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Great Western Coffee Shop
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367572/30990/28]
Posted by grahame at 21:29, 29th October 2025
 
7.  I'll take a bit of a long shot, and venture to suggest that it's Whaddon Bridge at Alderbury, Wiltshire.  The railway would have been the Salisbury and Dorset Junction Railway.

Again, with my limited knowledge of the area, I wouldn't like to say whether it should still be open - but I suspect not.

It isn't ... and in fact that's not a line I know at all.   Salisbury to Wimborne wasn't it?  

There are some old trackbeds - the ones at Seend, on the Devizes flight and at Hamble and Newquay which it would be crazy to get re-instated as part of the national passenger network, and it's really hard to see the line north west of Cortyon coming back - passenger flows covered on the line it was closely parallel to.  Similarly, Oxford does need more capacity but not over a swing bridge and the capacity to terminate from the north has been added.

Many - even most - of the others need a rethink and a new context, but I could see a scenario in which ... some far more distant than others.  

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367571/30990/28]
Posted by grahame at 21:27, 29th October 2025
 
17.  That's another canal-related one, I think - but I'm rather wary about that now.

Yes - it is canal related ... canals and railways both follow(ed) valley bottoms and then rise through the same passes from one watershed to the next.

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367570/30990/28]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:15, 29th October 2025
 
17.  That's another canal-related one, I think - but I'm rather wary about that now.

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367569/30990/28]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:02, 29th October 2025
 
7.  I'll take a bit of a long shot, and venture to suggest that it's Whaddon Bridge at Alderbury, Wiltshire.  The railway would have been the Salisbury and Dorset Junction Railway.

Again, with my limited knowledge of the area, I wouldn't like to say whether it should still be open - but I suspect not.

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367568/30990/28]
Posted by grahame at 20:08, 29th October 2025
 
Here we go .... just four left unidentified which for a set of earthworks and bridges is remarkably good going

1. Hayling Island branch
CyclingSid, and with a fascinating insight
confirmed by eightonedee

2. Foxhangers on the Devizes line
Chris from Nailsea

3. Weymouth to Portland Line at Wyke Regis
eightonedee

4. Yarmouth IOW
Ray951

5. Yatton on the Strawberry Line
ChrisfN

6. Cortyon
MarkA - with an interesting example of a line buit and not used (my understanding is that it was used by a single train)

10. Hamble
Ray951
Interestimg further data from CyclingSid

11. Seend Cleeve, tramway to Seend Iron Works
bradshaw

12. Tramway - Caen Hill, Devizes
bradshaw - also noting tramway
Identified as Prison Bridge by Chris from Nailsea

13. Mangotsfield
chuffed

14. Near Midford, Somerset and Dorset
johnneyw, and yes it could make a useful part of the network

15. Ventnor
PhilWakely

16. Oxford - LNWR Station
ChrisB

18. Newquay
TonyN

19. Yeovil Town
brooklea and bradshaw - plenty of data

20. Midland and South West Juntion towards Ludgershall
Kennet and Avon,

7.


8.


9.


17.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [367567/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 19:56, 29th October 2025
 
19:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Swindon due 21:59

19:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Swindon due 21:59 will be started from Southampton Central.
It will no longer call at Portsmouth Harbour, Portsmouth & Southsea, Fratton, Cosham and Fareham.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.

Re: Nasa’s supersonic passenger plane makes first flight
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [367566/30996/52]
Posted by JayMac at 19:35, 29th October 2025
 
That's quite a misleading headline from The Telegraph.


Re: Person hit by train, Taunton 24/10/2025
In "London to the West" [367565/30967/12]
Posted by JayMac at 19:30, 29th October 2025
Already liked by Chris from Nailsea
 
Here's Harry and his dad in happier times, appearing on BBC's Children In Need in 2019.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07v4c2q

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367564/30990/28]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:56, 29th October 2025
 
Lots of good, correct answers:
...
2. Foxhangers on the Devizes line
Chris from Nailsea (K&A, line not identified)
...
20. Midland and South West Juntion towards Ludgershall
Kennet and Avon, yes CfN - but what line

With apologies for my obvious failures to identify those particular railway lines, as well as the location of the pictures:

2. The railway line was the one from Devizes to Trowbridge. I have very limited local knowledge, so I should not comment on whether it should be open / re-opened.

20.  The railway line there was the one from Andover, via Ludgershall, to Marlborough.

Just as an aside: 5. The Strawberry Line, was never particularly financially viable - it does do very well as a pedestrian / cycle path, these days.


Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025
In "London to the Cotswolds" [367563/29711/14]
Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 18:03, 29th October 2025
 
20.04 on Sunday from Paddington to Hereford started 22 late and ended 55 late. Fortunately the Royal Blenheim in Oxford is a very convivial waiting room.

A couple of sets running (if "running" is the word) around yesterday with engines out which didn't help.

This seems to be an issue again today.  I thought that IETs had sufficient redundancy to be able to keep to time with engines out - is this correct?

Re: Server slow ...
In "News, Help and Assistance" [367562/30293/29]
Posted by grahame at 17:30, 29th October 2025
Already liked by Chris from Nailsea
 
I think I must have done something it didn't like:

Not you ... heavy loading.  Ongoing experiments looking into the load spikes. In the meantime, I repeat my suggestion that LONG posts are copied before you press "post" or "preview" just in case

Re: Nasa’s supersonic passenger plane makes first flight
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [367561/30996/52]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:27, 29th October 2025
 
Thank you for posting that item, matthij.

EDIT sorry - just spotted the top level "All across the Great Western territory" category; should this go somewhere else?

That's an understandably difficult one: there is no obvious answer, as we are (and I personally would prefer it to be continued in this way), limited in the sheer number of different boards on this Coffee Shop forum (purely in the interests of clarity, as I so often post).

I will therefore merely move this topic to our existing 'The Wider Picture Overseas' board.

CfN.

Re: Person hit by train, Taunton 24/10/2025
In "London to the West" [367560/30967/12]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:59, 29th October 2025
 
Thank you for posting that update here, JayMac.

CfN. 

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367559/30990/28]
Posted by grahame at 15:59, 29th October 2025
 
The 68 bus runs hourly between the two stations from around 7am to 7 pm and goes via the bus station. Far more convenient than a long walk, especially in the rain

Yes - although the time I tried to catch it - from the Saturday Melksham to Weymouth train - it was timetabled to leave Pen Mill two minutes before the train arrived and presumably did so, as saying across from the train in the hope ... it was gone.   No obvious answer here; the resultant road walk out to Yeovil Junction with the bus gone did not feel very safe.

Re: Server slow ...
In "News, Help and Assistance" [367558/30293/29]
Posted by CyclingSid at 15:03, 29th October 2025
 
I think I must have done something it didn't like:

Warning: mysqli_query(): MySQL server has gone away in /home/firstgreatwestern/include/ipfind.inc on line 41

Warning: mysqli_query(): Error reading result set's header in /home/firstgreatwestern/include/ipfind.inc on line 41

Warning: mysqli_fetch_assoc() expects parameter 1 to be mysqli_result, boolean given in /home/firstgreatwestern/include/ipfind.inc on line 42

Warning: mysqli_fetch_assoc() expects parameter 1 to be mysqli_result, boolean given in /home/firstgreatwestern/include/ipfind.inc on line 89
Connection Problems
Sorry, SMF was unable to connect to the database. This may be caused by the server being busy. Please try again later.

Re: 175s to GWR
In "Across the West" [367557/28982/26]
Posted by REVUpminster at 14:26, 29th October 2025
 
Todays Wolverton-Laira cancelled. Might have a knock-on effect and cancel the Ely-Wolverton move tomorrow.

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367556/30990/28]
Posted by bradshaw at 14:06, 29th October 2025
 
The 68 bus runs hourly between the two stations from around 7am to 7 pm and goes via the bus station. Far more convenient than a long walk, especially in the rain

Re: Person hit by train, Taunton 24/10/2025
In "London to the West" [367555/30967/12]
Posted by JayMac at 14:01, 29th October 2025
 
Harry's father Trevor has posted on Facebook a reply to comments on a Local World (Somerset Live) news item about the I
incident. Many people in the comments were making assumptions about mental health.



An inquest has opened and been adjourned to a later date.

Re: Thoughts, tangents, personal big data. May I bore you for my enjoyment?
In "Introductions and chat" [367554/30964/1]
Posted by Mark A at 12:28, 29th October 2025
 
an Interdata minicomputer close coupled to a storage tube

I can't even begin to imagine...

Mark

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367553/30990/28]
Posted by grahame at 11:54, 29th October 2025
 
One was investigated in the 1980s. The aim was a platform where the Clifton Maybank siding left the main line. However, nothing came of it.
Having to avoid crossing live railway line would have meant that you would walk past what is now the Yeovil Heritage Centre, under the main line and up the slope to  Junction station. This is about 1km in length and not really practical.

Indeed.  However - that's over twice the distance as the crow flies, which is just a smidgin over the length or a Eurostar train which we are expected to traipse along with all our luggage. 


Re: Thoughts, tangents, personal big data. May I bore you for my enjoyment?
In "Introductions and chat" [367552/30964/1]
Posted by grahame at 10:51, 29th October 2025
 
I have so many thoughts.  And memories.  And so much to write; whether anyone actually wants to listen (or read) is another matter. 

And yet more of my background - reminiscing about the choice of where to start work as I left Uni.

https://grahamellis.uk/blog1763.html

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367551/30990/28]
Posted by bradshaw at 08:56, 29th October 2025
Already liked by GBM, Mark A, Western Pathfinder, grahame
 
One was investigated in the 1980s. The aim was a platform where the Clifton Maybank siding left the main line. However, nothing came of it.
Having to avoid crossing live railway line would have meant that you would walk past what is now the Yeovil Heritage Centre, under the main line and up the slope to  Junction station. This is about 1km in length and not really practical.
I mentioned the scheme in an article I wrote for Modern Railways some years back.

The photo shows the Yeovil shuttle in its various guises, linking up with Number 19
It is one of the slides I will be showing at the Yeovil Heritage Centre’s agm this evening when I am talking on the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway.

Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025
In "London to the Cotswolds" [367550/29711/14]
Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 08:42, 29th October 2025
 
Wednesday October 29

Alterations to services between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill
Due to a points failure between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill trains have to run at reduced speed on the line towards Worcester Shrub Hill.
Train services running through these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 10:00 29/10.
Last Updated:29/10/2025 08:14

05:53 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 08:38 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:29/10/2025 07:10

08:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 11:27 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:29/10/2025 07:14

Nasa’s supersonic passenger plane makes first flight
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [367549/30996/52]
Posted by matth1j at 08:18, 29th October 2025
 
Telegraph; includes short video of takeoff: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/d65a538d8f109d36 (spot the typos in the drawing dimensions )

EDIT sorry - just spotted the top level "All across the Great Western territory" category; should this go somewhere else?

Passengers are one step closer to flying supersonic for the first time since Concorde’s retirement after Nasa took its “sonic thump” plane for its first test flight.

The X-59 took off on its maiden flight on Tuesday morning, flying in an oval “racetrack” pattern over Edwards Air Force Base in California before landing at the facility.

Although it is capable of flying at 925mph, or 1.4 times the speed of sound, it stayed around the 240mph mark on the hour-long flight. Future tests will see it break subsonic boundaries.

The plane is capable of breaking the speed of sound without producing a loud sonic boom, instead producing a muffled “sonic thump”.

The aircraft left Palmdale Regional Airport in California shortly after 10am local time on Tuesday morning. Thousands of people followed its progress via online flight trackers.

The X-59 only has one seat and is not intended as a prototype for commercial airliners, but will be used to collect data to develop a supersonic passenger aircraft.

Commercial aircraft have been banned from breaking the sound barrier since 1973, after residents filed thousands of complaints in response to sonic boom tests conducted over Oklahoma City. Donald Trump this summer issued an executive order to repeal the rule.

The X-59, designed by Nasa and built by Lockheed Martin, is intended as the first step to allow travellers to travel at supersonic speeds across the US.

For decades, this has been restricted to military planes, and even then in rare circumstances.

The sleek aircraft, which measures just under 100ft, will eventually be flown above “select US communities to collect data from residents responding to the X-59’s sonic thump”.

On Tuesday’s flight, Nasa worked to gather data from the X-59’s engine response, aerodynamic handling, and air data systems, according to The Aviationist.

“We record 60 different streams of data with over 20,000 parameters on board,” said Shedrick Bessent, a Nasa engineer. “Before we even take off, it’s reassuring to know the system has already seen more than 200 days of work.”

A commercial aircraft matching the X-59’s speeds could, in theory, cover a distance of New York to Los Angeles in under three hours. Currently, commercial flights take around double that time.

Likewise, a transatlantic flight from Washington, DC to London could be completed in around four hours, rather than seven hours.

Concorde, which could travel at 1,354mph, or more than twice the speed of sound, was retired in 2003.

In June, Mr Trump repealed the ban on supersonic travel over the US, declaring advancements in “noise reduction” made flights “safe, sustainable, and commercially viable”.

“For more than 50 years, outdated and overly restrictive regulations have grounded the promise of supersonic flight over land, stifling American ingenuity... and ceding leadership to foreign adversaries,” the US president said.

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367548/30990/28]
Posted by grahame at 08:16, 29th October 2025
 
19. Yeovil Town station.

Convenient for the centre of town as the name suggests, but probably the least worst through route to have lost in Yeovil. Passengers travelling Taunton to Yeovil or vv on the 54 bus may not agree, with the through journey taking about 50% longer than the train used to, but Langport is the only significant centre of population on the closed route and, who knows, maybe Langport will regain a station (shared with Somerton) on the still-open Taunton - Castle Cary line.

When connections work, Yeovil (Pen Mill) to Taunton can be done in just over 40 minutes by train with a change at Castle Cary. The 22:21 this evening, 8 minute change at Castle Cary, 23:02 into Taunton.  Problem is that connections don't always work ... and where the timetable suggest one, even an official one, there's the possibility that you'll have time to kill at Castle Cary.

It was never there, but perhaps Yeovil needs a "Yeovil Junction Low Level Platform" between Pen Mill and Thornford, with slope / steps / path to the main junction station. 

Re: TravelWatch SouthWest, 24th October 2025, Taunton - INVITE
In "Diary - what's happening when?" [367547/30939/34]
Posted by grahame at 08:06, 29th October 2025
 
Some follow up pictures.


And the slide set from the day is available in the Coffee Shop Archive for logged in members at
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/TWSWAutumnGM2025.pdf

Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today?
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367546/30990/28]
Posted by brooklea at 08:05, 29th October 2025
 
19. Yeovil Town station.

Convenient for the centre of town as the name suggests, but probably the least worst through route to have lost in Yeovil. Passengers travelling Taunton to Yeovil or vv on the 54 bus may not agree, with the through journey taking about 50% longer than the train used to, but Langport is the only significant centre of population on the closed route and, who knows, maybe Langport will regain a station (shared with Somerton) on the still-open Taunton - Castle Cary line.

Misleading headline ... but still worth a visit some time
In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [367545/30995/47]
Posted by grahame at 07:22, 29th October 2025
Already liked by Chris from Nailsea
 
From Somerset Live

Somerset's 'forgotten railway' reopens in stunning transformation
Casualty of the Beeching Axe - the line is back open

Err - a section of the Somerset and Dorset (which is NOT forgotten!) reopened as a walking and cycling route.  Me thinks the headline is misleading.

Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025
In "TransWilts line" [367544/29726/18]
Posted by grahame at 06:43, 29th October 2025
 
07:03 Salisbury to Swindon due 08:34

07:03 Salisbury to Swindon due 08:34 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Salisbury, Warminster and Dilton Marsh.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Re: Car headlights to be reviewed after drivers complain of being 'blinded' at night
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [367543/30992/31]
Posted by grahame at 06:38, 29th October 2025
 
and this is argument about any meetings and that is any meeting being held at night times,

Indeed - and that's why regional meetings such as TravelWatch SouthWest on 24th and RailFuture on 18th were both daytime meetings.  Where you are looking at a single town meeting - such as Melksham Transport Group on 13th November, evening has predominated and that's typically based on attendee profiles; we (meeting organisers) want to be available to "9 to 5" working people.

Meeting groups do take note of their current and intended/desired clientele and good ones such as TWSW are responsive to inputs - note the last couple of weeks where we looked to change from Friday to Saturday next March, but then we have reversed that decision after a substantive block of participants pressed that it needs to be during the working week for them.  You, infoman, expressed (if I read you right) a desire to come along last Friday but I don't think we saw you there ... happy to take inputs but for newer members / attendees it always has to be that a bird in hand - current membership - is worth two in the bush, and a substantive change takes a risk.

 
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