 8th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
It's striking that this is now commonplace. Historically, the railway ran on the principle of infrequent services with a lot of thought put into ensuring that these ran to time - and this carried over into the age of more frequent train provision: the quieter parts of the network didn't experience multi-hour gaps in service caused by cancellations.
As far as certain parts of the rail network goes, in the south west in particular, this principle seems to have gone out of the window. Given the inflexible costs involved in a railway operation, the industry's position on this is... odd.
Mark
As far as certain parts of the rail network goes, in the south west in particular, this principle seems to have gone out of the window. Given the inflexible costs involved in a railway operation, the industry's position on this is... odd.
Mark
Commonplace indeed. There was no shock over the weekend that half the service was lost, and no external cause - "act of god" - to explain it.
The industry's position is indeed odd, and frustrating.
Finally finally finally...the green light has been given along with a whole raft of other rail and road improvements. The government has put in a further £27 million. Just the final business case approval and it will be spades in the ground....
Re: Vivarail chosen for fast charging trial on the Greenford branch In "Across the West" [363013/26034/26] Posted by anthony215 at 00:01, 8th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pity the 769s couldn't have been fitted with batteries. Porterbrook likely to be looking for homes for yhe class 350/2's and they did suggest fitting these units with batteries
Re: Locomotives on Bank Notes In "The Lighter Side" [363012/30435/30] Posted by Merthyr Imp at 22:43, 7th July 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
'Catch Me Who Can' - not Trevithick's first locomotive but probably the best known - because everything else has followed from that.
Now I would have said the Penydarren Engine was better known - and not just because this stands just down the road from me:
Re: Thameslink train passengers evacuated as temperatures soar - 21 June 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363011/30386/51] Posted by Electric train at 18:02, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Another one.....Eurostar this time.
https://www.aol.co.uk/eurostar-chaos-passengers-complain-slowly-152817520.html
Customers described being stranded on board train with no working toilets or air conditioning
https://www.aol.co.uk/eurostar-chaos-passengers-complain-slowly-152817520.html
Customers described being stranded on board train with no working toilets or air conditioning
But it was in France not really a UK railway problem
didn't think being a Transport minister was this dangerous In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363010/30438/52] Posted by infoman at 17:28, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit has committed suicide on the day of his dismissal.
Starovoit's death was confirmed by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. They reported that the former minister's body with a gunshot wound was found in the Odintsovo municipal district in his personal car. Russian investigators say they are investigating the circumstances of his death.
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Telegram channels report that a firearm was found next to the body, and the preliminary cause of Starovoit's suicide is a possible criminal case involving violations during the construction of fortifications in Kursk Oblast.
Mash reports that Starovoit signed a decision by the region's operational headquarters to allow the Kursk Oblast Development Corporation to spend 19 billion roubles (US$241 million) and select subcontractors itself.
In addition, the investigation is checking the possibility of Starovoit's involvement in violations in the procurement of medicines for hospitals in the oblast and in the "failed transport reform" in Kursk, which failed to repair tram tracks and deliver new carriages.
Starovoit was testified against by the former head of Kursk Oblast, Alexei Smirnov, who was arrested in a case involving the embezzlement of 1 billion roubles (US$12 million). The same was done by the former director general of the corporation, Vladimir Lukin, and former Kursk head deputy Maxim Vasilyev, who was involved in the construction business. Both are currently in pre-trial detention.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin dismissed Starovoit on the morning of 7 July.
Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [363009/18719/26] Posted by a-driver at 16:39, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Glad to have met your expectations.
Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [363008/18719/26] Posted by IndustryInsider at 16:22, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Re: Locomotives on Bank Notes In "The Lighter Side" [363007/30435/30] Posted by JayMac at 16:13, 7th July 2025 Already liked by johnneyw | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I guess it depends how you define "first". I thought the Class 81 was the first fleet of electric locos that BR received.
The Class 76 (EM1) and Class 77 (EM2) locomotives used on the Woodhead route predate the Class 81. They were 1.5kV DC. The Class 81s were the first fleet of 25kV AC locomotives.
Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [363006/18719/26] Posted by a-driver at 15:57, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
: a-driver
Are you being offered a Vote?
Well, er, no. I’ve read the joint communication from the negotiating teams and understand where we are with the process.
A fair way until any offer might go to a vote.
Unless the negotiators are lying, and I can see no reason why they would.
Though I’m all ears if you have any evidence that the DfT have rejected a deal that’s not just gossip and hearsay?
No evidence that I can post.
I to have seen the latest joint communication. I would have grave concerns regarding the process if I was a GWR driver. Let’s just say, your DDC isn’t as strong as it use to be.
Re: Cable car for Bristol In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [363005/21169/21] Posted by TonyK at 15:26, 7th July 2025 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mr Hutson must have a holiday booked for next month. Plans for cable-cars and pods - nice touch sort of combining them - usually come out in August, when the Post traditionally has nothing else worth reporting on.
Re: Cable car for Bristol In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [363004/21169/21] Posted by grahame at 13:53, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Here we go again. ...
A sort of hybrid between a cable car and the Wuppertal Schweberbahn? Here's the link:
A sort of hybrid between a cable car and the Wuppertal Schweberbahn? Here's the link:
Not for the airport (though it might manage gradients) but do not rule out the Wuppertal system for suspension about the Avon - I have suggested it for Bath in the past, from Park and Ride at Batheaston Meadows to the Park and Ride at Newbridge. Hands will be thrown up in horror of course, though I would bet that if it had been installed in Victorian times, it would be a major part of the cit's heritage and hands would be thrown up in horror at taking in down / closing it. It is, of course, steel wheels on Steels rails, Red Squirrel - just that the rails are above the passengers not below them!
Re: Cable car for Bristol In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [363003/21169/21] Posted by Phantom at 13:11, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I thought people just wasted their time with stories like that on April Fools day
Re: Cable car for Bristol In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [363002/21169/21] Posted by johnneyw at 11:49, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The system's capacity of 480 passengers/hour seated (or 780 with some extra standing) could arguably be said to be inadequate for a mass transport system for an increasingly busy airport. Also sharing the route above the main line between Parson Street and Bristol Temple Meads may raise a few eyebrows at NR/GBR.
Re: Cable car for Bristol In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [363001/21169/21] Posted by Red Squirrel at 11:11, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
This, for what it's worth, seems to fit into the category 'Dangleway' according to the Gareth Dennis flowchart. For those who haven't come across it before, it's here:

Image ©Gareth Dennis (see https://x.com/GarethDennis/status/1534621173027323904)
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363000/29726/18] Posted by Mark A at 11:05, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Not fit for purpose ...
**Images removed that log a multi-hour break caused by cancelled train services.
**Images removed that log a multi-hour break caused by cancelled train services.
It's striking that this is now commonplace. Historically, the railway ran on the principle of infrequent services with a lot of thought put into ensuring that these ran to time - and this carried over into the age of more frequent train provision: the quieter parts of the network didn't experience multi-hour gaps in service caused by cancellations.
As far as certain parts of the rail network goes, in the south west in particular, this principle seems to have gone out of the window. Given the inflexible costs involved in a railway operation, the industry's position on this is... odd.
Mark
Re: Cable car for Bristol In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [362999/21169/21] Posted by chuffed at 10:10, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Perhaps he could link up with Barry 'crash mats' from the Portishead busway PLC to provide a soft landing for derailed podders.....
Re: Cable car for Bristol In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [362998/21169/21] Posted by johnneyw at 09:39, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Here we go again. Bristol Live reports on an inventor calling upon Bristol transport planners to adopt his pod based aerial rail system to link Bristol to it's airport. The claim is that it would be both quicker and cheaper to build than conventional trams or trains.
A sort of hybrid between a cable car and the Wuppertal Schweberbahn? Here's the link:
Plan for 'Aerial' transport system to link city with Bristol Airport | Bristol Live https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/plan-aerial-transport-system-link-10320952
Re: Locomotives on Bank Notes In "The Lighter Side" [362997/30435/30] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 07:16, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
On the £5 note I would definitely have 'Catch Me Who Can' - not Trevithick's first locomotive but probably the best known - because everything else has followed from that.
Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [362996/489/12] Posted by grahame at 06:38, 7th July 2025 Already liked by TaplowGreen | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
True, but that's not much consolation for those hanging around at intermediate stations in Cornwall and Devon for a couple of hours at that time of night waiting for it to arrive - remember the customers Graham?
Totally agree.
Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [362995/489/12] Posted by TaplowGreen at 06:31, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
21:15 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04
21:15 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04 will be starting late from Penzance and is expected to be 60 minutes late.
This is due to the train making extra stops because of service disruption.
21:15 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04 will be starting late from Penzance and is expected to be 60 minutes late.
This is due to the train making extra stops because of service disruption.
It started 111 minutes late ... on such an easy schedule that it has just passed Slough only 16 minutes late. It's now around 05:00 in the UK, due in to Paddington in 4 minutes. Journeycheck is still forecasting an 06:58 arrival, and real time trains 05:18
True, but that's not much consolation for those hanging around at intermediate stations in Cornwall and Devon for a couple of hours at that time of night waiting for it to arrive - remember the customers Graham?
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [362993/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 05:54, 7th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be terminated at Swindon.
It will no longer call at Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Ashchurch For Tewkesbury, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be terminated at Swindon.
It will no longer call at Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Ashchurch For Tewkesbury, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [362992/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 05:13, 7th July 2025 Already liked by IndustryInsider | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Not fit for purpose ...

