Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Annoying / amusing use of completely irrelevant stock photos to illustrate press articles In "The Lighter Side" [380421/11558/30] Posted by johnneyw at 11:43, 4th October 2026 |      |
Quite amusing that both of the incorrect photos depict cities already served by more than one railway station, some for over a century.
| Re: Some Site Statistics In "News, Help and Assistance" [380420/10588/29] Posted by Mark A at 11:42, 4th October 2026 | |
Bluesky post with an observation on inappropriate behavior towards web servers, from the A.I. fraternity.
"Something AI is responsible for that doesn't get enough talk:
How, when it scrapes a website to illegally steal everything on it, it uses up a ton of its bandwidth allotment, crashing it or racking up massive fees for site owners."
https://bsky.app/profile/jametc.bsky.social/post/3mwzj56ep5s2m
| Re: New Dorset transport vision for roads, rail and buses (3.10.2026) In "Heart of Wessex" [380419/32579/19] Posted by Mark A at 11:38, 4th October 2026 | |
This quote leapt out as being outdated:
"For businesses, widening the area from which people can realistically commute is increasingly important when recruiting."
(Moved from where I'd originally posted it on the wrong thread...)
| Re: 50th anniversary of the introduction of HST's on the route In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380417/32580/10] Posted by grahame at 08:48, 4th October 2026 | |
Can it be? Yes, apparently.
A link to the promotional video in this Bluesky post.
https://bsky.app/profile/joebrownlondon.bsky.social/post/3mwzjbw2rtx2z
A link to the promotional video in this Bluesky post.
https://bsky.app/profile/joebrownlondon.bsky.social/post/3mwzjbw2rtx2z
The start of October seems to be a watershed for so many new innovations (well, they were at the time) and closures that are still missed / regretted to this day. I recall catching a train from Firsby to Lincoln full of holiday makers from Skeggy the summer before that line closed, and calling at already-derelict stations at places like Tumby Woodside where, already, "No passenger waits, no one departs, no one arrives" but at least that's not the case - as the song goes - from St Erth to St Ives.
Wonderful to see my data feeds "dripping" with the 2+7 HST run yesterday from Paddington to Swansea via Chippenham. Hope everyone had a good day.
| 50th anniversary of the introduction of HST's on the route In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380416/32580/10] Posted by Mark A at 08:32, 4th October 2026 | |
Can it be? Yes, apparently.
A link to the promotional video in this Bluesky post.
https://bsky.app/profile/joebrownlondon.bsky.social/post/3mwzjbw2rtx2z
| Re: Annoying / amusing use of completely irrelevant stock photos to illustrate press articles In "The Lighter Side" [380415/11558/30] Posted by Red Squirrel at 08:25, 4th October 2026 Already liked by Mark A, grahame | |
Argh! Grahame clickbaited me into visiting F***book - again! I must be more careful.
| Re: Ideas for a day out? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [380414/32559/31] Posted by rogerpatenall at 08:10, 4th October 2026 | |
Salisbury also featured in my travel plans for Friday 2nd.
Having given up on my regular trips to Castle Cary from Paddington prior to Covid, I decided for my 81st birthday (in July!) to travel 1st class to Cary on October 2nd, have lunch at The Creamery at the station, (which I remember as a milk factory)and return. Returns from Waterloo, 1st class, for two of us were £111 (good value, I thought). From Paddington it would have been well over £200 each. We got, in comfort and speed, to Salisbury where we were tipped out of the train. Easy decision to abort and return whence we came. No through trains back to Waterloo, so stopping services via Basingstoke.
I then spent the evening battling with the nightmare that is the TrainLine web site. With difficulty (I am not good with apps - at the school where I volunteer we say that the only app that matters is the reading lap) I got a refund for much of the journey, but not for for the outward (for one person) from Waterloo, as I had touched in on departure. I was unable to find any method of claiming for an 'abandoned journey'. First time I had used Trainline as I avoided them when they charged a fee. And now, not again!
| Re: Annoying / amusing use of completely irrelevant stock photos to illustrate press articles In "The Lighter Side" [380413/11558/30] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 07:30, 4th October 2026 | |
It wasn't until I read the original article that I realised the two images used were not of the two locations being discussed.
As to the actual places concerned I have never visited the one in Somerset and am pretty sure that only a completely deranged resident of, or visitor to, the Devonian Metropolis would be persuaded to describe it as a charming English countryside town.
| New Dorset transport vision for roads, rail and buses (3.10.2026) In "Heart of Wessex" [380412/32579/19] Posted by grahame at 07:28, 4th October 2026 | |
From the Dorset Echo
New Dorset transport vision for roads, rail and buses
A sweeping transport blueprint has set out a vision for Dorset's future, with a range of rail, road and public transport projects identified as priorities for investment over the next decade.
[snip]
Rail improvements form a key part of the strategy, with enhanced services on the Heart of Wessex Line among the highest-priority schemes.
The document says a series of infrastructure enhancements could pave the way for an hourly service on the route, improving connections across Dorset, Somerset and Bristol while increasing reliability and capacity for communities including Dorchester, Maiden Newton and Yetminster
The project would include a new passing loop between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill, a new platform at Westbury and signalling upgrades. No cost estimate or delivery timeline has yet been set.
Rail bosses have backed proposals to increase services on the line but acknowledged the scheme remains in its early stages.
A spokesperson for Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and Network Rail said: "The proposal is a key part of Network Rail's strategy for the region, providing the opportunity to improve transport for a growing community on the only north-south transport route in the area.
A sweeping transport blueprint has set out a vision for Dorset's future, with a range of rail, road and public transport projects identified as priorities for investment over the next decade.
[snip]
Rail improvements form a key part of the strategy, with enhanced services on the Heart of Wessex Line among the highest-priority schemes.
The document says a series of infrastructure enhancements could pave the way for an hourly service on the route, improving connections across Dorset, Somerset and Bristol while increasing reliability and capacity for communities including Dorchester, Maiden Newton and Yetminster
The project would include a new passing loop between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill, a new platform at Westbury and signalling upgrades. No cost estimate or delivery timeline has yet been set.
Rail bosses have backed proposals to increase services on the line but acknowledged the scheme remains in its early stages.
A spokesperson for Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and Network Rail said: "The proposal is a key part of Network Rail's strategy for the region, providing the opportunity to improve transport for a growing community on the only north-south transport route in the area.
Makes sense to put the service up to hourly, for which the extra loop is appropriate (as well as helping with diversions and other services running Castle Cary - Yeovil Junction. Also good to see Westbury 4th platform again on this project; it's case is made the stronger by looking at its use by extra services at Westbuty - stepping up to hourly to Swindon, to Weymouth, and from London (perhaps continuing to Taunton).
| Industrial Heritage in Wiltshire conference majoring on railways - 24.10.2026 In "Diary - what's happening when?" [380411/32578/34] Posted by grahame at 07:08, 4th October 2026 | |
https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/news-articles/event/conference-industrial-archaeology-2026-from-branch-lines-to-tram-lines/?event_date=2026-10-24
24th October, Devizes, Wiltshire. Preregistration of fee payable ahead. And, yes, there is coffee provided between talks,
10.05 am – The Calne branch and its industries, by Mike Stone. Mike was curator of Chippenham Museum and regularly lectures on a wide range of subjects.
11.10 am – History of the Midland South Western Junction Railway, by Nick Baxter MA in Public History. Nick is a retired secondary school history teacher. He gives history talks and guided walks as part of his ‘Wiltshire History Man’ business.
12 noon – The Wantage tramway, by Dr Richard Marks, historian. ‘Industry Past’.
2.15 pm – A compendium of delights relating to the Malmesbury Branch, by Mike Fenton, railway historian.
3.25 pm – The railway, locomotives and history 1916-1919 of the H.M.E.F. Stratton, Swindon: Ammonium Nitrate Explosive Works, research by Colin Judge of the Industrial Railway Society. Presented by Malcolm Holland, local historian.
11.10 am – History of the Midland South Western Junction Railway, by Nick Baxter MA in Public History. Nick is a retired secondary school history teacher. He gives history talks and guided walks as part of his ‘Wiltshire History Man’ business.
12 noon – The Wantage tramway, by Dr Richard Marks, historian. ‘Industry Past’.
2.15 pm – A compendium of delights relating to the Malmesbury Branch, by Mike Fenton, railway historian.
3.25 pm – The railway, locomotives and history 1916-1919 of the H.M.E.F. Stratton, Swindon: Ammonium Nitrate Explosive Works, research by Colin Judge of the Industrial Railway Society. Presented by Malcolm Holland, local historian.
If weren't already planned for that day, I would be very tempted.
| Re: Annoying / amusing use of completely irrelevant stock photos to illustrate press articles In "The Lighter Side" [380410/11558/30] Posted by grahame at 06:56, 4th October 2026 | |
| Re: Disruption and cancellations Cardiff-Portsmouth In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [380409/32428/20] Posted by grahame at 06:26, 4th October 2026 | |
For today ...
09:22 Bristol Temple Meads to Fareham due 11:37
09:34 Fareham to Cardiff Central due 12:43
11:34 Fareham to Cardiff Central due 14:44
12:34 Fareham to Cardiff Central due 15:45
13:25 Cardiff Central to Fareham due 16:37
15:25 Cardiff Central to Fareham due 18:43
16:25 Cardiff Central to Fareham due 19:37
17:34 Fareham to Cardiff Central due 20:32
Facilities on the 17:34 Fareham to Cardiff Central due 20:32.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 4
09:34 Fareham to Cardiff Central due 12:43
11:34 Fareham to Cardiff Central due 14:44
12:34 Fareham to Cardiff Central due 15:45
13:25 Cardiff Central to Fareham due 16:37
15:25 Cardiff Central to Fareham due 18:43
16:25 Cardiff Central to Fareham due 19:37
17:34 Fareham to Cardiff Central due 20:32
Facilities on the 17:34 Fareham to Cardiff Central due 20:32.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 4
2 for 4 or 3 for 5 ... no reason given. Trains stuck in Fratton because of engineering works?
| Re: Ideas for a day out? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [380408/32559/31] Posted by Trowres at 21:34, 3rd October 2026 | |
Thank you all for the suggestions.
The list was whittled down ... and the final winner was... Lymington.
Except that dealing with some Brexit fallout left us too tired in the morning... so we decided on a shorter expedition to Salisbury.
We then spent a long time examining the vegetation between Warminster and Wilton... in both directions... during the Friday "signalling fault". We have visited Salisbury before, but (rather hungry after the extended journey), we found a nice cafe we hadn't visited before. Refueled, had a successful visit to a single shop. Another drink, then it was time to come home. Saw several closed shops but the general image is still OK.
| Re: Disruption and cancellations Cardiff-Portsmouth In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [380407/32428/20] Posted by Trowres at 21:00, 3rd October 2026 | |
I don't know of any advice for Dilton Marsh passengers. The first cancellation on your list, the 2O10, was, if I recall correctly, due to "more trains than usual ..." and not connected with the signalling problem. It was the train that I had intended to catch.
| Re: A Quick Guide to the Railways In "Introductions and chat" [380406/32574/1] Posted by ChrisB at 20:57, 3rd October 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
ATOC -> RDG. ATOC is no more.
| Re: Great Western Railway: on-board catering, buffets, Travelling Chef, Pullman - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [380405/5508/26] Posted by ChrisB at 20:52, 3rd October 2026 | |
(By the way, anyone making the same journey next Sunday (11th October) be warned … the train will be stopping at Castle Cary and Westbury again and then diverting via Swindon, where it calls, before continuing to Reading and Paddington. There’ll be no chance of a seat from Swindon (nor a ‘snack box’ – but passengers won’t know that, despite the email.)
| Re: Engineering works 10 - 16 October 2026 In "London to Kennet Valley" [380404/32260/8] Posted by grahame at 20:47, 3rd October 2026 | |
Is that £6.50 an Advance? TOCs generally don't offer Advances during Engineering works
No - off-peak single with (my) railcard via Melksham. The £13.15 is "any permitted".
| Re: Engineering works 10 - 16 October 2026 In "London to Kennet Valley" [380403/32260/8] Posted by ChrisB at 20:26, 3rd October 2026 | |
Is that £6.50 an Advance? TOCs generally don't offer Advances during Engineering works
| Re: Bedbugs lead to cancellations of day trains - not the Bedpan line either! In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [380402/32577/51] Posted by ChrisB at 20:13, 3rd October 2026 | |
SE Railway MD tweeted that the bedbugs were only found in two drivers cabs and not in any passenger accomodation...
| Bedbugs lead to cancellations of day trains - not the Bedpan line either! In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [380401/32577/51] Posted by grahame at 18:31, 3rd October 2026 | |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3kgqwyp4n12o?
A number of train services were cancelled after drivers discovered bedbugs in their cabs.
Carriages on two affected trains were locked to isolate passenger areas from the cabs, said Southeastern, which operates services in Kent, East Sussex and Greater London.
The rail firm said the trains only remained in service while they "returned to a suitable location for inspection and if necessary, treatment".
The cancellations took place on mainline routes after the bugs were spotted on 22 September. None of the insects were found on any High Speed 1 trains, it added.
In a social media post, Southeastern said the affected trains were based at the West Marina Depot in Hastings, the terminus point for trains from London.
Services on the route go via Battle, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks.
A spokesperson for the firm said trains and stations are cleaned "thoroughly" so passengers can "travel safely and with confidence".
Carriages on two affected trains were locked to isolate passenger areas from the cabs, said Southeastern, which operates services in Kent, East Sussex and Greater London.
The rail firm said the trains only remained in service while they "returned to a suitable location for inspection and if necessary, treatment".
The cancellations took place on mainline routes after the bugs were spotted on 22 September. None of the insects were found on any High Speed 1 trains, it added.
In a social media post, Southeastern said the affected trains were based at the West Marina Depot in Hastings, the terminus point for trains from London.
Services on the route go via Battle, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks.
A spokesperson for the firm said trains and stations are cleaned "thoroughly" so passengers can "travel safely and with confidence".
When I lived on the London - Sevenoaks - Tunbridge Wells - Hastings axis, I can't remember any such problems. Are electric trains more prone to bedbugs?
| Re: Wiltshire Strategic Freight Strategy consultation closes 23.9.2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Westbury" [380400/32516/18] Posted by grahame at 18:11, 3rd October 2026 | |
The comments above refer to freight traffic on the N S axis. My big concern here is the A350, when it gets into Dorset (particularly between Shaftesbury and Blandford) it is little better than a country lane with traffic lights controlling single lane working through villages.
The trunking and plans for the A350 do not continue into Dorset; southwards past Melksham (which as we know is the hub of the universe
) traffic splits - there's quite a bit (and plenty more) that doesn't go much further - Bowerhill, Trowbridge, White Horse, West Wilts business park, onward to the Somerset Quarries and via Westbury to Warminster. From Warminster, it heads in two directions - both the A36 which in trunk national and the A350 to Poole, which is not -- see map below. I can understand your concern and more traffic may come south of the A303, but an order of magnitude less than comes through Wiltshire. Much, perhaps, depends on Poole Port and its development, and Dorset's plans.
| Re: Wiltshire Strategic Freight Strategy consultation closes 23.9.2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Westbury" [380399/32516/18] Posted by eXPassenger at 17:41, 3rd October 2026 | |
The comments above refer to freight traffic on the N S axis. My big concern here is the A350, when it gets into Dorset (particularly between Shaftesbury and Blandford) it is little better than a country lane with traffic lights controlling single lane working through villages.
| What are the rules of unwritten journalism? In "The Lighter Side" [380398/32576/30] Posted by stuving at 11:20, 3rd October 2026 Already liked by ChrisB, grahame, RichardB | |
Developer's school bid rejected by council
This must be no more than 100 characters and in present tense.
This must be no more than 100 characters and in present tense.
The lead item on the BBC news Berkshire page this morning has just the above, under an anodyne library photo. That's the one shown top left at twice the size of the other stories surrounding it. The full story that appears when you click on this photo or headline is all there.
Oops!
| Melksham Transport User Group - Information at the Station - meeting 8.10.2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Westbury" [380397/32575/18] Posted by grahame at 11:09, 3rd October 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Post includes AI generated content (?)
From 18:30, 8th October 2026. At 48, Spa Road Melksham, SN12 7NY.
Information at the Station will be going live over the next six months. Seeing all sorts of help from all sorts of people. Making in fun. Making it useful and productive.
| Re: A Quick Guide to the Railways In "Introductions and chat" [380396/32574/1] Posted by Mark A at 10:02, 3rd October 2026 | |
Briefing papers from the House of Commons Library: generally a good first port of call on an issue.
Mark
| Re: Stagecoach, Exeter - The good, the bad …… In "Buses and other ways to travel" [380395/32565/5] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 09:55, 3rd October 2026 Already liked by LiskeardRich | |
.....95% of delays I suffer are caused by third parties. .....
To the original list I would add the more specific: The eejits who apparently don't understand the meaning of 'No Stopping Except Buses'.
| Re: High Streets - thriving, changing, dying in 2026? In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [380394/32553/31] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 09:45, 3rd October 2026 | |
It may be entirely possible that the solution to the loss of banks and/or post offices in smaller population centres is copying the Sidmouth Banking Hub:
https://sidmouth.gov.uk/directory/sidmouth-banking-hub/
In the case of Sidmouth, of course, it helps that the population has a high level of financial clout.
| Re: Engineering works 10 - 16 October 2026 In "London to Kennet Valley" [380393/32260/8] Posted by grahame at 08:04, 3rd October 2026 | |
No feedback from GWR or NR - that looks like a classic "email bad news on a Friday afternoon, invite questions and RUN AWAY for the weekend". So I can't fill you in as to why they are not stopping the trains that are running through and stealing the paths.
I'm also noting that their web site is charging far more for the week for journeys from Trowbridge to Swindon for a slower journey. Taking advantage of the customer who know no better? Upping the price of ticket from £6.50 to £13.15. Regulated fares? Easement that is in place if the direct train fails to run? A bit cheeky?
| Re: Great Western Railway: on-board catering, buffets, Travelling Chef, Pullman - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [380392/5508/26] Posted by GBM at 07:50, 3rd October 2026 Already liked by RichardB | |
Roger French latest comment on Paddington to Plymouth (return from Truro).
Contrasting journeys with GWR
https://busandtrainuser.com/2026/10/03/contrasting-journeys-with-gwr/
Saturday 3rd October 2026
I spent last weekend in Cornwall.
I’d booked first class tickets with GWR over a month earlier, on 11th August, travelling on the 13:03 from Paddington to Plymouth on Friday afternoon, returning on the 12:57 from Truro to Paddington on Sunday afternoon.
The train operating the outward journey is one of the few where GWR offers a Pullman style dining service and I decided to partake and treat myself. You can use GWR’s website to reserve a seat in the ‘restaurant’ section of the first class coaches but only two weeks in advance of your date of travel (before that the rather misleading default answer when trying to book is “Pullman dining is not available on this journey”) so I made a diary note to do this on Friday 11th September to avoid any disappointment.
..........(snip)...............
| Re: Disruption and cancellations Cardiff-Portsmouth In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [380391/32428/20] Posted by grahame at 07:37, 3rd October 2026 | |
This decimated services at Dilton Marsh. Does anyone know if stop orders were added onto the trains that WERE able to run, whether other alternatives were provided, and how passengers were kept informed?
