Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359237/30004/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:07, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1. Edinburgh, Waverley station, looking up to the castle.
Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359236/30004/30] Posted by grahame at 20:55, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Some pictures take in or from a train or zoomed - fuzzies, reflections and so forth about - can you identify one each ...
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Re: 21 March 2025 - TravelWatch SouthWest General meeting In "Diary - what's happening when?" [359235/30000/34] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:38, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I'm sorry for that confusion, ChrisB: I've now moved your post here and will amend the topic headings for those historic TravelWatch SouthWest meetings.
CfN.

Re: 21st March 2025 - TravelWatch SouthWest General meeting In "Diary - what's happening when?" [359234/30000/34] Posted by ChrisB at 20:11, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
This thread now has the wrong subect line and dopes not refer to the March 21 2025 meeting!
Re: Rolling stock projections - ongoing discussion In "Looking forward - the next 5, 10 and 20 years" [359233/26134/40] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:40, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Fair comment: this ongoing topic is no longer specific to any particular 'on this day', so I've broadened it here.
CfN.

Re: Train fare dodger told to pay nearly £1,000 In "Fare's Fair" [359232/29998/4] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:31, 9th March 2025 Already liked by johnneyw | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
It would be worth paying £41.50, purely to be able to enjoy this view out of a train window, on a journey between Didcot Parkway and Cardiff Central:

From the BBC.

Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [359231/29650/26] Posted by BBM at 19:22, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I’m on the 19:04 EL train from TWY (I’m going to Hayes) which left from P2 (which I was fortunate to aim for as according to RTT the previous one ran 13 minutes late and didn’t call there). This particular train is non-stopping Taplow and Burnham as indeed all EL trains are doing this evening with no advice that I’ve seen or heard so I don’t know what passengers to and from those stations are meant to do.
Also all the GWR trains on the PAD-DID route are shown on the screens at TWY as cancelled - from RTT it looks like they’re running but not stopping at TWY or MAI as in the message posted above.
Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [359230/29650/26] Posted by grahame at 18:49, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
How would you describe that piece of hard-coded text then?
* An apology.
* An expression of care in acknowledging it is not as it should be.
I'm not sure it even needs a title though
Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [359229/29650/26] Posted by ChrisB at 18:45, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
How would you describe that piece of hard-coded text then?
Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [359228/29650/26] Posted by grahame at 18:42, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Customer Advice
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today.
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today.
Is it just me - or is that really NOT customer advice?
I would expect "Customer advice" to be something like "People who normally use GWR trains to Maidenhead or Telford should allow an extra half hour and will need to change at Reading if coming from further west" . It actually advises the customers what to do!
Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [359227/29650/26] Posted by grahame at 18:34, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Alterations to services between Reading and Slough
Due to a points failure between Reading and Slough some lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed or revised. Twyford and Maidenhead will not be served. Disruption is expected until 21:00 09/03.
Customer Advice
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today.
Can you tell me more about the incident?
Due to a points failure at Twyford, GWR services cannot call at Twyford and Maidenhead. Elizabeth line services can still call at these stations.
Due to a points failure between Reading and Slough some lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed or revised. Twyford and Maidenhead will not be served. Disruption is expected until 21:00 09/03.
Customer Advice
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today.
Can you tell me more about the incident?
Due to a points failure at Twyford, GWR services cannot call at Twyford and Maidenhead. Elizabeth line services can still call at these stations.
I wouldn't have.
Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [359225/231/28] Posted by grahame at 17:47, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/portishead-railway-line-group-criticised-9996451
I am not sure whether I should be giving that space. All for expression of different views and bringing all the ideas out, but isn't now the time with a decision made and so many parties aligned in the view that the public transport connection to Portishead should be restored as a railway for parties that think it is not an ideal solution to let them get on with it.
The Portishead Bus Campaign is in the press again telling everyone "The Portishead Busway Campaign has labelled the return of trains between Bristol and Portishead as "ill-conceived", "scandalous" and "pure kneejerk nostalgia"" ... and suggesting again their solution of a rubber matted bus way. All they (who are they - I can only find one name associated with it) in my view is to break the consensus - they (or Barry) want(s) better public transport and so do we - a shame to divide the public transport advocates and risk ending up with nothing.
30,000 threads - the Coffee Shop In "News, Help and Assistance" [359224/30002/29] Posted by grahame at 17:34, 9th March 2025 Already liked by Mark A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
https://www.passenger.chat/r30000.html
Another milestone passed - topic number 30,000. There are just shy of 25,800 topics on the forum as around 13% have been merged and a tiny number - my guess is less than 1% - have been deleted. 1135 members have contributed with posts (920 making multiple posts) which total 356192 in number, no one member posting more than 12%.
I happen to have hit no. 30,000 on the agenda and call for TravelWatch SouthWest a week on Friday - 21st March 2025.
Re: Taxi access to stations In "Buses and other ways to travel" [359223/29997/5] Posted by Mark A at 17:17, 9th March 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
*Admires Nailsea and Backwell station and surrounds on Google Streetview*
Ah, of course, the Bristol and Exeter Railway. Money was squeaky-tight.
Mark
Re: Why no London trains from Bath Spa 2/3? In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [359221/29969/10] Posted by ChrisB at 16:17, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Suspect engineering trains getting the way for that, Infoman.
The lines are only shut to passenger & freight trains. They have to get equipment to sites to/from each end.
Watch: Man survives being run over by train In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [359220/29999/52] Posted by ChrisB at 16:13, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
well, I wouldn't directly embed the sort of video....but this is on the BBC website.
It is actually amazing - the guy is drunk asleep & is not woken by the Peruvian train - but gets up after a definite collision with the train....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cq6yzll9j92o
Re: Rolling stock projections- ongoing discussion In "Looking forward - the next 5, 10 and 20 years" [359219/26134/40] Posted by ChrisB at 16:09, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Updating the subject header?

Train fare dodger told to pay nearly £1,000 In "Fare's Fair" [359218/29998/4] Posted by ChrisB at 16:06, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
From the BBC
A man who failed to pay his £41.50 train fare has been told to pay nearly £1,000 in fines and costs.
Kyle Brown, 22, of Wootton, Oxfordshire, was found to have dodged paying for his journey between Didcot Parkway and Cardiff Central stations on 1 June 2024.
He denied not paying his fare in January but Oxford magistrates found him guilty in his absence on 26 February.
He was told to pay £600 costs and a victim surcharge of £88, fined £220 and told to pay compensation of £41.50 - a total of £949.50. Brown must pay that by 26 March.
Kyle Brown, 22, of Wootton, Oxfordshire, was found to have dodged paying for his journey between Didcot Parkway and Cardiff Central stations on 1 June 2024.
He denied not paying his fare in January but Oxford magistrates found him guilty in his absence on 26 February.
He was told to pay £600 costs and a victim surcharge of £88, fined £220 and told to pay compensation of £41.50 - a total of £949.50. Brown must pay that by 26 March.
Re: Ticket offices - changes afoot? In "Fare's Fair" [359217/29965/4] Posted by ChrisB at 16:01, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
That seems to be pretty much what the DfT wanted to do in England
Re: Taxi access to stations In "Buses and other ways to travel" [359216/29997/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:11, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
At Nailsea & Backwell, there is no taxi rank and neither taxis nor private hire cars ply for trade anywhere near the station.
The same is true of Bedminster, Parson Street, Yatton and Worle - stations either side of Nailsea & Backwell on the main line.
Re: Cirencester branch: Thames bridge question In "Railway History and related topics" [359215/29996/55] Posted by Mark A at 14:47, 9th March 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Thanks for this. So... a single, substantial & distinctive masonry arch. Somewhere, I've read some derogatory comment about it (the author biassed by their feelings for this modern-world intrusion into the world of the upper Thames). Perhaps it did put a kink into the road, or perhaps someone was keen to demolish it for the masonry, which elsewhere on the Cirencester branch is good stuff.
Good to have a name too: Clayfurlong bridge (marked as a viaduct on some OS maps).
(The photos are from the same negative - in the tinted one, someone's removed the figure...)
It was quite a dramatic crossing of the valley. Here's the view from upstream, the gap slightly lost in trees.
Mark

Re: Taxi access to stations In "Buses and other ways to travel" [359214/29997/5] Posted by ChrisB at 13:56, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Also, a significant taxi-travel requirement is for accessible vehicles and I'm not sure how this is met now.
Our licencing council insist that all new 'black cabs' are accessible. So we have plenty here.
Private Hire are a law unto themselves - but definitely realise the amount of work that is out there for accessible vehicles, so most companies have some....but they don't all work around the clock, so getting one late in the evening is quite a lottery unless booked well in advance.
Re: Taxi access to stations In "Buses and other ways to travel" [359212/29997/5] Posted by grahame at 13:35, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
This sounds like a job for a poll or two. ...
I considered that, but then tried to think how I would do / write that and failed to find an adequate approach.
Re: Taxi access to stations In "Buses and other ways to travel" [359211/29997/5] Posted by Mark A at 13:07, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Those are taxis licensed to wait/ply for hire on the station forecourt.
Indeed - and ARE there typically taxis waiting / plying for business at Kemble station?
Please follow up, members - are taxis generally waiting / plying for hire at your local station? If not, how easy is it to get a taxi and is there a single source / booking mechanism you would use (be it a local co-operative or something like Uber) or would you be searching / calling lots of different numbers?
This sounds like a job for a poll or two. I seldom take them, visually, there's plenty at Bath Spa during the day, rather less availability into the evenings and often a wait for taxis later in the evening when the city's bus service has also fizzled.
Anecdotally, advance-booking a taxi in Bath to e.g. the railway station for a train, is a risk as, once it's booked, the taxi booking system holds the job until the appropriate time and then chucks it into the pool in the hope that a driver is available to pick it up.
Also, booking via an app is encouraged and the last time I tried a phone booking the thing went to dev/null.
(I may have this completely wrong as to how the industry now works, but taxi drivers seem to be struggling with it too...)
Also, a significant taxi-travel requirement is for accessible vehicles and I'm not sure how this is met now.
Mark
Re: Cirencester branch: Thames bridge question In "Railway History and related topics" [359209/29996/55] Posted by stuving at 12:56, 9th March 2025 Already liked by Mark A, Chris from Nailsea | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Try this: https://kembleandewen-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Dennis-Moss-and-photographs-of-Kemble-and-1Ewen.pdf
At the end of the document are a couple of photos identified as "Kemble, the first bridge over the Thames, Clayfurlong Bridge, 1904". The road bridge looks very much like it does now, and the railway bridge is just a rather fuzzy shape in the background. However, it's clear that it (and the embankment) were very high.
Re: any one attending this event in Manchester? In "Diary - what's happening when?" [359208/29963/34] Posted by ChrisB at 12:34, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
They are all industry organisations as they are the people they wish to attract.
In my case, a Railfuture local committee hat got me in year before last. It is very industry-oriented
Re: Charfield train station plans, drop in event. In "Diary - what's happening when?" [359207/29792/34] Posted by ChrisB at 12:31, 9th March 2025 Already liked by Kempis | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Latest email update
Welcome to the Charfield Station newsletter
Dear stakeholder, Further to our last newsletter, please find below the latest updates about the Charfield Station project.
Project updates
Overnight works to remove trackside vegetation have now been completed. We will be back on-site to clear land next week (from Monday 10 March), however the further vegetation removal will take place during the day. Thank you for your understanding.
In other news, we have refreshed the Give Way road markings and edge lines at the subway between Little Bristol Lane and Station Road. In addition, we will be installing ‘pedestrian in road’ signs at the subway during March.
Also during March, we will be installing double yellow lines in lieu of the previous school keep clear markings on Manor Lane at the junction with Wotton Road. These changes are taking place in response to feedback from residents.
Throughout this month, you will see increased activity at the location of the proposed Southern Car Park. Temporary fencing has been installed to mark the new land ownership boundary (please note that the fencing does not relate to the size of the car park, which is smaller).
Tree felling and planned power outage
On Monday 10 March, we will be commencing tree felling and vegetation removal along the length of Station Road. A qualified ecologist will be undertaking a check of the trees and vegetation before and during removal to make sure no nesting birds or other wildlife is present. This work will involve felling trees that are in the proximity of overhead power lines. To ensure the safety of our team and the public, National Grid have scheduled a planned power outage for Saturday 22 March. This is likely to be a full day outage and will affect a small number of properties. National Grid will write to you soon if your property is going to be affected. We are fully aware of the potential disruption that this will cause and sincerely apologise in advance for any inconvenience.
Scaffolding at the former station booking hall
We previously told you that we were putting in place protective scaffolding around the former station booking hall. This is for the protection of the railway during the work in the area. For the safety of our staff and other railway users, some of this work must be carried out overnight when trains are not running. We will therefore be working on the night of Saturday 15th March to commence the scaffold erection and there will be subsequent daytime works during weekdays to complete it.
Planning updates
We will continue to submit documentation to the Local Planning Authority for discharging further planning conditions during 2025.
We are also applying to the Local Planning Authority to make minor amendments to the scheme that have arisen during the detailed design stage. These include fencing, landscaping, pedestrian access, road crossings and platform infrastructure. These documents can be viewed on the planning applications website (search for P24/01637/RVC) and we will provide further updates in our next newsletter update.
Dear stakeholder, Further to our last newsletter, please find below the latest updates about the Charfield Station project.
Project updates
Overnight works to remove trackside vegetation have now been completed. We will be back on-site to clear land next week (from Monday 10 March), however the further vegetation removal will take place during the day. Thank you for your understanding.
In other news, we have refreshed the Give Way road markings and edge lines at the subway between Little Bristol Lane and Station Road. In addition, we will be installing ‘pedestrian in road’ signs at the subway during March.
Also during March, we will be installing double yellow lines in lieu of the previous school keep clear markings on Manor Lane at the junction with Wotton Road. These changes are taking place in response to feedback from residents.
Throughout this month, you will see increased activity at the location of the proposed Southern Car Park. Temporary fencing has been installed to mark the new land ownership boundary (please note that the fencing does not relate to the size of the car park, which is smaller).
Tree felling and planned power outage
On Monday 10 March, we will be commencing tree felling and vegetation removal along the length of Station Road. A qualified ecologist will be undertaking a check of the trees and vegetation before and during removal to make sure no nesting birds or other wildlife is present. This work will involve felling trees that are in the proximity of overhead power lines. To ensure the safety of our team and the public, National Grid have scheduled a planned power outage for Saturday 22 March. This is likely to be a full day outage and will affect a small number of properties. National Grid will write to you soon if your property is going to be affected. We are fully aware of the potential disruption that this will cause and sincerely apologise in advance for any inconvenience.
Scaffolding at the former station booking hall
We previously told you that we were putting in place protective scaffolding around the former station booking hall. This is for the protection of the railway during the work in the area. For the safety of our staff and other railway users, some of this work must be carried out overnight when trains are not running. We will therefore be working on the night of Saturday 15th March to commence the scaffold erection and there will be subsequent daytime works during weekdays to complete it.
Planning updates
We will continue to submit documentation to the Local Planning Authority for discharging further planning conditions during 2025.
We are also applying to the Local Planning Authority to make minor amendments to the scheme that have arisen during the detailed design stage. These include fencing, landscaping, pedestrian access, road crossings and platform infrastructure. These documents can be viewed on the planning applications website (search for P24/01637/RVC) and we will provide further updates in our next newsletter update.
Re: Did Melksham have trams? In "Railway History and related topics" [359206/29995/55] Posted by grahame at 12:16, 9th March 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Having answered - there was a tramway at Seend Iron works during Victorian times, and Seend is only just up the road from Melksham even though some of the residents don't like to admit that (a Windsor and Slough type thing)
http://www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk/Items/Seend/Seend%20-%20Seend%20Iron%20Works%201856-1890.pdf
1857
The mineral treasures recently discovered at Seend, prove to exist to a far greater extent than at first anticipated. The whole of the village is situated on an outlier of the lower green sand, and it appears that the greater portion of this stratum consists of a ferruginous sandstone, more or less rich in peroxide of iron, yielding in some cases as much as 50 percent of pure metal.
Mr Holloway, of Christchurch, a gentleman largely engaged in the iron ore trade, who purchased a piece of ground near the Bell Inn, Seend, has already extracted 1000 tons of ore, which have been sent into Wales for smelting.
Mr Parker, of London, a connexion of Mr Sarl, the well-known silversmith of Cornhill, has recently purchased several fields, and is at present constructing a tramway from the pits to the canal (a distance of about half a mile), which is expected to be in full operation in the course of two or three months.
The mineral treasures recently discovered at Seend, prove to exist to a far greater extent than at first anticipated. The whole of the village is situated on an outlier of the lower green sand, and it appears that the greater portion of this stratum consists of a ferruginous sandstone, more or less rich in peroxide of iron, yielding in some cases as much as 50 percent of pure metal.
Mr Holloway, of Christchurch, a gentleman largely engaged in the iron ore trade, who purchased a piece of ground near the Bell Inn, Seend, has already extracted 1000 tons of ore, which have been sent into Wales for smelting.
Mr Parker, of London, a connexion of Mr Sarl, the well-known silversmith of Cornhill, has recently purchased several fields, and is at present constructing a tramway from the pits to the canal (a distance of about half a mile), which is expected to be in full operation in the course of two or three months.