Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [376553/18719/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:42, 28th June 2026 |      |
If anyone mentions BBQs, I shall ... I shall ... No - just please don't.
| Re: Cornish mainline and branch line delays - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [376552/28556/25] Posted by FarWestJohn at 19:37, 28th June 2026 | |
I got on a Penzance train at Plymouth yesterday afternoon after a long delayed trip from Great Malvern. The train was so late the calling pattern was changed to Liskeard, Par, Truro, St.Erth and Penzance.
Intermediate passengers had to get off and get the 175 on a local service. They held the Newquay connection at Par. First time I had ever been through St. Austell at speed!!
| Re: Andy Burnham elected to parliament, with a strong transport reputation In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [376551/32149/40] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:18, 28th June 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Senior Labour figures say party is united behind Andy Burnham
The Labour Party is united behind Andy Burnham as its next leader, two senior party figures have told the BBC.
The party set out a timeline for a leadership contest following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's resignation earlier this week, but there is scant evidence of support for any contenders other than Burnham.
Former defence minister Al Carns has said a speech on Monday, in which Burnham will set out his economic policy, will decide whether he challenges him for the Labour leadership.
Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell and Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who had stayed loyal to Sir Keir, both said that Labour MPs were backing a coronation of Burnham, rather than a contest.
Powell, the MP for Manchester Central, said that further devolution of powers to local areas would be a priority for Burnham's administration if he won the Labour leadership race. "He's got a really strong agenda about changing that," she said, adding that it was "something that, actually, was in our manifesto but we've really not realised in the scale and speed in which we should have. If we had more control over things like skills and local transportation we could better connect people to all those new job opportunities of the future."
Burnham is expected to give a closely watched speech in Manchester on Monday to outline his economic vision for the country, which will have a strong emphasis on devolution to drive growth and which could be key to winning over potential challengers such as Carns.
On Sunday, Badenoch said Burnham should set out his plans to Parliament in special one-day session before the summer recess, rather than in a speech to supporters on Monday as expected, if he becomes prime minister. She said: "Andy Burnham is days away from taking charge of the country and still has not told people the basics: Will he stick to the Labour manifesto? Will he borrow even more money? Will he fund the Defence Investment Plan so that our country is not at risk?"
She accused Sir Keir of entering No 10 without a plan, and said the country must not be forced to wait until Parliament returns in September to know the plan for the country. Badenoch added: "A speech full of warm words to a friendly crowd is not a substitute for speaking at the despatch box where MPs can question the substance of what he has said. "
A Labour party spokesperson responded by saying: "Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee, has set out a clear timetable for the election of the next Leader of the Labour Party. While that process is ongoing, the Labour Government is getting on with the job of delivering the change the country voted for and tackling the cost of living. MPs are able to scrutinise the government in the normal way, as the public would expect."
The Labour Party is united behind Andy Burnham as its next leader, two senior party figures have told the BBC.
The party set out a timeline for a leadership contest following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's resignation earlier this week, but there is scant evidence of support for any contenders other than Burnham.
Former defence minister Al Carns has said a speech on Monday, in which Burnham will set out his economic policy, will decide whether he challenges him for the Labour leadership.
Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell and Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who had stayed loyal to Sir Keir, both said that Labour MPs were backing a coronation of Burnham, rather than a contest.
Powell, the MP for Manchester Central, said that further devolution of powers to local areas would be a priority for Burnham's administration if he won the Labour leadership race. "He's got a really strong agenda about changing that," she said, adding that it was "something that, actually, was in our manifesto but we've really not realised in the scale and speed in which we should have. If we had more control over things like skills and local transportation we could better connect people to all those new job opportunities of the future."
Burnham is expected to give a closely watched speech in Manchester on Monday to outline his economic vision for the country, which will have a strong emphasis on devolution to drive growth and which could be key to winning over potential challengers such as Carns.
On Sunday, Badenoch said Burnham should set out his plans to Parliament in special one-day session before the summer recess, rather than in a speech to supporters on Monday as expected, if he becomes prime minister. She said: "Andy Burnham is days away from taking charge of the country and still has not told people the basics: Will he stick to the Labour manifesto? Will he borrow even more money? Will he fund the Defence Investment Plan so that our country is not at risk?"
She accused Sir Keir of entering No 10 without a plan, and said the country must not be forced to wait until Parliament returns in September to know the plan for the country. Badenoch added: "A speech full of warm words to a friendly crowd is not a substitute for speaking at the despatch box where MPs can question the substance of what he has said. "
A Labour party spokesperson responded by saying: "Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee, has set out a clear timetable for the election of the next Leader of the Labour Party. While that process is ongoing, the Labour Government is getting on with the job of delivering the change the country voted for and tackling the cost of living. MPs are able to scrutinise the government in the normal way, as the public would expect."
| Re: Trent and Mersey Canal - a new topic In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [376550/32181/47] Posted by ChrisB at 19:17, 28th June 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
So not only Network Rail failing to cut back its vegetation on a timely basis then?
| Re: Server slow ... In "News, Help and Assistance" [376549/30293/29] Posted by grahame at 19:14, 28th June 2026 | |
Our worker server has been overworked again - not sure of the details. I have done something which I hope has brought it back - a test post suggest it's running. I'm on a train and will have better connectivity in an hour or two.
OK - better connectivity here and I had cleared a problem. No obvious pattern with the quick look I have had, so this may of may not have fixed it. Server load dropping again as I write, so promising.
| Re: Weather updates from overseas and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [376548/31764/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:56, 28th June 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Europe's heatwave linked to 1,300 deaths, WHO says, as Germany hits record 41.7C
Europe's unprecedented early summer heatwave may be responsible for hundreds of excess deaths, according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Temperature records were broken across the continent again on Sunday – including in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic – as the extreme heat continued to move east.
In a post on X, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded since 21 June "linked to high temperatures in Europe".
"Heat stress is often called the 'silent killer' - and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures," he said.
On Sunday morning, France's national health ministry said there had been around 1,000 more deaths than expected in the country since Wednesday. Many of the extra fatalities are among those aged 65 over, the agency said, after logging a 40% rise in the number of people dying at home.
"Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average," Tedros warned. Millions of people across the continent are currently "living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling", he added.
On Sunday, Germany experienced its hottest-ever day for the third consecutive day after 41.7C was recorded in the east of the country, preliminary data showed. A station in Coschen, near the Polish border in eastern Brandenburg, recorded 41.7C at around 16:00 local time.
The Czech Republic set its second temperature record in two days, recording 41.1C at Doksany, north of Prague, the meteorological institute CHMI said. CHMI said it expected the heat to peak on Sunday, with rather heavy storms forecast for western areas later.
Poland also broke its all-time temperature record with 40.5C in the town of Slubice, a spokeswoman for the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) told the AFP news agency on Sunday.
Climate change was responsible for the extreme weather, Tedros said, warning that Europe was warming at "twice the global average".
"Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the 'once-in-a-generation' heatwave is now occurring nearly annual," he said. He called on European countries to "implement heat health action plans", as part of a push to safeguard health in the face of climate change.
Europe's unprecedented early summer heatwave may be responsible for hundreds of excess deaths, according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Temperature records were broken across the continent again on Sunday – including in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic – as the extreme heat continued to move east.
In a post on X, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded since 21 June "linked to high temperatures in Europe".
"Heat stress is often called the 'silent killer' - and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures," he said.
On Sunday morning, France's national health ministry said there had been around 1,000 more deaths than expected in the country since Wednesday. Many of the extra fatalities are among those aged 65 over, the agency said, after logging a 40% rise in the number of people dying at home.
"Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average," Tedros warned. Millions of people across the continent are currently "living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling", he added.
On Sunday, Germany experienced its hottest-ever day for the third consecutive day after 41.7C was recorded in the east of the country, preliminary data showed. A station in Coschen, near the Polish border in eastern Brandenburg, recorded 41.7C at around 16:00 local time.
The Czech Republic set its second temperature record in two days, recording 41.1C at Doksany, north of Prague, the meteorological institute CHMI said. CHMI said it expected the heat to peak on Sunday, with rather heavy storms forecast for western areas later.
Poland also broke its all-time temperature record with 40.5C in the town of Slubice, a spokeswoman for the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) told the AFP news agency on Sunday.
Climate change was responsible for the extreme weather, Tedros said, warning that Europe was warming at "twice the global average".
"Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the 'once-in-a-generation' heatwave is now occurring nearly annual," he said. He called on European countries to "implement heat health action plans", as part of a push to safeguard health in the face of climate change.
| Re: Greetings from Milan, where it's too hot to eat out. In "Introductions and chat" [376547/32175/1] Posted by Mark A at 18:26, 28th June 2026 | |
Nine years previous to the video on the link below, the Great Central, not without a struggle, quietly opened its station in the centre of Nottingham - in a city that largely had no electricity supply the railway company had to organise its own power generation for its new facility. There doesn't appear to be a record of the reaction of residents to a large public building lit by electricity - at night, for those times, it must have been outlandish.
Thinking of Swiss railways, I'm always never less than rattled that the video below - an electric train running on a challenging line - was filmed around 1910 - and even more rattled that in 2026 the UK is still struggling to achieve something that the GCR never did - electrify the railways themselves.
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGNgZb-NDzo
| Preston, Lancashire - the canal bridge hit 11 times by vehicles In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [376546/32182/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:24, 28th June 2026 | |
From the BBC:
The canal bridge hit 11 times by vehicles
The bridge has been struck 11 times within the last five years - image © Google
A canal bridge which has been struck 11 times in five years by long vehicles could soon be protected by new restrictions.
Lancashire County Council (LCC) said the bill to repair damage to the bridge near Catforth village, north of Preston, had run to "hundreds of thousands of pounds".
The council said it was now planning to impose a maximum vehicle length of 23ft (7m) on bridge traffic. Exemptions would be made for the emergency services and Preston City Council bin lorries, it said.
A formal public consultation has now been launched into the council's proposals. The council said the views of local people had already been sought and were "generally favourable".
The narrow rural route runs from Catforth Road to the junction with Lea Lane and Rosemary Lane, passing over the M55 and bypassing Swillbrook.
A report from council highways bosses said: "Analysis of the path taken by various sized vehicles when crossing the bridge has shown that vehicles greater than 7m in length cannot pass over the bridge without a high risk of damaging the structure. This is due to the alignment of the approaches to the bridge and the angle that the bridge crosses the canal."
The document added that the incidents have created "a safety risk for road, towpath and canal users".
The bridge has been struck 11 times within the last five years - image © Google
A canal bridge which has been struck 11 times in five years by long vehicles could soon be protected by new restrictions.
Lancashire County Council (LCC) said the bill to repair damage to the bridge near Catforth village, north of Preston, had run to "hundreds of thousands of pounds".
The council said it was now planning to impose a maximum vehicle length of 23ft (7m) on bridge traffic. Exemptions would be made for the emergency services and Preston City Council bin lorries, it said.
A formal public consultation has now been launched into the council's proposals. The council said the views of local people had already been sought and were "generally favourable".
The narrow rural route runs from Catforth Road to the junction with Lea Lane and Rosemary Lane, passing over the M55 and bypassing Swillbrook.
A report from council highways bosses said: "Analysis of the path taken by various sized vehicles when crossing the bridge has shown that vehicles greater than 7m in length cannot pass over the bridge without a high risk of damaging the structure. This is due to the alignment of the approaches to the bridge and the angle that the bridge crosses the canal."
The document added that the incidents have created "a safety risk for road, towpath and canal users".
| Re: A remind of how important customer care and information at the station is. In "Introductions and chat" [376545/32178/1] Posted by Mark A at 18:07, 28th June 2026 | |
You parsed a list of places you passed, as it were.
Mark
| Trent and Mersey Canal - a new topic In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [376544/32181/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:00, 28th June 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Canal blocked after tree falls on to boat
A tree fell across the canal, hitting a boat, on Saturday afternoon - © River Canal Rescue
Part of a canal in Staffordshire is blocked after a tree fell across the waterway and on to a boat.
It happened on Saturday at bridge 70, Wolseley Bridge, on the Trent and Mersey Canal near Rugeley.
The Canal and River Trust's website says the closure is in place from Weir 10, Bishton, to bridge 70.
Also in attendance were River Canal Rescue, who said the towpath was cleared but navigation remained blocked. The company told the BBC nobody was hurt.
(BBC article continues)
A tree fell across the canal, hitting a boat, on Saturday afternoon - © River Canal Rescue
Part of a canal in Staffordshire is blocked after a tree fell across the waterway and on to a boat.
It happened on Saturday at bridge 70, Wolseley Bridge, on the Trent and Mersey Canal near Rugeley.
The Canal and River Trust's website says the closure is in place from Weir 10, Bishton, to bridge 70.
Also in attendance were River Canal Rescue, who said the towpath was cleared but navigation remained blocked. The company told the BBC nobody was hurt.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: A remind of how important customer care and information at the station is. In "Introductions and chat" [376543/32178/1] Posted by grahame at 17:43, 28th June 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I see that you passed through a town by the name of 'Hard' too which seems fitting.
Mark
Mark
Hadn't noticed that one but I did notice us passing Pasing today.
| Re: Server slow ... In "News, Help and Assistance" [376542/30293/29] Posted by grahame at 17:41, 28th June 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Our worker server has been overworked again - not sure of the details. I have done something which I hope has brought it back - a test post suggest it's running. I'm on a train and will have better connectivity in an hour or two.
| Re: TransWilts In "Fare's Fair" [376541/32179/4] Posted by grahame at 17:38, 28th June 2026 Already liked by Clan Line | |
If I buy a ticket from Westbury to Chippenham intending to catch (say) the 1217 direct service - and that service is cancelled, can I then travel via Bath on that ticket ? OR .......do I have to wait for the 1418 service (assuming that isn't cancelled too), OR........... buy a new ticket before I board the Bath train, OR...........??
Silly thought - if I am allowed to travel via Bath on my "cheap" via Melksham ticket, can I then claim delay repay for my late arrival in Chippenham ?
Silly thought - if I am allowed to travel via Bath on my "cheap" via Melksham ticket, can I then claim delay repay for my late arrival in Chippenham ?
The arrangement is that in the event of a cancellation, tickets routed "via Melksham" will be accepted via Bath Spa on the first alternative train. That is not always made clear, and indeed GWR's ticket sale site if a train is cancelled will not sell you the lower fare via Bath - "Hey - we've cancelled your train and we'll rub it in by putting the price up".
I have never heard of a "via Melksham" ticket being refused via Bath when the service via Melksham isn't running.
Note to any readers from GWR - the problem becomes less if you cancel fewer trains
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [376540/18719/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 15:58, 28th June 2026 | |
From National Rail;
Route(s) affected
Various routes across the Great Western Railway network
Description
There is a shortage of train crew available across the Great Western Railway network today.
As a result of this, trains running on various routes may be subject to cancellations or alterations.
This is expected to be the case for the rest of the day today.
Customer advice:
Please check your entire journey in full before setting off today.
Check before you travel:
You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.
Compensation:
You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.
| France: Eleven killed after plane carrying skydivers crashes - 28 June 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [376539/32180/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:42, 28th June 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Eleven killed after plane carrying skydivers crashes in eastern France
Eleven people have died after a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in the town of Tomblaine in eastern France, local authorities said.
The pilot and 10 passengers died in the incident, including five students and five instructors, local officials said.
The plane, which was being used by a parachutist school, had taken off from Nancy-Essey airfield when it crashed, local media reported.
Police have urged the public to avoid the area around the airport in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department.
The French interior minister was on his way to the scene, the interior ministry said.
Yves Seguy, the prefect of the eastern department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, said that no bystanders were injured in the incident, according to news agency AFP.
Local officials also said relatives of the victims were present at the airfield when the crash happened.
Eleven people have died after a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in the town of Tomblaine in eastern France, local authorities said.
The pilot and 10 passengers died in the incident, including five students and five instructors, local officials said.
The plane, which was being used by a parachutist school, had taken off from Nancy-Essey airfield when it crashed, local media reported.
Police have urged the public to avoid the area around the airport in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department.
The French interior minister was on his way to the scene, the interior ministry said.
Yves Seguy, the prefect of the eastern department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, said that no bystanders were injured in the incident, according to news agency AFP.
Local officials also said relatives of the victims were present at the airfield when the crash happened.
| TransWilts In "Fare's Fair" [376538/32179/4] Posted by Clan Line at 13:46, 28th June 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
If I buy a ticket from Westbury to Chippenham intending to catch (say) the 1217 direct service - and that service is cancelled, can I then travel via Bath on that ticket ? OR .......do I have to wait for the 1418 service (assuming that isn't cancelled too), OR........... buy a new ticket before I board the Bath train, OR...........??
Silly thought - if I am allowed to travel via Bath on my "cheap" via Melksham ticket, can I then claim delay repay for my late arrival in Chippenham ?
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [376537/31359/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 12:55, 28th June 2026 | |
20:38 Westbury to Swindon due 21:23
20:38 Westbury to Swindon due 21:23 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Greetings from Milan, where it's too hot to eat out. In "Introductions and chat" [376536/32175/1] Posted by grahame at 12:52, 28th June 2026 | |
yesterday I travelled from Munich north into Switzerland on the *old* Gotthard route still served by an hourly train.
Hmmm. North from Munich into Switzerland. Do you mean north from Milan or south from Munich?
Oops - north from Milan. Thanks. Following sentence clears that, but I will edit ...
| Re: End of service - Long Wave In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [376535/32177/49] Posted by bobm at 12:16, 28th June 2026 | |
The frequency changes in November 1978 may have moved frequencies by 2kHz but it also saw a change of slot for many BBC National Radio stations - Radio 4 took over the old Radio 2 Long Wave position, while Radio 3 took over Radio 1's famous 247 wavelength.
There was even a song about it.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbSMMNVOT0o
| Re: Greetings from Milan, where it's too hot to eat out. In "Introductions and chat" [376534/32175/1] Posted by ChrisB at 12:05, 28th June 2026 | |
yesterday I travelled from Munich north into Switzerland on the *old* Gotthard route still served by an hourly train.
Hmmm. North from Munich into Switzerland. Do you mean north from Milan or south from Munich?
| Re: End of service - Long Wave In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [376533/32177/49] Posted by stuving at 10:50, 28th June 2026 Already liked by GBM, Mark A | |
The end of 1500m Long Wave feels like the end of an era. Many happy and some not-so-happy times shared with Radio 4, including the start and end of broadcast times.
It is particularly the end of an era as it is the last west European long wave service to close. The nearest I can find still operating are in Poland, Romania, and north Africa. The last age of the era started in 1988, when the relay transmitters at Burghhead and Westerglen opened. At the same time all the national allocated frequencies shifted (mostly by 2 kHz) and the wavelengths became unround numbers (so not 1500 M, but still 1.5 km). I remember that as Westerglen was close enough I could see it while diving to work. At the time I was listening to France Inter from Allouis (164/162 kHz), which was swamped by local competition until I worked out how to exclude it. Allouis's transmitter power got up to 2 Mz by then, but the electricity bills for what was essentially a cloud heater became too much and it was turned down, and then off in 2016 (there is now a time signal).
In the pre-internet age it was the most reliable way to listen to other European countries' radios, without the complexity of receiving on short wave (which was not domestic services in any case).
| Re: SWR timetable consultation - a suggestion In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [376532/32168/20] Posted by Mark A at 10:48, 28th June 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
In case someone lands on this thread and is looking for the consultation, here's a link.
Mark
https://www.southwesterntimetable.com/
| Re: South Western Railways Waterloo - Bristol services axed In "South Western services" [376531/25368/42] Posted by Mark A at 10:46, 28th June 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
The South Western Railway timetable consultation - from the web site.
'As we develop our plans, we’ll seek views and feedback on our proposals from stakeholders, customers and the wider community, including running a full public consultation in Autumn 2026.'
The impending change in management of GWR to join SWR in the 'Nationalised' stable rather sounds as though it's not the sort of consultation for which the conclusions are already set in stone.
It would be good to have people managing the nationalised rail service realise that the provision, initially of a service of three trains a day between Bristol and Waterloo is very achievable - and that the service that ceased in 2021 was an efficient use of train paths, was popular and which had the potential for further growth.
It would be a big win = for rail services in Wiltshire in particular - if this was represented in the data collected by the consultation.
If the nationalised railway is looking for stellar examples of relative minor changes that much improve the network connectivity of their services, this one is a contender.
Mark
https://www.southwesterntimetable.com/
| Re: Cornish mainline and branch line delays - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [376530/28556/25] Posted by GBM at 10:39, 28th June 2026 | |
11:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 15:51
11:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 15:51 will be terminated at Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Par and Newquay.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Cornish branches generally getting clobbered too due to crew shortage.
11:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 15:51 will be terminated at Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Par and Newquay.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Cornish branches generally getting clobbered too due to crew shortage.
Newquay short run AGAIN!
| Re: "Cancellations on all routes" 24-26 June 2026 In "Across the West" [376529/32162/26] Posted by grahame at 09:50, 28th June 2026 | |
So yesterday was "a near normal service, with some minor changes"?
But, sadly, this sort of thing has become an accepted norm in many ways, hasn't it? Just as - here I Germany for example - it's generally accepted that long distance trains are frequently late - I'm not even going to bother to tell you that we set off from Bregenz about 5 minutes late and we're now 25 down as we head for Munich.
| Re: A remind of how important customer care and information at the station is. In "Introductions and chat" [376528/32178/1] Posted by Mark A at 09:47, 28th June 2026 | |
I see that you passed through a town by the name of 'Hard' too which seems fitting.
Mark
| Re: End of service - Long Wave In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [376527/32177/49] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 09:41, 28th June 2026 | |
It did get a mention on the previous night's 6 o'clock news but it's disappointing that they didn't mark it at least in a quiet way at the time. I was away from home without access to a LW radio so didn't tune in, but I'm glad I hadn't made a special effort given the lack of any real farewell.
| Re: Greetings from Milan, where it's too hot to eat out. In "Introductions and chat" [376526/32175/1] Posted by grahame at 09:36, 28th June 2026 | |
And a follow up about my departure from Milan ... posted to "Interrailing for the Older Crowd"
Yes - you can travel without reservation!
The Gotthard base tunnel is 57kms long, probably boring to the traveller, and probably requiring extra fees and/or reservations; yesterday I travelled fromMunich Milan (correction from ChrisB) north into Switzerland on the *old* Gotthard route still served by an hourly train. The regional train from Milan to Locarno as far as Cadenazzo, then a transfer on the train starting in Locarno which goes "over the top". Well - not quite - the old Gotthard tunnel is 15kms long anyway but there is a lot of scenery on the way up with spirals and switchbacks as the line gains height. Just beyond the tunnel, I got off at Goeschenen and took the 10 minute ride on the narrow gauge rack line up to Andermatt for an early lunch - provided by a lady who spoke with an impeccable English Accent, probably because she came from Scotland.
I have been to Andermatt - or to be accurate Andermatt station - on a couple of previous occasions. Look on a map and you'll see it as a crossroads between the North-South lines through the Gotthard tunnel (below) ans the base tunnel (far, far below) and the East - West line between Chur and Disentis, and Brig and Zermatt. Andermatt is a physically low point in that East-West line on the route of the Glacier Express. But that is a story for another article.
After a look around Andermatt, train back down 15 minutes (yeah, only 10 on the way up but it has to be careful going down hill) to Goeschenen where there's a train around the village telling you of the construction of the Gotthard tunnel - something for another day as I had four more legs planned. And on to Arth-Goldau which an online article I read the other day described as "the Crewe of Switzerland" - not a big place, but one that because of its geography is the hub of a wheel of routes and interchanges. And really the logical place for me to end my "original Gotthard" report.
That was yesterday - I'm on a train due into Munich in about an hour - Germany so (of course!) we set off 5 minutes late are are now about 25 minutes late.
The Gotthard base tunnel is 57kms long, probably boring to the traveller, and probably requiring extra fees and/or reservations; yesterday I travelled from
I have been to Andermatt - or to be accurate Andermatt station - on a couple of previous occasions. Look on a map and you'll see it as a crossroads between the North-South lines through the Gotthard tunnel (below) ans the base tunnel (far, far below) and the East - West line between Chur and Disentis, and Brig and Zermatt. Andermatt is a physically low point in that East-West line on the route of the Glacier Express. But that is a story for another article.
After a look around Andermatt, train back down 15 minutes (yeah, only 10 on the way up but it has to be careful going down hill) to Goeschenen where there's a train around the village telling you of the construction of the Gotthard tunnel - something for another day as I had four more legs planned. And on to Arth-Goldau which an online article I read the other day described as "the Crewe of Switzerland" - not a big place, but one that because of its geography is the hub of a wheel of routes and interchanges. And really the logical place for me to end my "original Gotthard" report.
That was yesterday - I'm on a train due into Munich in about an hour - Germany so (of course!) we set off 5 minutes late are are now about 25 minutes late.
| Re: Cornish mainline and branch line delays - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [376525/28556/25] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:30, 28th June 2026 | |
11:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 15:51
11:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 15:51 will be terminated at Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Par and Newquay.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Cornish branches generally getting clobbered too due to crew shortage.
| Re: "Cancellations on all routes" 24-26 June 2026 In "Across the West" [376524/32162/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:39, 28th June 2026 | |
GWR website has following information under the banner headline
Then goes onto say
Isn't that a bit having your cake and eating it, planning changes, then claiming near normal. Anyone else think this is close to unreasonable
https://www.gwr.com/weather
On Saturday 27 June we expect to operate the vast majority of trains across the network, however there will be some localised, planned changes in London and the Thames Valley, to Oxford, and to some services between Bristol and Salisbury. Customers should check before they travel.
Then goes onto say
Ticket easements do not apply on Saturday 27 June as we expect to run a near normal service, with some minor changes.
Isn't that a bit having your cake and eating it, planning changes, then claiming near normal. Anyone else think this is close to unreasonable
https://www.gwr.com/weather
So yesterday was "a near normal service, with some minor changes"
