Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Witchcraft can't help with these ;-) In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363253/30456/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:11, 16th July 2025 |      |
From the BBC:
Emma Watson banned from driving for speeding
Harry Potter actress Emma Watson has been banned from driving for six months, after she was caught speeding.
Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the film franchise, drove a blue Audi at 38mph in a 30mph zone in Oxford on the evening of 31 July last year.
Watson already had nine points on her licence before the speeding incident occurred, the court heard.
The 35-year-old, now a student, was made to pay a total of £1,044 at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
...
Separately, another Harry Potter actress, Zoe Wanamaker, was fined for speeding on the same day and in the same court as Watson.
Wanamaker, who played Madam Hooch in the wizarding series, was caught speeding on 7 August 2024, on the M4 in Newbury, Berkshire.
The 76-year-old was driving at 46mph in a 40mph limit, the court heard.
She was also fined £1,044 and banned for six months.
Wanamaker's lawyer Duncan Jones said that she was not asking for "special treatment" and accepted the fine.
Like Watson, Wanamaker had nine points on her licence before the speeding incident occurred.
District Judge Arvind Sharma, sentencing, endorsed three more points on both stars' licences, meaning both are disqualified for six months.
Harry Potter actress Emma Watson has been banned from driving for six months, after she was caught speeding.
Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the film franchise, drove a blue Audi at 38mph in a 30mph zone in Oxford on the evening of 31 July last year.
Watson already had nine points on her licence before the speeding incident occurred, the court heard.
The 35-year-old, now a student, was made to pay a total of £1,044 at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
...
Separately, another Harry Potter actress, Zoe Wanamaker, was fined for speeding on the same day and in the same court as Watson.
Wanamaker, who played Madam Hooch in the wizarding series, was caught speeding on 7 August 2024, on the M4 in Newbury, Berkshire.
The 76-year-old was driving at 46mph in a 40mph limit, the court heard.
She was also fined £1,044 and banned for six months.
Wanamaker's lawyer Duncan Jones said that she was not asking for "special treatment" and accepted the fine.
Like Watson, Wanamaker had nine points on her licence before the speeding incident occurred.
District Judge Arvind Sharma, sentencing, endorsed three more points on both stars' licences, meaning both are disqualified for six months.
| Re: Halifax - Keighley cycle route through tunnel? In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [363252/19192/50] Posted by ellendune at 17:11, 16th July 2025 | |
A decision https://bsky.app/profile/transportaction.bsky.social/post/3ltzatr2g6k2q
Sorry I haven't donated to The Guardian so don't have any more detail.
Sorry I haven't donated to The Guardian so don't have any more detail.
The DfT have decided to 'fill the [Queensbury] tunnel with concrete' as there is no prospect of raising money locally to reopen it.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [363251/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 17:01, 16th July 2025 | |
Tuesday July 15
... was a very good day
Wednesday July 16
17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:23 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 16:27
16:58 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:25 will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington but will call additionally at Combe, Finstock, Ascott-Under-Wychwood and Shipton.
This is due to congestion.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 16:28
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 16:27
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 16:27
16:58 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:25 will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington but will call additionally at Combe, Finstock, Ascott-Under-Wychwood and Shipton.
This is due to congestion.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 16:28
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 16:27
Later (17:40):
Due to trespassers on the railway at Evesham trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines. Disruption is expected until 19:00 16/07.
Train services between London Paddington and Hereford via Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill may be delayed.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 17:41
15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will no longer call at Didcot Parkway and Reading.
It has been delayed at Hereford and is now 15 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 17:18
Train delayed between Pershore and Evesham. Now +36 at Ascott.Train services between London Paddington and Hereford via Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill may be delayed.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 17:41
15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will no longer call at Didcot Parkway and Reading.
It has been delayed at Hereford and is now 15 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 17:18
17:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:52 was started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 17:31
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
Last Updated:16/07/2025 17:31
1W30 15:23 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street : held Honeybourne (+11) and Evesham.
| Re: Bath and Wiltshire Metro In "TransWilts line" [363250/30454/18] Posted by grahame at 15:43, 16th July 2025 | |
I would appreciate some clarification of what the MP means by "two trains per hour through Melksham station"
a) We already get two trains an hour through Melksham station, sometimes more. The vast majority of them are however freight trains, the remainder mostly being IETs on diversion.
b) Did the MP's script writer actually mean him to say two trains an hour STOPPING at Melksham station? Because that would be very welcome indeed.
c) Of these theoretical two passenger trains an hour that we have now established not only pass through Melksham but may actually stop, do they stop to pick up AND put down passengers?
Disclaimer: I don't trust ANY MPs, so I'm not attempting to score political points here
a) We already get two trains an hour through Melksham station, sometimes more. The vast majority of them are however freight trains, the remainder mostly being IETs on diversion.
b) Did the MP's script writer actually mean him to say two trains an hour STOPPING at Melksham station? Because that would be very welcome indeed.
c) Of these theoretical two passenger trains an hour that we have now established not only pass through Melksham but may actually stop, do they stop to pick up AND put down passengers?
Disclaimer: I don't trust ANY MPs, so I'm not attempting to score political points here
See https://www.passenger.chat/t30027.html and https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/04-NathanSealey_Amey.pdf - next to last slide
* Frome to Chippenham (local):
2tph Frome-Westbury-Trowbridge-Melksham-Chippenham
2tph Frome-Westbury-Trowbridge-Melksham-Chippenham
Which is two trains calling at Melksham to both pick up and to drop off passengers in each direction - a service every 30 minutes. It's what's needed for a true metro 'turn up and go' service.
| Re: Bath and Wiltshire Metro In "TransWilts line" [363249/30454/18] Posted by Phil at 15:19, 16th July 2025 | |
I would appreciate some clarification of what the MP means by "two trains per hour through Melksham station"
a) We already get two trains an hour through Melksham station, sometimes more. The vast majority of them are however freight trains, the remainder mostly being IETs on diversion.
b) Did the MP's script writer actually mean him to say two trains an hour STOPPING at Melksham station? Because that would be very welcome indeed.
c) Of these theoretical two passenger trains an hour that we have now established not only pass through Melksham but may actually stop, do they stop to pick up AND put down passengers?
Disclaimer: I don't trust ANY MPs, so I'm not attempting to score political points here
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [363248/18719/26] Posted by IndustryInsider at 14:03, 16th July 2025 | |
An additional premium on top of the premium already offered for working days has been agreed from Monday 27th July for a year for drivers.
| Re: Halifax - Keighley cycle route through tunnel? In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [363247/19192/50] Posted by CyclingSid at 13:23, 16th July 2025 | |
A decision https://bsky.app/profile/transportaction.bsky.social/post/3ltzatr2g6k2q
Sorry I haven't donated to The Guardian so don't have any more detail.
| Cancellations 28 July - 29 August In "South Western services" [363246/30455/42] Posted by Fourbee at 11:55, 16th July 2025 | |
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/timetables
There are cancellations/removals already in the journey planners (not minor IMO):
Summer 2025 timetables
There will be minor alterations to our May 2025 timetable, on the following routes, from Monday 28 July until Friday 29 August:
Alton
Chessington South
Guildford via Cobham & Stoke D’Abernon
Guildford via Woking
Hampton Court
London Waterloo via Richmond
Reading
Shepperton
Weybridge via Chertsey
Windsor & Eton Riverside
Woking (stopping services)
Please plan ahead using our journey planner.
There will be minor alterations to our May 2025 timetable, on the following routes, from Monday 28 July until Friday 29 August:
Alton
Chessington South
Guildford via Cobham & Stoke D’Abernon
Guildford via Woking
Hampton Court
London Waterloo via Richmond
Reading
Shepperton
Weybridge via Chertsey
Windsor & Eton Riverside
Woking (stopping services)
Please plan ahead using our journey planner.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363245/489/12] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:47, 16th July 2025 | |
Would the sleeper fit (including the inwards loco)?
Platform 3 at Reading is 125m, how long is the sleeper nowadays?Much longer than that!
| Re: Bath and Wiltshire Metro In "TransWilts line" [363244/30454/18] Posted by Clan Line at 10:38, 16th July 2025 | |
"A new platform at Westbury" (my highlighting)
I assume this actually means reinstating the old Platform 1. An article in Rail magazine in 2015 quoted a cost of £10.5 million to do this at that time. How much nowadays ? I suppose we could claim that we are getting our own Wiltshire version of HS2.............at least as far as costings go !
| Re: Bath and Wiltshire Metro In "TransWilts line" [363243/30454/18] Posted by matth1j at 10:04, 16th July 2025 | |
* Two trains per hour through Melksham Station
| Re: Campaign for Tavistock reopening In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [363242/804/28] Posted by Andy at 08:34, 16th July 2025 Already liked by alexross42, Witham Bobby, Chris from Nailsea, Andy E, TonyK, Red Squirrel, johnneyw | |
Several news articles are reporting that campaigners are stepping up their bid to unlock funding for Tavistock by playing the defence and housing cards, tying the project to the expansion of Devonport dockyard as part of the planned incease in defence spending , plus the plans for new housing and the issue of overcongested roads They are also arguing for a new station at Plympton and proposing a Tavistock-Ivybridge via Devonport and Plymouth metro-style service.
With the mid-Devon metro, Exeter has set a very good example of how existing railways can be successfully reconfigured around a regional hub. Bristol is doing the same. Cornwall, too, on a more modest scale. Fingers crossed that Plymouth can follow suit.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [363238/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 05:25, 16th July 2025 | |
Cancellations to services between Reading and Newbury
Due to a fault with the signalling system the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until 08:30 16/07.
Train services between Reading and Newbury may be cancelled or delayed.
Customer Advice
Due to a fault with the signalling system, trains are currently suspended between Reading and Newbury.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363237/489/12] Posted by 1st fan at 23:07, 15th July 2025 | |
Would the sleeper fit (including the inwards loco)?
Platform 3 at Reading is 125m, how long is the sleeper nowadays?| Bath and Wiltshire Metro In "TransWilts line" [363236/30454/18] Posted by grahame at 21:49, 15th July 2025 Already liked by Red Squirrel, Chris from Nailsea, rogerw, Timmer | |
From our MP (Brian Mathew), posted 15th July 2025 on Facebook
Exciting project for local rail!
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of chairing the very first stakeholder meeting for the Bath & Wiltshire Metro at Melksham Assembly Hall. Joined by representatives from Network Rail, Wiltshire & B&NES councils, local town councils, and the Western Gateway Transport Board, we mapped out an ambitious vision for our region’s rail future:
* Two trains per hour through Melksham Station
* New stations at Corsham and Devizes Gateway
* Better links between housing, public transport, and active travel routes — making it easier to leave the car at home!
The good news? Plans are already moving forward. Western Gateway and Network Rail are working on key infrastructure upgrades, including:
* A new platform at Westbury
* Increased rail capacity through Melksham
This is about much more than trains. It’s about cutting congestion, opening up opportunities, and tackling the climate emergency.
* I’ll keep campaigning hard to make sure our communities get the modern, reliable transport links we need — now and for the future.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of chairing the very first stakeholder meeting for the Bath & Wiltshire Metro at Melksham Assembly Hall. Joined by representatives from Network Rail, Wiltshire & B&NES councils, local town councils, and the Western Gateway Transport Board, we mapped out an ambitious vision for our region’s rail future:
* Two trains per hour through Melksham Station
* New stations at Corsham and Devizes Gateway
* Better links between housing, public transport, and active travel routes — making it easier to leave the car at home!
The good news? Plans are already moving forward. Western Gateway and Network Rail are working on key infrastructure upgrades, including:
* A new platform at Westbury
* Increased rail capacity through Melksham
This is about much more than trains. It’s about cutting congestion, opening up opportunities, and tackling the climate emergency.
* I’ll keep campaigning hard to make sure our communities get the modern, reliable transport links we need — now and for the future.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363235/489/12] Posted by ChrisB at 20:56, 15th July 2025 | |
Would the sleeper fit (including the inwards loco)?
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363234/489/12] Posted by grahame at 20:54, 15th July 2025 | |
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363233/489/12] Posted by ChrisB at 20:03, 15th July 2025 | |
How long is platform 3 in terms of coach-lengths?
| Re: Swanage Railway - merged posts and ongoing discussion In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363232/2353/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:24, 15th July 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Steam railway 'causes seventh summer fire'
A steam train on a heritage line has caused a seventh fire by the attraction this summer, a fire service has said.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service sent three vehicles to a field blaze near Corfe Castle at about 13:15 BST on Monday. It said the fire was quickly put out and crews spent some time damping down.
Swanage Railway, which operates between Swanage and Norden - via Corfe, has been approached for comment.
According to its website on Tuesday, the line is currently running heritage diesel rather than steam trains due to a "high fire risk".
In a statement, the fire service said: "It is believed to have been caused by the steam train. Since 1 June 2025, we've had seven similar incidents reported in this area."
Temperatures have now cooled following the UK's third heatwave of the year. Highs of 20C (68F) are expected in Corfe Castle on Tuesday.
A steam train on a heritage line has caused a seventh fire by the attraction this summer, a fire service has said.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service sent three vehicles to a field blaze near Corfe Castle at about 13:15 BST on Monday. It said the fire was quickly put out and crews spent some time damping down.
Swanage Railway, which operates between Swanage and Norden - via Corfe, has been approached for comment.
According to its website on Tuesday, the line is currently running heritage diesel rather than steam trains due to a "high fire risk".
In a statement, the fire service said: "It is believed to have been caused by the steam train. Since 1 June 2025, we've had seven similar incidents reported in this area."
Temperatures have now cooled following the UK's third heatwave of the year. Highs of 20C (68F) are expected in Corfe Castle on Tuesday.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363231/489/12] Posted by grahame at 17:59, 15th July 2025 | |
In the case of the Up sleeper I'm not sure being dumped off at Reading at 0430 and having to wait for services to start up in order to get to Paddington would really be a very attractive prospect?
That's not quite what I was suggesting though ... the suggestion was for the sleeper services to terminate and stay resident in a quieter platform for a number of hours ... platform 3 may not be needed for reversal of Cross County trains until (?) what time for example, and in the evening to start from there.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363230/489/12] Posted by bobm at 17:08, 15th July 2025 Already liked by JayMac, TaplowGreen, eightonedee, GBM, Witham Bobby | |
In the case of the Up sleeper I'm not sure being dumped off at Reading at 0430 and having to wait for services to start up in order to get to Paddington would really be a very attractive prospect?
Unless you are a very dedicated Janner, you might say the same about Plymouth on the down!
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363229/489/12] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:06, 15th July 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby, broadgage | |
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington.
This is due to a problem currently under investigation.
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington.
This is due to a problem currently under investigation.
There is no loco at Reading to work the empty sleeper set into Paddington, the same reason the sleeper terminated at Reading in the morning.
Last nights up sleeper from Penzance has a 57 on the rear to resolve that issue
In various other bits of research I'm doing, it's not unheard of for a sleeper service to terminate / start somewhere on the outskirts of a city, with passengers transferring in or out via other public transport in the area. Most notable is Halkali which is a ride of about 45 minutes into / out from Istanbul. Perhaps it allows rather more space to be provided for / and for a longer load / unload time at a station that's out of town rather that resource hogging in the centre at the start / end of each day? I am very tempted - and awaiting howls of protest - to suggest that Stirling might be an excellent hub for the Scottish sleepers, though still providing through carriages that call there during the night to/from far flung places such as Fort William, Inverness, Oban and Aberdeen.
In the case of the Up sleeper I'm not sure being dumped off at Reading at 0430 and having to wait for services to start up in order to get to Paddington would really be a very attractive prospect?
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363226/489/12] Posted by grahame at 11:12, 15th July 2025 | |
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington.
This is due to a problem currently under investigation.
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington.
This is due to a problem currently under investigation.
There is no loco at Reading to work the empty sleeper set into Paddington, the same reason the sleeper terminated at Reading in the morning.
Last nights up sleeper from Penzance has a 57 on the rear to resolve that issue
In various other bits of research I'm doing, it's not unheard of for a sleeper service to terminate / start somewhere on the outskirts of a city, with passengers transferring in or out via other public transport in the area. Most notable is Halkali which is a ride of about 45 minutes into / out from Istanbul. Perhaps it allows rather more space to be provided for / and for a longer load / unload time at a station that's out of town rather that resource hogging in the centre at the start / end of each day? I am very tempted - and awaiting howls of protest - to suggest that Stirling might be an excellent hub for the Scottish sleepers, though still providing through carriages that call there during the night to/from far flung places such as Fort William, Inverness, Oban and Aberdeen.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363225/489/12] Posted by bobm at 08:26, 15th July 2025 Already liked by Worcester_Passenger, matth1j, Ralph Ayres, Witham Bobby, rogerw, Mark A, a-driver, GBM, TonyK, JayMac, 1st fan | |
Given the above and the reason given on Journeycheck as “a problem under investigation” I have visions of someone walking round Reading Traincare Depot scratching their head and saying “I’m sure there was a class 57 here somewhere.”
| Home again - 14th July 2025 In "Introductions and chat" [363224/30453/1] Posted by grahame at 07:33, 15th July 2025 Already liked by Mark A, matth1j, Witham Bobby, Timmer | |
Home, on the last northbound train last night into Melksham - started from the old town in St Malo in the morning. Full(er) reports to follow during the next few days. And final round of this year's Interrail pass starts in a few days.
