Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Mid Cornwall Metro - Newquay, St Austell, Truro & Falmouth In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [367717/27102/25] Posted by REVUpminster at 17:23, 3rd November 2025 |      |
The current plan to increase the service from 2 hour to one hour will mean more passengers but GWR know from experience with Falmouth and Paignton going from one hour to half an hour increases passenger number even more.
I think Newquay could well go half hourly in the future if they have the stock. Barnstaple also might be a candidate for a half hour service with the additional 175s
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [367716/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 17:16, 3rd November 2025 | |
1W01 09:52 Paddington to Hereford : started from Reading
1W02 1152 London Paddington to Hereford : arrived Great Malvern + 18 and cancelled thereafter.
15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:03/11/2025 14:21
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:03/11/2025 14:21
| Re: Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367715/31028/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:15, 3rd November 2025 | |
Thank you for your clear and indeed authoritative post here, IndustryInsider.
Chris from Nailsea.
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367714/231/28] Posted by BahnCard100 at 16:28, 3rd November 2025 | |
I note Mark A's reference to Thingley Junction and the associated OLE terms mentioned. I can recommend Garry Keenor's self published "Overhead Line Electrification for Railways" available both as a pdf and a hard back book. Garry is a Chartered Engineer, have a gander at www.ocs4rail.com. Perhaps I ought to add I have no connection to Gary, just a strictly amateur interest.
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367713/31017/51] Posted by TonyK at 15:53, 3rd November 2025 | |
It is beginning to become clear that a member of on train staff has acted selflessly to protect those they have a duty of care toward. I believe the training focuses on avoiding conflict. Just occasionally though the incident is so serious and immediate that there isn't time to talk, just act.
In what must have been a chaotic and horrific environment that bravery is to be applauded. That member of train crew is a hero. I really hope they pull through.
Absolutely agree. The latest report says that the person involved is now in a "critical but stable" condition, which gives cause for cautious optimism.In what must have been a chaotic and horrific environment that bravery is to be applauded. That member of train crew is a hero. I really hope they pull through.
| Re: Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367712/31028/51] Posted by IndustryInsider at 15:19, 3rd November 2025 Already liked by PrestburyRoad, Oxonhutch | |
Query to a-driver, please.
How the heck do you, as a driver, deal with this?
You will be badly shaken; adrenaline flowing.
Your training says the safety of passengers and the train.
Who do you call first - as in - the train manager/guard to check on passengers; signalling centre to stop everything; call the regional operational centre; Just where do you start!
How the heck do you, as a driver, deal with this?
You will be badly shaken; adrenaline flowing.
Your training says the safety of passengers and the train.
Who do you call first - as in - the train manager/guard to check on passengers; signalling centre to stop everything; call the regional operational centre; Just where do you start!
From the relevent rule book module:
You must immediately switch on the hazard warning indication where provided.
If you cannot do this, you must display a red light forward.
You must tell the signaller about the accident, and whether the electric traction current needs to be switched off, in the quickest way possible.
You must then check:
• if any other lines are obstructed (if in doubt, treat them as obstructed), and decide the quickest way to stop any approaching trains
• the exact location of your train.
When the signaller tells you that signal protection has been provided, you must place a track-circuit operating clip on:
• every other line that is obstructed, and
• the line on which your train is standing if the whole train has been derailed.
You must carry out emergency protection if:
• the signaller cannot provide signal protection, or
• you have not been able to contact the signaller.
If you need help in carrying out emergency protection, you must reach a clear understanding with the guard or any other competent person as to which lines that person will protect.
Contacting the signaller these days means placing an REC (Rail Emergency Call) on the GSM-R which simulaneously sends a 'stop immediately' message to all other trains in the area. They then acknowledge that they've stopped and can hear the conversation between the diver who placed the REC and the signaller (and join in on that call if appropriate).
Depending on the nature of the emergency, the driver might also then have to deal with emergency alarms being pulled on the train, passengers operating egresses etc. as well as liaising with the guard (if there is one) or other members of staff on the train and potentially speaking to their control and/or the police.
| Re: Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367711/31028/51] Posted by ChrisB at 15:00, 3rd November 2025 | |
Quicker going Glasgow/Carlisle - Edinburgh/Newcastle and south than Carlisle/Leeds
| Re: Mid Cornwall Metro - Newquay, St Austell, Truro & Falmouth In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [367710/27102/25] Posted by Noggin at 14:51, 3rd November 2025 Already liked by eightonedee | |
From Cornwall Live:
The concerns that a local or regional service that calls only once every 2 hours is so thin that it puts off a substantial proportion of potential users are, in my experience, correct. I do not, however, know the potential user base at Bugle or Roche and cannot quantify / qualify the size of the market it will make a difference to.
At a meeting of Cornwall Council's sustainable growth scrutiny committee today (Tuesday, October 7 [2025]), Kevin Towill - Reform UK councillor for Newquay Porth and Tretherras - said: "It was always envisaged from the beginning of the Mid Cornwall Metro project that the train would stop at the villages - including Roche and Bugle - but I've heard a rumour this might not be happening now and the train will be running right through without stopping." He asked Cllr Dan Rogerson, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for transport, to clarify.
Cllr Rogerson said: "It is correct that the hourly service to Newquay will not stop at every station. I think it's more like a two-hourly service to those stations, which is not ideal. We want to encourage people to be able to get to a frequency of travel like perhaps there is on the Truro to Falmouth route which is half-hourly where people don't have to plan ahead quite so much and can hop on.
"There are real opportunities to do better in the future but for now, unfortunately, it will be an hourly service to Newquay and slightly less frequently to some of those clay country stations, which is not what I want to see, but that's where we're starting."
A recent report by the Diocese of Truro and Plymouth Marjon University found that poor transport links are hitting rural areas of Cornwall, particularly in the clay country area.
Cllr Rogerson said: "It is correct that the hourly service to Newquay will not stop at every station. I think it's more like a two-hourly service to those stations, which is not ideal. We want to encourage people to be able to get to a frequency of travel like perhaps there is on the Truro to Falmouth route which is half-hourly where people don't have to plan ahead quite so much and can hop on.
"There are real opportunities to do better in the future but for now, unfortunately, it will be an hourly service to Newquay and slightly less frequently to some of those clay country stations, which is not what I want to see, but that's where we're starting."
A recent report by the Diocese of Truro and Plymouth Marjon University found that poor transport links are hitting rural areas of Cornwall, particularly in the clay country area.
The concerns that a local or regional service that calls only once every 2 hours is so thin that it puts off a substantial proportion of potential users are, in my experience, correct. I do not, however, know the potential user base at Bugle or Roche and cannot quantify / qualify the size of the market it will make a difference to.
In my experience of commuting on the Bristol to Gloucester line, a 1 hour+ gap in service (planned or unplanned) is far from ideal, but many people will work around it if there's a practical plan B such as a bus, or if they have a partner/parent/sibling able to act as a backup.
What really made the difference though was when it dropped to half-hourly, at which point many in my office switched to the train from the car or bus. My pal in HR told me that it also made recruitment much easier, as early career people would baulk at the idea of having to buy a car, but were reasonably happy with 15 minutes on a train from Bristol and a 5 minute walk from the station.
| Re: Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367709/31028/51] Posted by Mark A at 14:40, 3rd November 2025 | |
Avanti ticket acceptance between Edinburgh and Kings Cross, between Carlisle and Newcastle among others, but not Carlisle-Leeds, mind.
Mark
| Re: Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367708/31028/51] Posted by Oxonhutch at 13:38, 3rd November 2025 | |
My first reaction would be to get everything else stopped, especially if foul of the other running line - I believe there is an emergency GSM radio button for this. Don't know if track-circuit clips are still used on these routes but if they were, and it is still in the rules, I would get those on the fouled running line too.
| Re: The last days of the Lynn and Dereham railway (1968) In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367707/31022/51] Posted by CyclingSid at 13:22, 3rd November 2025 Already liked by lympstone_commuter | |
Interesting, but slightly depressing.
This happened before I had connections in North Norfolk. Before the days of pubs being open all day every day. The bus service had been reduced to one day a week, into the market in the morning and a rather merry bus back late afternoon/early evening.
There was reputed to be a firm who rented out horse-drawn gypsy caravans for holidays. If you didn't have a plan, supposedly the horse would take you on a tour of the local markets, where the pubs were open all day. Would be nice to believe.
| Re: Two trains collide at Fisherton Tunnel near Salisbury - 31 October 2021 In "South Western services" [367706/25621/42] Posted by grahame at 13:21, 3rd November 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Facebook Public Post from Martin Miller, shared many times.
4 years ago, I got up and went to work as normal. Little did I know that it would be the beginning of the end of my career on the railways, and that hours later, I would be involved in a train crash at Salisbury Tunnel. I am very thankful that no one was killed, and I'm very grateful for the support I received from family and friends and the health professionals who put my mind back together afterwards.
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367705/31017/51] Posted by ChrisB at 12:33, 3rd November 2025 | |
Man charged in connection to major incident at Huntingdon station – Cambridgeshire
A man will appear at court this morning (3 November) charged in connection to a major incident on a train Cambridgeshire on Saturday evening (1 November).
Anthony Williams, 32, of Langford Road, Peterborough, is charged with ten counts of attempted murder, one count of ABH (Actual Bodily Harm), and one count of possession of bladed article in connection to the incident at Huntingdon.
He is also charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection to an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station on 1 November.
He is due to appear at Peterborough Magistrates' Court later this morning.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: "The criminal investigation and support for the victims is a priority for British Transport Police.”
“Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences. Following the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service I would stress the importance of not saying or publishing anything which might jeopardise or prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings, or the integrity of the investigation."
Anthony Williams, 32, of Langford Road, Peterborough, is charged with ten counts of attempted murder, one count of ABH (Actual Bodily Harm), and one count of possession of bladed article in connection to the incident at Huntingdon.
He is also charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection to an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station on 1 November.
He is due to appear at Peterborough Magistrates' Court later this morning.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: "The criminal investigation and support for the victims is a priority for British Transport Police.”
“Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences. Following the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service I would stress the importance of not saying or publishing anything which might jeopardise or prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings, or the integrity of the investigation."
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [367704/29711/14] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 12:09, 3rd November 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:24 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:03/11/2025 05:37
This train is formed from a set that is running empty from Stoke Gifford.This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:03/11/2025 05:37
It passed Abbotswood Junction + 122 and will probably be about 20 late departing Shrub Hill.
53 minutes late by Charlbury. The IET that usually follows it was a "planned cancellation" this morning, and the Oxfordshire Halts train after that was 17 late. In other words, Cotswold Line in the autumn, SNAFU...
| Re: Travel-related apps: a more resiliant architecture In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367703/31006/51] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 12:05, 3rd November 2025 | |
eXPassenger is right - developers often code something that works successfully in their always-on environment while forgetting that the app will often be used in less connected places. Or rather, the developers code what the spec tells them to code, and the project managers didn't put "work despite a dodgy connection" in the spec. But twas ever thus - I think it was Macintosh System 7.5, way back in 1994, that introduced a new help system that would regularly fail unless you were online.
I'm wondering if the authors of these sort of apps need to concentrate on work to reduce the volume of data that needs to be exchanged at these times, or to make the handling of this situation more efficient so that the app has a better chance of continuing to work when the network connection is less than good. For starters, they don't appear to cache the image and therefore data-heavy operations such as their handling of maps.
I've not used the Firstbus app - we're mercifully free of Firstbus round here - but in my experience, most generalist developers just unthinkingly embed an off-the-shelf map component in their apps and then tick the box to say "map done". Usually this is the platform-native one (i.e. Google or Apple maps), sometimes it's Mapbox or another third party. In-app maps absolutely can run offline or in conditions of limited connectivity, but only if you put the effort in!
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367702/31017/51] Posted by bradshaw at 11:35, 3rd November 2025 Already liked by TonyK | |
This is the article in Sky News
British Transport Police held an emergency exercise for press officers in March, which ironically involved a stabbing on a train travelling south near Huntingdon.
In the training drill, the train stopped immediately between stations when a passenger pulled the emergency cord.
It took police 25 minutes to reach the train and casualties, far longer than the eight minutes in which Cambridgeshire firearms officers reached the scene at Huntingdon station.
In the training drill, the train stopped immediately between stations when a passenger pulled the emergency cord.
It took police 25 minutes to reach the train and casualties, far longer than the eight minutes in which Cambridgeshire firearms officers reached the scene at Huntingdon station.
https://news.sky.com/story/police-rehearsed-a-knife-attack-scenario-on-a-train-line-in-march-heres-what-went-differently-this-time-13462585
| Re: Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367701/31028/51] Posted by GBM at 11:30, 3rd November 2025 | |
Query to a-driver, please.
How the heck do you, as a driver, deal with this?
You will be badly shaken; adrenaline flowing.
Your training says the safety of passengers and the train.
Who do you call first - as in - the train manager/guard to check on passengers; signalling centre to stop everything; call the regional operational centre; Just where do you start!
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367700/31017/51] Posted by Phantom at 11:24, 3rd November 2025 | |
Awful news...... but, the driver of that train deserves huge praise. Exemplary response that potentially saved lives.
It was interesting to hear on GMB this morning that LNER have running training exercises on how to react to a stabbing occuring on a train, the spooky part is that the training has been taking place to pull a train off the fast line and to a stop at Huntingdon
| Re: Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367699/31028/51] Posted by ChrisB at 11:15, 3rd November 2025 | |
Watson says around 20 minutes later, staff told them the train hit a landslide, caused by heavy rain at the weekend.
| Re: Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367698/31028/51] Posted by Mark A at 11:14, 3rd November 2025 | |
The derailed trains, the 04:28 from Glasgow with ~85 aboard after Carlisle, it derailed after 6:09am.
Hat-tip to the staff of the Shap Wells Hotel which was on hand to receive the passengers.
Photos show that the train came to a halt foul of the down line. A service from Manchester to Glasgow, due to pass the location at 06:20, last recorded on Realtimetrains at Oxenholme at 6:05.
Mark
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:W09849/2025-11-03/detailed#allox_id=0
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C26825/2025-11-03/detailed
| Re: Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367697/31028/51] Posted by a-driver at 10:38, 3rd November 2025 | |
Image on X/Twitter shows derailed unit, with crash structure performing as it is designed to do.
https://x.com/rail/status/1985269697265512568?s=61&t=VlafMC5gF9tidw36b1Y8JQ
\https://x.com/rail/status/1985269697265512568?s=61&t=VlafMC5gF9tidw36b1Y8JQ
Will be interesting to see the initial findings. Other pictures suggest its only the front bogie that has derailed and there maybe some fortune that it derailed towards the 6ft and the other running line.
| Re: Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367695/31028/51] Posted by bradshaw at 09:14, 3rd November 2025 | |
Image on X/Twitter shows derailed unit, with crash structure performing as it is designed to do.
https://x.com/rail/status/1985269697265512568?s=61&t=VlafMC5gF9tidw36b1Y8JQ
| Derailment of Glasgow to London train near Shap in Cumbria - 3 November 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367694/31028/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:02, 3rd November 2025 | |
BBC News - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/czdrp8mm6jgt?app-referrer=deep-link
Glasgow to London train derails in Cumbria - no injuries reported but 'days of disruption' expected - BBC News
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [367693/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 06:23, 3rd November 2025 | |
Monday November 3
05:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 07:24 will be started from Evesham.
It will no longer call at Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Pershore and Maidenhead.
It is being delayed at Evesham.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:03/11/2025 06:09
This train is formed of the stock from last night's 21:50 Paddington - Evesham, which spent the night at Evesham and should have run empty to Shrub Hill at 04:20.It will no longer call at Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Pershore and Maidenhead.
It is being delayed at Evesham.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:03/11/2025 06:09
It has departed from Evesham +33.
05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:24 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:03/11/2025 05:37
This train is formed from a set that is running empty from Stoke Gifford.This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:03/11/2025 05:37
It passed Abbotswood Junction + 122 and will probably be about 20 late departing Shrub Hill.
The stock for 1P18 0713 Great Malvern to London Paddington, also empty from Stoke Gifford, has passed Ashchurch +36 and is on a 12 minute turn-round at Great Malvern.
Later:
07:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 09:42 will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading and terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-In-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford and London Paddington.
It is being delayed at Great Malvern.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:03/11/2025 07:46
Departed Great Malvern +41.It will no longer call at Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-In-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford and London Paddington.
It is being delayed at Great Malvern.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:03/11/2025 07:46
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367692/31017/51] Posted by JayMac at 23:41, 2nd November 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, a-driver, Timmer, PrestburyRoad, eightonedee, PhilWakely, GBM, bradshaw, lympstone_commuter, Mark A, Western Pathfinder, Red Squirrel, Marlburian, Fourbee, TonyN, chuffed, rogerw, TonyK | |
It is beginning to become clear that a member of on train staff has acted selflessly to protect those they have a duty of care toward. I believe the training focuses on avoiding conflict. Just occasionally though the incident is so serious and immediate that there isn't time to talk, just act.
In what must have been a chaotic and horrific environment that bravery is to be applauded. That member of train crew is a hero. I really hope they pull through.
| Re: Another drop in bus event for North Somerset In "Buses and other ways to travel" [367691/30922/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:30, 2nd November 2025 | |
I have also added this latest date to our Coffee Shop forum's calendar. CfN.
| Barrage of fireworks launched at bus in Birmingham In "Buses and other ways to travel" [367690/31027/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:15, 2nd November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
A video posted on social media has shown a bus in Birmingham come under attack from fireworks.
Police said they were investigating and reviewing footage. It is unclear when the incident happened but it has been widely shared over the weekend.
The West Midlands force said there had been a number of fireworks-related incidents in the city centre since Friday night, with 10 people aged between 13 and 23 arrested.
Seven have since been bailed with conditions not to enter the city centre. Inquiries are continuing.
The force said fireworks had been thrown near New Street, with others launched at buildings and police officers in the early hours of Saturday.
No one was injured in the incidents according to police who added they would not tolerate "such appalling actions".
They said a visible police presence would remain around the city centre and that a dispersal order was in place.
Police said they were investigating and reviewing footage. It is unclear when the incident happened but it has been widely shared over the weekend.
The West Midlands force said there had been a number of fireworks-related incidents in the city centre since Friday night, with 10 people aged between 13 and 23 arrested.
Seven have since been bailed with conditions not to enter the city centre. Inquiries are continuing.
The force said fireworks had been thrown near New Street, with others launched at buildings and police officers in the early hours of Saturday.
No one was injured in the incidents according to police who added they would not tolerate "such appalling actions".
They said a visible police presence would remain around the city centre and that a dispersal order was in place.
| Re: Where was I today - 1.11.2025 In "The Lighter Side" [367689/31016/30] Posted by grahame at 21:37, 2nd November 2025 Already liked by GBM, bradshaw | |
Ah ... fond recollections of a trip there, one wet August bank holiday, through a part-gridlocked Swindon on a bus and then a walk though a teenager-haunted underpass, and a twenty minute solitary wait in what wanted to be driving rain before the very welcome appearance of... a train, hurrah!
Mark
Mark
Parallels - or similarities - today.
The train from Melksham ran, and on time. 42 passengers on board - not bad for the first train on a November Sunday morning. Got to Swindon ... and followed the instructions to get a bus from Fleming Way.
Having confirmed that at the 16 to Blundson - the one recommended on the railway's site - does not run in a Sunday (and the train is only running on a Sunday - duh!) - I looked to work out what runs to the Tawny Owl at Taw Hill. Not easy - lots of routes and final destinations, all less than frequent on a Sunday, and a fun time was spent visiting their various stops and trying to work out intermediate stops and times.
Found myself a bus ... swiped on ... but in chatting with the driver he suggested a different one "I take an hour to get there and he's direct" ... so dropped back and off we set ... first stop turns out to be the (main) railway station! Anyway - through some of the 'burbs I hadn't been in before and we must be getting close. And - oops - I think we have overshot; stop names are little streets and not the areas, so for all the electronics telling me where we were, I was lostish. Which did result in a very pleasant walk back down a bridleway.
Waymarking leaves something to be desired in places, but a bit of common sense got me to the Tawny Owl, then under it and the track up to the station. Although online I had read that the railbus was running, the gate was locked with feasrsone spikes, signs taled about next trains being 27th and 28th September the Sundays in October and then Santa ... which did not bode well for 2nd November. No-one else around on the track to the station gate, and the time came and went for the train to arrive and it didn't. I was just about to give up ... Plan "B" to follow the old canal. When the railbus appears. I was, I confess, wary it was going to go back with the gate remaining locked, but the guard came down, took the chain off, and threw the entrance open. Phew!
