Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367663/31017/51] Posted by a-driver at 10:14, 2nd November 2025 |      |
Awful news...... but, the driver of that train deserves huge praise. Exemplary response that potentially saved lives.
| Re: A movement strategy for Bath In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [367662/31004/21] Posted by Noggin at 09:09, 2nd November 2025 | |
Nice to see they are mostly day light start times,just wondering if I could attend and ask if over head wires will ever come to the Bath area?
IIRC, WECA part-funded a recent NR study into the updated costs of wiring Filton Bank into Temple Meads, including whether a couple of bridges could be left in-situ given advances in the rules around clearances and whether the refurbished Temple Meads roof could support electrification spans, Paddington-style.
On that basis, you could ask what BANES and WECA could do to get rail electrification through Bath prioritised and progressed, and what steps have been taken?
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [367661/18719/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:08, 2nd November 2025 | |
Friday 10October 2025:
The protestations that we hear from time to time by GWR that there really are enough staff to run the scheduled service are wearing a bit thin, now
Multiple cancellations occur on a daily basis because there are insufficient staff
15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 18:26 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:10/10/2025 12:03
19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:10/10/2025 12:03
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:10/10/2025 12:03
19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:10/10/2025 12:03
The protestations that we hear from time to time by GWR that there really are enough staff to run the scheduled service are wearing a bit thin, now
Multiple cancellations occur on a daily basis because there are insufficient staff
Staffing levels are within the agreed level set by the DfT.
You can’t drop below or go above that figure by 5%.
Are staffing levels sufficient to run all services, all things being equal?
| Re: Where was I today - 1.11.2025 In "The Lighter Side" [367660/31016/30] Posted by grahame at 07:18, 2nd November 2025 | |
Indeed - Devizes and Salisbury. I made a trip on the 272 bus at 08:00 Melksham into Devizes and then the X2 onward to Salisbury, journey time about 2 and a quarter hours which included a 45 minute layover in Devizes, back on the 14:30 bus from Salisbury, similar layover.
The X2 is a recent innovation - and a victory for common sense.
Until not-long-ago, the bus from Devizes to Salisbury studiously avoided the direct road after Shrewton, when it diverted off through a number of lovely little villages, and dawdled into Salisbury via the A36. This was route 2 and the journey was even longer. And whilst it passed a couple of miles from the Stonehenge visitor centre, it seemed to studiously avoid calling there. Tourists visiting Devizes, with really good archaeological exhibits in the museum and a link on the 49 bus to Avebury - the other stone circle - had to go into Salisbury on the 2 and then double back on the tour bus run by the same company to get to Stonehenge. A 30 minute drive in a hire car, but way over 2 hours by public transport between places that people naturally want linked by public transport.
Buses on the 2 now alternate with buses on the X2 which does serve the Stonehenge visitors centre and take the direct load into Salisbury - a considerably quicker journey. There are also some extra short journeys out from Salisbury and back on the 2, in part "paid for" by the bus operating time saved by the X2 as it runs via the henge. I suspect there may also be one extra vehicle.
Routing Devizes - Salisbury buses via Stonehenge has long been a 'campaign' in Devizes and I have certainly added my voice, and good to see the change. It provides a more attractive journey for through passengers from Shrewton and north there of to Salisbury, anti provides that usable link from Devizes to Stonehenge. Whether or not the change has been triggered by campaigning, by growing traffic or subsidy which allows the extra vehicle for the short journeys, or because the X2 can be run with a double decker (only single deck yesterday mind), I don't know.
I was delighted to see that - even on an obscure November Saturday - we were carrying multiple passengers into Stonehenge who got off there from the Devizes direction. And on the way back, in a howling and wet gale, multiple soaking passengers joined us. Also very interesting to see us picking up passenger all the way in to Salisbury City Centre from Devizes Road Top ... whether that is attraction off another local bus, or indeed that other local bus is replaced at some times by X2 journeys helping free up a vehicle for the short journey 2s, I know not. But oversll, from my slim evidence, it's working out well.
The X2 from Devizes is described as "Salisbury via Stonehenge" but the X2 from Salisbury I described as "Devizes direct" - no mention of Stonehenge on the signage, and I suspect this is done to protect the Stonehenge Tour bus from abstraction; the bus itself does admit the call. It was also stated concern (not sure how true it is) that there was a worry than a public bus between Stonehenge and Salisbury would damage the commercial income of GoAhead who run the 2, the X2 and the tour bus. On my journeys yesterday, no-one joined the bus at Stonehenge towards Salisbury, nor did we drop anyone off there later in the day; not unexpected as the visitor centre is an attraction where natural selection is morning drop offs and afternoon pick ups.
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367659/31017/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 01:22, 2nd November 2025 | |
Live coverage, from the BBC: Nine people with life-threatening injuries after mass stabbing on train in Cambridgeshire
| Re: Where was I today - 1.11.2025 In "The Lighter Side" [367658/31016/30] Posted by eightonedee at 22:44, 1st November 2025 | |
1 is the Salisbury Paddington.
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367657/31017/51] Posted by Mark A at 22:29, 1st November 2025 | |
The train involved may have been the LNER service to Kings Cross from Doncaster (1825). After its booked call at Peterborough, Realtime Trains now records it as at a stand at Huntingdon.
Mark
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P00149/2025-11-01/detailed#allox_id=0
| Ferry Services bill would boost Isle of Wight income, MP says In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367656/31018/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:20, 1st November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
A bill to regulate ferry firms would boost income from tourists who are deterred by reduced timetables and higher fares, an MP has said.
Joe Robertson, Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, is due to introduce his Ten Minute Rule Motion in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The Ferry Services (Integration and Regulation) Bill would set up a framework to regulate routes throughout the country.
The MP said currently there was "no accountability or control over pricing or any aspect" of how ferries are run. He said: "The ferry companies could in theory close up shop, sell off the land for housing and call it a day if that was more profitable. I suspect if they tried to do that the government would be forced to step in and do something. But there is no obligation they have to anyone, so that means we've got prices like £400 return to bring a car back and forth [between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight] on peak weekends."
Mr Robertson said "diminished" timetables and higher costs discouraged tourism, "shutting off the island economy". He said private equity groups, who run some ferry firms, were allowed to set higher fares at busy times, penalising people who travel for family emergencies.
The MP complained: "Of course, the ferry companies say, 'Well, if you book in advance, it's much cheaper'. Well, you know, sometimes you don't know when your grandmother's going to fall ill. She doesn't notify you two months in advance she's going to fall ill on 3 December. So, their attitude doesn't seem to understand the realities of living on the island."
Wightlink, which operates routes serving Fishbourne, Ryde and Yarmouth, said 90% of island resident journeys involved fixed price or discounted tickets. It said it introduced a £40 fixed price vehicle ticket exclusively for Isle of Wight residents in the summer. The firm, which admitted tourism had declined over the past 20 years, said it welcomed suggestions about how to continue to improve its services.
Red Funnel, which sails to Cowes and East Cowes, said it offered islanders discounted travel on up to 20 crossings per day. It said: "We welcome discussion on any measures that would support the vital connection we provide to and from the mainland."
Joe Robertson, Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, is due to introduce his Ten Minute Rule Motion in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The Ferry Services (Integration and Regulation) Bill would set up a framework to regulate routes throughout the country.
The MP said currently there was "no accountability or control over pricing or any aspect" of how ferries are run. He said: "The ferry companies could in theory close up shop, sell off the land for housing and call it a day if that was more profitable. I suspect if they tried to do that the government would be forced to step in and do something. But there is no obligation they have to anyone, so that means we've got prices like £400 return to bring a car back and forth [between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight] on peak weekends."
Mr Robertson said "diminished" timetables and higher costs discouraged tourism, "shutting off the island economy". He said private equity groups, who run some ferry firms, were allowed to set higher fares at busy times, penalising people who travel for family emergencies.
The MP complained: "Of course, the ferry companies say, 'Well, if you book in advance, it's much cheaper'. Well, you know, sometimes you don't know when your grandmother's going to fall ill. She doesn't notify you two months in advance she's going to fall ill on 3 December. So, their attitude doesn't seem to understand the realities of living on the island."
Wightlink, which operates routes serving Fishbourne, Ryde and Yarmouth, said 90% of island resident journeys involved fixed price or discounted tickets. It said it introduced a £40 fixed price vehicle ticket exclusively for Isle of Wight residents in the summer. The firm, which admitted tourism had declined over the past 20 years, said it welcomed suggestions about how to continue to improve its services.
Red Funnel, which sails to Cowes and East Cowes, said it offered islanders discounted travel on up to 20 crossings per day. It said: "We welcome discussion on any measures that would support the vital connection we provide to and from the mainland."
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367655/31017/51] Posted by ChrisB at 21:19, 1st November 2025 | |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7rrpwl5zno
https://x.com/btp/status/1984723873238061117?s=43&t=xkfWmHOnbkxHSxxmzGCejw
Video: https://x.com/Osint613/status/1984727821273424177
| Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367654/31017/51] Posted by ChrisB at 21:08, 1st November 2025 | |
2 arrested according to BTP - reported on Radio 5 news at 2100.
No web link on BBC News yet
| Re: Where was I today - 1.11.2025 In "The Lighter Side" [367653/31016/30] Posted by Phil at 20:58, 1st November 2025 | |
(2) is Devizes, the London end of the tunnel that's now a shooting range
| Where was I today - 1.11.2025 In "The Lighter Side" [367652/31016/30] Posted by grahame at 20:33, 1st November 2025 | |
| Car fire on railway track at Brockenhurst disrupts train services - 1 Nov 2025 In "South Western services" [367651/31015/42] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:27, 1st November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
An elderly man was able to escape the vehicle safely according to posts on social media
A car fire on a railway track has disrupted train services.
The vehicle was ablaze at Brockenhurst level crossing in the New Forest earlier. An elderly man made it safely out of the car before it was consumed by flames, according to posts on social media.
South Western Railway said train services running through Dorset and Hampshire might be cancelled, delayed or revised until the end of the day.
Posting on Facebook shortly after 16:00 GMT, Hampshire police said: "We are currently on scene assisting our colleagues from the British Transport Police (BTP) with an incident in Brockenhurst, involving a car on the railway track. As such, the level crossing gates have been closed and the A337 is closed in both directions."
BTP and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have been approached for comment.
| Doncaster rail college named after Flying Scotsman engineer In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [367650/31014/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:46, 1st November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive to be officially recorded at 100mph
A new railway training centre has been named after the man behind some of Britain's best-known steam locomotives.
Sir Nigel Gresley designed the iconic Flying Scotsman and Mallard, among many others.
Network Rail said the Gresley Institute, in Doncaster, where the famous locomotives were built, would train up to 1,000 workers in the rail industry each year. The name was chosen by the public from a shortlist of four, but was a "clear winner" with 57% of the vote, the company said.
Sarah Newman, business change manager at Network Rail, said the name reflected Doncaster's "proud railway legacy".
"The Gresley Institute will become a cornerstone for training the next generation of rail industry professionals," she added.
Sir Nigel Gresley worked at the LNER works in Doncaster up to his death in 1941
The college, near Lakeside, was built to train engineers to work on HS2 high-speed railway, but was taken over by Network Rail after the scheme was partially scrapped. There are 21 classrooms across two floors, with equipment such as signalling simulators. The first delegates began attending the centre on 6 October, the company said.
The competition to name the centre was organised jointly with City of Doncaster Council and attracted more than 3,500 responses. Other names suggested included Flying Scotsman House, Duddington and Bray House, and The Corridor.
Ros Jones, the mayor of Doncaster, said the city's connection with the railway industry was "long and noble" and the new centre would play a part in "an even brighter" future.
The railway training facility was built to train engineers working on HS2
Flying Scotsman was built at Doncaster Works in 1923. It broke the 100mph barrier in 1934 and holds the record for a non-stop run in a steam locomotive, set in 1989 with a 422-mile trip.
The steam speed record was later broken by the streamlined Mallard, which rocketed to 126mph in 1938.
Philip Benham, the chairman of the Gresley Society Trust, said the group was "delighted" to see such a clear result from the vote. "Sir Nigel Gresley lived in Doncaster for many year, and his greatest engineering achievements were created here – including in his streamlined trains of the 1930s, Britain's first high-speed trains," Mr Benham said. "Development and innovation were at the heart of Sir Nigel's designs, so it is entirely appropriate that his name should be associated with the institute where the rail industry's future professionals will learn their skills."
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [367649/18719/26] Posted by John D at 18:44, 1st November 2025 | |
In addition to the multiple cancellations between Westbury and Weymouth, GWR now added following
Cancellations to services between Portsmouth Harbour and Southampton Central
Due to a shortage of train crew between Portsmouth Harbour and Southampton Central fewer trains are able to run.
Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or revised. Disruption is expected until 22:30 01/11.
Customer Advice:
Owing to a shortage of train crew the frequency of train services which would normally operate between Portsmouth Harbour and Southampton Central will be reduced this evening.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
| Re: Bus Service 205 In "Transport for London" [367648/30357/46] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 18:24, 1st November 2025 | |
I notice that route N205, the night version of route 205 still operates from Paddington - well, according to https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/paddington-a4.pdf, dated 2025 June 21.
| EPF conference 2026 - 5th and 6th June, Maastricht In "Diary - what's happening when?" [367647/31013/34] Posted by grahame at 17:48, 1st November 2025 | |
The European Passenger Foundation (EPF) annual event will take place in Maastricht on 5 and 6 June 2026 at ‘Gouvernement aan de Maas’ building, where in 1992 the EU treaty was signed.
The focus of the conference will be the modal shift from fossil to sustainable mobility: less cars, more walking, cycling and public transport in cities and regions; more trains and buses in cross border and international travels.
An important goal in organizing the conference is to bring in more young passenger voices from as much as possible European regions.
Please save the date, we will inform about details from the agenda and registration process in the beginning of 2026.
An important goal in organizing the conference is to bring in more young passenger voices from as much as possible European regions.
Please save the date, we will inform about details from the agenda and registration process in the beginning of 2026.
| Re: Mostly the South West. Disused Railways. Which should still be here today? In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [367646/30990/28] Posted by ChrisB at 17:21, 1st November 2025 | |
Here is the full solution - working out old earthworks and bridges is pretty hard and I have filled in the four outstanding items in bold
9. Whitstaple, on the line to Canterbury
9. Whitstaple, on the line to Canterbury
Whitstable?
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [367645/18719/26] Posted by Mark A at 17:13, 1st November 2025 Already liked by grahame, Timmer | |
It's curious. The railway, with its infrastructure that was pricy to build and not cheap to maintain, and some stretches have been in place for hundreds of years - and now, on the lines staffed from Westbury it's not unusual that that infrastructure cannot be used to generate an income - or serve a useful purpose - for lack of people to staff the trains.
Mark
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [367644/18719/26] Posted by Timmer at 15:51, 1st November 2025 | |
Cancellations to services between Westbury and Weymouth
Due to a shortage of train crew between Westbury and Weymouth fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 21:15 01/11.
Customer Advice
Owing to a shortage of train crew we have regrettably had to cancel a number of services on the Westbury - Weymouth - Westbury route.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
The 17:34 Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads service is running but the 20:40 Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads has been cancelled. Road transport will operate in place of the cancelled train.
In the opposite direction, the 15:08, 16:08 & 17:08 Gloucester to Weymouth will not operate between Westbury and Weymouth. The first and last of these services will be covered by road transport. The final train service of the day 20:45 Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth is scheduled to operate as normal.
Due to a shortage of train crew between Westbury and Weymouth fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 21:15 01/11.
Customer Advice
Owing to a shortage of train crew we have regrettably had to cancel a number of services on the Westbury - Weymouth - Westbury route.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
The 17:34 Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads service is running but the 20:40 Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads has been cancelled. Road transport will operate in place of the cancelled train.
In the opposite direction, the 15:08, 16:08 & 17:08 Gloucester to Weymouth will not operate between Westbury and Weymouth. The first and last of these services will be covered by road transport. The final train service of the day 20:45 Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth is scheduled to operate as normal.
| Re: Dutch lorry struck by train on level crossing - Oct 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [367643/31011/52] Posted by ChrisB at 15:25, 1st November 2025 | |
Why did the truck try & reverse? It was able to move forward....
| Re: A movement strategy for Bath In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [367642/31004/21] Posted by John D at 10:34, 1st November 2025 | |
Nice to see they are mostly day light start times,just wondering if I could attend and ask if over head wires will ever come to the Bath area?
Not sure if you asking about trains, and of course there are 4 or 5 (sometimes 6 if including freight) trains each way for around 15 hours a day, so logically should be near top of queue based on usage.Or if you are talking trams. If you know where to look there are still some brackets on the walls in city from the Bath tramways overhead wiring.
| Re: What is there to do in Falmouth? Enough for how many people? In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [367641/31002/25] Posted by John D at 08:22, 1st November 2025 | |
Visited couple of years ago on Fred Olsen cruise ship (think Falmouth was more just convenient place to dock to pad out a Scilly Isles itinerary) got the open top service bus (£2 then) for a scenic tour.
I don't remember anything memorable that wouldn't find in multiple other harbour towns.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [367640/29726/18] Posted by Timmer at 07:38, 1st November 2025 | |
Three southbound afternoon/evening Weymouth line services also cancelled beyond Westbury with one northbound starting at Westbury points to shortage of crew again at Westbury.
I think until this issue at Westbury is fixed, both the Transwilts and Heart of Wessex lines will continue to suffer from cancellations.
| Re: What is there to do in Falmouth? Enough for how many people? In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [367639/31002/25] Posted by chuffed at 07:30, 1st November 2025 | |
I was on the Ambassador Ambition cruise ship that docked in Falmouth on 14th July this year. I walked the 5 minutes to Falmouth docks station and really enjoyed a day in Truro where jacquie Parsons had her tapestry exhibtion Creations, first stop on a nationwide tour. I always do my research and homework before I visit a place, even if it is familiar. I do not expect to be spoon fed by the cruise lines at extortionate costs !
| Re: A movement strategy for Bath In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [367638/31004/21] Posted by grahame at 06:44, 1st November 2025 | |
Nice to see they are mostly day light start times,just wondering if I could attend and ask if over head wires will ever come to the Bath area?
They were there from 1909 to 1939 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_Tramways - and do not necessarily need to come back - at least along complete routes. Angers in France, for example - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angers_tramway - uses modern ground level current collection in the city centre - I saw it in action in June - and the various experiments with batteries in trains for anything from short gaps to a significant number of miles between live overheads are interesting and have moved in places from research through development to live use.
The strategy needs to be brave in its use of emergency technology so that it's not outdated even before it becomes live. But there is a danger in that in that we could end up with something like the Cambridge Guided Busway which is so leading edge that it turned out to be bleeding edge.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [367637/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 06:32, 1st November 2025 | |
14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| free bus rides on the Bristol number 36 bus route In "Buses and other ways to travel" [367636/31012/5] Posted by infoman at 02:20, 1st November 2025 | |
from 3rd November(Monday) to 9th November(Sunday) 2025
https://travelwest.info/news/catch-your-local-36-bus-for-free-3-9-november/
| Re: A movement strategy for Bath In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [367635/31004/21] Posted by infoman at 02:17, 1st November 2025 | |
Nice to see they are mostly day light start times,just wondering if I could attend and ask if over head wires will ever come to the Bath area?
| Dutch lorry struck by train on level crossing - Oct 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [367634/31011/52] Posted by RailCornwall at 22:48, 31st October 2025 | |
At a railway crossing in Meteren, a truck full of pears was hit by a passing train. The truck became stuck on the track when the barriers were lowered. The driver was unable to avoid the collision.
Five people sustained minor injuries, but according to local residents, "it was a lucky accident on all sides."
https://youtu.be/OjdpZnvtFB4?si=u0QhFfjrMN98sXO2
