Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: A trip on GWR's Battery Electric Train - 17/12/2024 In "Thames Valley Branches" [371819/29641/13] Posted by Oxonhutch at 20:24, 29th January 2026 |      |
That's reignited my pondering as to where, if the continued trail is successful, these could be rolled out to, especially with the rather higher than predicted milage per charge.
The obvious to me with a local concentration of identical stock are the Thames Valley branches to Windsor, Marlow and Henley.
| Re: Devizes station In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [371818/31543/49] Posted by grahame at 20:23, 29th January 2026 | |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0568j74e4o
Gosh !! they have cracked on with this..............they will need more than 1 extra platform at Westbury to cope with all the extra traffic from 4 lines !
Good old Beeb !!
Gosh !! they have cracked on with this..............they will need more than 1 extra platform at Westbury to cope with all the extra traffic from 4 lines !
Good old Beeb !!
I have shared a Brian Mathew interview onto my Facebook feed ((here))
| Devizes station In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [371817/31543/49] Posted by Clan Line at 19:40, 29th January 2026 | |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0568j74e4o
Gosh !! they have cracked on with this..............they will need more than 1 extra platform at Westbury to cope with all the extra traffic from 4 lines !
Good old Beeb !!
| Re: A trip on GWR's Battery Electric Train - 17/12/2024 In "Thames Valley Branches" [371816/29641/13] Posted by johnneyw at 19:28, 29th January 2026 | |
That's reignited my pondering as to where, if the continued trail is successful, these could be rolled out to, especially with the rather higher than predicted milage per charge.
| Glastonbury - Castle Cary bus link trial ambition In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371815/31542/5] Posted by Mark A at 18:56, 29th January 2026 | |
A campaign to launch a trial bus service to ascertain demand for travel between Glastonbury and a railhead.
Mark
https://somersetleveller.co.uk/environment/survey-aims-to-highlight-need-for-targeted-bus-service-from-glastonbury-to-train-station/
| Re: Mark Hopwood interview to appear on Green Signals You Tube channel, 27 January In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [371814/31498/49] Posted by grahame at 18:15, 29th January 2026 | |
I must try to catch the same train as him sometime......must be great to be able to pull rank in order to make sure you get home on time! [Image from here is not available to guests]
To be fair, Mark was just making sure that the many attendees at that GWR community involvement event held in Barnstaple weren't going to be inconvenienced on their way home afterwards.
As it turned out, I wasn't. [Image from here is not available to guests]
CfN. [Image from here is not available to guests]
As it turned out, I wasn't. [Image from here is not available to guests]
CfN. [Image from here is not available to guests]
There's an interesting balance to strike here.
Where train are running "out or kilter", the on board customer facing staff (usually a single train manager) will be pushed to handle the abnormal workload, and an onboard senior manager helping passengers and making some of the calls - for example to control - can help smooth things forward and should be done. But if in doing so it has a significant negative impact on other passengers on the network, probably not a good idea.
| Re: Inspiration train, winter of 2026 - first South West venue announced In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [371813/31448/20] Posted by Mark A at 17:48, 29th January 2026 | |
Thinking of where in the Coffeeshop area people would like to send (in a positive way) the Inspiration Train. Not sure what it needs by way of length of platform face and of course it needs not to bring the network to a halt... Parkend?
Mark
| Re: Hastings Diesel - 2026 In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [371812/31531/47] Posted by Mark A at 17:38, 29th January 2026 | |
It can coast though. Historically, the south coast, but now, the other points of the compass too.
Mark
| Re: Mark Hopwood interview to appear on Green Signals You Tube channel, 27 January In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [371811/31498/49] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:49, 29th January 2026 | |
To be fair, Mark was just making sure that the many attendees at that GWR community involvement event held in Barnstaple weren't going to be inconvenienced on their way home afterwards.
As it turned out, I wasn't. [Image from here is not available to guests]
CfN. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Specialist shops - maps, books, models & stationery - ongoing discussion In "Introductions and chat" [371809/31524/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:32, 29th January 2026 Already liked by eightonedee | |
I've found a 'workaround' - hopefully without annoying grahame. [Image from here is not available to guests]
If you want to annoy me ... no, I won't give ideas.
No, I really don't want to do that, grahame. [Image from here is not available to guests]
I have therefore now simplified the topic heading, to cover everything that has been posted here so far - removing reference to any particular location, too, as we have interesting examples of such outlets in Birmingham and Manchester.
As ever, I hope this helps. CfN. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [371807/489/12] Posted by TaplowGreen at 15:56, 29th January 2026 | |
Edit: Just spotted TG's earlier message.
With thanks for your post, TonyK, I noted your use of 'TG' as an abbreviation. There is absolutely no problem with that - other than that it might puzzle a new reader of the Coffee Shop forum.
I have therefore added 'TG' as one of the expanded definitions in our 'Abbreviation page' - welcome to that, TaplowGreen!
(I am also defined there, lest 'CfN' be confused with the code for Clifton Down station. [Image from here is not available to guests] )
An honour indeed. I will try not to let it go to my head.
| Re: New brown retro signs at Bradford on Avon station In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [371806/31540/20] Posted by John D at 15:56, 29th January 2026 | |
Couple more photos of the new retro 1950s style signs
| New brown retro signs at Bradford on Avon station In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [371805/31540/20] Posted by John D at 15:54, 29th January 2026 | |
New signs have just been installed at Bradford on Avon station
Brown British Railways name
| Re: A trip on GWR's Battery Electric Train - 17/12/2024 In "Thames Valley Branches" [371804/29641/13] Posted by stuving at 15:42, 29th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A, johnneyw | |
GWR have put out a news item to say the 230 is being introduced into passenger service on Saturday.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The record-breaking Class 230 train has been used for a successful trial of fast-charge technology on the Greenford branch line over the past 22 months.
Up until now it has undergone rigorous trials, but on Saturday it will replace its diesel counterpart, starting with the 0530 departure from West Ealing to Greenford.
Last year the train set a new World Record for the furthest distance travelled by a battery-electric train on a single charge, registering 200.5 miles and beating Stadler Deutschland’s record of 139 miles set in 2021...
29 Jan 2026
Great Western Railway to introduce record-breaking battery train into passenger service
Great Western Railway will introduce the UK’s first battery-only powered train into passenger service on Saturday (31 January).Great Western Railway to introduce record-breaking battery train into passenger service
The record-breaking Class 230 train has been used for a successful trial of fast-charge technology on the Greenford branch line over the past 22 months.
Up until now it has undergone rigorous trials, but on Saturday it will replace its diesel counterpart, starting with the 0530 departure from West Ealing to Greenford.
Last year the train set a new World Record for the furthest distance travelled by a battery-electric train on a single charge, registering 200.5 miles and beating Stadler Deutschland’s record of 139 miles set in 2021...
Further down is -
“Delivering the train into passenger service will enable us to gain further insight which can be fed into our own decarbonisation plans, as well as those of the wider rail industry."
So you can see this as a further trial phase, rehearsing everything needed to get such a train into service. After all, a class of one one train is not a significant addition to the fleet.| Re: Hastings Diesel - 2026 In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [371803/31531/47] Posted by ChrisB at 12:20, 29th January 2026 | |
Hmmm. I wouldn't describe a Hastings Diesel as able to 'glide'.... [Image from here is not available to guests] [Image from here is not available to guests] [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Hastings Diesel - 2026 In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [371802/31531/47] Posted by grahame at 12:03, 29th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
**snip**
There's just something about those trains
**snip**
There's just something about those trains
**snip**
+ 1 to that. Self contained. 75mph running and looks very cheerful at a sustained 75 too.
Also, when awaiting a dusty-windowed Kent coast service at London Bridge, it was not uncommon that a... characterful noise... preceeded the bustling appearance of a Hastings diesel from the Charing Cross direction, prompting a ... 'What, whaaat's that thing? Has it been on a diet?'
Mark
So ... characteristic ... waiting on platform 3 at Orpington for the local to Sevenoaks ... a Hastings Diesel glided in at line speed from London and as he went through the platform, the engines roared up from idle to top notch to put on power as the train hit the rise toward Knockholt summit. I can imagine the sound to this day.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371800/31355/51] Posted by matth1j at 12:00, 29th January 2026 | |
Why do you need French agreement to build a Swedish flatpack table in your own lounge?
Having visited the Lego website, said table would have been significantly cheaper [Image from here is not available to guests]| Re: Hastings Diesel - 2026 In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [371799/31531/47] Posted by Mark A at 11:54, 29th January 2026 | |
**snip**
There's just something about those trains
**snip**
There's just something about those trains
**snip**
+ 1 to that. Self contained. 75mph running and looks very cheerful at a sustained 75 too.
Also, when awaiting a dusty-windowed Kent coast service at London Bridge, it was not uncommon that a... characterful noise... preceeded the bustling appearance of a Hastings diesel from the Charing Cross direction, prompting a ... 'What, whaaat's that thing? Has it been on a diet?'
Mark
| Re: Man who blamed dog for crash handed driving ban In "The Lighter Side" [371798/31536/30] Posted by Mark A at 11:26, 29th January 2026 | |
The magistrate may on the other hand have brought to mind another higher profile Yorkshire instance of a vehicle incursion onto a railway line that had greater consequences (albeit a different cause too). They may have also reflected that this happened on the immediate approach to a viaduct.
That level crossing isn't on a through road (the crossing provides vehicle access to various properties) so the driver will have had some reason to be driving there before 7 in the morning and will presumably have known of the road's qualities - it's the sort of steep gradient urban location that should prompt a driver of a vehicle, even if they are familiar with their route, to deploy their spidey senses to the fullest extent.
Mark
| Re: Hastings Diesel - 2026 In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [371797/31531/47] Posted by grahame at 11:07, 29th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Proper trains, of the suburban type.
Weren't the Hastings DEMUs mainline, rather than suburban. Some even had buffet cars (although these were later removed during their life)
Mainline for Southern - journey about 75 miles. Mainline from my viewpoint as a resident in the area ... local trains from Charing Cross and Waterloo called at all stations to Orpington, which was the first call of the semi-fasts. The Hastings trains did not call at Orpington - first stop after Waterloo was Sevenoaks. "Express".
| Re: Melksham Station - "InfoStation" / loos / snack bar / info point opportunity? In "TransWilts line" [371796/31510/18] Posted by grahame at 11:01, 29th January 2026 Already liked by rogerw | |
Can CCIF be used to cover operational running costs as per your document?
There is a lot more detail going in at present. We are looking at operational costs that assume a conservative income and have an optimism factor applied to the expenditure and still we break even. Cash flow and start up / ramp up elements also considered. The intent is that elements earmarked for CCIF will be CCIF valid, and so on. And that we will not be on a "ask for money every year" cycle - a proper business plan.
| Re: Signalling problem at Tisbury In "South Western services" [371795/31539/42] Posted by Timmer at 10:51, 29th January 2026 | |
I know line and rolling stock issues can occur anywhere on the rail network, but my ‘The Mule’ seems to have way more than its fair share of issues. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what being a regular user on this line is like. Tearing hair out territory. If it’s not one thing it’s another.
| Re: Melksham Station - "InfoStation" / loos / snack bar / info point opportunity? In "TransWilts line" [371794/31510/18] Posted by ChrisB at 10:48, 29th January 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
Can CCIF be used to cover operational running costs as per your document?
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [371793/489/12] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:46, 29th January 2026 | |
I have therefore added 'TG' as one of the expanded definitions in our 'Abbreviation page' - welcome to that, TaplowGreen!
(I am also defined there, lest 'CfN' be confused with the code for Clifton Down station. [Image from here is not available to guests] )
(I am also defined there, lest 'CfN' be confused with the code for Clifton Down station. [Image from here is not available to guests] )
II think that's a good idea. {hint} [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Hastings Diesel - 2026 In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [371792/31531/47] Posted by John D at 10:36, 29th January 2026 | |
Proper trains, of the suburban type.
Weren't the Hastings DEMUs mainline, rather than suburban. Some even had buffet cars (although these were later removed during their life)
| Re: Melksham Station - "InfoStation" / loos / snack bar / info point opportunity? In "TransWilts line" [371791/31510/18] Posted by John D at 10:28, 29th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Apologies to mods, but this seems an appropriate thread as relevant (please move if better thread exists)
Today DfT has published : Factors influencing multi-modal public transport use, so I guess this document is relevant to official view and policy on this.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/factors-influencing-multi-modal-public-transport-use
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [371790/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 09:59, 29th January 2026 | |
19 minutes late from Melksham ....
And made up ...
11 minutes late from Swindon
1 minute late from Gloucester
3 minutes early into Worcester Shrub Hill where it sat for 16 minutes
on time into Worcester Foregate Street
... an interesting example with slack in the timing of this train.
