Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Advertising of misleading minimum pricing which is scarcely available In "Fare's Fair" [368386/31116/4] Posted by GBM at 08:28, 20th November 2025 |      |
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368385/30953/26] Posted by matth1j at 08:27, 20th November 2025 | |
Seemed to be quite a bit of wheel slip on the 06:46 Trowbridge-Bristol train this morning (-2C according to the Met office) - engine revs rise, train judders, revs drop, repeat. Didn't seem as bad once we got onto the main line.
| Re: Track defect at Plymouth - November 2025 In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [368384/31121/25] Posted by GBM at 08:22, 20th November 2025 | |
Any idea why it's taking so long to resolve this one?
I don't know the answer, but it's over a crossing and so usually it will be one (or a combination of) a special part being needed, it having a minimal impact on the service, and/or difficulty getting the time/staff/equipment to make repairs.
In terms of the impact on the service, it's just affecting the down line towards Penzance and is a 5mph restriction over a distance of 200 metres which seems to be typically causing 3-5 minute delay. Many services have a layover at Plymouth of at least that and in many cases much more, so actual delays further west are minimised.
| Re: Holding GWR to account - service reliability In "TransWilts line" [368383/31113/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:29, 20th November 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
............... some reassurances that the matter is very much being looked at.
.........are you sure that there weren't any civil servants present?
That one sounds straight out of Sir Humphrey's "we're not going to do anything" phrasebook!
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [368381/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 06:00, 20th November 2025 | |
Not a good afternoon and evening either:
1P04 13:18 Hereford to London Paddington (16:24) : started from Great Malvern.
1P05 15:18 Hereford to Paddington (18:29) : started from Great Malvern, arrived +15.
1P39 17:26 Foregate St to London Paddington (19:52) : held Norton (+12) and Charlbury (+20), arrived +17.
1P40 18:02 Foregate Street to London Paddington (20:29) : held Norton (+11) and Charlbury (+18).
1P42 19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington (21:26) : cancelled after Shrub Hill.
1P44 19:45 Great Malvern to London Paddington (22:24) : departed +20, saved 8 at Charlbury.
1P06 22:00 Hereford to London Paddington (01:17) : held Ledbury (+21), arrived Shrub Hill +48 and cancelled thereafter (points failure).
1W01 09:52 London Paddington to Hereford (12:46) : held Reading (+34), Evesham (+52) and Shrub Hill (+61), arrived Great Malvern +66 and cancelled thereafter.
1W02 11:52 London Paddington to Hereford (14:44) : lost time (37 mins Ascott-Evesham instead of 30.5 schedule), +22 at Newland, cancelled after Great Malvern
1W29 14:53 London Paddington to Foregate Street (17:04) : started from Reading, held Evesham (+12), arrived +14.
1W31 15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern (18:26) : held Evesham (+16), arrived +17.
2E14 17:04 Didcot to Evesham (18:23) : held Wolvercote, arrived +17.
1W33 16:58 London Paddington to Great Malvern (19:25) : lost time (36 mins AUD-EVE, scheduled 30), arrived +24.
1W03 17:34 London Paddington to Hereford (20:25) : Oxford +19, lost time (31 AUD-EVE, scheduled 27), arrived +24.
1W34 17:57 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street (20:11) : held Wolvercote (+16), arrived +24.
1W05 19:53 London Paddington to Hereford (22:57) : arrived Shrub Hill +15, held there, Foregate St +48 and cancelled thereafter (signal failure).
1W41 20:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern (23:13) : delayed Evesham - Norton, arrived Shrub Hill +17 and cancelled thereafter (points failure).
1W43 21:53 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill (00:01) : held Evesham (+36), arrived +50.
1W45 22:51 London Paddington to Worcestershire Parkway (01:06) : held Evesham (+31).
The short working of 1W05 has consequences for this morning, Thursday November 20:
20/11/25 05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:24 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:19/11/2025 23:30
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:19/11/2025 23:30
Unreported on JourneyCheck, 1P11 05:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington (07:24) is formed of a five-car set.
| Re: Closure proposal - five intermediate stations on Marston Vale line In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368379/31117/51] Posted by IndustryInsider at 21:45, 19th November 2025 | |
It seems to be more about the current stations proximity to the road which will likely need to be replaced with a bridge.
I wonder if it's a similar story to Waterbeach where - however - the solution seems to be a new station - https://www.greatercambridge.org.uk/sustainable-transport-programme/other-transport-schemes/new-station-for-waterbeach. I recall being there / using that station before Cambridge North opened and again two platforms by a busy level crossing which I'm sure Network Rail would be delighted to shed!
I don’t know the area well enough to comment on that, though the report makes frequent references to new housing and improving transport links/parking at several other of the stations along the line, including the new one to connect with the ECML at Tempsford.
| Re: Exeter to Barnstaple "commute from hell" In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [368378/31055/24] Posted by LiskeardRich at 20:35, 19th November 2025 | |
The line, and others in the Southwest are a victim of their success. The line is pretty much at capacity, and no ability without mega money to up capacity further.
Additonal passing loops to increase frequency, or platform extensions to accommodate longer trains
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368377/231/28] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:34, 19th November 2025 | |
Ahem.
I drove my Mercedes Sprinter van through various flooded locations in Yatton, the Wrington Vale and Chew Valley - not Nailsea.
They were indeed a good ten years.
| Re: Tiverton parkway parking In "London to the West" [368376/31122/12] Posted by ChrisB at 20:23, 19th November 2025 | |
Remnants of travellers from the Tarka Line (has it reopened yet?)
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368375/231/28] Posted by chuffed at 20:12, 19th November 2025 | |
Including those of us that drove a Waitrose 'Sprinter' van,,,,shome mishtake shurely....around the flooded fields of Nailsea for a good 10 years...
| Re: Pilning Station - where are we, and looking at future options (May 2025) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368374/30237/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:06, 19th November 2025 Already liked by Mark A, Western Pathfinder | |
Portishead: a whole new station built in 1954, only to be closed to passengers completely (and turned into a car dealership forecourt) in 1964.
Oh, the irony.
| Re: Pilning Station - where are we, and looking at future options (May 2025) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368373/30237/21] Posted by Red Squirrel at 19:57, 19th November 2025 | |
If you look back to Beeching closures, how many times did stations receive a full maintenance and repaint job, just before closure was announced ..... 
Too true, and not just stations. I remember my Dad telling me how a level crossing on the Avonside Wharf branch got a new set of beautifully-painted gates the week before it closed...
| Tiverton parkway parking In "London to the West" [368372/31122/12] Posted by red cuillen at 19:41, 19th November 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
Long time lurker but infrequent poster! We normally drop and pick up from Tivy during the day, but today we decided we'd park up for a trip to Okey. Couldn't believe that all 3 car parks were full at 0900! Ended up parking back on the Sampford Peverell road.
When we came back at 18:00 there were about 20 cars queuing to pick up passengers, the overflow parks had cars parked on the grass and off the edge of all the rows, and 15 cars were on the approach road, trying to park on the grass and off the double yellows!
Is this normal now or wednesdays only, or more than usual people enjoying the sights of Bristol or London??
Thanks
| Re: Closure proposal - five intermediate stations on Marston Vale line In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368371/31117/51] Posted by grahame at 19:38, 19th November 2025 | |
It seems to be more about the current stations proximity to the road which will likely need to be replaced with a bridge.
I wonder if it's a similar story to Waterbeach where - however - the solution seems to be a new station - https://www.greatercambridge.org.uk/sustainable-transport-programme/other-transport-schemes/new-station-for-waterbeach. I recall being there / using that station before Cambridge North opened and again two platforms by a busy level crossing which I'm sure Network Rail would be delighted to shed!
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368369/1219/28] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:18, 19th November 2025 | |
Thank you for your detailed and well-referenced post here, ChrisB.
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368368/231/28] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:40, 19th November 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
The 'speed at which' anything can happen in North Somerset is worthy of headline news.
| Re: Closure proposal - five intermediate stations on Marston Vale line In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368367/31117/51] Posted by IndustryInsider at 18:02, 19th November 2025 | |
Fenny Stratford closure could perhaps be mitigated by a new entrance on the east side of Bletchley station, which may even be planned anyway; when I was last there a few months ago walking to the only entrance involved a depressing trek under the entire West Coast main line (one of those bridges that always seems to be dripping even during a drought), then doubling back up an unpleasant staircase and past a couple of staff car parks.
Agreed it's a grim walk, and there are plans for a new entrance on the east side provided it's funded by third parties.
East West Rail say in their report today:
Following further analysis of future passenger demand at Bletchley station and taking account of the consultation feedback, we’ve developed our design proposals to improve the station and increase its capacity. The proposed station upgrade now includes:
A new accessible footbridge at the south end of the station, with lifts and stairs to all platforms.
Extended platforms and improved emergency exits for platforms 6, 7 and 8.
An expanded western ticket hall and gate line, along with upgrades to the station forecourt.
In addition to these improvements, we’re now considering including an eastern entrance to the station within our design, although the construction of this entrance would be subject to securing third-party funding.
If delivered, the eastern entrance would benefit users of the station and the wider area, especially travellers accessing the station from the town centre. It would support a longstanding priority for Milton Keynes City Council and the wider community. It would:
Improve connectivity through the town, providing a gateway to destinations like Bletchley Park and Stadium MK enabling access to rail services for residents affected by the closure of Fenny Stratford station.
Support wider regeneration plans, including road network upgrades and redevelopment of the Brunel Shopping Centre.
Reduce walking distance between EWR platforms and the town centre by approximately 600 metres.
Whilst this entrance is not required to accommodate EWR passenger demand, it is being included in our proposals because of the potential to secure third-party funding for this, and due to the additional benefits and connectivity it could bring. If third-party funding is not secured then the inclusion of an entrance in our plans would be reviewed.
More details will be provided when we consult in 2026.
A new accessible footbridge at the south end of the station, with lifts and stairs to all platforms.
Extended platforms and improved emergency exits for platforms 6, 7 and 8.
An expanded western ticket hall and gate line, along with upgrades to the station forecourt.
In addition to these improvements, we’re now considering including an eastern entrance to the station within our design, although the construction of this entrance would be subject to securing third-party funding.
If delivered, the eastern entrance would benefit users of the station and the wider area, especially travellers accessing the station from the town centre. It would support a longstanding priority for Milton Keynes City Council and the wider community. It would:
Improve connectivity through the town, providing a gateway to destinations like Bletchley Park and Stadium MK enabling access to rail services for residents affected by the closure of Fenny Stratford station.
Support wider regeneration plans, including road network upgrades and redevelopment of the Brunel Shopping Centre.
Reduce walking distance between EWR platforms and the town centre by approximately 600 metres.
Whilst this entrance is not required to accommodate EWR passenger demand, it is being included in our proposals because of the potential to secure third-party funding for this, and due to the additional benefits and connectivity it could bring. If third-party funding is not secured then the inclusion of an entrance in our plans would be reviewed.
More details will be provided when we consult in 2026.
| Re: Closure proposal - five intermediate stations on Marston Vale line In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368366/31117/51] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 17:55, 19th November 2025 | |
Closing Bow Brickhill does seem mad, and Grahame's theory about the suggestion being part of the planning game may be correct, though the bridge problem may prove insurmountable. Maybe they'll manage to come up with a new station design that works. Fenny Stratford closure could perhaps be mitigated by a new entrance on the east side of Bletchley station, which may even be planned anyway; when I was last there a few months ago walking to the only entrance involved a depressing trek under the entire West Coast main line (one of those bridges that always seems to be dripping even during a drought), then doubling back up an unpleasant staircase and past a couple of staff car parks.
That “some of the lowest usage in the country” statement is pushing it a bit, none of them being in the lowest 100 and Fenny Stratford at least should have scope for increased usage even if Bow Brickhill apparently wouldn't. If closing stations to improve the service to others is now in vogue, a better case could be made for closing at least a couple on the Barnstaple branch, which might help with the situation discussed in another thread https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31055.0.
...and don't get me started on "Parliamentary" services. The current closure process provides no real protection, and just results in the expense of providing the occasional train which is of no use to anyone other than us enthusiasts.
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368365/231/28] Posted by chuffed at 17:36, 19th November 2025 | |
The speed at which the clearance is going is amazing. The line being lifted in short 3 sleeper lengths and neatly stacked for recycling/retrieval.
| Re: Pilning Station - where are we, and looking at future options (May 2025) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368364/30237/21] Posted by chuffed at 17:33, 19th November 2025 | |
If you look back to Beeching closures, how many times did stations receive a full maintenance and repaint job, just before closure was announced .....
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368363/1219/28] Posted by ChrisB at 17:33, 19th November 2025 Already liked by IndustryInsider | |
There's also been a report produced today on the unofficial consultation that they held at the start of the year.
Found here, it covers all the items that were consulted on, including the closure of the Bicester London Road level crossing.
This got media coverage too
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp853jxydg3o
Other media on the union dispute -
https://www.railmagazine.com/news/chiltern-confirms-driver-only-operation-on-east-west-rail
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/19/launch-east-west-rail-services-delayed-row-guards-trains?utm_term=691d7649df84b608a3bc0e643f36b9cb&utm_campaign=BusinessToday&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=bustoday_email
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c364g92ygggo
Chiltern put out a catch-up email to stakeholders announcing officially that there are to be no services started in 2025 & that they are still working to find a solution
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368362/1219/28] Posted by grahame at 17:22, 19th November 2025 | |
From GB News
The opening of a new £7billion railway line has been delayed after a row between trade unions over who should operate the trains' doors.
East West Rail (EWR) is one of the Government's leading rail schemes, reopening a disused rail route since the 1960s and will eventually link Oxford and Cambridge.
It has been unavailable for public use despite the Government saying it would open this year and empty passenger trains running up and down the new lines for several months.
The Telegraph reported that an insider said some of the delays were due to "our trade union colleagues ... holding us up on opening the doors".
The dispute between the unions and the train company is believed to be focused on who should open the train doors - the guard or the driver.
Unions are against drivers operating the doors because it would delete the guard's job, reducing union membership and income in the long-term, but also meaning the driver could be accountable for any so-called "trap and drag" accidents with passengers.
East West Rail (EWR) is one of the Government's leading rail schemes, reopening a disused rail route since the 1960s and will eventually link Oxford and Cambridge.
It has been unavailable for public use despite the Government saying it would open this year and empty passenger trains running up and down the new lines for several months.
The Telegraph reported that an insider said some of the delays were due to "our trade union colleagues ... holding us up on opening the doors".
The dispute between the unions and the train company is believed to be focused on who should open the train doors - the guard or the driver.
Unions are against drivers operating the doors because it would delete the guard's job, reducing union membership and income in the long-term, but also meaning the driver could be accountable for any so-called "trap and drag" accidents with passengers.
| Re: Closure proposal - five intermediate stations on Marston Vale line In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368361/31117/51] Posted by IndustryInsider at 17:20, 19th November 2025 | |
Google "satellite" view shows that there's a fair amount of housing in the surrounding area with potential for even more close to the Bow Brickhill Station site. A case for mothballing rather than closure perhaps? Do NR do station mothballing?
It seems to be more about the current stations proximity to the road which will likely need to be replaced with a bridge.
East West Rail says the following:
At Bow Brickhill, we’re determining whether we need to provide a new road bridge which would split the existing station in half. While we’ve explored how the station could be relocated around this bridge, we’ve found that it would not be possible to expand the station without impacting neighbouring properties, businesses and developments. The overbridge itself could also act as a physical barrier to people trying to reach the station from its opposite side. Without space for essential facilities, like parking and drop-off areas and bus connections, it is likely that passenger numbers would remain low, even with development to the south and south-east of the station.
| Re: Closure proposal - five intermediate stations on Marston Vale line In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368360/31117/51] Posted by The Tall Controller at 16:55, 19th November 2025 | |
Parliamentary services work when there is just one station that needs to be closed. But closing 5 stations gives the government better value for their time/effort/money. 1 stone, 5 birds!
Having said that, is it that hard to fit all-stations services around the fast/semi-fast services?
| Re: Advertising of misleading minimum pricing which is scarcely available In "Fare's Fair" [368359/31116/4] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:36, 19th November 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
| Re: Closure proposal - five intermediate stations on Marston Vale line In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368358/31117/51] Posted by Oxonhutch at 16:33, 19th November 2025 | |
... Do NR do station mothballing?
Or run a Parliamentary service once a week like Stockport - Stalybridge.
I have to say that Graham's "Planners Compromise" could be on the mark - considering all the housing nearby and the uplift in traffic with an improved service.
