The map above shows the route of London’s Post Office Railway (better known as Mail Rail) in 1929. It operated beneath London’s streets from 1927 until finally shutting down in 2003.

Only the central section (solid black line above) was ever actually opened, since all the other extensions failed to materialise.

At its peak it had 8 stations and ran for a total of 6.5 miles (10.5 km) between Paddington’s Head District Sorting Office in the west and Whitechapel’s Eastern Head District Sorting Office in the east.

East West Rail (EWR) has confirmed its plan to cut five rail stations and rebuild four on a Bedfordshire line.

Following a consultation earlier this year, the Department for Transport (DfT) decided that revamping the Marston Vale line would “better serve local communities” in the area.

The DfT said the stations on the line have “some of the lowest usage in the country”.

The department expects to rebuild stations at Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, Lidlington and Stewartby. The latter will also serve the Universal theme park – a multibillion-pound entertainment complex that is expected to open in 2031.

A spokesperson for Universal Destinations and Experiences (UDX) – which will run the resort – said the government’s commitment to using multimodal approaches to grow the UK economy was “highly encouraging, as companies like UDX look to place major investments in the UK”.

Stations at Fenny Stratford, Bow Brickhill, Aspley Guise, Millbrook and Kempston Hardwick will be closed.

I know it says train crew,but would it require a guard as well,considering it had Network rail staff on board

Has Christmas Come Early To Pilning....
Remains to be seen..

However a very big Thankyou to Network Rail and GWR is deserved

Adverts by four of Britain's biggest hotel and travel firms have been banned for stating misleading minimum prices for rooms.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints against the Hilton hotel group, Travelodge, Booking.com and Accor over their use of eye-catching so-called "from" prices.

The watchdog found only a small number of rooms actually available to book at the promoted price and concluded the adverts overstated the deals.

Second platform reopens after nearly four decades

Newquay has begun using a second railway platform for the first time in 38 years, as trains return to the branch line following Network Rail engineering work.

The station has operated with a single platform since the signal box closed in October 1987. The introduction of digital signalling has allowed both platforms to be used at the same time. The upgrade forms part of preparations for the Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM), which will see an hourly service between Newquay and Par introduced next year. A direct link to Falmouth, via Par, St Austell and Truro, is planned to follow.

Digital signalling, controlled from Goonbarrow signal box, replaces the previous “token” system that restricted the single-track line to one train at a time. Network Rail’s work also includes a passing loop at Goss Moor, track replacement near St Blazey and refurbishment of the 152-year-old Ponts Mill viaduct.

I know it says train crew,but would it require a guard as well,considering it had Network rail staff on board

Four-hour car park queue amid city gridlock

Drivers who faced four-hour queues to exit a shopping centre car park in central Bristol will not be charged if they left their vehicles overnight.

Motorists in Bristol reported moving just a few feet after hours of waiting on Saturday afternoon, with dozens of cars unable to leave the Cabot Circus car park.

Several roads in the area were also experiencing long queues.

A spokesperson for the city council blamed the problem on a faulty traffic light and the shopping centre said it would not charge people who had abandoned their vehicles.

A Cabot Circus spokesperson said: "The traffic lights were down in the area which caused major delays on the roads but it's now been rectified by the council.

"That was the cause of the delay and then backlog leaving the car park."

The spokesperson said there would be no charge for people collecting their vehicle on Sunday.

They said anyone who paid using the QR code or registered with the car park's automatic Drive In Drive Out system could apply for a refund by emailing car.park@cabotcircus.com.

A number of people trapped in the car park said they were unable to get through to the Cabot Circus helpline.

The spokesperson said: "Given the sheer volume of customers there may have been moments when customer calls couldn't have been taken."

Sam Hill said had been waiting for four hours: "We've only seen one staff member on level three helping people, but it's been chaos. There's no support here from Cabot Circus at all."

The Cabot Circus team said it "diverted as many staff as possible" to the car park and to support with answering the phone in the control room.

"They did everything they could to assist in the circumstances," a spokesperson said.

"Our barriers were also in the up position so that customers were able to exit as soon as congestion had cleared."

James Bleeg, 53, said he spent more than three hours in the jam after coming into town to shop and visit the Christmas market with his wife and 12-year-old son.

Mr Bleeg estimated they only moved a few metres in that time.

He said: "We've been better but life doesn't always go as you planned it. We are trying to keep our spirits up by speaking to family and listening to podcasts."

By 19:00, there were traffic wardens on each floor by the exit ramps helping to direct traffic.

Lucy Trimnell, a Somerset councillor, posted on X that Bristol was "absolute bedlam" after spending three hours stuck in queues.

She added there was "gridlock" on all the roads.

There were multiple traffic jams including Bond Street, Temple Way, The Haymarket, Newfoundland Way and St James Barton Roundabout, according to Google Maps.

Traincrew are currently en route to Barnstaple in a taxi from Exeter to bring back the pair of 150s that have been stranded in the station since last Wednesday. This will be done under empty coaching stock conditions and will not be in passenger service as they need to do a route proving run accompanied by some Network Rail Staff before the line can reopen.

..............not too much sympathy though 

https://www.firstgroupplc.com/investors/results-centre.aspx

According to Real Time Trains an Oxford to Westbury feright was held at Bradford Junction waiting for a path, not departing until 1800

According to Real Time Trains an Oxford to Westbury feright was held at Bradford Junction waiting for a path, not departing until 1800

I have booked ... for Saturday 13th December


Wow ... I would normally arrive at Paddington in good time and perhaps partake of one of the various refreshment establishments there.  Do they really want me to time it ultra-tight?

Wot, none of the real bosses, from DfT? I'm sure they did get mentioned, though (and GBR-to-be as well).

as far as it could go within the metrics set.

Holding GWR to account on train reliability

I met with senior GWR management in Swindon to discuss the high number of cancellations at Melksham.

Along with representatives from Melksham Transport User Group and West Wilts Rail User Group (photographed), we pressed for urgent action to improve reliability and passenger experience.

GWR set out its plans, and work to date, in reducing cancellations including:
• Increasing driver and guard recruitment at Westbury Depot and building greater resilience in the local workforce.
• Improving passenger communication systems
• Providing more consistent alternative transport when cancellations do hit

We will be following up on progress early in the new year.

Long term, we want to see a much more frequent and reliable service through Melksham, and I am committed to working with the industry and our fantastic rail user groups to achieve this.