I expect it will run tomorrow to get VIPs home from the GWR community event. That's the train that after the community rail conference in 2018 - also held in Swindon - that was so full and standing the train manager had to walk along the outside and shout to people standing in the aisle to squeeze up.   I remember that day and event well.

16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19

17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Further Information
We're sorry for the disruption to your journey.
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Taxis (Bath Taxis Limited) have been arranged leaving Chippenham at 18:20 calling at Melksham (18:38), Trowbridge (18:51) and Westbury (19:03 arrival). If you're travelling from Swindon, please join the 17:57 service towards Bristol Temple Meads and change for the taxis at Chippenham.
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Road transport pick up/drop off points can be found on the Information poster at stations or online at nre.co.uk/stations.

If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay

Using your phone as a makeup mirror has become commonplace - I'm sure some of our members do that ...

It is uncouth to wear a sleeveless vest on it own (i.e. not under a shirt) indoors including on public transport.
An exception could reasonably be made in  truly exceptional heat, but normally JUST DONT !

A person was found dead on train tracks at a station in North Somerset this morning, Monday, June 23.

They were found with injuries that proved to be fatal shortly after 11am at Highbridge and Burnham station.

Emergency services had attended the incident and all train lines were closed near Burnham-on-Sea, affecting trains running from Bristol Temple Meads as well as other GWR and CrossCountry services.

The British Transport Police said officers attended the incident. However, the person was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner. An inquest into the death will take place.

A spokesperson for the British Transport Police said: "We were called to Highbridge and Burnham station shortly after 11am this morning (Monday) following reports of a casualty on the tracks. Officers attended along with paramedics but sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

Train services disrupted

The incident has disrupted trains running between Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton, via Weston-super-Mare. Disruption to services is estimated to last until 3pm.

The following CrossCountry routes are affected:
* Services between Dundee / Edinburgh / Glasgow Central / Leeds / Newcastle / York and Plymouth
* Services between Manchester Piccadilly and Paignton
* Services between Edinburgh and Penzance

Great Western Railway services between Cardiff Central and Exeter St Davids are also affected.

CrossCountry customers can use their tickets on Great Western Railway (GWR) services between Bristol Temple Meads and Penzance.

GWR customers travelling from Taunton to stations between Weston-super-Mare and Bristol are advised to travel to Bristol and change to where services are running.

Reach out if you need help

If you are struggling, there are a number of ways to get help. The Samaritans can be contacted day or night through a variety of ways but they'll answer the phone 24-7 on 116 123.

Your family and friends are there for you too. Suicide doesn't end the pain, it just shares it around. Those left behind say they will never recover from the agonising loss and the constant regrets and all-consuming thoughts that they might have been able to do something.

Suicide attempt survivors have spoken of hope and how things can get better. Your GP can help or point you to NHS mental health services.

Firefighters are tackling a major blaze at a derelict building in Manchester city centre.

The fire, at the old Hotspur Press printing works on Cambridge Road, is close to Manchester Oxford Road railway station.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said an evacuation of the neighbouring apartment buildings is taking place. It added: "The public are advised to stay away from the area while crews continue to tackle the fire."



National Rail said all lines were blocked and warned that services running through the station may be cancelled or delayed until 20:00 BST.

TransPennine Express said rail replacement buses had been requested for the following routes:

* Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street in both directions

* Manchester Piccadilly to Preston in both directions

It said that once the lines reopened, people could use their tickets, at no extra cost, on the following services:

* East Midlands Railway between Sheffield and Liverpool Lime Street in both directions

The building, also known as Medlock Mill, has been derelict since shutting down as a printing press in 1996.

Developer Manner's plan to regenerate the historic building into a 36-storey student tower was given planning permission in May 2024.

However, it recently redesigned its proposals and they will now be submitted to Manchester City Council, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said earlier this month.

Perhaps they hired / subcontracted the delivery driver??

...................what efforts did the TOC/NR make to provide water for their stranded customers?

[snip]

17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

.....National Rail said its staff were working to remove the tree as quickly as they can, .....

My memory of the Czech railways is that they were far better maintained than that! 

Alterations to services between Oxford and Didcot Parkway
Due to a safety inspection of the track earlier today between Oxford and Didcot Parkway all lines will be blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 12:00 23/06.
Customer Advice
During a routine examination of the route between Oxford and Didcot Parkway a tree has been identified as needing to be felled.

It is therefore intended to close the line between Oxford and Didcot Parkway for around 45 minutes from 11:00. Individual train services will either be cancelled or held back until the line is reopened.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Last Updated:23/06/2025 10:34

12:52 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 15:00 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:23/06/2025 10:26