Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [372179/593/9] Posted by ray951 at 09:05, 9th February 2026 |      |
It’s good to see that the installation of the new Botley Road bridge was completed on schedule, with the first train to cross it appearing to be the 6A68 01:37 Westbury Tarmac to Oxford Banbury Road, which passed through at 04:46
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [372178/31359/18] Posted by brooklea at 08:43, 9th February 2026 | |
20:38 Westbury to Swindon due 21:23
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Reinstated by 7pm; unfortunate for would-be passengers who had already altered their plans, and for the taxi drivers who weren’t ultimately engaged to cover The Railway’s staff shortage.
| Re: Tarka Line - Exeter to Barnstaple: services, facilities, incidents and events In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [372177/15711/24] Posted by brooklea at 08:34, 9th February 2026 | |
No trains to Barnstaple or Okehampton for at least another week
Due to flooding between Exeter St Davids and Crediton the line is closed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 16/02/26.
Train services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple have been suspended.
Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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Flooding brought on by Storm Chandra and subsequent rain on saturated ground has meant that the Exeter to Barnstaple line has been closed.
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The flood water has not receded, and much of the surrounding area is under water. Further forecast rain means that the line will remain closed until the end of the day on Monday 16th February at the earliest.
Train services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple have been suspended.
Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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Flooding brought on by Storm Chandra and subsequent rain on saturated ground has meant that the Exeter to Barnstaple line has been closed.
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The flood water has not receded, and much of the surrounding area is under water. Further forecast rain means that the line will remain closed until the end of the day on Monday 16th February at the earliest.
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [372176/569/25] Posted by brooklea at 08:28, 9th February 2026 | |
A further week of disruption announced this morning.
Due 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 16/02/26.
Train services running to and from these stations have been suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 16/02/26.
| Re: Canals: not 'the lighter side', but I do commend this to our readers In "Introductions and chat" [372175/31515/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 04:12, 9th February 2026 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
I continue to follow the posts from 'Cruising The Cut' by David Johns.
This particular episode I think is an absolute belter - a fully working model railway, built within an historic narrowboat: it's just under twelve minutes of pure joy to watch.
CfN.
| Re: Clockface timetables - a good idea? In "Across the West" [372174/31583/26] Posted by ellendune at 00:34, 9th February 2026 | |
I replied don't know because, while I agree it would be good, I am not sure that it would not constrain the timetable so much on a crowded railway that it could not actually provide the best service for passengers and freight.
| Re: London Necropolis Railway, terminus at Waterloo - merged posts In "The Lighter Side" [372173/20304/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:47, 8th February 2026 | |
Prompted by an 'On This Day' link on the forum - which didn't link to any specific item - I did some digging, so to speak.
I found several old posts relating to this subject, so I moved and merged them here, lest they remain dead and buried elsewhere. I obviously remained serious, even grave, stone faced while I did so.
CfN.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [372171/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 20:35, 8th February 2026 | |
19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25
19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25 has been delayed at Swindon and is now 5 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25 has been delayed at Swindon and is now 5 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [372166/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 16:04, 8th February 2026 | |
20:38 Westbury to Swindon due 21:23
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Emergency - Help at the station In "Introductions and chat" [372165/31589/1] Posted by grahame at 12:58, 8th February 2026 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
This page is written to support the "Emergency" link on the top of websites
Emergency update - Help at the station (tuned for Melksham, but mostly pretty general)
* Ask any member of staff or official volunteer if present
* Use the Help point / emergency button
* In an emergency, phone 999 police, fire and rescue, ambulance
* British Transport Police - text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40
* Network Rail - 24 hour emergency number - 03457 11 41 41
* Great Western Railway - 03457 000 125
* Samaritans - 116 123
* Emergency Duty Service / Wiltshire Council - 0300 456 0100.
+ Emergency with this website - email admin@railcustomer.info
Real time tracking of train services:
* https://tiger.worldline.global/MELKSHM/cisds;graphic=1
* https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/simple/gb-nr:MKM
* https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/westbury#T_WSTBRYW
* https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/swindon#LINK_3
Railway Station Address (emergency services may ask if you call them):
Melksham Station, Station Approach, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 8BN
Latitude 51.38004, Longitude -2.14455
OS Grid: ST 90036 64564 / What Three Words: sensibly.mend.adjust
Bus contacts
* Faresaver - 01249 444444 (most services)
* Frome Bus - 01373 471474 (Services 14, 16 and x69)
* Swindon’s Bus Company - 01793 428428 (Service x76)
I am tempted to add more to this page but need to avoid making it over complex. Also I didn't put links to phone numbers in to avoid butt dialing but could be persuaded otherwise. Thoughts welcome.
| Re: A plea for joined up, commonly understood, transport information and tickets In "Introductions and chat" [372164/31587/1] Posted by Noggin at 12:54, 8th February 2026 | |
From Rail Business Daily
Detailed plans have been published for ‘Mini Switzerland’, a national transport demonstrator soon to be launched in the Hope Valley.
The new report sets out a fully worked-up blueprint for creating a Swiss-style integrated public transport network in the Peak District, where hourly buses and trains are carefully timed to connect, tickets work across all modes, and the whole system operates as one joined-up network.
The project represents an opportunity for the East Midlands to demonstrate national leadership in rural mobility, by hosting the UK’s first real-world demonstrator of fully integrated bus and rail services outside of a major city.
The new report sets out a fully worked-up blueprint for creating a Swiss-style integrated public transport network in the Peak District, where hourly buses and trains are carefully timed to connect, tickets work across all modes, and the whole system operates as one joined-up network.
The project represents an opportunity for the East Midlands to demonstrate national leadership in rural mobility, by hosting the UK’s first real-world demonstrator of fully integrated bus and rail services outside of a major city.
I don't think that anyone can credibly claim to be emulating Switzerland without biting the bullet and re-instating (and electrifying) the mere 20 miles of railway which would take a significant chunk of traffic (including freight) off the roads of the Peak District.
In fact, if the Government is serious about backing UK tourism, perhaps GBR should commission Stadler to produce a UK-spec panoramic unit with proper catering? I'd imagine that could be very profitable and done well, would be a big tourist draw in places like the Peak District, West Country, Scottish & Welsh Highlands?
| Re: A plea for joined up, commonly understood, transport information and tickets In "Introductions and chat" [372162/31587/1] Posted by bobm at 10:39, 8th February 2026 Already liked by grahame, Western Pathfinder, Mark A, TonyN | |
Just looking at that Famous Five poster, it seems apposite given your trip to Severn Beach yesterday.
| A plea for joined up, commonly understood, transport information and tickets In "Introductions and chat" [372161/31587/1] Posted by grahame at 10:20, 8th February 2026 | |
I left home at 08:40 yesterday morning, and reached Bristol Temple Meads where I was meeting friends at 09:53. I had pre-booked my rail tickets for the day, but wasn't able to collect them. I had elected to do at the station because of a machine fault there, and had to explain my way past the train manager into letting me make a technically against-the-rules journey because I had no ticket. Prior knoweldge let me correct the situation - and do so quicker that the TM's advice too.
I caught the 15:32 train from Pilning yesterday afternoon, and was home at about 17:10. I was only able to do that, with correct tickets to do it, because of research ahead, a pre-booked ticket for the first leg, and information including geography already know.
Had I followed "official advice" and online suggestions, it would have been 08:40 from home to 10:27 in Bristol (107 minutes v the 73 minutes taken), and 15:32 from Pilning to 18:25 home (173 minutes v the 98 minutes taken). No changes to the services needed - just integrated information and ticketing accessible to the customer.
A presence of a person with some knowledge at the starting stations would work wonders. At Pilning, with just 294 journeys per annum, this is impractical on current passenger levels. At Melksham, with 60,930 journeys - that's over 200 journeys for every one made from Pilning - it does make sense.
From Rail Business Daily
Detailed plans have been published for ‘Mini Switzerland’, a national transport demonstrator soon to be launched in the Hope Valley.
The new report sets out a fully worked-up blueprint for creating a Swiss-style integrated public transport network in the Peak District, where hourly buses and trains are carefully timed to connect, tickets work across all modes, and the whole system operates as one joined-up network.
The project represents an opportunity for the East Midlands to demonstrate national leadership in rural mobility, by hosting the UK’s first real-world demonstrator of fully integrated bus and rail services outside of a major city.
The new report sets out a fully worked-up blueprint for creating a Swiss-style integrated public transport network in the Peak District, where hourly buses and trains are carefully timed to connect, tickets work across all modes, and the whole system operates as one joined-up network.
The project represents an opportunity for the East Midlands to demonstrate national leadership in rural mobility, by hosting the UK’s first real-world demonstrator of fully integrated bus and rail services outside of a major city.
| Italy says railways hit by 'serious sabotage' as Winter Olympics begin In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [372159/31586/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:04, 7th February 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Italy says railways hit by 'serious sabotage' as Winter Olympics begin
Suspected attacks on northern Italy's railway network have led to severe travel disruption in the region, the authorities say, as thousands gathered for the start of the Winter Olympic Games.
Police reported three separate incidents involving damage to railway lines that they believe are connected to the Games. A fire hit rail infrastructure between Bologna and Venice, triggering delays of up to two-and-a-half hours, and police later found severed cables and an explosive device in locations nearby.
The Ministry of Transport called the incidents an act of "serious sabotage", which they said mirrored vandalism during the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Police said a track switch was set alight near Pesaro, on the Adriatic coast. Several hours later, police discovered severed electric cables near Bologna, along with a rudimentary explosive device left by a track nearby.
Bologna's rail station is a major transport hub, linking cities in the north and south, and east to west lines.
"These actions of unprecedented seriousness do not in any way tarnish Italy's image in the world, an image that the Games will make even more compelling and positive," said Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini.
A police spokesperson earlier said that they were investigating the incidents and that no one had claimed responsibility.
Salvini compared the events to the Paris Summer Olympics, when saboteurs damaged France's high speed rail network. "There are similarities in action and timing to the French incident," he told AFP.
Bologna's high speed, state-owned railway had to temporarily close, but traffic was returning to normal by Saturday afternoon.
The opening ceremony of the Games took place on Friday evening in Milan, in Cortina in northeastern Italy and two other locations. Milan and Cortina are both reachable by train from Venice. Events are spread over hundreds of miles of northern Italy, in locations including the Alps and Dolomite mountains.
Suspected attacks on northern Italy's railway network have led to severe travel disruption in the region, the authorities say, as thousands gathered for the start of the Winter Olympic Games.
Police reported three separate incidents involving damage to railway lines that they believe are connected to the Games. A fire hit rail infrastructure between Bologna and Venice, triggering delays of up to two-and-a-half hours, and police later found severed cables and an explosive device in locations nearby.
The Ministry of Transport called the incidents an act of "serious sabotage", which they said mirrored vandalism during the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Police said a track switch was set alight near Pesaro, on the Adriatic coast. Several hours later, police discovered severed electric cables near Bologna, along with a rudimentary explosive device left by a track nearby.
Bologna's rail station is a major transport hub, linking cities in the north and south, and east to west lines.
"These actions of unprecedented seriousness do not in any way tarnish Italy's image in the world, an image that the Games will make even more compelling and positive," said Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini.
A police spokesperson earlier said that they were investigating the incidents and that no one had claimed responsibility.
Salvini compared the events to the Paris Summer Olympics, when saboteurs damaged France's high speed rail network. "There are similarities in action and timing to the French incident," he told AFP.
Bologna's high speed, state-owned railway had to temporarily close, but traffic was returning to normal by Saturday afternoon.
The opening ceremony of the Games took place on Friday evening in Milan, in Cortina in northeastern Italy and two other locations. Milan and Cortina are both reachable by train from Venice. Events are spread over hundreds of miles of northern Italy, in locations including the Alps and Dolomite mountains.
| Re: Clockface timetables - a good idea? In "Across the West" [372158/31583/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:52, 7th February 2026 Already liked by GBM, johnneyw | |
I'm rather inclined to rename this topic as, 'Clocky MacClockFace' - but I won't.
| Re: A379 at Slapton, South Devon - 2 February 2026 In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [372156/31569/24] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:21, 7th February 2026 | |
In many years gone by, I have driven along that stretch of road (when it was still there, obviously.
)| Re: A379 at Slapton, South Devon - 2 February 2026 In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [372155/31569/24] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:15, 7th February 2026 | |
From the BBC:
South Devon MP starts petition after A379 Slapton coastal road collapse
Part of the A379 Slapton Line near Torcross, Devon, collapsed during stormy weather on Monday night
Thousands have signed a petition calling for more government support for those affected by storm damage to a coastal road.
Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, set up the petition following the partial collapse of the A379 Slapton Line near Torcross, which has caused disruption in the area. As of 09:30 GMT on Saturday, more than 9,500 people had signed the petition, which calls for help for "communities affected by coastal erosion in Start Bay".
The government said it was aware the storm damage was a "big shock" to residents and that it was working with the county council to determine its "next steps". A government spokesperson said: "We are providing over £443m for roads maintenance in the area over the next four years, along with £667m across the UK into protecting communities from the sea."
The road is set to remain shut for an extended period after an estimated tens of millions of pounds of damage was caused.
County council leader Julian Brazil apologised after he suggested the road might not be repaired, which sparked angry comments from residents.
Voaden said the response to the petition showed the "strength of feeling about the crisis" and how worried people in the community were. "Communities affected by coastal erosion at Start Bay are the canary in the coalmine in our fight against climate change," she added. "The government must treat this issue with the seriousness and urgency it deserves."
(BBC news article continues)
Part of the A379 Slapton Line near Torcross, Devon, collapsed during stormy weather on Monday night
Thousands have signed a petition calling for more government support for those affected by storm damage to a coastal road.
Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, set up the petition following the partial collapse of the A379 Slapton Line near Torcross, which has caused disruption in the area. As of 09:30 GMT on Saturday, more than 9,500 people had signed the petition, which calls for help for "communities affected by coastal erosion in Start Bay".
The government said it was aware the storm damage was a "big shock" to residents and that it was working with the county council to determine its "next steps". A government spokesperson said: "We are providing over £443m for roads maintenance in the area over the next four years, along with £667m across the UK into protecting communities from the sea."
The road is set to remain shut for an extended period after an estimated tens of millions of pounds of damage was caused.
County council leader Julian Brazil apologised after he suggested the road might not be repaired, which sparked angry comments from residents.
Voaden said the response to the petition showed the "strength of feeling about the crisis" and how worried people in the community were. "Communities affected by coastal erosion at Start Bay are the canary in the coalmine in our fight against climate change," she added. "The government must treat this issue with the seriousness and urgency it deserves."
(BBC news article continues)
| Re: GWR's Battery Electric Train - ongoing discussion In "Thames Valley Branches" [372154/29641/13] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:02, 7th February 2026 | |
Thank you for such excellent 'on the ground news report from our correspondent at the scene', Oxonhutch.
| Re: Clockface timetables - a good idea? In "Across the West" [372153/31583/26] Posted by johnneyw at 20:07, 7th February 2026 | |
My thoughts are that a clock face service would be a desirable starting point for a Metro style service before it could achieve a "turn up and go" frequency, (when it becomes something of an irrelevance).
| Re: GWR's Battery Electric Train - ongoing discussion In "Thames Valley Branches" [372151/29641/13] Posted by Oxonhutch at 15:40, 7th February 2026 Already liked by Mark A, johnneyw, GBM, IndustryInsider | |
Sampled this service today and it is a nice little runner. The line speed is very slow, but what little acceleration was allowed with those constraints, was good. It would be nice to see how it would perform at a higher speed.
| Re: Clockface timetables - a good idea? In "Across the West" [372150/31583/26] Posted by Hafren at 14:46, 7th February 2026 Already liked by eXPassenger, PrestburyRoad | |
For suburban routes and core Intercity routes.... definitely Yes.
For many rural and secondary routes it often wouldn't be practical. Maintaining connections, planning for efficiency to avoid an extra train/bus in the cycle, managing single track sections and other capacity constraints, dealing with varying stopping patterns (e.g. varied extensions of the core route, stations where it would be genuinely wasteful to stop all trains etc), slotting in occasional freight where capacity is limited, peak variations (where not simply a case of adding an extra journey), even ripple effect of routes affected by these things on other routes because of connections and capacity, etc...
| Re: Possible - "Inspiring Climate Action" In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [372149/31409/40] Posted by broadgage at 13:19, 7th February 2026 | |
1) Encourage greater use of small and lightweight EVs such as scooters, cycles.
2)Re open closed rail lines, preferably using electric trains.
3) Greater use of trams and trolley buses, use of SAME infrastructure for electric trucks.
4) Make train travel more attractive, it is NOT JUST ME who considers IETs to be worse than the rains they replaced.
5) Make train travel simpler, with greatly simplified fares. No more punitively high fares for last minute travel on lightly loaded trains. And no more discounted fares for advance purchased tickets on overcrowded trains.
