Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Very unusual aircraft In "Buses and other ways to travel" [365422/30711/5] Posted by Clan Line at 16:25, 10th September 2025 |      |
I was sitting having a coffee at Southampton Airport yesterday, when this suddenly appeared - flying low and slow along the runway. I grabbed my camera and managed to get a couple of reasonable shots of it.
It didn't appear on FlightRadar24, so resorted to a web search - found it eventually. Never knew that this aircraft existed in the UK.
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/catalina-flying-boat-gpbya-history-miss-pick-up
| Re: London Underground - industrial action by RMT, early September 2025 In "Transport for London" [365421/30605/46] Posted by grahame at 13:14, 10th September 2025 | |
Hmmm....who do you believe...?
Both of them ....
They are saying that they've seen an internal memo about closure of Elizabeth Line ticket Offices?
From the article..............
"However, a TfL spokesman told The Standard on Tuesday: “There are no plans to close ticket offices.”
I would suspect that there are internal "what-if" discussions within TfL - every business needs to look to its future - but those discussions internally haven't materialised to the extent that TfL would describe the as "plans".
| Re: [otd] 9th September 2006 - Last commuter train (for over 7 years) to Melksham In "TransWilts line" [365420/29131/18] Posted by grahame at 13:00, 10th September 2025 | |
Should now work at https://grahamellis.uk/writings/hm974.html ... adding in other work there over the next couple of days so you may see occasional changes as the archive arrives, and perhaps errors as I test new lumps of code
Looking back - here are some more old writings ... being archives, a number of them refer to other party's websites that are no longer there, but much of the experience in the writing still has some educational relevance.
https://grahamellis.uk/writings/hm486.html - Rail services under threat - Swindon, Melksham ... and Newquay and Bicester too - 5.11.2005
https://grahamellis.uk/writings/hm974.html - The last commuter train through Melksham - 9.12.2006
https://grahamellis.uk/writings/hm4163.html - TransWilts Community Rail Partnership - formally constituted - 1.9.2013
https://grahamellis.uk/writings/hm4219.html - TransWilts train services - up from 2 to 8 per day - 9.12.2013
https://grahamellis.uk/writings/hm4512.html - The Weymouth Wizard - Saturdays in August from Wiltshire - 31.7.2015
https://grahamellis.uk/writings/hm4706.html - Melksham trial train service is to be made permanent - 2.10.2016
| Re: New TFW Cardiff and West Wales to Bristol Temple Meads service In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [365419/30679/21] Posted by Noggin at 12:50, 10th September 2025 | |
Is this essentially the start of the new services that were mentioned in the consultation a year or two ago?
If so somewhat disappointed at the limited stopping pattern as it was originally planned to be a true stopping services from what was initially shared, but now Patchway, Ashley Down and Lawrence Hill miss out.
If so somewhat disappointed at the limited stopping pattern as it was originally planned to be a true stopping services from what was initially shared, but now Patchway, Ashley Down and Lawrence Hill miss out.
That would seem sensible - run the minimum justifiable service with the kit TfW have available, secure the paths and get their crews used to the route.
Then, up the length/frequency as the new stations are built on the Welsh side, either replacing with new BEMUs or straight-electrics depending on when/whether Filton Bank is wired.
On the stopping service, I'd imagine that GWR need all the Filton Bank slow paths long-term for the Henbury and Severn Beach services, so perhaps a deal has been cut between TfW and WECA?
| Re: OpenRailwayMap In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [365417/30709/51] Posted by IndustryInsider at 12:04, 10th September 2025 | |
Great link, thanks.
Click on 'Max Speeds' and it shows very clearly how far behind the rest of western Europe we are.
| Re: London Underground - industrial action by RMT, early September 2025 In "Transport for London" [365416/30605/46] Posted by IndustryInsider at 12:02, 10th September 2025 | |
Hmmm....who do you believe...?
| Promoting cycling to less frequent users In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [365415/30710/50] Posted by CyclingSid at 11:51, 10th September 2025 | |
"Dublin City Council has recruited three social media influencers to try to persuade teenage girls that cycling can be cool and fun." https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2025/0910/1532646-cycling-girls/
Thoroughly to be applauded, and should be copied elsewhere.
But you do need to provide the infrastructure to support it. https://road.cc/content/news/cyclist-killed-hgv-driver-council-says-junction-safe-315793
End on a more positive note the London Tube strike has encouraged more to get on their bikes https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-live-blog-10-september-2025-315837. "Increased demand proof that better, wider cycleways needed", well that will get the taxi drivers going!
| Re: London Underground - industrial action by RMT, early September 2025 In "Transport for London" [365414/30605/46] Posted by TaplowGreen at 11:42, 10th September 2025 | |
They are saying that they've seen an internal memo about closure of Elizabeth Line ticket Offices?
From the article..............
"However, a TfL spokesman told The Standard on Tuesday: “There are no plans to close ticket offices.”
| OpenRailwayMap In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [365413/30709/51] Posted by Red Squirrel at 11:27, 10th September 2025 Already liked by rogerw, PrestburyRoad, matth1j, Richard Fairhurst, Worcester_Passenger | |
I suspect that many forum members will already know about this, but I was recently directed to a very useful resource: OpenRailwayMap (https://openrailwaymap.org)
As well as giving what appears to be a good up-to-date map of the railway network, it also has some very useful additional data such as lines speeds, ELRs, signalling, electrification status etc. Those winter evenings will fly by!
| Re: London Underground - industrial action by RMT, early September 2025 In "Transport for London" [365412/30605/46] Posted by ChrisB at 11:14, 10th September 2025 | |
They are saying that they've seen an internal memo about closure of Elizabeth Line ticket Offices?
| Re: London Underground - industrial action by RMT, early September 2025 In "Transport for London" [365411/30605/46] Posted by TaplowGreen at 11:09, 10th September 2025 | |
Not content with the chaos they are causing to people trying to get to work, school, hospital appointments this week (for which the RMT are deservedly getting a hammering across all media channels), there is more in prospect........
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/rmt-threatening-sustained-industrial-action-on-elizabeth-line/ar-AA1Mckj5?ocid=socialshare
| Re: Weston-super-Mare - Birnbeck Pier plan 'in jeopardy' as RNLI pulls out - June 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [365410/30411/31] Posted by johnneyw at 11:04, 10th September 2025 | |
If it was to be saved it needs to be controlled by someone with real financial clout, and that it above council level and would need a private investor, which lets face it are not going to touch it with a barge pole
Is my memory playing tricks on me or was there once, long ago, a suggestion of putting a casino on the island with the company concerned paying for the whole thing?
| Re: Weston-super-Mare - Birnbeck Pier plan 'in jeopardy' as RNLI pulls out - June 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [365409/30411/31] Posted by Phantom at 10:36, 10th September 2025 | |
I think Birnbeck's the only option for the RNLI to be able to launch into actual water at all states of the tide. Plopping down into deep mud quite some distance from the sea isn't really their thing.
Mark
Mark
I am amazed how the current operation works from Marine lake.
When it is low tide, there is, what I would describe as an amphibious tractor, it moves slower than walking pace and carries the boat to launch.
I was sat having a meal in a pub overlooking the lake, and was amazed how slow and long it took to get the boat to the point in Madeira Cove where it launched from, it was easily over 20 minutes....
All I would say I would hate to rely on this to survive
| Re: Weston-super-Mare - Birnbeck Pier plan 'in jeopardy' as RNLI pulls out - June 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [365408/30411/31] Posted by Phantom at 10:33, 10th September 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
I know this may cause offence to some, but when I look at the picture above, I think the best thing that can be done to Birnbeck pier is to dismantle it. Of course that won’t happen because it’s listed so it will remain continuing to decay.
Regretfully, I agree. Restoration is certain to take a lot longer and cost a lot more than originally forecast. And unless a complete re-build is contemplated, then the underlying structure will remain vulnerable to rot, rust, and extreme weather.
As a born an bred (since 1974) Westonian, I would say most of us down here have felt this was always the likely outcome anyway, the "noise" made about wanting to restore it never really felt like any traction.
There is / was a group set up that arranged events to fundraise, they used a social club I was on the committee of for many events, I was shocked how small the events were and how little was raised.
It was actually hard to watch as these die hard supporters of the pier had the best intentions but they were so far off where they needed to be.
If it was to be saved it needs to be controlled by someone with real financial clout, and that it above council level and would need a private investor, which lets face it are not going to touch it with a barge pole
| Re: Weston-super-Mare - Birnbeck Pier plan 'in jeopardy' as RNLI pulls out - June 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [365407/30411/31] Posted by Mark A at 09:57, 10th September 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
I think Birnbeck's the only option for the RNLI to be able to launch into actual water at all states of the tide. Plopping down into deep mud quite some distance from the sea isn't really their thing.
Mark
| Re: Solent Tunnel, between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [365406/30657/28] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 09:53, 10th September 2025 | |
A gentle 'bump' from me, for this poll, in case anyone hasn't cast their vote yet.
| Re: No trains will call Gloucester 27 September- 5th October 2025 In "Cross Country services" [365405/30703/43] Posted by grahame at 08:48, 10th September 2025 | |
Dear Graham,
Between Saturday 27 September and Sunday 5 October, Network Rail will be undertaking crucial signalling upgrades at Gloucester signal box. The signal box controls trains travelling from Bristol, Worcester, Swindon and South Wales, so it’s essential it remains in good working order.
As a result, all train services to and from Gloucester, extending to include the wider region at weekends, will be impacted and rail replacement services will be in place for the following:
Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester – all dates
Worcester Foregate Street and Gloucester – weekends
Bristol Parkway and Gloucester – weekends
Kemble and Gloucester – Saturdays
Swindon and Gloucester – Sundays
Cam & Dursley and Gloucester – Monday to Friday
Trains between London Paddington/Swindon and Cheltenham Spa or between Bristol Temple Meads and Worcester still run Monday to Friday but won’t stop at Gloucester.
CrossCountry train services between Nottingham and Cardiff Central will only run to and from Cheltenham Spa on weekends, or Birmingham New Street on weekdays. Other CrossCountry trains will still be running Monday to Friday between Birmingham New Street and the South West via Worcestershire Parkway and Cheltenham Spa. At weekends, these train services can only operate in the region between Bristol Parkway and Paignton, Plymouth or Penzance. Replacement buses are planned by CrossCountry between:
Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway (non-stop) – weekends
Worcestershire Parkway and Ashchurch for Tewkesbury – Monday to Friday
Transport for Wales train services will only run between Cardiff Central and Lydney instead of Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa on all dates, with replacement buses planned between Lydney and Gloucester.
As an alternative to replacement transport, Stagecoach will also accept valid rail tickets for travel on certain routes - please visit gwr.com/upgrade for more information and to see a map of the works.
All changes have been uploaded into online journey planners and we’re also making customers aware at stations and on board through announcements, station posters, and both traditional and social media.
Please get in touch if you have any questions and we would be grateful for any support you can provide in cascading this to your networks.
Kind regards,
Olivia & Heledd
Between Saturday 27 September and Sunday 5 October, Network Rail will be undertaking crucial signalling upgrades at Gloucester signal box. The signal box controls trains travelling from Bristol, Worcester, Swindon and South Wales, so it’s essential it remains in good working order.
As a result, all train services to and from Gloucester, extending to include the wider region at weekends, will be impacted and rail replacement services will be in place for the following:
Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester – all dates
Worcester Foregate Street and Gloucester – weekends
Bristol Parkway and Gloucester – weekends
Kemble and Gloucester – Saturdays
Swindon and Gloucester – Sundays
Cam & Dursley and Gloucester – Monday to Friday
Trains between London Paddington/Swindon and Cheltenham Spa or between Bristol Temple Meads and Worcester still run Monday to Friday but won’t stop at Gloucester.
CrossCountry train services between Nottingham and Cardiff Central will only run to and from Cheltenham Spa on weekends, or Birmingham New Street on weekdays. Other CrossCountry trains will still be running Monday to Friday between Birmingham New Street and the South West via Worcestershire Parkway and Cheltenham Spa. At weekends, these train services can only operate in the region between Bristol Parkway and Paignton, Plymouth or Penzance. Replacement buses are planned by CrossCountry between:
Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway (non-stop) – weekends
Worcestershire Parkway and Ashchurch for Tewkesbury – Monday to Friday
Transport for Wales train services will only run between Cardiff Central and Lydney instead of Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa on all dates, with replacement buses planned between Lydney and Gloucester.
As an alternative to replacement transport, Stagecoach will also accept valid rail tickets for travel on certain routes - please visit gwr.com/upgrade for more information and to see a map of the works.
All changes have been uploaded into online journey planners and we’re also making customers aware at stations and on board through announcements, station posters, and both traditional and social media.
Please get in touch if you have any questions and we would be grateful for any support you can provide in cascading this to your networks.
Kind regards,
Olivia & Heledd
| Re: Weston-super-Mare - Birnbeck Pier plan 'in jeopardy' as RNLI pulls out - June 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [365404/30411/31] Posted by broadgage at 03:51, 10th September 2025 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
Use of Birnbeck pier was no doubt convenient for the RNLI as it gave access to the lifeboat house from which the lifeboat could be launched quickly and easily.
It was therefore reasonable for the RNLI to make a LIMITED contribution to the costs of maintaining or repairing the pier. They are presumably reluctant to accept liability for for unknown future costs.
A new lifeboat house would be cheaper.
| Re: The Consultation is On! In "Fare's Fair" [365403/19894/4] Posted by grahame at 03:44, 10th September 2025 | |
Remember - 10th September 2018 is the closing date of the real consultation.
And, seven years later .... I still found myself explaining far too many overlapping and complex options on something as simple as a day out to Weymouth, offered a headline single fare Bristol to Melksham that's three quarter of the cost of a whole day out that took me to Swindon, to the Severn and to Weymouth, and refused as the barrier at Bath Spa on a barcoded and valid ticket sold that same morning on the train from Melksham, almost missing my bus as a result.
| Re: [otd] 9th September 2006 - Last commuter train (for over 7 years) to Melksham In "TransWilts line" [365402/29131/18] Posted by grahame at 03:00, 10th September 2025 Already liked by matth1j, Chris from Nailsea | |
This page isn’t working
grahamellis.uk is currently unable to handle this request.
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grahamellis.uk is currently unable to handle this request.
HTTP ERROR 500
Same for me. Blimey, if grahamellis is unable to handle this request, "we're all doomed!" 
Looks like I screwed something up in the final edit ... seeing if I can stop it; not obvious. Let me grab a coffee and then look.
Single quote out of place - looks like I inserted it by mistake on my very final save last night!
Should now work at https://grahamellis.uk/writings/hm974.html ... adding in other work there over the next couple of days so you may see occasional changes as the archive arrives, and perhaps errors as I test new lumps of code
| Re: [otd] 9th September 2006 - Last commuter train (for over 7 years) to Melksham In "TransWilts line" [365401/29131/18] Posted by grahame at 02:53, 10th September 2025 | |
This page isn’t working
grahamellis.uk is currently unable to handle this request.
HTTP ERROR 500
grahamellis.uk is currently unable to handle this request.
HTTP ERROR 500
Same for me. Blimey, if grahamellis is unable to handle this request, "we're all doomed!"
Looks like I screwed something up in the final edit ... seeing if I can stop it; not obvious. Let me grab a coffee and then look.
| Re: [otd] 9th September 2006 - Last commuter train (for over 7 years) to Melksham In "TransWilts line" [365400/29131/18] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:27, 9th September 2025 Already liked by matth1j, lympstone_commuter, rogerw | |
Same for me. Blimey, if grahamellis is unable to handle this request, "we're all doomed!"
| Re: Northern Powerhouse Rail - plans for east to west high speed rail links In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [365399/30707/51] Posted by Kernow Otter at 22:59, 9th September 2025 | |
Have long thought that the better use of funds would be to 'level up' the whole of the network before embarking on new builds. Electrification, line speed improvements, fully regional freight facilities, service frequency....
When everywhere is at the same level, then perhaps invest in high speed lines.
| Re: Camping coaches In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [365398/22085/47] Posted by eightonedee at 22:43, 9th September 2025 | |
..or, in East Yorkshire, Skipwith Station - https://www.skipwithstation.com/skipwith-railway-carriage-accommodation-york/
| Re: [otd] 9th September 2006 - Last commuter train (for over 7 years) to Melksham In "TransWilts line" [365397/29131/18] Posted by matth1j at 22:42, 9th September 2025 | |
This page isn’t working
grahamellis.uk is currently unable to handle this request.
HTTP ERROR 500
| Re: Northern Powerhouse Rail - plans for east to west high speed rail links In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [365396/30707/51] Posted by eightonedee at 22:33, 9th September 2025 | |
"Across Europe, every other country connects its big cities by modern high-speed rail," said Greater Manchester's Labour mayor. "
Hmmm....the German purpose-built lines is very much a patchwork of partial links, with Munich lacking any complete high-speed line to any other major city. Better than the UK, but still nothing like France or Spain, for example.
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [365395/593/9] Posted by ChrisB at 20:31, 9th September 2025 | |
The earliest that EWR was going to be ready was late this month - and its still slated for the December timetable, allowing further time for driver training & Winslow station fit out. It can still work on 2tph to MKeynes without the extra platform, using platforms 1 & 2
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [365394/30696/51] Posted by Surrey 455 at 20:27, 9th September 2025 | |
I received the alert as an alarm then followed by a message being read out in an English accent (with a bit of Welsh at the end).
This was on a Xiaomi phone which has a setting to turn on/off the alerts but doesn't appear to have a setting to customise the spoken bits. Two of my work colleagues confirmed that they received the alarm only without a spoken message.
