Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [372663/593/9] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:04, 21st February 2026 |      |
Journalists clearly not using the Oxford English Dictionary.
| Re: Model Britain are proud to announce the establishment of their advisory board In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [372662/31657/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:54, 21st February 2026 | |
I was wondering where it might be ...
I noted their logo has a certain similarity to a certain local station.
I noted their logo has a certain similarity to a certain local station.
Hmm.
I think I know where it might be, but I'm not confident enough to name it: if it is where I think it is, I wouldn't exactly describe it as 'a certain local station' - which is causing my doubts.
And before I get the proverbial mickey-taking here - no, I don't think it's Taunton, or Melksham. Nor Nailsea & Backwell, or Kemble.
CfN.
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [372661/593/9] Posted by ChrisB at 18:40, 21st February 2026 | |
Always "a commuter".....
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [372660/593/9] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:28, 21st February 2026 | |
From the Oxford Mail:
Oxford train station platform cordoned off amid bad smell
Part of Oxford railway station has been cordoned off due to overflowing sewage causing a stink for commuters.
There is a "whiff" in the air at city centre's train station, according to one commuter, with what appears to be toilet paper spilling out from the pipes.
Images sent in show shredded up wet paper coming from a cover on the platform with liquid surrounding it on the ground.
A commuter told us: "There’s a little whiff, not much. Pretty grim sight when you’re trying to have a tasty Taylors sandwich for lunch though."
The area has been cordoned off with yellow and black tape by workers at the station ahead of it being fixed.
Thames Water, Network Rail and Great Western Railway have all been approached for further information.
Part of Oxford railway station has been cordoned off due to overflowing sewage causing a stink for commuters.
There is a "whiff" in the air at city centre's train station, according to one commuter, with what appears to be toilet paper spilling out from the pipes.
Images sent in show shredded up wet paper coming from a cover on the platform with liquid surrounding it on the ground.
A commuter told us: "There’s a little whiff, not much. Pretty grim sight when you’re trying to have a tasty Taylors sandwich for lunch though."
The area has been cordoned off with yellow and black tape by workers at the station ahead of it being fixed.
Thames Water, Network Rail and Great Western Railway have all been approached for further information.
Charming!
| Re: Model Britain are proud to announce the establishment of their advisory board In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [372659/31657/47] Posted by grahame at 17:37, 21st February 2026 | |
I was wondering where it might be ...
The project team is currently assessing a number of strategically significant UK locations with strong infrastructure and national connectivity. Model Britain is also actively engaging with strategic partners across the technology, heritage, travel, and education sectors who share a vision for celebrating British innovation at scale. A formal opening timeline will be confirmed following site acquisition and planning approval.
Size: 100,000 sq ft immersive miniature world
Visitors Forecast: 700,000+ annually
Investment: £50 million
Location: Central England
Economic Impact: Hundreds of jobs created during and after construction
Size: 100,000 sq ft immersive miniature world
Visitors Forecast: 700,000+ annually
Investment: £50 million
Location: Central England
Economic Impact: Hundreds of jobs created during and after construction
I noted their logo has a certain similarity to a certain local station.
| Re: Steam Museum, Swindon In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [372658/11569/47] Posted by ChrisB at 17:33, 21st February 2026 | |
The next GWR Stakeholdeer conference will be oversubscribed by those wanting to give it a go....
| Re: Model Britain are proud to announce the establishment of their advisory board In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [372657/31657/47] Posted by ChrisB at 17:29, 21st February 2026 | |
Having read further, it appears to be what it says on the tin - Britain in miniature models, with only a smattering of transport.
| Model Britain are proud to announce the establishment of their advisory board In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [372656/31657/47] Posted by grahame at 17:18, 21st February 2026 | |
Model Britain announces the Establishment of Its New Advisory Board - 20 February 2026
Model Britain has formally transitioned from concept to structured delivery with the convening of its inaugural Advisory Board. This milestone establishes the governance framework for a project set to become one of the UK’s most ambitious cultural and educational attractions.
Model Britain has formally transitioned from concept to structured delivery with the convening of its inaugural Advisory Board. This milestone establishes the governance framework for a project set to become one of the UK’s most ambitious cultural and educational attractions.
Having read further, I think this is to do with models of architecture and a picture on Facebook shows kids glancing though a hole in a model roof down onto an underground station. So I think it belongs in "railway attractions" and not "pretty people showing how good clothes look".
Model Britain’s vision is to Explore, Imagine, Inspire. The project will be a large-scale, permanent indoor miniature attraction celebrating British history, innovation, and landscapes. Developed at substantial national scale, it is designed to operate at significant visitor capacity and to offer an immersive experience that blends excitement with deep educational value for children and adults alike.
The attraction will include a structured education programme aligned to national curriculum themes, supporting history, geography, design and technology, and STEM learning for school groups nationwide. The project enters development at a time of renewed national focus on the UK’s experience economy and regional tourism growth, positioning Model Britain to contribute meaningfully to both cultural and economic priorities.
The attraction will include a structured education programme aligned to national curriculum themes, supporting history, geography, design and technology, and STEM learning for school groups nationwide. The project enters development at a time of renewed national focus on the UK’s experience economy and regional tourism growth, positioning Model Britain to contribute meaningfully to both cultural and economic priorities.
| MOVED: Signal failure at Staines 21/2/26 In "South Western services" [372655/31656/42] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:01, 21st February 2026 | |
This topic has been moved to Across the West.
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31653.0
| Re: Signal failure at Staines causing problems for Twickenham rugby fans - 21 Feb 2026 In "Across the West" [372654/31653/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:00, 21st February 2026 | |
I have moved this topic here, and expanded the heading, as the discussion became wider than just 'South Western services'.
| Re: Helpline for people affected by TfL injuries into 10th year In "Transport for London" [372653/31655/46] Posted by grahame at 17:00, 21st February 2026 | |
And the number is.......? 
How to contact us. You can call The Sarah Hope Line on 0343 222 5678, Monday-Friday 08:00-18:00 (call charges may apply). A voicemail service operates outside of these times. You can also reach us by email at SHL @ tfl.gov.uk
| Re: Delay Repay - GWR, Crosscounty or Trainline? In "Smoke and Mirrors" [372652/31646/3] Posted by grahame at 16:49, 21st February 2026 | |
Surely if you'd purchased an advance single for (for example) London to Penzance from the GWR website and the train was cancelled, there's no reason for GWR not to automatically pay delay/repay as there is no way you could have got to your destination without incurring at least an hour's delay?
A little more complex - if the 14:03 or 17:03 are cancelled, you may be delayed less than an hour - but will still be due some delay/repay. Could be automatic even with that proviso.
| Re: Helpline for people affected by TfL injuries into 10th year In "Transport for London" [372651/31655/46] Posted by ChrisB at 16:47, 21st February 2026 | |
And the number is.......?
| Helpline for people affected by TfL injuries into 10th year In "Transport for London" [372650/31655/46] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:45, 21st February 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Sarah Hope helpline for TfL injured into 10th year
Sarah Hope set up the service to support people 'on the hardest days of their lives'
A helpline for people injured in or affected by incidents on Transport for London (TfL) services has marked its 10th anniversary.
Sarah Hope set up the support service following a bus crash in 2007 in Richmond, south-west London, which killed her mother Elizabeth Panton, 65, and injured her and her daughter Pollyanna.
More than 600 individuals and families have used the Sarah Hope line over the past decade, according to TfL.
"I just wanted there to be kindness, because for us in the system, there was no kindness," Hope said.
Hope has said previously that the first time she received an apology over the crash that killed her mother was in 2014, seven years on. She said: "The Sarah Hope Line has stood beside people on the hardest days of their lives...every call reminds us that behind every incident is a real person and a family who deserve to be heard."
Nevgul Bicakci, a Sarah Hope Line user whose daughter was killed in a bus crash in 2024, said: "I think for victims it's a huge thing because basically you are a number…but you just want to be heard. You want to feel like someone is there to [say]…don't worry, your daughter is not a number for us and we understand what you are going through. And I felt it with Sarah Hope Line."
The Sarah Hope Line involves a team of nine providing tailored emotional and practical support, such as financial help or trauma counselling.
To mark the anniversary, TfL, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Sarah Hope attended a commemorative event on 16 February. Khan said: "The Sarah Hope Line has provided vital support to Londoners affected by serious incidents on our transport network over the past decade, and I want to thank Sarah for her strong campaigning which made this service a reality."
Sarah Hope set up the service to support people 'on the hardest days of their lives'
A helpline for people injured in or affected by incidents on Transport for London (TfL) services has marked its 10th anniversary.
Sarah Hope set up the support service following a bus crash in 2007 in Richmond, south-west London, which killed her mother Elizabeth Panton, 65, and injured her and her daughter Pollyanna.
More than 600 individuals and families have used the Sarah Hope line over the past decade, according to TfL.
"I just wanted there to be kindness, because for us in the system, there was no kindness," Hope said.
Hope has said previously that the first time she received an apology over the crash that killed her mother was in 2014, seven years on. She said: "The Sarah Hope Line has stood beside people on the hardest days of their lives...every call reminds us that behind every incident is a real person and a family who deserve to be heard."
Nevgul Bicakci, a Sarah Hope Line user whose daughter was killed in a bus crash in 2024, said: "I think for victims it's a huge thing because basically you are a number…but you just want to be heard. You want to feel like someone is there to [say]…don't worry, your daughter is not a number for us and we understand what you are going through. And I felt it with Sarah Hope Line."
The Sarah Hope Line involves a team of nine providing tailored emotional and practical support, such as financial help or trauma counselling.
To mark the anniversary, TfL, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Sarah Hope attended a commemorative event on 16 February. Khan said: "The Sarah Hope Line has provided vital support to Londoners affected by serious incidents on our transport network over the past decade, and I want to thank Sarah for her strong campaigning which made this service a reality."
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [372649/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 16:38, 21st February 2026 | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Edit to add ...
Additional Information
Customers are advised to travel to Chippenham on the 17:46 service to Bristol Temple Meads, and change at Chippenham for road transport.
Customers are advised to travel to Chippenham on the 17:46 service to Bristol Temple Meads, and change at Chippenham for road transport.
| Re: Delay Repay - GWR, Crosscounty or Trainline? In "Smoke and Mirrors" [372648/31646/3] Posted by ChrisB at 16:35, 21st February 2026 | |
In the case of advances, indeed - but all tickets would need to be for a fixed service in order to auto-payout. I'm unsure that this is where we want to go is it?
| Re: Signal failure at Staines causing problems for Twickenham rugby fans - 21 Feb 2026 In "Across the West" [372647/31653/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:21, 21st February 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Bearing in mind the way things are going at Twickenham (7-22 at half time, and still going downhill), they may be asking themselves whether it was worth getting there. 
Chris from England.
Chris from England.
Well, that all went horribly wrong: England 21-42 Ireland.
I was at England v Wales and was offered a ticket during the week for this one - politely declining was the best decision I made all week.
| Re: Signal failure at Staines causing problems for Twickenham rugby fans - 21 Feb 2026 In "Across the West" [372646/31653/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:12, 21st February 2026 | |
Bearing in mind the way things are going at Twickenham (7-22 at half time, and still going downhill), they may be asking themselves whether it was worth getting there.
Chris from England.
Chris from England.
Well, that all went horribly wrong: England 21-42 Ireland.
| Re: OTD 21st February (1967) - Shunting with horses In "Railway History and related topics" [372645/26061/55] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:49, 21st February 2026 | |
Was there a reason for not going with this (as Wikipedia has it):
"The world's first locomotive-hauled railway journey took place on 21 February 1804, when Trevithick's unnamed steam locomotive hauled a train along the tramway of the Penydarren Ironworks, in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales."
Too obvious?
"The world's first locomotive-hauled railway journey took place on 21 February 1804, when Trevithick's unnamed steam locomotive hauled a train along the tramway of the Penydarren Ironworks, in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales."
Too obvious?
No reason ... other than that I started putting the OTD data set together with the slightly unusual, then searched on the dates that were missing to see what I could dig out in the more conventional. Guess Charlie came out tops!
I will add Trevithick to my data set ...
As a lifelong fan of Richard Trevithick (a remarkably talented engineer), may I post here in support of his achievement, 'On this Day' in 1804?
CfN.
| Re: Delay Repay - GWR, Crosscounty or Trainline? In "Smoke and Mirrors" [372644/31646/3] Posted by TaplowGreen at 15:43, 21st February 2026 | |
Will one of the benefits of GBR be that all applications for compensation when things have gone pear shaped will be to a single place and this complexity will be no longer?
I understand that that is the idea eventually, yes - in that payment will be automatic eventually, eventually - which says to me that you'll book yourself onto a train before boarding so they know the train(s) you have caught. That's the only way I can see in order to be auto-payout.
Surely if you'd purchased an advance single for (for example) London to Penzance from the GWR website and the train was cancelled, there's no reason for GWR not to automatically pay delay/repay as there is no way you could have got to your destination without incurring at least an hour's delay?
| Re: Signal failure at Staines causing problems for Twickenham rugby fans - 21 Feb 2026 In "Across the West" [372643/31653/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 15:36, 21st February 2026 | |
Lines have now re-opened but passengers from Reading for the Six Nations were being advised to go to London Paddington, cross to London Waterloo and get to Twickenham that way.
Not a particularly viable or practical option if you were waiting at one of the stations from Datchet onwards.
I do know of some minicab drivers attempting to charge usurious fares (£200 from Windsor to Twickenham), at least one of whom ended up with nothing when his passengers got out and walked off, and deservedly so.
| Re: Signal failure at Staines causing problems for Twickenham rugby fans - 21 Feb 2026 In "Across the West" [372642/31653/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:33, 21st February 2026 | |
Bearing in mind the way things are going at Twickenham (7-22 at half time, and still going downhill), they may be asking themselves whether it was worth getting there.
Chris from England.
| Re: AI videos simulating railway accidents In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [372641/31188/49] Posted by broadgage at 15:22, 21st February 2026 | |
Not confined to railways, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g8r23yv71o
Very silly, IMHO. No way would a public water feature be allowed to get in the state shown, if funds not available to keep it reasonably clean, it would be closed, or drained, or both.
And no way would knives be offered as prizes from amusement machines.
| Re: Delay Repay - GWR, Crosscounty or Trainline? In "Smoke and Mirrors" [372640/31646/3] Posted by ChrisB at 14:14, 21st February 2026 | |
Will one of the benefits of GBR be that all applications for compensation when things have gone pear shaped will be to a single place and this complexity will be no longer?
I understand that that is the idea eventually, yes - in that payment will be automatic eventually, eventually - which says to me that you'll book yourself onto a train before boarding so they know the train(s) you have caught. That's the only way I can see in order to be auto-payout.
| Five and the Dragon Quest - the latest chapter in our Famous Five Adventures In "Who's who on Western railways" [372639/31654/2] Posted by ChrisB at 14:00, 21st February 2026 | |
From Amanda Burns GWR
In our most ambitious instalment yet, today we’re launching Five and the Dragon Quest - the latest chapter in our Famous Five: Adventures Start Here campaign at Great Western Railway (GWR). The story draws on the myths and legends that have shaped the South West and Wales for generations, reimagined for a modern audience and rooted firmly in the places our railway connects every day.
The 60-second hero film, directed by Oscar and BAFTA-winning animator Peter Baynton, debuts on ITV this evening, and sits at the centre of a fully integrated approach across cinema, TV, VOD, radio, out-of-home and social. Each channel has a clear role – building awareness and distinctiveness while driving leisure demand across our network.
Nine years on, this creative platform continues to demonstrate that long-term creative investment delivers significant commercial return. It was recently recognised by the Advertising Planning Group (APG) for Long Term Thinking and shortlisted in the Sustained Success category at the Effie UK Awards.
This only happens because of the people behind it – colleagues across Great Western Railway, particularly Helen da Costa Chloë Ravat Amy Davies Dan Panes and our partners at adam&eveDDB, Mindshare UK and VCCP Roar.
From Thomas Lydon GWR
The 60-second hero film, directed by Oscar and BAFTA-winning animator Peter Baynton, debuts on ITV this evening, and sits at the centre of a fully integrated approach across cinema, TV, VOD, radio, out-of-home and social. Each channel has a clear role – building awareness and distinctiveness while driving leisure demand across our network.
Nine years on, this creative platform continues to demonstrate that long-term creative investment delivers significant commercial return. It was recently recognised by the Advertising Planning Group (APG) for Long Term Thinking and shortlisted in the Sustained Success category at the Effie UK Awards.
This only happens because of the people behind it – colleagues across Great Western Railway, particularly Helen da Costa Chloë Ravat Amy Davies Dan Panes and our partners at adam&eveDDB, Mindshare UK and VCCP Roar.
From Thomas Lydon GWR
Today, we have launched our new Famous Five advertising campaign, which debuts on ITV's Britain's Got Talent tonight.
The new chapter of our award-winning Famous Five series draws inspiration from GWR’s 1920s publicity campaigns, when the company first used myths and legends to promote travel to an emerging tourism market.
By utilising this storied archive, we are aiming to reconnect modern leisure travellers with the myths, legends and landscapes that have long defined the region - reframing rail not simply as transport, but as the beginning of adventure.
‘Five and the Dragon Quest’ film – which will be shown on television, cinema and video-on-demand – aims to boost leisure travel on the GWR network, which covers the south-west of England and Wales, including destinations like Cardiff, Penzance, Bath and Oxford. The campaign aims to increase revenue levels and as a result reduce the level of taxpayer subsidy received.
You can view the new 60-second film in Amanda Burns link above
The new chapter of our award-winning Famous Five series draws inspiration from GWR’s 1920s publicity campaigns, when the company first used myths and legends to promote travel to an emerging tourism market.
By utilising this storied archive, we are aiming to reconnect modern leisure travellers with the myths, legends and landscapes that have long defined the region - reframing rail not simply as transport, but as the beginning of adventure.
‘Five and the Dragon Quest’ film – which will be shown on television, cinema and video-on-demand – aims to boost leisure travel on the GWR network, which covers the south-west of England and Wales, including destinations like Cardiff, Penzance, Bath and Oxford. The campaign aims to increase revenue levels and as a result reduce the level of taxpayer subsidy received.
You can view the new 60-second film in Amanda Burns link above
| Re: Signal failure at Staines causing problems for Twickenham rugby fans - 21 Feb 2026 In "Across the West" [372638/31653/26] Posted by bobm at 13:27, 21st February 2026 | |
Lines have now re-opened but passengers from Reading for the Six Nations were being advised to go to London Paddington, cross to London Waterloo and get to Twickenham that way.
| Signal failure at Staines causing problems for Twickenham rugby fans - 21 Feb 2026 In "Across the West" [372637/31653/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 12:49, 21st February 2026 | |
Absolute chaos today thanks to this with thousands trying to get to Twickenham for England v Ireland.
| Re: GWR web app update: be aware In "Across the West" [372636/31648/26] Posted by grahame at 11:56, 21st February 2026 | |
Google suggests when I ask for "gwr app changes"
Key GWR App Changes (Feb 2026):
Log-in Required: A full password reset is necessary.
Ticket Loss Warning: Existing bookings made before the change may not appear in the new app; users are advised to have their booking references ready.
Reduced Booking Capability: Only one journey (single or return) can be booked per transaction initially.
PAYG Updates: Pay-as-you-go customers must confirm bank card details to continue usage.
Functionality: While some features are reduced, the app still supports mobile e-tickets and live, seat-location guidance.
It is recommended to check the app and web updates closely, as some functionality may be limited during the transition
Log-in Required: A full password reset is necessary.
Ticket Loss Warning: Existing bookings made before the change may not appear in the new app; users are advised to have their booking references ready.
Reduced Booking Capability: Only one journey (single or return) can be booked per transaction initially.
PAYG Updates: Pay-as-you-go customers must confirm bank card details to continue usage.
Functionality: While some features are reduced, the app still supports mobile e-tickets and live, seat-location guidance.
It is recommended to check the app and web updates closely, as some functionality may be limited during the transition
| Re: Minimum fare for buy-on-train is Scotland In "Fare's Fair" [372635/31652/4] Posted by grahame at 11:45, 21st February 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
From the Daily Record
One hopes that there will be exceptions for people joining at Achnashellach, Beasdale, Culrain, ... or ticket machine that will accept cash and cards installed at those stations.
ScotRail to crack down on fare dodgers by introducing £10 minimum fare
"The introduction of a minimum fare will target the small number of customers who don’t buy a ticket before they travel."
"The introduction of a minimum fare will target the small number of customers who don’t buy a ticket before they travel."
One hopes that there will be exceptions for people joining at Achnashellach, Beasdale, Culrain, ... or ticket machine that will accept cash and cards installed at those stations.
Thanks for posting the BBC article, CfN, which does confirm exemptions. So (looking back) does the Daily Record article which, however, I had lost as I read it in their feast of adverts.
