Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Disruption 10/07/2025 In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [363072/30443/20] Posted by Timmer at 21:39, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Looking back over the day on RTT, it looks like the 165/166s didn’t enjoy the heat with some breaking down, whereas the 158s soldiered on like the great DMUs that they are.
I had a leisure trip planned for tomorrow that involved going to Kent via Salisbury and Waterloo. I’ve postponed it because I think it could be a very similar picture on the Cardiff-Portsmouth and associated lines again tomorrow if there are poorly 165/166’s out of action due to heat exhaustion.
Had I done the trip today, I’d still be stuck in Salisbury!
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363071/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 19:39, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
It is being delayed at Gloucester.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
It is being delayed at Gloucester.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363070/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 18:47, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
20:14 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
20:14 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Re: Vivarail chosen for fast charging trial on the Greenford branch In "Across the West" [363069/26034/26] Posted by BBM at 18:38, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Geoff Marshall has just posted a 16-minute video about the Class 230 which includes appearances by Mark Hopwood as well as a rare track trip around the Greenford Triangle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0bbCNfiSCo
Re: Air India flight to London Gatwick crashed in Ahmedabad - 12 June 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363068/30350/52] Posted by TonyK at 17:36, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I believe that it is a requirement that the investigating authority issues an initial report within 30 days of the accident. Of course, the content of that report will only be what they are able/willing to release - but often, what they don't say tells you far more than what they do say.
I think that is right, although if anything is identified earlier that could happen again in the same same type of aircraft, that is usually put out at once with guidance to operators, crew, and manufacturers as appropriate. Air accident investigations aren't about blame, but are intended to make aviation safer, so anything important will be released without waiting for the full outcome. The absence of such a release suggests the absence of an identified issue with either the aircraft type or crew training, but only suggests.
The fuel switch hypothesis has been mentioned. For anyone wondering, they are the two round knobs with a sort of red cross on them in the picture, immediately below the thrust levers. You'll see that there are raised flanges either side (on Airbus 330 aircraft there is one in the middle too) to prevent accidental brushing against them from moving the switches. As JayMac says, they have to be lifted before moving them. Air accident investigators will always look at the position of all controls as they start to rebuild the craft from the wreckage, but IF the switches are off, that doesn't solve the matter. My engine failure on take-off checklist for a Piper Cherokee says to switch off the fuel supply if there is time, and the same may be true for a 787. I have no idea.

Flaps have been mentioned in the past. Some flap is always deployed with heavy aircraft taking off to add lift and so be able to depart with less runway and at a lower airspeed than without. It saves fuel as a bonus, despite the added drag. I have seen video of a pilot in a 787 simulator taking off, heavily laden, without flaps, done following this awful accident. It does manage to get airborne, but alarms and warnings are sounding and lights flashing from the moment the thrust levers are pushed forward. As with the other pointers, I shall await the outcome of the inquiry. There is seldom, if ever, a single cause of an air accident.
Re: rail minister says HS2 is 'too fast' In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [363067/30441/49] Posted by Witham Bobby at 16:06, 10th July 2025 Already liked by rogerw | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
HS2 was conceived to provide extra capacity (sorely needed in many places, not just on the London to Birmingham route) and to be fit for the future
Lord Hendy now saying that it didn't need to be constructed with such high speed limits in mind does not fully explain the tunnels, many of which are for NIMBY reasons, the viaducts instead of earthworks, the slab track, or the bat tunnel, and several other specification extravagances
Disruption 10/07/2025 In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [363066/30443/20] Posted by Witham Bobby at 16:01, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cancellations to services between Portsmouth Harbour and Bristol Temple Meads
Due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time between Portsmouth Harbour and Bristol Temple Meads fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 18:00 10/07.
Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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Several trains have failed on the Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads via Southampton and Salisbury
_
What are we doing about it?
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Other rail operators are assisting with ticket acceptance and transport is being requested.
_
What are my options?
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Below are the current options available to you:
-
Option 1: Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the Live Departure Boards or speak to a member of our station team.
-
Option 2: Cross Country Trains and SouthWestern Railway are accepting GWR tickets in both directions at no extra cost to you, as follows to help you make your journey:
Cross Country Trains between Southampton Central and Reading in both directions and
SouthWestern Railway between Portsmouth Harbour / Southampton Central and Basingstoke where GWR services to Reading can be used. Change at Reading for Bath Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, Newport and Cardiff Central.
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Option 3: Replacement transport provided by us such as a buses, coaches or taxis, is being requested, more information to follow.
Customers from Portsmouth stations and Southampton Central please travel to Salisbury and make contact with the station team who will assist you with onwards road transport to Westbury, change there for services to Bristol Temple Meads
Customers from Cardiff Central, Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa and Trowbridge, travel to Westbury and make contact with the station team who will assist you with onwards road transport to Salisbury, change there for SWR services to Southampton Central, and then change there for services to Portsmouth Stations.
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Option 4: Travel at a later time. You might want to consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
-
Let us help you:
-
Don't worry if you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
-
If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to our staff at the station or on the train.
Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 07:00 and 19:00.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 06:00 and 23:00.
Call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
-
Delay Repay:
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If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
Last Updated:10/07/2025 15:52
Due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time between Portsmouth Harbour and Bristol Temple Meads fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 18:00 10/07.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
Several trains have failed on the Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads via Southampton and Salisbury
_
What are we doing about it?
-
Other rail operators are assisting with ticket acceptance and transport is being requested.
_
What are my options?
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Below are the current options available to you:
-
Option 1: Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the Live Departure Boards or speak to a member of our station team.
-
Option 2: Cross Country Trains and SouthWestern Railway are accepting GWR tickets in both directions at no extra cost to you, as follows to help you make your journey:
Cross Country Trains between Southampton Central and Reading in both directions and
SouthWestern Railway between Portsmouth Harbour / Southampton Central and Basingstoke where GWR services to Reading can be used. Change at Reading for Bath Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, Newport and Cardiff Central.
-
Option 3: Replacement transport provided by us such as a buses, coaches or taxis, is being requested, more information to follow.
Customers from Portsmouth stations and Southampton Central please travel to Salisbury and make contact with the station team who will assist you with onwards road transport to Westbury, change there for services to Bristol Temple Meads
Customers from Cardiff Central, Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa and Trowbridge, travel to Westbury and make contact with the station team who will assist you with onwards road transport to Salisbury, change there for SWR services to Southampton Central, and then change there for services to Portsmouth Stations.
-
Option 4: Travel at a later time. You might want to consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
-
Let us help you:
-
Don't worry if you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
-
If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to our staff at the station or on the train.
Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 07:00 and 19:00.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 06:00 and 23:00.
Call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
-
Delay Repay:
-
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
Last Updated:10/07/2025 15:52
Re: rail minister says HS2 is 'too fast' In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [363065/30441/49] Posted by a-driver at 15:25, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
London to Birmingham is 118 miles
At 225 m.p.h., that's 32 minutes
At 180 m.p.h., it's 40 minutes
At 140 m.p.h., it's 51 minutes
And at 125 m.p.h. its 57 minutes
Of course it will take longer - you have to allow for accelerating and breaking, and allow for the two minutes that you need to be there for closing of the doors, and time to get to and from the stations and platform. Rather more I would ask about the freqency and how long you'll have to be at the station to check in before your train is called - one hopes not as long as Eurostar.
I find myself remaining of the personal opinion that 140 m.p.h. would have been quite fast enough, with half of the extra money spent to raise the speed limit on good access in and out of that backbone.
Questions - for what proportion of the journey will the trains be running at their top speed or even over 200 m.p.h., and are the ends engineered to a less fast standard - Old Oak Common to Perivale - 4.5 miles - at 225 m.p.h. would take a minute and 12 seconds.
At 225 m.p.h., that's 32 minutes
At 180 m.p.h., it's 40 minutes
At 140 m.p.h., it's 51 minutes
And at 125 m.p.h. its 57 minutes
Of course it will take longer - you have to allow for accelerating and breaking, and allow for the two minutes that you need to be there for closing of the doors, and time to get to and from the stations and platform. Rather more I would ask about the freqency and how long you'll have to be at the station to check in before your train is called - one hopes not as long as Eurostar.
I find myself remaining of the personal opinion that 140 m.p.h. would have been quite fast enough, with half of the extra money spent to raise the speed limit on good access in and out of that backbone.
Questions - for what proportion of the journey will the trains be running at their top speed or even over 200 m.p.h., and are the ends engineered to a less fast standard - Old Oak Common to Perivale - 4.5 miles - at 225 m.p.h. would take a minute and 12 seconds.
Utter codswallop!!!!!! It’s a piece of infrastructure that’s going to be in place for 100s of years, you build it with the future in mind and thus you need to obtain the maximum speed as possible. You’re in competition with road and air.
When it comes to high speed rail around the world, they didn’t get to 125mph and said that’s fast enough. They are still pushing for faster speeds.
Seen in France - July 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363064/30442/52] Posted by grahame at 14:32, 10th July 2025 Already liked by PrestburyRoad | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I haven't been doing a daily travelogue ... to busy travelling, and "the next town is" can get repetitive and less interesting. So instead here are some "seen in France" things from recent days - all with a rail connection and mostly at or near stations











Re: rail minister says HS2 is 'too fast' In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [363063/30441/49] Posted by grahame at 13:43, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
London to Birmingham is 118 miles
At 225 m.p.h., that's 32 minutes
At 180 m.p.h., it's 40 minutes
At 140 m.p.h., it's 51 minutes
And at 125 m.p.h. its 57 minutes
Of course it will take longer - you have to allow for accelerating and breaking, and allow for the two minutes that you need to be there for closing of the doors, and time to get to and from the stations and platform. Rather more I would ask about the freqency and how long you'll have to be at the station to check in before your train is called - one hopes not as long as Eurostar.
I find myself remaining of the personal opinion that 140 m.p.h. would have been quite fast enough, with half of the extra money spent to raise the speed limit on good access in and out of that backbone.
Questions - for what proportion of the journey will the trains be running at their top speed or even over 200 m.p.h., and are the ends engineered to a less fast standard - Old Oak Common to Perivale - 4.5 miles - at 225 m.p.h. would take a minute and 12 seconds.
rail minister says HS2 is 'too fast' In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [363062/30441/49] Posted by matth1j at 12:55, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
From the Telegraph:
HS2 ran tens of billions of pounds over budget and will open years late because it was designed to be unnecessarily fast, MPs have been told.
Lord Hendy, the rail minister, made the claim as he criticised the decision for the route to be built for trains running at speeds of 225mph, faster than on most high-speed networks overseas.
He said: “It is hard to understand why there was such zealotry about the highest-speed, high-speed railway in a relatively small country when the origination of it was to relieve capacity [problems].
“The case for better connectivity is pretty clear. The West Coast Main Line was predicted to be nearly full, and it is nearly full and under huge pressure.
“But there are two questions that doesn’t answer. One is why we needed an exceptionally fast railway, rather than just a fast railway.
“The other is the speed of delivery. I’m not sure I can make the case that it was desperate. Why it was pursued with such speed – and now we are suffering the cost of it – is hard to say.”
Lord Hendy questioned why HS2 needed to be even faster than the High Speed 1 route that runs between London’s St Pancras International Station and the Channel Tunnel, which at 186mph, he said was “quite fast as it is” and the standard speed for European high-speed lines.
He said about one-third of the HS2 route runs underground or through cuttings in order to keep the line straight and maximise speed, which had created significant engineering challenges.
The former chairman of Network Rail, which manages the UK’s train tracks and major stations, told the House of Commons transport committee that civil engineering work that should have been completed by now was still only about 60pc complete, with just one-third of the wider scheme, including tracks, trains and overhead power lines, finished.
‘Appalling mess’
Last month, the Government said that the opening of HS2 would be delayed beyond 2033 after cost overruns swelled to £37bn, despite the northern half of the project being scrapped to save money.
Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, said the scheme was an “appalling mess” following a “litany of failures” and could end up becoming the most expensive railway line in the world. Some £2bn alone was spent on its now-cancelled second phase to Manchester.
Alan Over, director general for major rail projects at the Department for Transport, told MPs that HS2 was built to such a high specification in part because of a political desire to go one better than Britain’s European rivals.
He said: “If you are going to build a new railway, you might as well make it faster than our historic railways. The speed helps a bit with the capacity as well, because you can get more trains through in the given amount of time.
“The question is, why did the country choose to do it faster than the French or faster than the Germans or faster than the Spanish? There was a bit of ‘we want to join the high-speed revolution’ and be as good as everyone else in that regard.”
Mr Over added: “It’s not bad to have a national ambition. But you have to understand the consequences, that you are then pushing the boundaries and introducing more risk, and that leads to more cost.”
He said that the HS2 was designed for trains faster than all but the speediest Japanese and Chinese models.
Mark Wild, who took over as HS2’s chief executive in December after running London’s Crossrail project, conceded that the project had been too ambitious but said there was now no choice but to persevere with the truncated plans.
He said: “The mistake made here is that the railway is just too fast and too stiff, and that has produced very, very significant civil engineering costs.
“We have clearly got into terrible trouble with the estimate. But the die is cast now and we have to make the best we can of it.”
Lord Hendy, the rail minister, made the claim as he criticised the decision for the route to be built for trains running at speeds of 225mph, faster than on most high-speed networks overseas.
He said: “It is hard to understand why there was such zealotry about the highest-speed, high-speed railway in a relatively small country when the origination of it was to relieve capacity [problems].
“The case for better connectivity is pretty clear. The West Coast Main Line was predicted to be nearly full, and it is nearly full and under huge pressure.
“But there are two questions that doesn’t answer. One is why we needed an exceptionally fast railway, rather than just a fast railway.
“The other is the speed of delivery. I’m not sure I can make the case that it was desperate. Why it was pursued with such speed – and now we are suffering the cost of it – is hard to say.”
Lord Hendy questioned why HS2 needed to be even faster than the High Speed 1 route that runs between London’s St Pancras International Station and the Channel Tunnel, which at 186mph, he said was “quite fast as it is” and the standard speed for European high-speed lines.
He said about one-third of the HS2 route runs underground or through cuttings in order to keep the line straight and maximise speed, which had created significant engineering challenges.
The former chairman of Network Rail, which manages the UK’s train tracks and major stations, told the House of Commons transport committee that civil engineering work that should have been completed by now was still only about 60pc complete, with just one-third of the wider scheme, including tracks, trains and overhead power lines, finished.
‘Appalling mess’
Last month, the Government said that the opening of HS2 would be delayed beyond 2033 after cost overruns swelled to £37bn, despite the northern half of the project being scrapped to save money.
Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, said the scheme was an “appalling mess” following a “litany of failures” and could end up becoming the most expensive railway line in the world. Some £2bn alone was spent on its now-cancelled second phase to Manchester.
Alan Over, director general for major rail projects at the Department for Transport, told MPs that HS2 was built to such a high specification in part because of a political desire to go one better than Britain’s European rivals.
He said: “If you are going to build a new railway, you might as well make it faster than our historic railways. The speed helps a bit with the capacity as well, because you can get more trains through in the given amount of time.
“The question is, why did the country choose to do it faster than the French or faster than the Germans or faster than the Spanish? There was a bit of ‘we want to join the high-speed revolution’ and be as good as everyone else in that regard.”
Mr Over added: “It’s not bad to have a national ambition. But you have to understand the consequences, that you are then pushing the boundaries and introducing more risk, and that leads to more cost.”
He said that the HS2 was designed for trains faster than all but the speediest Japanese and Chinese models.
Mark Wild, who took over as HS2’s chief executive in December after running London’s Crossrail project, conceded that the project had been too ambitious but said there was now no choice but to persevere with the truncated plans.
He said: “The mistake made here is that the railway is just too fast and too stiff, and that has produced very, very significant civil engineering costs.
“We have clearly got into terrible trouble with the estimate. But the die is cast now and we have to make the best we can of it.”
Pleased to see that speculation is still being avoided!
Merely commenting on the informed opinions being reported. And always seeking more than one take - in this instance, watching what experienced pilots have to say about this latest news. This forum is not a speculation free bubble. If it's good enough for Reuters to report on I see no reason why we can't do the same here. I have however not bothered to comment on some of the fantastical crap being spouted by some on social media. Their 'theories' aren't worthy of repeating.
Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [363060/29711/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 10:14, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Alterations to services at Worcester Shrub Hill
Due to a points failure at Worcester Shrub Hill some lines are blocked.
Train services running through this station will be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 10:30 10/07.
Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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A set of points has failed outside of Worcester Shrub Hill
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A points failure is a fault with the movable pieces of track that enable trains to change tracks.
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What are we doing about it?
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UPDATE 09:52 - Engineers on site have now fixed the fault with the points. Trains can now run normally but may still suffer from delays to due to the disruption caused.
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Whilst trains are safely moved through the area, services towards Worcester and towards Oxford will both suffer from delays.
Due to a points failure at Worcester Shrub Hill some lines are blocked.
Train services running through this station will be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 10:30 10/07.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
A set of points has failed outside of Worcester Shrub Hill
-
A points failure is a fault with the movable pieces of track that enable trains to change tracks.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
UPDATE 09:52 - Engineers on site have now fixed the fault with the points. Trains can now run normally but may still suffer from delays to due to the disruption caused.
-
Whilst trains are safely moved through the area, services towards Worcester and towards Oxford will both suffer from delays.
Re: 9.08 Bristol to Weymouth 29/06 Fresh Air Express In "Heart of Wessex" [363059/30417/19] Posted by grahame at 09:53, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I recall that it was necessary to kill the weekend demand using... techniques. Slowing the through journey times, breaking the through train at Westbury with a ~20 minute connection there, and of course for much of the spring and early summer... when is it that the timetable switches to 'Summer' services?
Mark
Mark
Indeed - there were people who absolutely slammed me in Melksham for poor publicity for the through trains to Weymouth. "You should be ashamed of yourself and have got professional help - we only heard about them after they had finished". Ah yes, but the trains were busy all the way, and full and standing beyond Yeovil. The marketing was tuned to be enough to get a darned good load on a sunny day without having trains too full for comfort or even unable to board.
Only once did it go really wrong when there were too many passengers on the return at Westbury and taxis had to be arranged for the excess.
Clearly, different approaches were used when we had a 153 versus when we had a full length HST!
Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [363058/29711/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 09:34, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Alterations to services at Worcester Shrub Hill
Due to a points failure at Worcester Shrub Hill some lines are blocked.
Train services running through this station will be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 12:00 10/07.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
A set of points has failed outside of Worcester Shrub Hill
-
A points failure is a fault with the movable pieces of track that enable trains to change tracks.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
Engineers have arrived on site and are assessing the situation.
-
What are my options?
-
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Below are the current options available to you:
-
Option 1: Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the Live Departure Boards or speak to a member of our station team.
-
Option 2: We are looking at other rail companies or local public transport providers which may be able to help you make your journey.
-
Option 3: Replacement transport provided by us such as a buses, coaches or taxis, have not been requested at this time. We will continue to monitor the need for this as the situation develops and provide updates here.
-
Option 4: Travel at a later time. You might want to consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
-
Let us help you:
-
Don't worry if you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
-
If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to our staff at the station or on the train.
Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 07:00 and 19:00.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 06:00 and 23:00.
Call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
-
Last Updated:10/07/2025 09:23
Due to a points failure at Worcester Shrub Hill some lines are blocked.
Train services running through this station will be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 12:00 10/07.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
A set of points has failed outside of Worcester Shrub Hill
-
A points failure is a fault with the movable pieces of track that enable trains to change tracks.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
Engineers have arrived on site and are assessing the situation.
-
What are my options?
-
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Below are the current options available to you:
-
Option 1: Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the Live Departure Boards or speak to a member of our station team.
-
Option 2: We are looking at other rail companies or local public transport providers which may be able to help you make your journey.
-
Option 3: Replacement transport provided by us such as a buses, coaches or taxis, have not been requested at this time. We will continue to monitor the need for this as the situation develops and provide updates here.
-
Option 4: Travel at a later time. You might want to consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
-
Let us help you:
-
Don't worry if you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
-
If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to our staff at the station or on the train.
Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 07:00 and 19:00.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 06:00 and 23:00.
Call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
-
Last Updated:10/07/2025 09:23
Re: 9.08 Bristol to Weymouth 29/06 Fresh Air Express In "Heart of Wessex" [363057/30417/19] Posted by Mark A at 09:33, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The service was pretty reliable when the service was operated by 37s and Mk2 coaching stock in the days of Regional Railways and later by Wales and West who ended the loco hauled era trumpeting that more modern DMU rolling stock would improve the service.
I was at Bath Spa on the first summer Saturday of the new timetable when the replacement for the morning Weymouth loco hauled service, a 2 car 158 with a 153 attached rocked up almost full from Bristol.
It left absolutely wedged with passengers down the line standing no chance of boarding. This was at the time when Wales and West had reduced the Summer Saturday morning Bristol to Weymouth trains to just one train leaving Bristol around 9am. Next train not until around 12pm.
This was fine when you had a full rake of loco hauled Mk2s operating the solo morning service but not a when it was a 2 car 158 with a dog box attached! Some improvement not!
Many fond memories of day trips to Weymouth from Bath when it was loco hauled. Comfortable Mk2s with plenty of seats for everyone. Sadly the appeal of going to Weymouth on a 165/166 just doesn’t do it for me.
I was at Bath Spa on the first summer Saturday of the new timetable when the replacement for the morning Weymouth loco hauled service, a 2 car 158 with a 153 attached rocked up almost full from Bristol.
It left absolutely wedged with passengers down the line standing no chance of boarding. This was at the time when Wales and West had reduced the Summer Saturday morning Bristol to Weymouth trains to just one train leaving Bristol around 9am. Next train not until around 12pm.
This was fine when you had a full rake of loco hauled Mk2s operating the solo morning service but not a when it was a 2 car 158 with a dog box attached! Some improvement not!
Many fond memories of day trips to Weymouth from Bath when it was loco hauled. Comfortable Mk2s with plenty of seats for everyone. Sadly the appeal of going to Weymouth on a 165/166 just doesn’t do it for me.
I recall that it was necessary to kill the weekend demand using... techniques. Slowing the through journey times, breaking the through train at Westbury with a ~20 minute connection there, and of course for much of the spring and early summer... when is it that the timetable switches to 'Summer' services?
Mark
Re: Air India flight to London Gatwick crashed in Ahmedabad - 12 June 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363056/30350/52] Posted by Clan Line at 09:02, 10th July 2025 Already liked by TonyK | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I believe that it is a requirement that the investigating authority issues an initial report within 30 days of the accident. Of course, the content of that report will only be what they are able/willing to release - but often, what they don't say tells you far more than what they do say.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363055/29726/18] Posted by matth1j at 08:16, 10th July 2025 Already liked by TaplowGreen | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
BTW apologies to TaplowGreen for missing the post before mine about the cancellation; only just seen it. In my defense I was on my phone

Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363054/29726/18] Posted by matth1j at 08:10, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
For what it's worth, the bus was surprisingly prompt - managed to catch the 7:33 Cardiff train at Bath instead of the expected 7:47 Weston (would have been on the 7:10 Bristol service without the cancellation). So only 20 mins later than planned into the office.
Good job I hadn't waited for the 7:21 at Melksham.
Re: 9.08 Bristol to Weymouth 29/06 Fresh Air Express In "Heart of Wessex" [363053/30417/19] Posted by grahame at 07:54, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Do you happen to have the cancellation data from those years?
Mark
Mark
A good question ... very little history for the Weymouth Wizard, but memories of Saturday runs to Weymouth were not of services being disrupted due to cancellations or short runs on the day, so it wasn't the major concern it is now.
We did have very serious cancellation issues indeed on the TransWilts at the time that the new FGW / GWR regime took over on 1.4.2006 and slashed services that December. I remember one manager (no longer with the company) assuring me that they were running the right number of carriages - but at times combining them into one train a day rather than two shorter ones.
Memories of Weymouth trips a decade ago are of controlled marketing to ensure we didn't overcrowd, and of 5 and 6 car dmu-s with a mixture of 15x stock ... splitting on the return at Westbury. With Melksham being a single carriage platform in those days, our volunteer team helping to get people out for the day at Weymouth into the correct part of the train on the return trip. Front carriage for Chetnole, Thornford and for Avoncliff, front 3 carriages for Bradford-on-Avon and beyond, 4th carriage for Melksham, rear 3 carriages for Chippenham and Swindon. Any carriage for other stations to Trowbridge.
Then there was the day that for operational reasons the front and rear portions were switched around as the train was underway, and we had to shift everyone travelling beyond Trowbridge from front to rear and rear to front.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363052/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 07:39, 10th July 2025 Already liked by matth1j | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
This morning's Gloucester-Southampton (Melksham 6:32) service was cancelled after reaching Swindon due to a fault on the train. Hopefully delay/repay will cover the cost of the 271 bus I'm currently waiting for...
and
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Ashchurch For Tewkesbury, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Ashchurch For Tewkesbury, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Yeah, right ... the southbound train failed at Swindon, stranding a crew there ... so at Melksham, that's 06:32 cancelled, 07:21 cancelled ... first train (we hope) 08:02. It's not a Saturday, it's not a Sunday, and the train to form the 07:21 was in working order ...
Re: Air India flight to London Gatwick crashed in Ahmedabad - 12 June 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363051/30350/52] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:07, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pleased to see that speculation is still being avoided!
Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [363050/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 07:01, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
An unusual one this morning:
05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:24 is being delayed at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of station staff.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.
Last Updated:10/07/2025 06:45
This is due to a shortage of station staff.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.
Last Updated:10/07/2025 06:45
It's due to depart Foregate St at 06:06. But, as of 07:00, it's still there.
Meanwhile, it's blocking other movements:
07:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 09:42 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of station staff.
Last Updated:10/07/2025 06:50
This is due to a shortage of station staff.
Last Updated:10/07/2025 06:50
The Hereford train has departed Foregate St +58.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363049/29726/18] Posted by matth1j at 06:47, 10th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
This morning's Gloucester-Southampton (Melksham 6:32) service was cancelled after reaching Swindon due to a fault on the train. Hopefully delay/repay will cover the cost of the 271 bus I'm currently waiting for...
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363048/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 06:44, 10th July 2025 Already liked by matth1j | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 was terminated at Swindon.
It will no longer call at Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh, Warminster, Salisbury, Romsey and Southampton Central.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [363047/231/28] Posted by chuffed at 02:40, 10th July 2025 Already liked by TonyK | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
News,Just In.....The present Metro mayor is Helen Godwin elected 2 months ago replacing Dan Norris who is dealing with rather more than a little local difficulty.
Re: 9.08 Bristol to Weymouth 29/06 Fresh Air Express In "Heart of Wessex" [363046/30417/19] Posted by Timmer at 22:42, 9th July 2025 Already liked by broadgage, Witham Bobby | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The service was pretty reliable when the service was operated by 37s and Mk2 coaching stock in the days of Regional Railways and later by Wales and West who ended the loco hauled era trumpeting that more modern DMU rolling stock would improve the service.
I was at Bath Spa on the first summer Saturday of the new timetable when the replacement for the morning Weymouth loco hauled service, a 2 car 158 with a 153 attached rocked up almost full from Bristol.
It left absolutely wedged with passengers down the line standing no chance of boarding. This was at the time when Wales and West had reduced the Summer Saturday morning Bristol to Weymouth trains to just one train leaving Bristol around 9am. Next train not until around 12pm.
This was fine when you had a full rake of loco hauled Mk2s operating the solo morning service but not a when it was a 2 car 158 with a dog box attached! Some improvement not!
Many fond memories of day trips to Weymouth from Bath when it was loco hauled. Comfortable Mk2s with plenty of seats for everyone. Sadly the appeal of going to Weymouth on a 165/166 just doesn’t do it for me.
Re: Air India flight to London Gatwick crashed in Ahmedabad - 12 June 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363045/30350/52] Posted by JayMac at 22:36, 9th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A Mayday was issued by the pilots. The above doesn’t really gel with that?
Depends on the timing of that mayday transmission. Aviate, navigate, communicate. It may have been the last action they took knowing they couldn't recover from their predicament.
Re: 9.08 Bristol to Weymouth 29/06 Fresh Air Express In "Heart of Wessex" [363044/30417/19] Posted by Mark A at 22:19, 9th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Do you happen to have the cancellation data from those years?
Mark
Re: Air India flight to London Gatwick crashed in Ahmedabad - 12 June 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363043/30350/52] Posted by ChrisB at 21:38, 9th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A Mayday was issued by the pilots. The above doesn’t really gel with that?