Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Hunting Dogs on the line In "London to South Wales" [369900/22791/11] Posted by broadgage at 15:04, 21st December 2025 |      |
Drag hunting, whereby hounds chase a scent trail laid for the purpose, is to be banned. I support the ban for two reasons, firstly because live foxes are "accidently" killed, and because hounds are killed by trains and road vehicles.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g9y20j259o
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [369899/18719/26] Posted by IndustryInsider at 14:56, 21st December 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
With Sunday ‘in the working week’ proposals still sitting with the DfT, a similar to last year enhancement has been given to staff for today and next Sunday.
A near normal service operating as a result today, and it was agreed in time to avoid any negative headlines which is an improvement on last year.
| Re: Christmas and New Year holidays 2025/26 on the Coffee Shop In "News, Help and Assistance" [369898/31311/29] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:30, 21st December 2025 Already liked by PrestburyRoad, grahame, Timmer | |
My thoughts are ... that I'm very happy with the way things are continuing to evolve, here on the Coffee Shop forum.
Thank you, grahame.
| Christmas and New Year holidays 2025/26 on the Coffee Shop In "News, Help and Assistance" [369897/31311/29] Posted by grahame at 14:13, 21st December 2025 | |
The Coffee Shop forum will continue to operate throughout the Christmas and New Year period. I'm having some thought a to tweaking / tuning / taking forward the Coffee Shop - which were shared with the moderator team a few days ago - to be undertaken during this quieter period.
Nothing to be done as mind-blowing as the changes last year, mind for which we had a brief daytime down time. Littler things - but potentially a myriad of them. Some of the items on my list
* Add in the 2024/25 station usage stats and prepare for the ticket flow data that I would expect to be avail mid-January
*
* Improve the phone interface read only pages and how they interface to the commenting / logged in pages of the Coffee Shop. Remove the need for cookies to be approved every 24 hours, and I need to take some internal steps to stop acceptance tables running away.
On something of a tangent, you may notice the number of views per topic is not increasing as much/quickly as it used to. However, threads can now be read via the receptionist server and the numbers logged do not reflect that, as the receptionist has read-only access to the public post and thread databases and they are not counted. I would not like to guess as to whether the net visits are more of less; I do know that our receptionist served 18,700 thread pages on Friday and 16,700 yesterday without reference to worker server.
On Friday, some 336,000 requests were made to our receptionist, of which 136,000 were passed through to the worker and resulted in successful responses, with a further 36,000 being thinned out as being request by search engine which we don't want to be indexed.
Thoughts welcome.
| Re: Settle Carlisle Railway - developments, events and incidents: ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369896/31310/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:29, 21st December 2025 Already liked by rogerw, Timmer | |
From the BBC:
Settle to Carlisle railway prepares to welcome new passengers
The Carlisle to Settle line will celebrate 150 years of carrying passengers in 2026
A picturesque and historical railway line is preparing to welcome new passengers as inter-city trains are rerouted along it during engineering work.
Welcome banners are being installed at all stations along the 116km (72m) route of the Carlisle to Settle line between Cumbria and North Yorkshire.
In January, West Coast Main Line trains will be diverted on to the former Midland Railway line as work to replace the Clifton railway bridge over the M6 takes place.
The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company said it will be the first time for many passengers travelling the scenic line, which celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026. Peter Myers, the organisation's chairman, said: "This is an opportunity to promote the Settle Carlisle Railway, which celebrates 150 years of passenger services and provides a gateway to the North Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria's Eden Valley and the Lake District."
The line was named among the top 10 more scenic routes in Europe by travel publishers Lonely Planet.
Welcome banners are being placed along the 72-mile stretch of the Settle to Carlisle line
Network Rail is carrying out work on the West Coast Main Line between Carlisle and London between 24 December and 15 January, as part of a £400m scheme over the next four years. Work includes signalling upgrades north of Carlisle and at Preston station and work on the Hanslope Junction near Milton Keynes.
The Carlisle to Settle line will celebrate 150 years of carrying passengers in 2026
A picturesque and historical railway line is preparing to welcome new passengers as inter-city trains are rerouted along it during engineering work.
Welcome banners are being installed at all stations along the 116km (72m) route of the Carlisle to Settle line between Cumbria and North Yorkshire.
In January, West Coast Main Line trains will be diverted on to the former Midland Railway line as work to replace the Clifton railway bridge over the M6 takes place.
The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company said it will be the first time for many passengers travelling the scenic line, which celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026. Peter Myers, the organisation's chairman, said: "This is an opportunity to promote the Settle Carlisle Railway, which celebrates 150 years of passenger services and provides a gateway to the North Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria's Eden Valley and the Lake District."
The line was named among the top 10 more scenic routes in Europe by travel publishers Lonely Planet.
Welcome banners are being placed along the 72-mile stretch of the Settle to Carlisle line
Network Rail is carrying out work on the West Coast Main Line between Carlisle and London between 24 December and 15 January, as part of a £400m scheme over the next four years. Work includes signalling upgrades north of Carlisle and at Preston station and work on the Hanslope Junction near Milton Keynes.
| Settle Carlisle Railway - developments, events and incidents: ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369895/31310/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:20, 21st December 2025 | |
This 'new topic' is something of a seedling.
It will be expanded as I trawl through the archives of the Coffee Shop forum and move / merge here many previous posts which relate specifically to this iconic line.
In the meantime, my following post may be regarded as 'the seed being planted'.
CfN.
| Re: Walking between stations - AQ20 In "The Lighter Side" [369894/31296/30] Posted by Mark A at 13:12, 21st December 2025 | |
Google's navigation routing does know about the Two Tunnels route (i.e. put in start and end points of 'Midford' and 'Oldfield Park Station). Even then the data it has for height seems to be a bit scatty. I *think* the summit of the old line in Lyncombe Vale is ~61 metres above sea level. Google plumps for 106 metres as the highest point and for good measure puts the summit at the south end of the tunnel.
Mark
| Re: Walking between stations - AQ20 In "The Lighter Side" [369893/31296/30] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 12:32, 21st December 2025 | |
I note that Google does not recommend the Two Tunnels route, nor the canal towpath, but rather takes you over the top
It's almost like they have a vested interest in promoting (self-driving) cars...
| Re: New Towns - suitable stations? - AQ21/2025 In "The Lighter Side" [369892/31305/30] Posted by grahame at 11:35, 21st December 2025 | |
B. Barnham
From the map, it has struck me that Barnham might make a good hub for significant housing expansion- or are there other factors that would mitigate against that such as flooding or SSSI status? Railwards, connectivity is excellent with services toward Brighton, Horsham and beyond, the Solent area and local services to Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [369891/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 11:34, 21st December 2025 | |
Sunday December 21
1W15 07:36 London Paddington to Great Malvern (10:15) : held Reading (+27), Wolvercote (+35), Evesham (+54), arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +55 and cancelled thereafter. Ascott - Evesham scheduled 30, actual 35.
10:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 13:24 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to earlier engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:21/12/2025 10:17
This is due to earlier engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:21/12/2025 10:17
09:50 London Paddington to Hereford due 12:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:21/12/2025 09:36
14:28 Hereford to London Paddington due 17:22 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:21/12/2025 09:36
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:21/12/2025 09:36
14:28 Hereford to London Paddington due 17:22 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:21/12/2025 09:36
| Re: New Towns - suitable stations? - AQ21/2025 In "The Lighter Side" [369890/31305/30] Posted by PrestburyRoad at 11:26, 21st December 2025 | |
The map suggests that this is NOT a station obviously ripe for significant extra residential housing. Do I have that right?
That's right - the area became fully developed in Victorian times. Like many of the more central parts of Birmingham it also continues to be redeveloped, both housing and industry. Whenever I visit Birmingham there seems to be another new building that I didn't recognise from before.
| Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway - Caernarfon In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [369889/31309/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:15, 21st December 2025 | |
Quoting selectively, from the BBC:
Landslips hit properties, rail line and close clifftop path
A "significant landslip" has affected beachfront properties and prompted safety warnings to coastal path walkers.
Council officials said there was a risk of more "earth falling as water continues to flow down the side" of the private land at Nefyn, Llyn Peninsula. "We are aware that a number of private properties have been affected, but fortunately they were unoccupied at the time," said Cyngor Gwynedd.
A separate landslip in Gwynedd also affected the Welsh Highland Railway's line about four miles (6.4km) from Caernarfon, but bosses say it won't affect planned Santa services.
...
A huge quantity of mud has blocked the rail line affecting Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
Operators of Welsh Highland Railway said Santa train services from Caernarfon would continue to operate over the weekend, although over a shortened route, following a landslip near Tryfan Junction.
It was spotted during an inspection on Friday with a huge quantity of mud thought to have been deposited on the line following persistent rain on Thursday.
Paul Lewin, boss at Ffestiniog Railway Company, said it happened at a location close to a river which had been strengthened in the past due to "land movements historically".
"But that has not prevented a torrent of slurry-like mud from being deposited on the line during the intense rain storm."
Engineers are due to complete an assessment and provide the operator with an update.
A "significant landslip" has affected beachfront properties and prompted safety warnings to coastal path walkers.
Council officials said there was a risk of more "earth falling as water continues to flow down the side" of the private land at Nefyn, Llyn Peninsula. "We are aware that a number of private properties have been affected, but fortunately they were unoccupied at the time," said Cyngor Gwynedd.
A separate landslip in Gwynedd also affected the Welsh Highland Railway's line about four miles (6.4km) from Caernarfon, but bosses say it won't affect planned Santa services.
...
A huge quantity of mud has blocked the rail line affecting Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
Operators of Welsh Highland Railway said Santa train services from Caernarfon would continue to operate over the weekend, although over a shortened route, following a landslip near Tryfan Junction.
It was spotted during an inspection on Friday with a huge quantity of mud thought to have been deposited on the line following persistent rain on Thursday.
Paul Lewin, boss at Ffestiniog Railway Company, said it happened at a location close to a river which had been strengthened in the past due to "land movements historically".
"But that has not prevented a torrent of slurry-like mud from being deposited on the line during the intense rain storm."
Engineers are due to complete an assessment and provide the operator with an update.
| Re: New Towns - suitable stations? - AQ21/2025 In "The Lighter Side" [369888/31305/30] Posted by RobT at 11:12, 21st December 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
B. Barnham
| Re: New Towns - suitable stations? - AQ21/2025 In "The Lighter Side" [369887/31305/30] Posted by grahame at 10:59, 21st December 2025 | |
J. Jewellery Quarter. I was hesitating to post this because I felt I had cheated by looking at a list of stations beginning with the letter J; on the other hand, Graham had kindly chosen to help us by his choice of labels for the maps.
I recommend a visit to the Jewellery Quarter's museums to get an appreciation of British craftsmanship and a realisation that there is still some manufacturing in this country.
I recommend a visit to the Jewellery Quarter's museums to get an appreciation of British craftsmanship and a realisation that there is still some manufacturing in this country.
I wondered who would spot the pattern in the naming. I know nothing of the Jewellery Quarter - often wondered about it purely based on the name and somewhere that sounds like it's worth taking a look.
The map suggests that this is NOT a station obviously ripe for significant extra residential housing. Do I have that right?
| Re: New Towns - suitable stations? - AQ21/2025 In "The Lighter Side" [369885/31305/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 10:49, 21st December 2025 | |
H: Habrough
| Re: New Towns - suitable stations? - AQ21/2025 In "The Lighter Side" [369884/31305/30] Posted by PrestburyRoad at 10:15, 21st December 2025 | |
J. Jewellery Quarter. I was hesitating to post this because I felt I had cheated by looking at a list of stations beginning with the letter J; on the other hand, Graham had kindly chosen to help us by his choice of labels for the maps.
I recommend a visit to the Jewellery Quarter's museums to get an appreciation of British craftsmanship and a realisation that there is still some manufacturing in this country.
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [369883/1219/28] Posted by grahame at 10:00, 21st December 2025 | |
I don't think we've had any recent or detailed discussion on the Coffee Shop forum, but from the BBC:
What do we know about Universal Studios' Bedfordshire plans?
A major traffic for East-West rail via the Marston Vale line - from the BBC
Universal Studios' UK theme park was given the green light this week, a decision creating buzz for families up and down the country who might one day want to go.
After months of discussions, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed gave planning permission for the park to be constructed in Kempston Hardwick, close to Bedford.
This isn't just another attraction - it's an attempt by the US entertainment giant to build one of the biggest theme parks in the world.
Universal mentioned in planning documents that a country like the UK should have at least two global theme parks, and this project was described as a "generational opportunity".
But can Universal pull off something of quite this scale, going up against the likes of Disneyland Paris? As BBC News heard from locals, it might be a tall order - and not everyone is happy.
After months of discussions, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed gave planning permission for the park to be constructed in Kempston Hardwick, close to Bedford.
This isn't just another attraction - it's an attempt by the US entertainment giant to build one of the biggest theme parks in the world.
Universal mentioned in planning documents that a country like the UK should have at least two global theme parks, and this project was described as a "generational opportunity".
But can Universal pull off something of quite this scale, going up against the likes of Disneyland Paris? As BBC News heard from locals, it might be a tall order - and not everyone is happy.
| Re: New Towns - suitable stations? - AQ21/2025 In "The Lighter Side" [369882/31305/30] Posted by stuving at 09:53, 21st December 2025 | |
E. Earlsfield.
| Re: 19th Advent Quiz - Old Pictures - where are they? In "The Lighter Side" [369881/31292/30] Posted by grahame at 09:39, 21st December 2025 Already liked by eightonedee, bradshaw | |
Yes, it IS Cromer [Beach] - formerly the Midland and Great Northern terminal for that seaside town, and it became the only station for that town when the Great Eastern station was closed and their service from Norwich diverted in. One of very, very few M&GN survivors. These days, it shares with Battersby and Bere Alston being a reversal point on a branch line, trains carrying on to a new Sheringham stationlet as in that town the service was cut back to allow level crossing closure at that time.
| Re: Pathfinder Tours to close In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [369880/30795/47] Posted by grahame at 09:33, 21st December 2025 | |
From The BBC
Trainspotters are out in full force today [20.12.2025] to capture the final journey of a historic service.
Pathfinder Railtours based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, has operated for more than 50 years. The company's final service - diesel train D1015 Western Champion - left Salisbury, Wiltshire, at 06:00 GMT as part of the Pathfinders Finale and is due to return by 23:00.
Peter Watts, one of the founders of Pathfinder Railtours, said the team hoped to "go out on a high".
He added: "We have created a void by not running anymore. But voids and vacuums get filled so I would imagine come the new year there will be someone else ready to step into our shoes."
Pathfinder Railtours based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, has operated for more than 50 years. The company's final service - diesel train D1015 Western Champion - left Salisbury, Wiltshire, at 06:00 GMT as part of the Pathfinders Finale and is due to return by 23:00.
Peter Watts, one of the founders of Pathfinder Railtours, said the team hoped to "go out on a high".
He added: "We have created a void by not running anymore. But voids and vacuums get filled so I would imagine come the new year there will be someone else ready to step into our shoes."
| Re: 19th Advent Quiz - Old Pictures - where are they? In "The Lighter Side" [369879/31292/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 09:31, 21st December 2025 | |
Certainly fits with a period map (courtesy NLS) and it is very different today.
| Re: New Towns - suitable stations? - AQ21/2025 In "The Lighter Side" [369878/31305/30] Posted by John D at 09:14, 21st December 2025 | |
A) The First one is Bounds Green, north London
| West Wiltshire Rail User Group AGM 2026, and spring meeting In "Diary - what's happening when?" [369877/31307/34] Posted by grahame at 09:00, 21st December 2025 | |
18th March 2026, Bethesda Church Hall, Trowbridge - close to the station. West Wiltshire Rail User Group AGM.
20th May 2026, same venue. Public meeting.
In 2026, there's going to be a lot going on and we will have topical transport speakers relating to our current and future railways in West Wiltshire.
Meeting start formally at 19:30, with us gathering to network and have a cup of tea or coffee from around 19:00. They finish at around 21:00 for "carriages" or trains home - timed for members (and speakers!) who travel by public transport.
Illustration - at the 2025 AGM
| Melksham Transport User Group - meetings for 2026 In "TransWilts line" [369876/31306/18] Posted by grahame at 08:40, 21st December 2025 | |
Public meetings - 12th Mar 2026 (AGM), 9th Jul, 8th Oct
Final venues and speakers to be announced; meetings planned to be early evening after commuter arrivals back into Melksham - typically 18:30 or 19:00 formal start, and will be somewhere in or near the Town Centre. All welcome..
The Committee meets every 2 months - dates on the front page at https://www.mtug.org.uk - and the group also has key events such as the Carnival, the River and Food Festival, and the Christmas lights in its diary
| Re: New Towns - suitable stations? - AQ21/2025 In "The Lighter Side" [369875/31305/30] Posted by bradshaw at 08:15, 21st December 2025 | |
F Falmouth
