Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Cotswold villages - residents' concerns over tourist numbers In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371966/30727/31] Posted by johnneyw at 18:03, 2nd February 2026 |      |
Coates? He could fund restoration of Sapperton Tunnel - its portal is right there. (The canal one, not the railway one!)
He might be pleased that the Tunnel House Inn, right by Coates Portal is due to reopen in spring after being closed for a few years.
| Re: A trip on GWR's Battery Electric Train - 17/12/2024 In "Thames Valley Branches" [371965/29641/13] Posted by ChrisB at 17:38, 2nd February 2026 | |
Track dip of the day from a photo of that first class 230 trip.....
[Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Using the Coffeeshop forums: a question In "News, Help and Assistance" [371964/31565/29] Posted by eXPassenger at 17:13, 2nd February 2026 | |
I go into the listing of the subgroups and open each one in turn that has a 'New' indicator. I then open the topics that have new items.
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [371963/593/9] Posted by ChrisB at 15:37, 2nd February 2026 | |
Thanks for that - that's about the time I left.
A task I have been asked to complete on Friday involves the bridges too, so I'd better plan to get there before midday!
| Re: Cotswold villages - residents' concerns over tourist numbers In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371962/30727/31] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 13:56, 2nd February 2026 | |
Coates? He could fund restoration of Sapperton Tunnel - its portal is right there. (The canal one, not the railway one!)
| Re: Using the Coffeeshop forums: a question In "News, Help and Assistance" [371961/31565/29] Posted by eightonedee at 13:37, 2nd February 2026 Already liked by PrestburyRoad, Western Pathfinder, Mark A | |
Mine is "unread posts since your last visit". This gives the posts "in line" under the relevant topic/thread, which can be helpful if there's been a number of posts on it recently.
A "thank you" for things being set up to accommodate different approaches.
| Re: Driving road vehicles into floodwater - merged topics and posts, ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371960/14923/31] Posted by Marlburian at 13:36, 2nd February 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Talking of East Devon, is there still a "water lane" near Ide or Alphington, close to Exeter (pedantically more in South Devon)? Back in 1965 I drove my Mini Countryman along one in the Cheddar area and stalled it half way along; luckily I got it going again.
(A water lane is/was a stretch of road along which a stream or river permanently flows - except in times of drought. Put it another way, it's a length of river that has a road under it. It's NOT a ford. IIRC the Cheddar one was 150-200 yards long.)
| Re: Driving road vehicles into floodwater - merged topics and posts, ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371959/14923/31] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 13:11, 2nd February 2026 | |
Just in case this hasn't been mentioned earlier in this thread. In East Devon - I can't comment on other places - sections of carriageway which are prone to repeated flooding are marked with 'vertical ruler' graduated posts which indicate the depth of water measured from the road surface. If these are not already mandatory at all appropriate locations perhaps they should be.
| Using the Coffeeshop forums: a question In "News, Help and Assistance" [371958/31565/29] Posted by Mark A at 12:45, 2nd February 2026 | |
The question: when you visit the forums here, what's your preferred point of entry to them?
(Me, if the site doesn't open on the 'Recent posts' page, I head for that.)
Mark
| Re: Driving road vehicles into floodwater - merged topics and posts, ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371957/14923/31] Posted by Mark A at 12:41, 2nd February 2026 | |
One of my favourite flood videos, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrflH6KvPwo
A confession: edited that as there was something about the link that didn't quite work. Watching the video reminded me of walking across the city centre yesterday and finding top-to-toe waterproof clothes would have been good, given so many locations with drivers heading through puddles at speed - and also noticing instances of the sort of carriageway failure more common on motorways - where lane 1 has a pair of troughs from... inelastic deformation from heavy vehicles.
Mark
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [371956/593/9] Posted by IndustryInsider at 11:17, 2nd 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.....
Don't bank on going anywhere south of Oxford next Monday morning 9th.....
Not sure what time you were down there, but the temporary bridges weren't scheduled to open until around 3pm yesterday.
| 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 Already liked by PrestburyRoad, rogerw, eightonedee, Western Pathfinder, TonyK | |
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 Already liked by IndustryInsider, Mark A | |
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 Already liked by Mark A, Western Pathfinder, Richard Fairhurst | |
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 Already liked by Mark A | |
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 | |
From CAF. Battery/diesel/electric. Press release from LNER
Mark
https://www.lner.co.uk/news/the-next-generation-lner-reveals-exciting-new-details-of-upcoming-east-coast/
| 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 Already liked by rogerw | |
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 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
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, Andy, rogerw | |
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, TonyK | |
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".
[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]
