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Great Western Coffee Shop
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368970/31198/30]
Posted by grahame at 22:55, 4th December 2025
 
I'm thinking we should put together an "Only Connect" team ...

Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368969/31198/30]
Posted by stuving at 22:51, 4th December 2025
 
1.     Southampton Airport (and TransWilts links to it)

Wow, yes, you are correct. Why

Obviously these are forum threads - or topics, in technical terms. The last one if you look at it contains a post from Graham saying "I have just noticed - we have reached a milestone - this is topic number 25,000!". So that's a basis for a sequence, isn't it? And the topic numbers are 31,000 29,000 27,000 25,000 23,000.

The post also contains this: http://www.passenger.chat/25000. That syntax does provide a way of quickly finding a topic from its number. However, I did not spot that at first, and when I did it didn't work first time (I find it's rather hit and miss). Fortunately 23,000 happened to be on the board I looked on first!

Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368968/31198/30]
Posted by ellendune at 22:39, 4th December 2025
 
5 is not the Route numbers but the stands they leave from in the bus station  U, V, W and X  so the next is Y from where the No 9 goes to Wroughton.

Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368967/31198/30]
Posted by ellendune at 22:37, 4th December 2025
 
5 something to do with Swindon bus routes?

That's what I worked out too. But the sequence of four that best matches the clues has no fifth member!

Yes I have been working on that if they are routes from the bus station
  ah yes its Wroughton

Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368966/31198/30]
Posted by Oxonhutch at 22:34, 4th December 2025
 
That's what I worked out too. But the sequence of four that best matches the clues has no fifth member!

2, 14, 1, 11, x

I have heard of platform zero, but not a bus.

Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368965/31198/30]
Posted by stuving at 22:23, 4th December 2025
 
5 something to do with Swindon bus routes?

That's what I worked out too. But the sequence of four that best matches the clues has no fifth member!

Re: Lengthy train, 03/12/2025
In "London to the Cotswolds" [368964/31194/14]
Posted by jmc85 at 22:23, 4th December 2025
 
I was on the 1757 PAD - WOF tonight and it was showing as 18 cars on RTT, but in reality it was only a normal 9 car train (GWR were correctly showing it though)

Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368963/31198/30]
Posted by bradshaw at 22:04, 4th December 2025
Already liked by grahame
 
5 something to do with Swindon bus routes?

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [368962/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 21:54, 4th December 2025
 
I see GWR are advertising an additional 21 services for Bath Christmas Market on Saturday.......I wonder if this will impact the Transwilts service?

So do I ...

Re: Cars getting bigger - is this a concern?
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368961/31190/5]
Posted by Western Pathfinder at 21:52, 4th December 2025
Already liked by grahame, johnneyw, Oxonhutch
 
One of the major problems with the increase in size we find ,is the lack of ability of the drivers to cope with the size of the dam things,

Ferry officer jailed over Jersey fatal fishing boat crash - December, 2022
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368960/31210/31]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:26, 4th December 2025
 
From the BBC:


Lewis Carr ignored flashing collision warnings on the radars 10 minutes before the crash

A ship's officer who was in charge of a ferry involved in a fatal collision with a fishing boat has been jailed for one year and eight months.

Lewis Carr, 30, was on duty on the bridge of the Commodore Goodwill when it collided with trawler L'Ecume II west of Jersey in December 2022, killing local fishermen Michael Michieli, Larry Simyunn and Jervis Baligat.

Carr was found guilty in September of breaching Jersey's shipping law. Jurors could not reach a verdict on three charges of gross negligence manslaughter against him.

The Royal Court was told the Goodwill was running behind schedule and Carr had ignored flashing collision warnings on the radars 10 minutes before the crash.


L'Ecume II crew members Michael Michieli, Jervis Baligat and Larry Simyunn died after a collision involving their boat and Condor's Commodore Goodwill

The prosecution highlighted what they called a catalogue of failings by Carr which proved fatal.

Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit said: "Mr Carr failed to manage and communicate properly with the look out, Arthur Sevash Zade, about the collision danger."

Mr Sevash-Zade, 35, was found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter and the jury could not reach a verdict on the shipping law charge.

The court heard how five minutes into Mr Sevash-Zade's shift, Carr asked him if wanted to go and have breakfast.

This meant Carr was on the look out bridge alone, which went against industry standards. Mr Maletroit said: "While it was not a cause of the collision, it demonstrates safety was not Mr Carr's paramount consideration... he was willing to take risks for convenience and saving time."

Another key area of focus for the prosecution was that Carr did not properly use the technology available to him. "If Mr Carr made proper use of radar functions, he wouldn't have made error of judgement that L'Ecume II would pass the ship," Mr Maletroit added.

The prosecution also spoke about how Carr had been distracted by non-urgent tasks when radar warning of a potential collision with L'Ecume II were flashing up on screen. Mr Maletroit said: "Mr Carr should have addressed collision risks before doing other duties."

The Crown prosecution called for Carr to be sentenced to 23 months in prison for discharging his duty in a manner likely to cause "death, destruction or injury".

Defence advocate Simon Thomas argued the sentence would be too harsh. Mr Thomas said, according to international regulations, "there was some responsibility on the crew of L'Ecume II to move their vessel out of the way of the Commodore Goodwill". He added Carr trying to alter course before the collision showed it was not a case of his client "simply doing nothing to prevent the collision".


Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368959/31198/30]
Posted by grahame at 21:17, 4th December 2025
 
1.     Southampton Airport (and TransWilts links to it)

Wow, yes, you are correct. Why

2 is indeed 'Avenger' - Warship names

3 is Sir Robert Reid - chairs of British Railways Board

4 - CM is a good answer as would be BY or KE - first and last letters of express stops out of Paddington

5 ??

6  Cannon Street - Gravesend or Maidstone West via Lewisham and Sidcup - head codes.   My understanding is that early southern units carried a set of stencils numbed 0 to 9 to make uo 2 digit head code so that the multiples of 11 were left out until the Hastings units came along ...

7 Peter West, OBE

Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368958/31189/30]
Posted by WSW Frome at 20:35, 4th December 2025
 
Following the hint above. No 2 is Masbury. I think the layout of the buildings is quite characteristic even today. Date is pure guess but likely 1950's and the picture looks like a postcard perhaps illustrating the S & D summit!

Re: Passengers locked inside Hartlepool station
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368957/31200/51]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:39, 4th December 2025
 
To be fair, it wasn't the train crew who caused the problem: that was due to a security guard from a third-party contractor who locked up without checking the last train had arrived.

I suspect Northern will be having some stern words with their third party contractor. 

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [368956/29726/18]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 18:12, 4th December 2025
 
I see GWR are advertising an additional 21 services for Bath Christmas Market on Saturday.......I wonder if this will impact the Transwilts service?

Re: Passengers locked inside Hartlepool station
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368955/31200/51]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 18:07, 4th December 2025
 
Yes, commendable actions from the train crew.

Always good to be able to pluck a diamond from a turd! 

Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368954/31198/30]
Posted by stuving at 17:57, 4th December 2025
 
1.     Southampton Airport (and TransWilts links to it)

Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368953/31198/30]
Posted by bradshaw at 17:41, 4th December 2025
 
11, 22, 33, 44 so next is 55 (Cannon Street - Gravesend or Maidstone West via Lewisham and Sidcup)
1981

Plane crashed at Staverton in Gloucestershire after 3D-printed part collapsed
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368952/31209/31]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:40, 4th December 2025
 
From the BBC:


The sole crew member sustained minor injuries in the crash, which destroyed the light aircraft

A plane crashed after a 3D-printed part softened and collapsed, causing its engine to lose power, a report has found.

The Cozy Mk IV light aircraft was destroyed after its plastic air induction elbow, bought at an air show in North America, collapsed.

The aircraft crashed into a landing aid system at Gloucestershire Airport in Staverton on 18 March at 13:04 GMT, after its engine lost power. The sole occupant was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said in a report that the induction elbow was made of "inappropriate material" and safety actions will be taken in future regarding 3D printed parts.


The part, which was 3D-printed, softened and collapsed

Following an "uneventful local flight", the AAIB report said the pilot advanced the throttle on the final approach to the runway, and realised the engine had suffered a complete loss of power.

"He managed to fly over a road and a line of bushes on the airfield boundary, but landed short and struck the instrument landing system before coming to rest at the side of the structure," the report read. It was revealed the part had been installed during a modification to the fuel system and collapsed due to its 3D-printed plastic material softening when exposed to heat from the engine.

The Light Aircraft Association (LAA) said it now intends to take safety actions in response to the accident, including a "LAA Alert" regarding the use of 3D-printed parts that will be sent to inspectors.


Gales to cause Friday Isle of Man ferry passenger disruption - December 2025
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368951/31208/5]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:18, 4th December 2025
 
From the BBC:


Two of Friday's planned sailing by flagship vessel the Manxman have been cancelled

Gales over the Irish Sea have led to disruption for ferry passengers due to travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire on Friday.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said, due to the expected adverse conditions, the Manxman's 14:30 GMT crossing from Heysham to Douglas had been cancelled.

The flagship vessel's evening return to the Lancashire port, scheduled to at depart 20:30, had also been called, the firm said.

Ronaldsway Met Office said gusts of up to 50mph (80km/h) were expected to hit the island on Friday afternoon.

The Steam Packet said passengers booked to travel on the affected sailings could amend their tickets online or by contacting the reservations desk.

Saturday's scheduled crossings, including the 03:00 sailing from Heysham to Douglas, are expected to depart as scheduled.


Re: ORR station usage data
In "Across the West" [368950/31203/26]
Posted by bobm at 17:11, 4th December 2025
 
Thanks - I had that heading too - but the data on the actual spreadsheet was headed last year.   It has updated in the last hour.

Re: AQ - Which is next in the sequence?
In "The Lighter Side" [368949/31198/30]
Posted by grahame at 16:33, 4th December 2025
 
Just 1. and 5. to go ... and 6 to finish off.

Re: ORR station usage data
In "Across the West" [368948/31203/26]
Posted by ChrisB at 16:27, 4th December 2025
 
Estimates of station usage April 2024 to March 2025
Date published: 4 December 2025

Re: Estimates of station usage 24-25 - North Cotswolds line
In "London to the Cotswolds" [368947/31207/14]
Posted by IndustryInsider at 16:10, 4th December 2025
Already liked by Mark A
 
The 2tph service is really starting to look necessary to deal with this fantasic growth!  https://www.northcotswoldline.co.uk/

Estimates of station usage 24-25 - North Cotswolds line
In "London to the Cotswolds" [368946/31207/14]
Posted by charles_uk at 15:04, 4th December 2025
 
Thought it worth mentioning here, Hanborough is now the busiest intermediate station exclusively served by GWR services. It's just squeaked ahead of Moreton-in-Marsh by 658 entries and exits. All main stations showing big increases on 2023-24, and numbers well in excess of pre-Covid levels.

Re: Lengthy train, 03/12/2025
In "London to the Cotswolds" [368945/31194/14]
Posted by Witham Bobby at 14:54, 4th December 2025
 
And again, today, 4th December.  This time 800305 and 802113 doing the run

The return working, 1P34 1518 Foregate Street to Paddington also has the two unit, 18 car, formation

Trying out repaired units?  Belt-and-braces to improve the chances of a successful round trip? 


Re: IEP seats in 2025
In "Across the West" [368944/29826/26]
Posted by Witham Bobby at 14:42, 4th December 2025
Already liked by trainbuff
 
I never thought that photos of decayed upholstery stuffing could qualify as astonishing and then... these photos of yours.

Totally guessing here: that looks to be a polyurethane ether foam that's suffered chemical instability. Specifically, it has oxidised, and the changes in its chemistry have destroyed the physical integrity of the material. Perhaps the material was defective from the time it was manufactured, or it's possible that it's not withstood whatever cleaning regime is used on the seats - this might involve steam cleaning + chemicals that have oxidised the padding.

Comfort aside, there's the DVT risk (something that is real even if the airlines have successfully batted away several legal cases brought by passengers). For good measure, some of the decay products of this sort of foam are toxic.

Mark



Having suffered an unprovoked DVT in the past (not rail related, but fearful that one might occur on a train journey)  which led to very serious consequences for me, here's another good reason for avoiding GW trains from the Vale of Evesham when I need to go to London.  The loco-hauled trains on the Chiltern route between Warwick Parkway and Marylebone offer a cheaper, more reliable and less uncomfortable alternative.  Thank goodness

Re: ORR station usage data
In "Across the West" [368943/31203/26]
Posted by bobm at 14:34, 4th December 2025
 
The link to ORR data page with links to to the data spreadsheets is here (not yet looked) but could check rank of your local station or its change

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/estimates-of-station-usage


Is it me - or does that link go to the previous year's data?

Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368942/24045/21]
Posted by Red Squirrel at 14:24, 4th December 2025
Already liked by Timmer, Mark A, trainbuff
 
According to this BBC article GWR are expecting 3,300 journeys per week, which by my arithmetic could mean just over 170,000 per year.

But there are a couple of factors which make the existing service offer so unattractive that it is surprising the usage figures are as high as they are: Montpelier has an established service with half-hourly direct trains to a variety of local destinations. Ashley Down's trains are hourly, and as long as they terminate at Filton Abbey Wood the offer will be a bit limited. Once trains are extended through to Brabazon and Henbury, and frequency is improved, usage could increase significantly.

There is one other major problem though: fares. An adult single from MTP - BRI is £1.60, whereas ASD - BRI is £3.70. For most people, the No.70 bus will not only be cheaper, but it will often get them there quicker.  This really needs to be sorted!

Re: ORR station usage data
In "Across the West" [368941/31203/26]
Posted by IndustryInsider at 14:13, 4th December 2025
 
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?

Appears to be Moorfields in Liverpool

Moorfields has three platforms. 

 
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