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Great Western Coffee Shop
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Ryanair - routes, schedules, incidents and issues (merged posts)
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369388/29076/51]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:33, 12th December 2025
 
I have posted this before, here on the Coffee Shop forum, but it's a light-hearted spoof advert for Ryanair, from YouTube, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp4yczeiXwY

Watch until the end of the 70 seconds clip: it rather seems to sum it all up quite neatly. 

(With my apologies to any possibly younger readers here for the one sweary word).

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
In "Across the West" [369387/29650/26]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:28, 12th December 2025
 
And now the 01:42 as well. So that’s nothing after midnight on one of the busiest nights of the year.

Why buy a ticket if you don’t think that you’ll be allowed to get home?

Merry Christmas. 

I think at least some of the late night cancellations last night were down to crew shortages - and it looks like the same is happening tonight with the cancellations starting to pop up - not great during Christmas party season!

Re: Slovakia - various railway incidents, merged topics and posts
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [369386/28849/52]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:17, 12th December 2025
 
In the interests of continuity here on the Coffee Shop forum, I have now moved a couple of topics and merged them here - while retaining their original headings.

Wow! I'm becoming something of a wizard at this.

Re: Ryanair - routes, schedules, incidents and issues (merged posts)
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369385/29076/51]
Posted by Witham Bobby at 14:44, 12th December 2025
 
... it smashed into an airport fence with 181 passengers onboard ...

I bet the 181 passengers were glad they remained sitting on the fence, rather than being on board that plane

Re: Near miss, Slovakia...
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [369384/28849/52]
Posted by Witham Bobby at 14:37, 12th December 2025
 

It does give rise to the question "which beauty queen are you closest to" .. I offer you Mrs Africa 2006 who now lives in Melksham, Wiltshire, England and sits on the Town Council.    Definition of the word "closest" is an interesting one - living in the same town is how you should read it.

Well, my daughter was Miss Staffordshire in 2017 and was a Miss England finalist at Stockport that year.  Does that count?

Her then employer, West Midlands Ambulance Service, had pictures of her in paramedic uniform, high heels and a tiara out on social media

Miss England by then was not a "simple" "beauty pagent" contest.  The judges wanted more than good looks

Something you don't ever imagine, when you first become a parent

Re: OTD - 12 December 1988 Clapham Junction rail crash
In "Railway History and related topics" [369383/31244/55]
Posted by John D at 13:29, 12th December 2025
Already liked by Witham Bobby, GBM
 
I remember being so shocked at this accident.  Watching the pictures on tv news left me feeling sick and numb.  How on earth could this have happened?

I think it turned out that recent upgrade work in a nearby S&T cabinet had not been done properly and hadn't been checked and tested.  This led to big changes in the process and culture of new works being done on the railway

The report said work was being staged, couple of weekends apart.  The new signalling was installed correctly, but a feed wire to the removed signalling was just undone and left loose (it was not removed because circuit was powering a part that had not been changed).  Someone knocked this bare wire and it came into contact with the signals in question giving false display. 

The accident came down to lazy approach of not insulating an old wire that was retained temporarily and was going to be stripped out few weeks later.  Ironically had the work all been done in one big changeover as had been done in 1936 when the signalling was changed to colour lights, the old circuit would have been dead and no wrong signals displayed.

The trains did not have anti climb units (serrated panels that engage) on ends of underframes, were old mk1 design with separate underframes, no bright taillights which reflect off the rails (just red bars in headcode box), and had no emergency radio to signallers unlike today.   So lot has changed.

Re: First Bus pulling out of Cornwall, 14.2.2026
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [369382/31133/5]
Posted by grahame at 13:18, 12th December 2025
Already liked by GBM
 
A very interesting piece on Facebook by KernowSpace suggesting that all may not be quite as First have suggested.  There is an exceptionally strong copyright statement on the piece - strange when it says it's just presenting the real facts - but because of that strong statement I'm not going to antagonise by quoting even a short section for critical comment.  Of course, Coffee Shop members in the know are very welcome to follow up directly here should they wish.

(Duke of ?) Mayflower
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [369381/31248/47]
Posted by Clan Line at 13:13, 12th December 2025
Already liked by PrestburyRoad, Witham Bobby, GBM
 
Just after midday today, leaving Warminster.




Re: OTD - 12 December 1988 Clapham Junction rail crash
In "Railway History and related topics" [369380/31244/55]
Posted by Witham Bobby at 12:52, 12th December 2025
 
I remember being so shocked at this accident.  Watching the pictures on tv news left me feeling sick and numb.  How on earth could this have happened?

I think it turned out that recent upgrade work in a nearby S&T cabinet had not been done properly and hadn't been checked and tested.  This led to big changes in the process and culture of new works being done on the railway

Re: ORR station usage data
In "Across the West" [369379/31203/26]
Posted by lympstone_commuter at 12:08, 12th December 2025
Already liked by Richard Fairhurst
 
As for Bath Spa?  77th busiest station in the whole country.  I can only see one busier one (outside of central London) with only two platforms...can anyone guess which it is?

This has been bugging me (and made me think rather too deeply about the definitions of "central London" and "two platforms")!

Is the answer Chelmsford?

It would be interesting to normalise the station usage data (by number of platforms and/or number of services that call there) to get a measure of intensity of station usage.

Re: A scope for better use of this station?
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369378/4165/51]
Posted by grahame at 10:35, 12th December 2025
 
From Thameside Correspondent

THE COUNTRY’S quietest railway station may see a much more regular visitor, Metrolink services.

For the line that runs through Denton could be used to link the Tameside to Stockport and Manchester Airport.

Transport for Greater Manchester has now devised a further purpose for it – for tram-trains, technology that would see them run on both tram and train tracks.

If signed off, they would run beyond Stockport town centre, along the Denton rail line, connecting the area firmly into the wider Metrolink network.

Re: Marazion Flooding
In "London to the West" [369377/31247/12]
Posted by John D at 10:30, 12th December 2025
Already liked by GBM
 
Also wondering if my assumption is right, in that there is only one crossover on the main line between Truro and St Erth?
Very poor in view of the Marazion flooding incident(s).

Actually none between them for about 20 miles, except the crossovers at Truro and St Erth. (see pages 118-122 on link)
https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/sectional-appendix/Sectional%20appendix%20full%20PDFs%20December%2025/Western%20&%20Wales%20Sectional%20Appendix%20December%202025.pdf

Re: Marazion Flooding
In "London to the West" [369376/31247/12]
Posted by GBM at 10:12, 12th December 2025
 
Also wondering if my assumption is right, in that there is only one crossover on the main line between Truro and St Erth?
Very poor in view of the Marazion flooding incident(s).

Marazion Flooding
In "London to the West" [369375/31247/12]
Posted by GBM at 09:57, 12th December 2025
 
Another flooding at Marazion.
Issued at 09h49 today.
Cancellations to services between Penzance and Par
Due to flooding between Penzance and St Erth the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until 12:00 12/12.
Train services between Penzance and Par will be cancelled, delayed or revised. Penzance will not be served.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
The line has flooded at Marazion, between St Erth and Penzance.
-
What are we doing about it?
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Network Rail are monitoring the water level. Trains from Plymouth towards Penzance may terminate short at Par, Truro or St Erth and will start back from those locations. Local bus operators are being contacted and rail replacement transport requested, more information to follow.

Was it a few days ago it flooded there and caused many local headaches?
Never noticed it flooding there before, so what has changed recently I wonder.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [369374/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 08:51, 12th December 2025
 
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 will be terminated at Salisbury.
It will no longer call at Romsey and Southampton Central.
It has been delayed at Westbury and is now 35 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.

Sat in Westbury for 40 minutes ... an educated guest suggests that it was awaiting crew off the first train up from Fratton which was running very late for reasons not apparent.

Through passengers from north of Trowbridge (yes, there are some!) will have been royally p*ssed at the delay, followed by the termination at Salisbury AFTER the South Western train onward to Southampton which could have provided an onward connection had left.

Re: 175s to GWR
In "Across the West" [369373/28982/26]
Posted by grahame at 08:37, 12th December 2025
 
It is reported ...

175 units to enter passenger service ... Monday 15th December to Friday  19th December
2C26 1340 Plymouth Penzance
2P21 1552 Penzance Plymouth will be a pair of 2 car 175 units.

and

The other 2 Castle Class HST diagrams will be covered by other DMU's.
One of former the Castle Class HST diagrams will be covered by using the DMU of Looe branch which is shut due to a week long engineering block

I can't help feeling that in passenger facilities and comfort, a 150 is a step down from an HST, though for sure it is cheaper to run.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [369372/29726/18]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:21, 12th December 2025
 
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 will be terminated at Salisbury.
It will no longer call at Romsey and Southampton Central.
It has been delayed at Westbury and is now 35 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.

Bath Spa - call for electrification.
In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [369371/31246/21]
Posted by grahame at 07:56, 12th December 2025
Already liked by GBM
 
Bath Spa is the second busiest 2-platform UK Station outside London - it's incredible how many people get off and on trains there which are calling at each platform ten times an hour, all day. And yet almost every train there is running under diesel power.  Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath said in Parliament

Dirty diesel trains are still running through Bath, polluting our heritage city.  As we look to improve our railways, we must include ways to make them cleaner and greener.  We need a bold, ambitious electrification plan to deliver this

That quoted on social media, here is a selection of feedback comments

The new IET trains have modern diesel engines, and most of the HST's are now phased out, so not sure what the issue is with diesels polluting Bath

You can taste the Portsmouth to Cardiff diesels as they go past

Electric, Hydrogen powered and Solar powered trains are options for Great British Railways....

Bring back steam locomotives then !

So you also suggest electrifying the branch lines with routes going through Bath or closing them because that isn't economically viable?

Doh, Bath residents did all they could to stop the wires going through their beloved city.

Maybe you could also help with the increased pollution in the surrounding towns and villages that Bath caused with its “clean zone” - any ideas there? In reality, the problem has just been pushed out of bath and onto everyone else.
The UK already emits less than many developed countries. Until we have grid generation to support more electrification, we have to accept a small amount of pollution as the price to pay for public transport.
Currently the tax burden on the payer is higher than ever, and people are at breaking point - more tax won’t help and removing some trains won’t help either.
I think you need to reconsider this statement and avenue because it sounds utterly tone deaf and out of touch with the public.






Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance
In "London to the West" [369370/489/12]
Posted by GBM at 07:46, 12th December 2025
 
21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04

21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04 will be started from Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Penzance, St Erth, Camborne, Redruth, Truro, St Austell, Par, Bodmin Parkway and Liskeard.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.

Additional Information
Owing to a signalling fault we are unable to operate this evenings Sleeper service between Penzance and London Paddington.

We have arranged for this service to be operated by one of our regular Intercity Express Trains, starting from Truro, which will offer a Standard and First Class seating service only. There will be no accommodation facilities.

23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55
Facilities on the 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55.
Will be formed of 5 coaches.



Re: OTD - 12 December 1988 Clapham Junction rail crash
In "Railway History and related topics" [369369/31244/55]
Posted by grahame at 07:14, 12th December 2025
Already liked by GBM, Witham Bobby
 
Thank you for bringing us a separate thread on that dreadful morning ... I have amended "on this day" so that it now points direct to this thread.  I remember the shock at the time - not that I had any public transport involvement in my life at the time; it took over the general news.   Thank goodness, at least, that lessons were learned and we now have a safer railway resulting from some of the changes it brought about in, in memory of those who lost their lives.

Scotty quiz - 12th December 2025
In "The Lighter Side" [369368/31245/30]
Posted by grahame at 07:04, 12th December 2025
Already liked by Mark A
 
I am going to defer to our friends north of the border and bring you their quiz today https://www.scotrail.co.uk/railway-quiz - worldwide, Scottish and fictional;  back to something more homegrown tomorrow.

Re: Slough station's stuffed dog - Station Jim
In "Railway History and related topics" [369367/26496/55]
Posted by Electric train at 06:59, 12th December 2025
Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, Ralph Ayres
 
This is great news, I remember as a small child putting a penny in the collecting box that was attached to this memorial

OTD - 12 December 1988 Clapham Junction rail crash
In "Railway History and related topics" [369366/31244/55]
Posted by Electric train at 06:56, 12th December 2025
Already liked by GBM, Mark A, Western Pathfinder, Witham Bobby
 
On 12 December 1988 the 07:18 from Basingstoke to London Waterloo, a crowded 12-car train made up of four-car 4VEP electric multiple units was approaching Clapham Junction when the driver saw the signal ahead of him change from green to red. Unable to stop at the signal, he stopped his train at the next signal and then reported to the signal box by means of a line-side telephone. He was told there was nothing wrong with the signal.
At 08:10,the following train, the 06:30 from Bournemouth, made up of 4REP unit and 2 4TC units, collided with the Basingstoke train.
A third train, carrying no passengers and comprising 2 4VEP units, was passing on the adjacent line in the other direction and collided with the wreckage immediately after the initial impact.
The driver of a fourth train, coasting with no traction current, saw the other trains and managed to come to a stop behind the other two and the signal that should have protected them, which was showing a yellow aspect instead of a red aspect.

I can remember this very vividly in my early railway career, the "Hidden" enquiry lead by Anthony Hidden, QC, resulted in significant changes in how railway infrastructure, in particular signalling, operation, renewals and maintenance were managed and organised.  It brought in the max 12 working hours and limiting 13 days working in 14, it was not uncommon at the time for railway staff to work 16 hour days without any days off; to many railway(wo)men it was to only way at the time to earn a decent wage.

There were many other changes brought in by Hidden which to this day impact on how the railways are operated, renewed and maintained

We should remember the 35 who died, the 69 seriously injured and the other 415 sustained minor injuries; and the emergency services and railway staff that responded to the incident

Re: 'Railway 200' events and commemorations 2025
In "Railway History and related topics" [369365/27921/55]
Posted by grahame at 06:54, 12th December 2025
 
Bookings to view the Inspiration train at London Paddington in December opened today.

https://railway200.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/70983?catID=66018

I have booked ... for Saturday 13th December

Sadly, I am pulling out of weekend plans to London on Saturday and Southampton to visit family on Sunday - a few days of recuperation after picking up a cold, and overdoing it a bit yesterday.

Re: Capital Quiz - 11th December 2025
In "The Lighter Side" [369364/31241/30]
Posted by grahame at 06:39, 12th December 2025
 
2. Angel

Nah - Swiss Cottage, more like.

Yep .... and that's the final piece in the jigsaw.

1 St Pancras - Chris from Nailsea
2 Swiss Cottage - stuving
3 Victoria - TonyN
4 Clapham Junction - Western Pathfinder and RobT
5 Greenford - PrestburyRoad
6 Liverpool Street - Richard Fairhurst
7 St James Park - ellundene
8 Paddington - Oxonhutch
9 Lewisham - brooklea
10 Woking - Timmer
11 Crystal Palace - John D
12 Barking - stuving

Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025
In "London to the Cotswolds" [369363/29711/14]
Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 06:02, 12th December 2025
 
Friday December 12

05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:24 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:12/12/2025 04:12

And, as noted above, but still unreported on JourneyCheck, it's only five cars.

EDIT - 13:30

Unreported on JourneyCheck, 1W21 10:53 Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill was started from Oxford (RTT : "due to overrunning engineering works (I5)")

EDIT - 15:15

1W02 1152 London Paddington to Hereford : This has been having a good run of late, but today Oxford +8, Shrub Hill +17, arrived Great Malvern +19 and cancelled thereafter (RTT : "due to late running to allow for another late running train (YB)")

15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:12/12/2025 14:02

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
In "Across the West" [369362/29650/26]
Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 05:59, 12th December 2025
 
Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to urgent repairs to the track between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 09:00 12/12.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
Following a safety inspection of the track today in the London area some lines are currently closed.
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What are we doing about it?
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We are working with Network Rail to be able to return running the normal timetable as soon as safely possible.
We have stopped running trains in the area until safety staff on at the scene to investigate.
The safety of customers is our top priority and we will restore the service as soon as it is safe to do so.
-
What are my options?
-
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Below are the current options available to you:
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Option 1: Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the live departure boards or speak to a member of station staff.
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Option 2: Chiltern Railways are conveying passengers between Oxford and London Marylebone in both directions until further notice.
Elizabeth line are conveying passengers between Reading and London Paddington in both directions until further notice.
South Western Railway are conveying passengers between Reading and London Waterloo in both directions until further notice.
South Western Railway are conveying passengers between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central in both directions until further notice.
London Underground are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. Arrangements have been made for Great Western Railway rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.
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Option 3: Replacement transport provided by us such as a buses, coaches or taxis, have not been requested at this time. We will continue to monitor the need for this as the situation develops and provide updates here.
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Option 4: If you can, you might want to consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
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Let us help you:
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As a result we will have to reduce the number of train movements through the area. This will mean that local train services between London Paddington and Newbury will only operate between Reading and Newbury, in both directions. Customers travelling to / from Newbury, Thatcham & Theale from / to London Paddington will need (in most cases) to change trains at Reading.

In addition, local train services which would normally operate between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway, and return, will only operate between Reading and Didcot Parkway. Customers travelling to / from Didcot Parkway / Cholsey / Goring & Streatley / Pangbourne / Tilehurst from / to London Paddington (and intermediate stations between London Paddington and Reading) will need to change trains at Reading. Didcot Parkway will continue to have main line services running to / from London Paddington.

Twyford, Maidenhead and Slough stations will see a considerable reduction in the frequency of train services and GWR ticket holders should utilise Elizabeth Line services instead where no GWR services are available. Note that at London Paddington the Elizabeth Line services operate to and from platforms A & B which are accessed through the entrances alongside platform 1 of the main terminus.
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If you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
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If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to staff at the station or on the train. Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 06:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 06:00 and 23:00, or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
-
Delay Repay:
-
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
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Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
Last Updated:12/12/2025 05:29

Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance
In "London to the West" [369361/489/12]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 02:14, 12th December 2025
 
21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04

21:45 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:04 will be started from Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Penzance, St Erth, Camborne, Redruth, Truro, St Austell, Par, Bodmin Parkway and Liskeard.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.

Additional Information
Owing to a signalling fault we are unable to operate this evenings Sleeper service between Penzance and London Paddington.

We have arranged for this service to be operated by one of our regular Intercity Express Trains, starting from Truro, which will offer a Standard and First Class seating service only. There will be no accommodation facilities.

Re: Capital Quiz - 11th December 2025
In "The Lighter Side" [369360/31241/30]
Posted by stuving at 00:50, 12th December 2025
 
2. Angel

Nah - Swiss Cottage, more like.

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
In "Across the West" [369359/29650/26]
Posted by NickB at 23:51, 11th December 2025
 
And now the 01:42 as well. So that’s nothing after midnight on one of the busiest nights of the year.

Why buy a ticket if you don’t think that you’ll be allowed to get home?

Merry Christmas. 

 
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Code Updated 11th January 2025