Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Bath Spa: postwar rail ambitions In "Railway History and related topics" [371004/31442/55] Posted by Mark A at 15:43, 13th January 2026 |      |
Before the closures, did BR have ambitions to sort out Bath's rail infrastructure? One being that they would close the constricted Bath Spa Station and replace it with a higher capacity station on the site of Westmoreland goods yard? This with the intentions, among other things, to plumb the Midland line, for the purposes of passenger trains, into the GWR route, with the Midland into the city being retained for freight?
Mark
| Re: Line closure Exeter - Barnstaple / Okehampton, March 2026 In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [371003/31425/24] Posted by red cuillen at 15:36, 13th January 2026 | |
Several of us have commented on the car parking at Tiverton though. On my infrequent trips to the parkway I would guess that there are 40 plus more cars during Barnstaple closures, leading to parking on grass verges and awkward parking on the road into the village. Isn't there any way of getting more accurate figures, there has never been any ticket checks for me at Tivy or on trains from there to EXD, though the barriers there have always been working - would that register the necessary information?
| MOVED: OTD -13th January (2012) - When will I be able to get a GroupSave from the TVM? In "Railway History and related topics" [371002/31441/55] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:29, 13th January 2026 | |
This topic has been moved to Fare's Fair and merged with an existing topic there.
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=25858.0
| Northern Powerhouse Rail - plans for east to west high speed rail links In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371001/30707/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:27, 13th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
New Birmingham-Manchester rail link to be proposed
Image not available to guests
The Northern Powerhouse rail project is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns
The government is set to announce its intention to build a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester, the BBC understands.
Previous plans for the HS2 high-speed rail line had included a line between the two cities, but that part of the project was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's government.
On Wednesday, the government is also expected to confirm proposals for new and improved rail links across the North of England in a scheme known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). Little detail about a new Birmingham to Manchester route is anticipated, other than the intention to build it after NPR is completed, meaning it may not happen for decades.
Plans to bring high-speed rail to the north of England were first put forward by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne in 2014.
A new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester is seen a central piece of the overall Northern Powerhouse rail project, which is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns as well as boosting the UK economy outside of London. But expected announcements from the current government were put on ice several times last year due to cost concerns.
Insiders said an extended review process of the project was under way in a bid to avoid mistakes made with HS2, which has been dogged by problems and costly delays.
HS2 is currently tens of billions of pounds over budget and around a decade behind schedule. Reports state that the now-shortened line between Birmingham and London could cost £81bn. Accounting for inflation, that would mean at least £100bn will be spent but only 135 miles of railway built.
HS2 Ltd, the company created by the Department for Transport, has accepted it failed to keep overall costs under control and said delivery has not matched what it described as the unrealistic early expectations.
Image not available to guests
The Northern Powerhouse rail project is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns
The government is set to announce its intention to build a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester, the BBC understands.
Previous plans for the HS2 high-speed rail line had included a line between the two cities, but that part of the project was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's government.
On Wednesday, the government is also expected to confirm proposals for new and improved rail links across the North of England in a scheme known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). Little detail about a new Birmingham to Manchester route is anticipated, other than the intention to build it after NPR is completed, meaning it may not happen for decades.
Plans to bring high-speed rail to the north of England were first put forward by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne in 2014.
A new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester is seen a central piece of the overall Northern Powerhouse rail project, which is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns as well as boosting the UK economy outside of London. But expected announcements from the current government were put on ice several times last year due to cost concerns.
Insiders said an extended review process of the project was under way in a bid to avoid mistakes made with HS2, which has been dogged by problems and costly delays.
HS2 is currently tens of billions of pounds over budget and around a decade behind schedule. Reports state that the now-shortened line between Birmingham and London could cost £81bn. Accounting for inflation, that would mean at least £100bn will be spent but only 135 miles of railway built.
HS2 Ltd, the company created by the Department for Transport, has accepted it failed to keep overall costs under control and said delivery has not matched what it described as the unrealistic early expectations.
| Harlington, Bedfordshire: New station footbridge to last more than a century In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371000/31440/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:53, 13th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Image not available to guests
The new footbridge is set to open to the public in spring 2026
A new £7.9m footbridge connecting platforms at a railway station has been installed.
Network Rail says the new bridge over the Midland Mainline at Harlington Station, Bedfordshire, is designed to last for 120 years. It replaces an older bridge which had shown signs of corrosion.
Shak Munshi, project manager for Network Rail, said the bridge "represents a significant investment in modern, reliable infrastructure that will improve safety and create a better experience for everyone who uses the station".
Image not available to guests
New bridge components were lifted into place over Christmas when trains were not running
Network Rail said the installation was a key part of the station investment project, which also includes the renewal of platform surfaces, paving and yellow lines.
It was lifted into place over Christmas when trains were not running, meaning there was no disruption for passengers.
A 300-tonne crane with a 40m boom was used to lift sections weighing as much as 9.1 tonnes.
Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said: "We look forward to the opening of the new footbridge, after which the car park will once again become fully available."
The project is set to be completed in spring 2026. Part of Harlington station's car park remains closed to accommodate construction facilities.
Image not available to guests
A 300-tonne crane with 40m boom lifted into place new bridge components weighing as much as 9.1 tonnes
The new footbridge is set to open to the public in spring 2026
A new £7.9m footbridge connecting platforms at a railway station has been installed.
Network Rail says the new bridge over the Midland Mainline at Harlington Station, Bedfordshire, is designed to last for 120 years. It replaces an older bridge which had shown signs of corrosion.
Shak Munshi, project manager for Network Rail, said the bridge "represents a significant investment in modern, reliable infrastructure that will improve safety and create a better experience for everyone who uses the station".
Image not available to guests
New bridge components were lifted into place over Christmas when trains were not running
Network Rail said the installation was a key part of the station investment project, which also includes the renewal of platform surfaces, paving and yellow lines.
It was lifted into place over Christmas when trains were not running, meaning there was no disruption for passengers.
A 300-tonne crane with a 40m boom was used to lift sections weighing as much as 9.1 tonnes.
Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said: "We look forward to the opening of the new footbridge, after which the car park will once again become fully available."
The project is set to be completed in spring 2026. Part of Harlington station's car park remains closed to accommodate construction facilities.
Image not available to guests
A 300-tonne crane with 40m boom lifted into place new bridge components weighing as much as 9.1 tonnes
| Re: Belmond Britannic Explorer In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [370999/30661/47] Posted by Mark A at 14:24, 13th January 2026 | |
I'm wondering how much of an issue it is to find the space to stable these trains for overnight stops, especially when i recall one particular winter railtour behind the Duke of Gloucester, where the train called at Moreton in Marsh and needed to be out of the way for a service train. The refuge siding wasn't passed for passenger use, and it was one of those winter-almost-snowing days as we were put out onto Moreton's up platform for one of the longest 50 minutes of everyone's life, it being winter, grey, cold, spotting with rain.
Mark.
| Re: MetroWest services begin In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [370998/25753/21] Posted by johnneyw at 14:10, 13th January 2026 | |
That's coming on quite quickly now by the look of it. The platform edge block laying that was shown in the footage looks like it's a fairly speedy process and I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of those blocks are now in situ. It's really beginning to look like a station.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [370997/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 14:01, 13th January 2026 | |
Delays to services at Reading
Due to trespassers on the railway at Reading all lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from this station may be delayed. Disruption is expected until 15:00 13/01.
| Re: Speed cut approved for walking and cycling route In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [370996/31439/50] Posted by Red Squirrel at 13:27, 13th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I was in Wokingham a few months ago - I was surprised at how intimidating the combination of narrow pavements and 30mph limits was. But I'm less surprised that Wokingham folk tend to oppose 20mph limits; it's a different world there.
| Speed cut approved for walking and cycling route In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [370995/31439/50] Posted by CyclingSid at 11:37, 13th January 2026 | |
Give and take https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce9yvmj9m9vo.
Despite majority opposing speed reduction. Council would possibly cover themselves better if they introduced other 20 mph limits elsewhere in the borough.
| Cyclists raise safety concerns after slips and near misses on new cycle lane In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [370994/31415/50] Posted by CyclingSid at 11:32, 13th January 2026 | |
Comments on new cycle lane in South Gloucestershire https://road.cc/content/news/slips-and-near-misses-new-cycle-lane-317607
The wet leaves on the path are a common problem at this time of year. The problem is probably due to funding, the new path might have come from central government funds, but the local authority has to fund maintenance. If councils sweep roads they very rarely sweep cycle paths (and pavements?).
He added that the raised edge separating the cycle track from the pedestrian path also could pose a risk to cyclists.
as the Ranty Highwayman will tell you the form of edging between paths is critical. The elected members got their photo in the press, which is normally the most important part of any project.| Re: Belmond Britannic Explorer In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [370993/30661/47] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 11:03, 13th January 2026 | |
I'm with Grahame on this; not my world at all. Added to which, given its appalling reliability in 2025 when completing a tour seemed the exception rather than the norm, there seems a high likelihood of being let down.
| Re: Closure between Didcot and Oxford 1-8 February 2026 In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [370992/31436/9] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 10:52, 13th January 2026 | |
Nope - GWR error there, combining both Bicester stations
...and Kings Sutton should also be shown on the Marylebone line. Is it just me, or is GWR's quoted advice over-complicated and cumbersome?| Re: Three children fall from window of double-decker bus - Manchester, 7 Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370991/31399/51] Posted by GBM at 10:47, 13th January 2026 | |
Every bus driver has a tale (or three) about school and College pupil transportations on the upper deck.
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370990/569/25] Posted by GBM at 10:15, 13th January 2026 | |
Looe branch now confirmed as being closed until the 23 January.
Alterations to services between Liskeard and LooeDue to flooding between Liskeard and Looe the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations have been suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 23/01/26.
Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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Heavy rainfall during December combined with high tides resulted in the water levels at several bridges along the branch line being above the level which allows us to safely run trains. This had caused some damage to structures along the line which will require repairs.
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What are we doing about it?
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The water levels dropped allowing Network Rail to inspect the bridges, and it has been found that repairs to the infrastructure are required before we are able to run trains again.
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Storm Goretti brought strong winds and rain to the area overnight Thursday into Friday which has caused the water levels to rise again, which is now delaying the start of the repair work.
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Once the water levels drop again, repair work will be able to begin, and we should then be able to give a more accurate date for the line reopening. Currently we do not expect to run trains until Friday 23rd January at the earliest.
| Re: MetroWest services begin In "Bristol (WECA, now WEMCA) Commuters" [370989/25753/21] Posted by Noggin at 09:41, 13th January 2026 Already liked by johnneyw | |
New track and first platform blocks laid at Brabazon over Christmas.
https://x.com/networkrailwest/status/2010729478755115050
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370987/30562/5] Posted by Mark A at 08:50, 13th January 2026 | |
People might find 'Rain-X' (other products are available) a boon for this. It's a hydrophobic coating for glass. An application lasts for months. Good in town and lovely on motorways at speed as the airflow takes over and windscreen wipers can often be stood down for the duration. Rail companies should use it too for carriage glass as a matter of course and hopefully the also important cab glass.
Mark
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [370986/31371/14] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 07:03, 13th January 2026 | |
Not sure what’s going on this morning, but the 0523 from Hereford disappeared after Norton Junction (presumably sent via Stroud?) and the 0643 from Shrub Hill is nowhere to be seen. Please don’t say everyone is going to have to squeeze onto the Halts train…
| Re: Belmond Britannic Explorer In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [370985/30661/47] Posted by grahame at 06:38, 13th January 2026 | |
Program for this year ...
https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/britannic-explorer/journeys
I have taken a look through some of these including (in our GWR area) the long weekend from Victoria to Cornwall. I'll be giving them a miss; they feel like a different world in which I would feel uncomfortable, and the cost - sure, for a weekend it could be done as a one-off bucket-list pension-lump-sum spend, but not for me. And the offer or arranging a limo at Victoria to get me back to an airport for my flight home ... does not work ... for Melksham.
| Re: Multi garden miniature railway - is this a first (and other spoofs) In "The Lighter Side" [370984/31433/30] Posted by grahame at 06:11, 13th January 2026 Already liked by matth1j, rogerw | |
https://www.facebook.com/reel/685427777987125
BREAKING: Doris Whitcombe, 81, from Chislehurst didn’t expect to remove her shoes in public before 10am and neither did anyone else!
Visitors to the newly opened Bramblewick & Lower Puddlecombe Heritage Railway were left confused, shoeless and slightly damp this weekend after management introduced full airport style security screening for anyone boarding or leaving the platform.
The unexpected measures appeared without warning on Saturday morning, complete with plastic trays, metal detectors, handheld scanners and several very serious looking volunteers wearing high visibility vests and expressions normally reserved for international departures.
Passengers hoping to enjoy a gentle ride behind the railway’s pride and joy, a gleaming LMS Black 5 steam locomotive, instead found themselves queuing politely while being instructed to remove belts, shoes, watches, loose change, sandwiches and in one case a suspiciously large fruit cake.
Visitors to the newly opened Bramblewick & Lower Puddlecombe Heritage Railway were left confused, shoeless and slightly damp this weekend after management introduced full airport style security screening for anyone boarding or leaving the platform.
The unexpected measures appeared without warning on Saturday morning, complete with plastic trays, metal detectors, handheld scanners and several very serious looking volunteers wearing high visibility vests and expressions normally reserved for international departures.
Passengers hoping to enjoy a gentle ride behind the railway’s pride and joy, a gleaming LMS Black 5 steam locomotive, instead found themselves queuing politely while being instructed to remove belts, shoes, watches, loose change, sandwiches and in one case a suspiciously large fruit cake.
| MOVED: Multi garden miniature railway - is this a first (indeed is it even real) In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [370983/31437/47] Posted by grahame at 06:09, 13th January 2026 | |
This topic has been moved to The Lighter Side.
Confirmed as a spoof - a couple of months early for an April Fool's joke.
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31433.0
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [370982/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 05:58, 13th January 2026 | |
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
Facilities on the 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2 from Westbury.
Facilities on the 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2 from Westbury.
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370981/30562/5] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 00:30, 13th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
One point which I keep reminding my customers of,many of whom are at least my age ,and many of them older.
Is the importance of having a clean windscreen,especially these days when driving against ,oncoming traffic with high power led headlamps,washers and wipers are ok for daytime driving mostly ,it's in low light or dark evenings that the build up of traffic film,really plays havoc .
| Re: Driving licences and tests - ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370980/19893/51] Posted by TonyK at 23:20, 12th January 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
Better to require a set number of hours learning, No? Else you might have one lesson every 3 months?
That's required for a pilot's licence, although it is a minimum number. There are multiple skills to learn, some people take longer to master each bit than others. Learning to drive a car is similar in that the pace of learning varies with the student. Some pick up a tricky concept immediately, others take a while to master something fundamental but then pick up the rest easily. I don't think a set number of hours would work in driving - practice makes perfect, or if not perfect then acceptable.
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370979/30562/5] Posted by TonyK at 23:11, 12th January 2026 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
I also have some macular degeneration in one eye - on pause since the cataract operation, and still road legal. My new licence arrived this afternoon, so the point is now moot here.
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [370978/28982/26] Posted by TonyK at 23:07, 12th January 2026 | |
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K49768/2026-01-09/detailed
175s coming from Wolverton today, hopefully. A 150 from Wolverton to Exeter was cancelled yesterday.
But will the trains be in serviceable condition. Of the four previous refurbished units; only 175001 has been used in passenger service.
The drag from Ely to Penzance is now scheduled for next week. Is it to do the work that Wolverton should be doing?
1945hrs Train did not run today
175s coming from Wolverton today, hopefully. A 150 from Wolverton to Exeter was cancelled yesterday.
But will the trains be in serviceable condition. Of the four previous refurbished units; only 175001 has been used in passenger service.
The drag from Ely to Penzance is now scheduled for next week. Is it to do the work that Wolverton should be doing?
1945hrs Train did not run today
Still in Wolverton, I think, as of CoP 12 Jamuary.
| Re: Swansea and back: 6/1/26 In "Introductions and chat" [370976/31389/1] Posted by Oxonhutch at 21:24, 12th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A, TonyN, eightonedee, rogerw | |
They were quite correct. Last time I travelled the route, all wires were completely missing and only a few supports are left standing.
| Re: Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier: trains cancelled on day of rail line's reopening In "South Western services" [370975/29413/42] Posted by MVR S&T at 20:45, 12th January 2026 | |
Due to urgent repairs to the railway between Brockenhurst and Lymington Pier trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.
What's Going On:
Train services running to and from these stations will be delayed by up to 10 minutes or reduced to an hourly service. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 23/02/26.
What We're Doing About It:
Following urgent repairs to the railway, all lines have now reopened. Initial work has taken place to reopen the line. However, due to the complexity of the issues found, the work is likely to take several weeks to be completed.
As a result trains will be subject to minimal delay while they run at a reduced speed along the line and the service will be reduced to an hourly service in order to minimise disruption.
If you need any help with your journey, please speak to a member of staff or use a station help point.
We are very sorry for any disruption to your journey.
