This is a test of GDPR / Cookie Acceptance [about our cookies]
Really irritating test - cookie expires in 24 hour!
Great Western Coffee Shop
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: A trip on GWR's Battery Electric Train - 17/12/2024
In "Thames Valley Branches" [371955/29641/13]
Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:56, 2nd February 2026
 
Video from Richard Bowker on the introduction into passenger service:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCcjRaj9b9Q

Re: Changes to services at maidenhead
In "London to Reading" [371954/31563/7]
Posted by NickB at 10:55, 2nd February 2026
 
Aha - that’s smashing news.  Thank you very much!

Re: Class 897 trains on the way for LNER
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371952/31564/51]
Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:52, 2nd February 2026
 
Good news, though let's hope the ride quality is better than the CAF Mk 5a's Chiltern are re-introducing!

I think GWR could really do with more capacity in its high speed fleet now.  A similar order of 10 7-car units, based on either the Hitachi Class 807 (but a Tri-Mode version), or 7-car versions of these Tri-mode Class 897s, would be extremely useful to help cater for growth on both the North and South Cotswold services, and doubtless other routes, where 9-car will be overkill, but 5-cars isn't enough.  7-car services also fit nicely into the platform length profiles at most stations on those routes.

Try boarding the 10:29, 11:32, 15:31 (and others) at Oxford towards London and there's a good chance you'll be standing all the way.  Incredible given not too long ago those trains were in the hands of 3-car Turbos!

Re: Driving road vehicles into floodwater - merged topics and posts, ongoing discussion
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371951/14923/31]
Posted by Marlburian at 10:49, 2nd February 2026
 
Canadian vehicles in trouble, Elston Lane, Shrewton, Wiltshire January 1915

Re: Changes to services at maidenhead
In "London to Reading" [371950/31563/7]
Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:40, 2nd February 2026
 
Hey, Nick.  It's not the one from Bristol, that's the next one at 07:18.  The 07:06 comes from Worcester and isn't running this week because of the engineering blockade at Oxford, but returns next Monday:

Last week:  https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:MAI/2026-01-26/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=pax-calls&order=wtt&toc=GW
This week:  https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:MAI/2026-02-02/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=pax-calls&order=wtt&toc=GW
Next week:  https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:MAI/2026-02-09/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=pax-calls&order=wtt&toc=GW

Class 897 trains on the way for LNER
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371949/31564/51]
Posted by Mark A at 10:33, 2nd February 2026

Re: Driving road vehicles into floodwater - merged topics and posts, ongoing discussion
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371948/14923/31]
Posted by broadgage at 10:25, 2nd February 2026
 
One of my favourite flood videos, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrflH6KvPwo

Changes to services at maidenhead
In "London to Reading" [371947/31563/7]
Posted by NickB at 10:07, 2nd February 2026
 

The 7.06 service from Maidenhead to Paddington has vanished from the timetables and departure boards as of this morning. This is/was the 05:47 from Bristol Temple Meads.

I’ve asked GWR for an explanation including whether this is a temporary change or more permanent but I suspect I’ll get a more informed answer here

Re: Can you find the 40 British railway station names hidden in our puzzle?
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371946/31556/51]
Posted by DR7835 at 09:45, 2nd February 2026
 
Bath Spa(r)? [Image from here is not available to guests]

Apparently, it's actually Leamington Spa. I'm not sure I get the reference there.  [Image from here is not available to guests]

Lemmings in a spa?

Dave

Re: WSR50 28/03/2026
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [371945/31550/47]
Posted by Witham Bobby at 09:32, 2nd February 2026
 
Fond memories of those days. Quite early on - but after the line had extended a little - a friend and I got permission from the railway to camp on their land at Dunster and Stogumber as part of a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition. They left the loos unlocked for us at Dunster, while at Stogumber we had the pleasure of meeting the lovely elderly couple living at the station house, who let us use their loo and water, and plied us with soft fruit from their garden. We also had a ride on the railway's asbestos-riddled and so now defunct DMU.  Must head down there again this year for the celebrations.

I think the folks at Stogumber you mention would have been Mr & Mrs Harry Horne.  Harry was a signalman at Williton when BR shut the branch.

Re: Driving road vehicles into floodwater - merged topics and posts, ongoing discussion
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371944/14923/31]
Posted by Mark A at 09:06, 2nd February 2026
 
An issue is that depending on the nature of the flood, water levels change very quickly. Something breaches or blocks, something overtops, or the weather dumps water into a channel upstream and e.g. within minutes a householder finds 4 feet of water in what was a previously dry hallway.

Mark

Re: Can you find the 40 British railway station names hidden in our puzzle?
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371942/31556/51]
Posted by plymothian at 08:58, 2nd February 2026
 
Currently on 21/40.

Not sure why Exit-her can be generic when Blackpool Pleasure Beach has to be specific.

Re: Railways Bill 2025: introducing and designing Great British Railways - general topic
In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [371941/31038/40]
Posted by Electric train at 07:25, 2nd February 2026
Already liked by GBM, Oxonhutch, Mark A
 
Recently I meet up with former work colleagues, their comment was that since NR and SE Trains has started its merge, this started 18 June 2025 by the formation of a joint Board the performance of the route  has drastically improved.

The removal of the "profit driven contractual" element of running a railway will be the driver for much of the performance improvement

Re: A trip on GWR's Battery Electric Train - 17/12/2024
In "Thames Valley Branches" [371939/29641/13]
Posted by Electric train at 07:16, 2nd February 2026
Already liked by Mark A
 
That's reignited my pondering as to where, if the continued trail is successful, these could be rolled out to, especially with the rather higher than predicted milage per charge.

The obvious to me with a local concentration of identical stock are the Thames Valley branches to Windsor, Marlow and Henley.

From the meetings I was involved in a year ago in my NR job the class 230 unit on the Greenford is only intended to be the proof of concept. The GWR team believed the best way forward was a new build of units, this would allow the option of 25kV and 750V charging in addition to the rapid charge, also the class 230 are a 40 year old train.

The Greenford public service use of the class 230 give the system a real test

Re: Driving road vehicles into floodwater - merged topics and posts, ongoing discussion
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371938/14923/31]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 00:14, 2nd February 2026
Already liked by GBM
 
From the BBC:

Isle of Wight flood warnings as motorists stranded in deep water

[Image from here is not available to guests]
Firefighters were called to help rescue people from three vehicles stuck in deep water in Pondwell Hill, near Ryde

Flood warnings have been issued across the Isle of Wight, with several roads impassable and vehicles stranded following flash flooding.

The Environment Agency (EA) issued an urgent flood warning for Carisbrooke and Hunnyhill on the Lukely Brook in Newport. A second flood warning was put in place just before 19:30 GMT for Blackwater and Newport on the River Medina after 35mm of rain fell earlier and the EA urged residents to "act now".

Flood alerts were also in force for St John's in Ryde, the Eastern Yar, the River Medina and Gurnard Luck. Firefighters were called to help rescue people from three vehicles which became stuck in deep water in Pondwell Hill, near Ryde.

Flooding was being reported extensively across the island on Sunday evening, with people posting on social media that they were having to abandon their vehicles. Homes in Whitwell and Carisbrooke were the among those flooded, according to Facebook posts on the Isle of Wight Community Information Group.

Rain was forecast to continue until 22:00, with river levels and flood risks starting to reduce by 01:00, according to the EA. A flood warning means flooding is expected and people should protect themselves and loved ones, moving to a safe place, along with pets and valuables, it said.

People are advised to move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building and turn off the gas, electricity and water if it is safe to do so. Flood protection equipment should also be put in place.

Posting on Facebook, Isle of Wight Council warned the Newport Quay Arts Centre on the Lukely Brook and the Aquatics Centre at Vicarage Walk were at risk of flooding. Water levels would be "very high" at Caesars Road and Old Westminster Lane, it said, adding the river could burst its banks "flooding roads and parked cars".


Hmm. [Image from here is not available to guests]

Without wishing to appear smug, I was a professional van driver for ten years before I retired, and in that time I did drive through some floodwater. However, I did so only when I considered it to be realistic: I would look at the water level, knowing what my van could cope with, and decide accordingly. I wouldn't have done the above. [Image from here is not available to guests] [Image from here is not available to guests] [Image from here is not available to guests]


Re: Can you find the 40 British railway station names hidden in our puzzle?
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371937/31556/51]
Posted by TonyN at 22:39, 1st February 2026
 
Kew Gardens

Re: Huge new Wetherspoons planned for Paddington
In "London to Reading" [371936/31554/7]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:36, 1st February 2026
 
It may just be a 'creative artist's impression' of the proposed new Wetherspoons establishment, but I find their suggestion of decor to be very garish:

[Image from here is not available to guests]

 [Image from here is not available to guests] [Image from here is not available to guests] [Image from here is not available to guests]

Re: Can you find the 40 British railway station names hidden in our puzzle?
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371935/31556/51]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:27, 1st February 2026
 
Bath Spa(r)? [Image from here is not available to guests]

Apparently, it's actually Leamington Spa. I'm not sure I get the reference there.  [Image from here is not available to guests]

Re: South Western Railways Waterloo - Bristol services axed
In "South Western services" [371934/25368/42]
Posted by JayMac at 21:48, 1st February 2026
 
The trains may have gone, but the cheaper routed fares remain.

Were I still living in Bristol I'd be travelling to London via Salisbury whenever cost was the main concern. Of course, if finances were really strained then I'd be on the coach.

Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts)
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [371933/19772/25]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:35, 1st February 2026
 
Not specific to the railways, but it does show how bad the weather conditions can be, down in Newquay, and their effect on the structure of the coast - from the BBC:

Walker escaped cliff collapse 'by seconds'

[Image from here is not available to guests]

A man has told how he and four others escaped a cliff collapse on the Newquay coast after a huge section of cliff crashed down in front of them without warning.

Kieron English, 20, had been exploring the area with his friend Rian Walker on Saturday afternoon when the path suddenly vanished.

The pair, three other walkers and two dogs were stuck "with no way of getting out" and were rescued by a lifeboat crew. "A couple of seconds before and we could have all lost our lives," said English.

English, who has lived in the seaside town for only three months, said he had asked his brother, who used to live there, for ideas on places with good sea views and his brother suggested trying a spot near the Fly Cellars. English said they heard a noise "like a high pitched squeal".

"Next thing we know, the whole cliff collapsed in front of us," he said.

Three separate groups ended up stranded together on a concrete pad with no safe way out. The tide was too high to attempt swimming and the cliff was too unstable to climb. English said: "A couple of seconds before and we could have lost all our lives."

Coastguards said the section of coastpath was impassable and "the public are requested to avoid the area for the time being".

[Image from here is not available to guests]

It comes as recent yellow weather warnings and two named storms battered the South West earlier this week and caused disruption.

A yellow rain warning is also in place from 12:00 on Monday to 09:00 on Tuesday.


Re: South Western Railways Waterloo - Bristol services axed
In "South Western services" [371932/25368/42]
Posted by grahame at 21:34, 1st February 2026
 
I used the Waterloo to Bristol TM services regularly especially as you saved quite a bit from South wales compared to going to Paddington.

I remember it being under wales and borders trains and running to Cardiff and West wales and they were always well used if you speak to staff who used to do it even the 0415 arrival into Waterloo had a decent number on.

Which, the cyncs have suggested, is a reason the service had to be "levelled down" - only fair that long distance fares should be charged on long distance trains; long distance trains at cheap fares in The South need to be withdrawn.

I often wondered about that nighttime Maesteg to Waterloo train!

Re: Can you find the 40 British railway station names hidden in our puzzle?
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371931/31556/51]
Posted by ChrisB at 21:06, 1st February 2026
 
A Scot under Witch wood anyone? [Image from here is not available to guests] [Image from here is not available to guests]

Re: M5 at the Avonmouth bridge closed.
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371930/31551/5]
Posted by Noggin at 21:02, 1st February 2026
 
Not a clue about the CAZ bit but its was that bad that BCC came out and re-opened the closed lanes of the Plimsoll bridge, which did actually do quite a lot to help.

Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts
In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [371929/593/9]
Posted by ChrisB at 20:58, 1st February 2026
 
They missed a trick too - the temporary bridges over the rail tracks in the station hadn't been inserted today & thus the the original walking route under the bridge had to0 remain open. That route through the station needs to open in order to replace the bridge, so they're at least 18 hours behind schedule already.

Don't bank on going anywhere south of Oxford next Monday morning 9th.....

Re: South Western Railways Waterloo - Bristol services axed
In "South Western services" [371928/25368/42]
Posted by anthony215 at 20:36, 1st February 2026
 
I used the Waterloo to Bristol TM services regularly especially as you saved quite a bit from South wales compared to going to Paddington.

I remember it being under wales and borders trains and running to Cardiff and West wales and they were always well used if you speak to staff who used to do it even the 0415 arrival into Waterloo had a decent number on.

Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [371927/569/25]
Posted by a-driver at 20:23, 1st February 2026
Already liked by GBM, Pb_devon
 
Part of the line is still underwater.

A lot of debris has been removed but there are some structures that still need inspecting once water levels drop.  Some other structures need inspecting but NR will allow trains to operate with a 10mph speed restriction.

They’re getting close!

Re: Railway bridges struck by road vehicles - merged topic, ongoing discussion
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371926/8910/51]
Posted by bobm at 20:11, 1st February 2026
 
Another lorry got stuck under the Whitehouse bridge by Swindon station on Saturday. 

The Swindon Advertiser is reporting the driver had no insurance or a licence. 

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/25814115.driver-reported-lorry-wedged-swindon-bridge/

 
The Coffee Shop forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western). The views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit https://www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site at admin@railcustomer.info if you feel that the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules. Our full legal statment is at https://www.greatwesternrailway.info/legal.html

Although we are planning ahead, we don't know what the future will bring here in the Coffee Shop. We have domains "firstgreatwestern.info" for w-a-y back and also "greatwesternrailway.info"; we can also answer to "greatbritishrailways.info" too. For the future, information about Great Brisish Railways, by customers and for customers.
 
Current Running
GWR trains from JourneyCheck
 
 
Code Updated 11th January 2025