Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Cirencester branch: Thames bridge question In "Railway History and related topics" [359258/29996/55] Posted by Mark A at 10:47, 10th March 2025 |      |
The A429 at Kemble, crossed beneath the Cirencester branch, and then within a mile, beneath the Thames and Severn's Smerril aqueduct, which itself lasted into the 1960s, many years after the canal was formally abandoned. I don't have the dates for the removal of either but the two events must have happened within a very few years of each other. Below is a link to a LIDAR view of that part of the world courtesy of the usual place. Removal of the rail bridge must have involved a fair few lorryloads of arisings, where it was taken is anyone's guess.
Mark
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15.8&lat=51.68459&lon=-2.01089&layers=206&b=LIDAR_DTM_1m&o=0
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [359257/231/28] Posted by johnneyw at 10:39, 10th March 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
There's a part of me that's tempted to write to the local news papers claiming to represent the "Portishead Rubber Mat Resistance Group" although, in reality, I don't actually think that would be particularly constructive.
| Re: Finland and Estonia ponder undersea railway tunnel In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [359256/16620/28] Posted by Noggin at 10:28, 10th March 2025 | |
I have limited faith in long underwater rail tunnels. Mainly due to the risks of fire.
I feel that more use could be made of bridges instead. These days it should be possible to build long bridges high enough that any likely ship can pass under it.
I feel that more use could be made of bridges instead. These days it should be possible to build long bridges high enough that any likely ship can pass under it.
Sadly, the biggest threat is probably Vladimir Putin. I guess he'd really like an excuse for revenge for the attack on the Kerch bridge.
He'll be long dead by the time it's opened.
Let's not forget that when the Channel Tunnel was under construction there was a real threat of the IRA blowing it up (and before that, there were nineteenth century fears that a Channel Tunnel would be used for invasion). Despite the incidents involving pipelines and cables in the Baltic, no-one seems to have had an "accident" in the vicinity of the Øresund Straight or the Kiel Canal.
There seems to be a growing appetite for connecting Finland and the Baltic States to the rest of Europe including a rail route across the Baltic Sea between Finland and Sweden https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/03/08/will-a-bridge-across-the-baltic-sea-to-sweden-give-finland-faster-connections-to-europe
Also, the Finns just completed electrification and upgrade of the cross-border line between Laurila in Lapland and Haparanda in Sweden. It seems like it's primarily for freight (which will still have to be transhipped at this point), but it apparently it's cost effective to haul freight by rail an extra 1700km rather than ship it across the Baltic.
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [359255/231/28] Posted by eightonedee at 10:17, 10th March 2025 | |
Did his parents, sensing his antipathy to railways at a very early age, decide to name him after a railway scrapyard? Is "Cash" a reference to Cashmore's, another prolific breaker of railway stock? Is his middle name "Beeching"?
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [359254/231/28] Posted by Red Squirrel at 08:47, 10th March 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
I’ve not been able to find evidence that this campaign has any members other than Barry Cash.
| Re: 25th May 2025 - SWR Franchise expires and services Nationalised In "South Western services" [359253/29993/42] Posted by old original at 08:38, 10th March 2025 | |
According to the attached, the current contract runs until25th June 2028..
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/first-greater-western-2022-rail-contract
| Re: Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359252/30004/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 08:09, 10th March 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
6: Inside the avalanche shelter on the Kyle line near to Strome Ferry.
| Re: Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359251/30004/30] Posted by grahame at 07:08, 10th March 2025 | |
3. is obviously new, but there a are several new stations it might be ...
How many guesses was that? 
Indeed - don't you just love all the options available.
1. Edinburgh, looking up at the castle - Chris from Nailsea
2. Duirinish - eightonedee
4. Dundee Esplanade - DR7835
7. Tay Bridge - PhilWakely
| Re: 21st March 2025 - TravelWatch SouthWest General meeting In "Diary - what's happening when?" [359250/30000/34] Posted by grahame at 07:00, 10th March 2025 | |
We are now just under 2 weeks away from TravelWatch SouthWest's Spring general meeting on Friday 21st March. You may have already registered for the in-person event in Taunton or the online option. If you have not already done so, and you are able to attend, please register for tickets at the Eventbrite link here to secure your place.
Agenda:
TravelWatch SouthWest - General Meeting 21st March 2025 Taunton
1030 Welcome
1045 Keynote: Better transport is part of placemaking
1100 Ensuring we Emphasise User experience as Transport Underpins Placemaking?
Network Rail, Strategy Planning Leader, Matt Haywood,
The Go-Ahead Group , Head of Built Environment and Infrastructure, Nick Small
Great Western Railway, Head of Regional Development, Dan Okey
1150 Integrated National Transport Strategy?
Bus Users UK, Director for England, Lydia Horbury
UWE, Graham Parkhurst
Transport Focus, Nina Howe
12:40 Lunch
1320 Just a Minute: Member Groups take the stage for 1 minute
1330 Workshop with Panel: Will the new voice “for” passengers be the new voice “of” passengers/journeys makers and communities?
1440 Summary from the Chair
1500 Close
1030 Welcome
1045 Keynote: Better transport is part of placemaking
1100 Ensuring we Emphasise User experience as Transport Underpins Placemaking?
Network Rail, Strategy Planning Leader, Matt Haywood,
The Go-Ahead Group , Head of Built Environment and Infrastructure, Nick Small
Great Western Railway, Head of Regional Development, Dan Okey
1150 Integrated National Transport Strategy?
Bus Users UK, Director for England, Lydia Horbury
UWE, Graham Parkhurst
Transport Focus, Nina Howe
12:40 Lunch
1320 Just a Minute: Member Groups take the stage for 1 minute
1330 Workshop with Panel: Will the new voice “for” passengers be the new voice “of” passengers/journeys makers and communities?
1440 Summary from the Chair
1500 Close
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [359249/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 06:39, 10th March 2025 | |
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2.
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [359248/231/28] Posted by infoman at 06:14, 10th March 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
Be nice to see some actual names to the PBC group,as opposed to spokespersons.
| Re: 25th May 2025 - SWR Franchise expires and services Nationalised In "South Western services" [359247/29993/42] Posted by LiskeardRich at 05:00, 10th March 2025 | |
Is the GWR date public yet? I was told it by a member of staff that they’d been informed, whilst I was working rail replacement but have completely forgotten the exact date. It was some time in the summer. He did say it could be rolled later if certain processes are followed.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [359246/29650/26] Posted by Ollie at 01:49, 10th March 2025 | |
I’m on the 19:04 EL train from TWY (I’m going to Hayes) which left from P2 (which I was fortunate to aim for as according to RTT the previous one ran 13 minutes late and didn’t call there). This particular train is non-stopping Taplow and Burnham as indeed all EL trains are doing this evening with no advice that I’ve seen or heard so I don’t know what passengers to and from those stations are meant to do.
Burnham and Taplow was still able to be served by the Elizabeth line services that start/terminate at Maidenhead. It was only those to/from Reading that were unable to call.
| Re: Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359245/30004/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:33, 9th March 2025 | |
How many guesses was that?
| Re: Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359244/30004/30] Posted by stuving at 23:24, 9th March 2025 | |
3. is obviously new, but there a are several new stations it might be - none of which I've seen, of course. First thought was Dalcross/Inverness Airport, because it has that look. But it's not, nor is it Kintore. Then there's Leven, known to have been visited, which does indeed have a round thingy a lot like the one in the picture. However, that has tiled paving ... but nearby there's Cameron Bridge, also on the Leven Rail Link. And that also has a "pebble" (?) that fits.
| Re: Plym Valley Railway - Marsh Mills to Plym Bridge - merged posts In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [359243/11624/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:12, 9th March 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
From the BBC:
Maiden voyage for locomotive named after young boy
A steam locomotive, which has been restored in memory of a boy from Plymstock, has made its maiden voyage.
The 'Lord Oliver Brown' locomotive at the Plym Valley Railway made its first journey in 17 years on Sunday, on what would have been Oliver Brown's 17th birthday.
Oliver died aged 11 from Myelodysplastic Syndrome which affects only four in a million children worldwide.
Hundreds of people gathered at the station to wave the train off on its first journey.
The 1959 engine was painted in Oliver's favourite colour - hot pink - and the shades of green represent Children's Hospice South West, where he was looked after before he died.
Oliver's mum, Nicky Brown, said: "I'm so incredibly proud, it's wonderful to see everybody come together to celebrate Children's Hospice South West, who continue to take care of us as a family. Just looking at the train epitomises Oliver, it's so bright and colourful and it just makes you smile - that's what Oliver did every day of his life. He would be in his element today and I'm just so proud that we can wish him happy birthday in such a remarkable way," she added.
Oliver's brother Ben, who helped with the restoration of the engine, said: "It's exciting to have everyone here - it's been a big project for a long time now and hopefully we can bring awareness not just to our story, but to other families and help them out. Oliver loved pink, he loved trains - every time he got out of the hospital the first thing he'd do would be to go to West Hoe and get on the Gus Honeybun trains. It's amazing, such a nice atmosphere - seeing other people having fun and enjoying the train, it's a great day."
Annabel Roberts from Children's Hospice South West said the train was a fantastic way to raise awareness of the work the charity does. "The amount of effort that has gone into this train is absolutely astonishing. It's such a beautiful spectacle, such a beautiful thing and I think it will appeal to loads of people who will be entranced by this locomotive - it's unique." She added: "We're so fortunate to have them [Oliver's family] as fantastic champions for our charity and the services we provide."
A steam locomotive, which has been restored in memory of a boy from Plymstock, has made its maiden voyage.
The 'Lord Oliver Brown' locomotive at the Plym Valley Railway made its first journey in 17 years on Sunday, on what would have been Oliver Brown's 17th birthday.
Oliver died aged 11 from Myelodysplastic Syndrome which affects only four in a million children worldwide.
Hundreds of people gathered at the station to wave the train off on its first journey.
The 1959 engine was painted in Oliver's favourite colour - hot pink - and the shades of green represent Children's Hospice South West, where he was looked after before he died.
Oliver's mum, Nicky Brown, said: "I'm so incredibly proud, it's wonderful to see everybody come together to celebrate Children's Hospice South West, who continue to take care of us as a family. Just looking at the train epitomises Oliver, it's so bright and colourful and it just makes you smile - that's what Oliver did every day of his life. He would be in his element today and I'm just so proud that we can wish him happy birthday in such a remarkable way," she added.
Oliver's brother Ben, who helped with the restoration of the engine, said: "It's exciting to have everyone here - it's been a big project for a long time now and hopefully we can bring awareness not just to our story, but to other families and help them out. Oliver loved pink, he loved trains - every time he got out of the hospital the first thing he'd do would be to go to West Hoe and get on the Gus Honeybun trains. It's amazing, such a nice atmosphere - seeing other people having fun and enjoying the train, it's a great day."
Annabel Roberts from Children's Hospice South West said the train was a fantastic way to raise awareness of the work the charity does. "The amount of effort that has gone into this train is absolutely astonishing. It's such a beautiful spectacle, such a beautiful thing and I think it will appeal to loads of people who will be entranced by this locomotive - it's unique." She added: "We're so fortunate to have them [Oliver's family] as fantastic champions for our charity and the services we provide."
Poignant for me personally - I was born in 1959, and used to live in Plymstock. My thoughts are with you, Oliver Brown, RIP.
CfN.
| Re: Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359242/30004/30] Posted by eightonedee at 22:58, 9th March 2025 | |
Is 2 Duirinish? I think I've only been twice, once by road, but it seems to be popular with Highland cattle and looks like it's been plonked in a stereotypical Scottish Highland landscape!
| Re: Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359240/30004/30] Posted by DR7835 at 22:33, 9th March 2025 | |
4. Site of former Dundee Esplanade station looking back at the Tay Bridge from the Northern end.
| Re: Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359239/30004/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:19, 9th March 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
That would have been my second answer.
I only know the Edinburgh one because I used to work for a Scottish financial services company, and their head office is in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. When we from the Bristol branch travelled to Edinburgh for team meetings, I was so envious of one of my colleagues there: her desk overlooked, through a full height picture window, the entire castle. How inspiring is that, for a workstation?
CfN.
| Re: Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359238/30004/30] Posted by PhilWakely at 21:24, 9th March 2025 | |
7. Tay Bridge
| Re: Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359237/30004/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:07, 9th March 2025 | |
1. Edinburgh, Waverley station, looking up to the castle.
| Grotty Scotty Piccies In "The Lighter Side" [359236/30004/30] Posted by grahame at 20:55, 9th March 2025 | |
Some pictures take in or from a train or zoomed - fuzzies, reflections and so forth about - can you identify one each ...
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
| Re: 21 March 2025 - TravelWatch SouthWest General meeting In "Diary - what's happening when?" [359235/30000/34] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:38, 9th March 2025 | |
I'm sorry for that confusion, ChrisB: I've now moved your post here and will amend the topic headings for those historic TravelWatch SouthWest meetings.
CfN.
| Re: 21st March 2025 - TravelWatch SouthWest General meeting In "Diary - what's happening when?" [359234/30000/34] Posted by ChrisB at 20:11, 9th March 2025 | |
This thread now has the wrong subect line and dopes not refer to the March 21 2025 meeting!
| Re: Rolling stock projections - ongoing discussion In "Looking forward - the next 5, 10 and 20 years" [359233/26134/40] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:40, 9th March 2025 | |
Fair comment: this ongoing topic is no longer specific to any particular 'on this day', so I've broadened it here.
CfN.
| Re: Train fare dodger told to pay nearly £1,000 In "Fare's Fair" [359232/29998/4] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:31, 9th March 2025 Already liked by johnneyw, Witham Bobby | |
It would be worth paying £41.50, purely to be able to enjoy this view out of a train window, on a journey between Didcot Parkway and Cardiff Central:
From the BBC.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [359231/29650/26] Posted by BBM at 19:22, 9th March 2025 | |
I’m on the 19:04 EL train from TWY (I’m going to Hayes) which left from P2 (which I was fortunate to aim for as according to RTT the previous one ran 13 minutes late and didn’t call there). This particular train is non-stopping Taplow and Burnham as indeed all EL trains are doing this evening with no advice that I’ve seen or heard so I don’t know what passengers to and from those stations are meant to do.
Also all the GWR trains on the PAD-DID route are shown on the screens at TWY as cancelled - from RTT it looks like they’re running but not stopping at TWY or MAI as in the message posted above.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [359230/29650/26] Posted by grahame at 18:49, 9th March 2025 | |
How would you describe that piece of hard-coded text then?
* An apology.
* An expression of care in acknowledging it is not as it should be.
I'm not sure it even needs a title though
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [359229/29650/26] Posted by ChrisB at 18:45, 9th March 2025 | |
How would you describe that piece of hard-coded text then?
