Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374933/31999/26] Posted by John D at 20:27, 8th May 2026 |      |
Even more official than BBC is Government announcement
Last updated 8 May 2026 ‐ hide all updates
8 May 2026
Chiltern Railways' services and Great Western Railway's services will transfer into public ownership on 20 September 2026 and 13 December 2026, respectively.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/great-british-railways#full-publication-update-history
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374932/31999/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:50, 8th May 2026 | |
It's official - now, on the BBC
:Major train operator to be renationalised in months
Great Western Railway runs services between London, the south-west of England and South Wales - Image © Great Western Railway
The rail operator Great Western Railway (GWR) is to be renationalised in a "significant" move for trains in the West of England, the government has confirmed.
GWR, based in Swindon, runs services linking London to the south-west of England and South Wales. It will come back under public ownership on 13 December.
A spokesperson for the operator said they welcomed the clarity provided by the announcement and would continue to work closely with the Department for Transport (DfT).
The DfT described the move as a "significant moment", adding it would place passengers, rather than shareholders, "at the heart of our railways".
GWR's services, which run from Taunton, Bristol, Gloucester and other major stations across the West and South Wales, will come under the control of the government's new Great British Railways organisation.
Helen Godwin, mayor for the West of England Combined Authority, welcomed the news. "We deserve four trains an hour at stations across our growing regional rail network," she said, adding: "We'll continue working with partners to deliver the infrastructure needed to make that ambition a reality."
GWR has been running trains across the south-west of England for 20 years. The line it uses was built between Bristol and London by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened in 1841.
Several rail operators are already publicly owned, including Greater Anglia and South Western Railway.
New stations have opened in recent years, like Ashley Down in Bristol - Image © Great Western Railway
Rail services in Wales were nationalised in 2021 and Scotland took trains into public ownership the following year.
The GWR spokesperson said: "Throughout this process, our priority will be maintaining a punctual, reliable service for customers while continuing to support regional growth and connectivity across our network."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander warned last year that renationalising train services would not necessarily result in lower fares. The focus will instead be on improving services and infrastructure.
Great Western Railway runs services between London, the south-west of England and South Wales - Image © Great Western Railway
The rail operator Great Western Railway (GWR) is to be renationalised in a "significant" move for trains in the West of England, the government has confirmed.
GWR, based in Swindon, runs services linking London to the south-west of England and South Wales. It will come back under public ownership on 13 December.
A spokesperson for the operator said they welcomed the clarity provided by the announcement and would continue to work closely with the Department for Transport (DfT).
The DfT described the move as a "significant moment", adding it would place passengers, rather than shareholders, "at the heart of our railways".
GWR's services, which run from Taunton, Bristol, Gloucester and other major stations across the West and South Wales, will come under the control of the government's new Great British Railways organisation.
Helen Godwin, mayor for the West of England Combined Authority, welcomed the news. "We deserve four trains an hour at stations across our growing regional rail network," she said, adding: "We'll continue working with partners to deliver the infrastructure needed to make that ambition a reality."
GWR has been running trains across the south-west of England for 20 years. The line it uses was built between Bristol and London by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened in 1841.
Several rail operators are already publicly owned, including Greater Anglia and South Western Railway.
New stations have opened in recent years, like Ashley Down in Bristol - Image © Great Western Railway
Rail services in Wales were nationalised in 2021 and Scotland took trains into public ownership the following year.
The GWR spokesperson said: "Throughout this process, our priority will be maintaining a punctual, reliable service for customers while continuing to support regional growth and connectivity across our network."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander warned last year that renationalising train services would not necessarily result in lower fares. The focus will instead be on improving services and infrastructure.
| Re: Outage of Coffee Shop this afternoon, 7.5.2026 In "News, Help and Assistance" [374931/31996/29] Posted by grahame at 19:28, 8th May 2026 | |
It would appear that the company who hosts the server had been unable to collect their monthly fee ... don't know why, perhaps a glitch somewhere;
Bit of a long shot, but I know Halifax are changing their credit cards from Mastercard to Visa and any Continuous Payment Authorities may need updating with the new details. I believe if the card scheme stays the same (e.g. an expiring Visa card is replaced with another Visa card) companies can use Visa Updater (or the Mastercard equivalent) to get the new details (so not the case here).Good thought ... but not that. I suspect I know and should make a diary note to check every month as it's the second time it has happened. Which did at least help me to know what to look for.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [374930/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 19:19, 8th May 2026 | |
This reminds me a bit of the bridge at Pontgolgoch, by Caersws: from the south, effective advance and repeat warnings aren't in evidence and the skew bridge span finally hoves into view as a bit of a surprise, and again, vegetation on railway land and on the bridge structure itself softened its visual impact. (Not often hit, it also had a bridge strike recently).
A fraction of the cost incurred in a bridge strike would surely pay for a lot of proactive management of vegetation at selected sites - a mown embankment on a bridge approach is in itself an effective communicator.
Mark
A fraction of the cost incurred in a bridge strike would surely pay for a lot of proactive management of vegetation at selected sites - a mown embankment on a bridge approach is in itself an effective communicator.
Mark
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
Facilities on the 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.
This is due to a fault on this train.
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
Facilities on the 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374929/31999/26] Posted by ChrisB at 19:07, 8th May 2026 | |
Indeed, this afternoon, after all staff were informed first.
That social media tip-off emanated from a staff member this morning.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [374928/31359/18] Posted by Mark A at 19:06, 8th May 2026 | |
This reminds me a bit of the bridge at Pontgolgoch, by Caersws: from the south, effective advance and repeat warnings aren't in evidence and the skew bridge span finally hoves into view as a bit of a surprise, and again, vegetation on railway land and on the bridge structure itself softened its visual impact. (Not often hit, it also had a bridge strike recently).
A fraction of the cost incurred in a bridge strike would surely pay for a lot of proactive management of vegetation at selected sites - a mown embankment on a bridge approach is in itself an effective communicator.
Mark
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374927/31999/26] Posted by stuving at 18:09, 8th May 2026 | |
From
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/great-british-railways
Govia Thameslink Railways’ services will be next to transfer on 31 May 2026, followed by Chiltern Railways’ services on 20 September 2026 and Great Western Railway’s services on 13 December 2026.
And this bit:
Chiltern Railways' services and Great Western Railway's services will transfer into public ownership on 20 September 2026 and 13 December 2026, respectively.
is marked on that page as an update made today. | Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374926/31999/26] Posted by bradshaw at 18:06, 8th May 2026 | |
From
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/great-british-railways
Govia Thameslink Railways’ services will be next to transfer on 31 May 2026, followed by Chiltern Railways’ services on 20 September 2026 and Great Western Railway’s services on 13 December 2026.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [374925/31359/18] Posted by John D at 17:43, 8th May 2026 | |
It is Limpley Stoke.
Awaiting a bridge examiner.
Awaiting a bridge examiner.
I'm suspecting that all these impacts are happening on the west side of this bridge. Driving that road this morning and thinking 'Bridge strike location coming up', the impression was that the associated signage isn't brilliant. No indication before the turn off the A36, then an advisory on the height restriction 3/4 mile ahead - said notice among others and in a busy part of the road immediately after the turn off the A36... and then nothing apart from a couple of 'Give way' signs before the bend in the road before the at that point invisible bridge itself, it being approached via and concealed by the left hand bend immediately before it. The signage has plenty of opportunity to hide in foliage / be inconspicuous in bright sunlight. None of which is an acceptable reason for driving into the bridge of course, even the road alignment is screaming 'Drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear'.
Mark
Whatever the failure of advance signage on A36 (trunk road so Highways Authority) than doesn't advise large vehicles.
Or Banes Council (the advance sign you saw, but at bottom of lots of info just before bend and narrow bridge so easily missed.
Or Wiltshire Council (road has boundary at that narrow bridge) where there is no advance signage.
But real problem is Network Rail, they have allowed vegetation to grow unchecked on former Cameron branch trackbed which dangles over the road obscuring the signs on the bridge itself. Of course as they own the strip of land alongside the road they could erect warning signs on their land saying low bridge facing the road, but have chosen not to.
| Re: Manvers Street, Bath, disrupted for reconstruction works for 6 months from May. In "Buses and other ways to travel" [374924/31887/5] Posted by Mark A at 17:18, 8th May 2026 | |
Asked about arrangements for the Manvers Street closure - the First bus chap who roves the concourse at the bus station knowledgeable on Faresaver's arrangements and the other road closure that's prompted that period of turning the buses round after the Hilton Hotel stop at the city end of Walcot Street. However, he said that First had put nothing out about this yet (and sure enough the board at one end of the bus station that carries paper based service change notices was blank).
On the good side, replacement seating throughout the bus station, including the missing stuff.
Awaiting a bus, it can be said that the advertising tombstones *within* the bus station are a bit of a disaster - apart from being generally in the way - as from some of the seats they block the view of the nearest bus bay making it difficult for seated passengers to see if their bus is ready for boarding. Photo below shows the whole of Bay 3, anticipating the departure of the good ole' Stagecoach 620 to Stroud, the view of said bus obstructed by Gregg's advertisers having chucked a chicken roll in the way.
Mark
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [374923/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 16:23, 8th May 2026 | |
The 12:17 from Westbury to Swindon ran and is now sat in the bay at Swindon awaiting its next working.
Quoting the full report as it is at the moment on JourneyCheck. Whilst we can say "wouldn't it br nice if" to some aspects, this is streets ahead of what's happened on so many prior occasions.
Cancellations to services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham
Following a road vehicle colliding with a bridge earlier today between Bath Spa and Trowbridge the line towards Bath Spa has now reopened. Disruption is expected until 17:30 08/05.
Train services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham have been cancelled.
Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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A vehicle had struck a bridge in the Freshford area between Bath Spa and Trowbridge.
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What are we doing about it?
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Trains are currently only running from Trowbridge to Chippenham via Melksham.
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Trains that would normally run along that route have been diverted along the route through Melksham, which means we had to suspend our timetabled services between Swindon and Westbury, in both directions for a time. These services will shortly be running again.
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What are your options?
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We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today, these are the current options available to you:
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Replacement transport in the form of a taxi will transport passengers from Melksham to Chippenham for the 16:39 service.
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Where possible the diverted trains will make additional stops at Melksham and Chippenham, these will be advertised in journey planners once confirmed.
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You can use your ticket, at no extra cost, on the local Faresaver bus route X34 between Chippenham (Bus Station, Bay 6), Melksham (McDonalds, a 10 minute walk from the station), Trowbridge (Trinity Church, a short walk from the station). Just show your train ticket to the bus driver. You can find bus times at www.faresaver.co.uk/current-timetables/
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Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
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For more information:
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Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the live departure boards or speak to a member of station staff.
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Let us help you:
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If you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
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If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to staff at the station or on the train. Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 06:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 17:00 Saturday and Sunday, or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
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Delay Repay:
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If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
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Last Updated:08/05/2026 16:09
Following a road vehicle colliding with a bridge earlier today between Bath Spa and Trowbridge the line towards Bath Spa has now reopened. Disruption is expected until 17:30 08/05.
Train services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham have been cancelled.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
A vehicle had struck a bridge in the Freshford area between Bath Spa and Trowbridge.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
Trains are currently only running from Trowbridge to Chippenham via Melksham.
-
Trains that would normally run along that route have been diverted along the route through Melksham, which means we had to suspend our timetabled services between Swindon and Westbury, in both directions for a time. These services will shortly be running again.
-
What are your options?
-
We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today, these are the current options available to you:
-
Replacement transport in the form of a taxi will transport passengers from Melksham to Chippenham for the 16:39 service.
-
Where possible the diverted trains will make additional stops at Melksham and Chippenham, these will be advertised in journey planners once confirmed.
-
You can use your ticket, at no extra cost, on the local Faresaver bus route X34 between Chippenham (Bus Station, Bay 6), Melksham (McDonalds, a 10 minute walk from the station), Trowbridge (Trinity Church, a short walk from the station). Just show your train ticket to the bus driver. You can find bus times at www.faresaver.co.uk/current-timetables/
-
Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
-
For more information:
-
Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the live departure boards or speak to a member of station staff.
-
Let us help you:
-
If you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
-
If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to staff at the station or on the train. Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 06:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 17:00 Saturday and Sunday, or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
-
Delay Repay:
-
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
-
Last Updated:08/05/2026 16:09
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [374922/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 16:20, 8th May 2026 | |
The 12:17 from Westbury to Swindon ran and is now sat in the bay at Swindon awaiting its next working.
Looks like that unit is now going to work the 17:35 to Westbury.
| Re: Advance fares - hardly the most robust offering In "Fare's Fair" [374921/31978/4] Posted by ChrisB at 15:38, 8th May 2026 | |
Yes, this is so.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [374920/31359/18] Posted by Mark A at 15:32, 8th May 2026 | |
It is Limpley Stoke.
Awaiting a bridge examiner.
Awaiting a bridge examiner.
I'm suspecting that all these impacts are happening on the west side of this bridge. Driving that road this morning and thinking 'Bridge strike location coming up', the impression was that the associated signage isn't brilliant. No indication before the turn off the A36, then an advisory on the height restriction 3/4 mile ahead - said notice among others and in a busy part of the road immediately after the turn off the A36... and then nothing apart from a couple of 'Give way' signs before the bend in the road before the at that point invisible bridge itself, it being approached via and concealed by the left hand bend immediately before it. The signage has plenty of opportunity to hide in foliage / be inconspicuous in bright sunlight. None of which is an acceptable reason for driving into the bridge of course, even the road alignment is screaming 'Drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear'.
Mark
| Re: Difficulty of booking international rail tickets In "Fare's Fair" [374919/31906/4] Posted by rogerw at 15:28, 8th May 2026 | |
My understanding is that this ceased many years ago. Well before COVID
| Lewisham rail disaster - 4 December 1957 In "Railway History and related topics" [374918/32000/55] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:32, 8th May 2026 | |
It's not an anniversary, or anything, other than a post I happened to stumble across on YouTube. However, we have referred to the sad incident previously elsewhere, here on the Coffee Shop forum.
This is a very good coverage of that tragic incident, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byf0V1oEUpM (37 minutes).
CfN.
| Re: On tour, May 2026, Grahame In "The Lighter Side" [374917/31997/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:38, 8th May 2026 | |
Definitely not Taunton.
Netherlands?
| Re: Sad death of Shirley Pope, 82, and her dog, hit by train on foot crossing at Pewsey, Feb 2025 In "London to Kennet Valley" [374916/30033/8] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:32, 8th May 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Thanks for that update here, hoover50.
CfN.
| Re: Sad death of Shirley Pope, 82, and her dog, hit by train on foot crossing at Pewsey, Feb 2025 In "London to Kennet Valley" [374915/30033/8] Posted by hoover50 at 13:24, 8th May 2026 | |
The RAIB have now published their report into this tragic incident.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69fc45508cc72d2f863ea57b/R052026_260507_Pewsey.pdf
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374914/31999/26] Posted by a-driver at 13:19, 8th May 2026 | |
Staff have received the email and been told, 13 December 2026.
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374913/31999/26] Posted by Electric train at 13:17, 8th May 2026 | |
Well, AI is mistaken in those dates dates quoted.
Core term expired 22 June 2025; contract end date not until 25 June 2028.
According to the TSSA Union's website....
Core term expired 22 June 2025; contract end date not until 25 June 2028.
According to the TSSA Union's website....
According to the DfT press release on the Gov.UK website 26 Sept 2025 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/next-train-services-to-return-to-public-ownership-revealed-as-government-delivers-railways-reset
Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railways services are then expected to follow, with the Secretary of State of Transport due to make final decisions on when exactly this will happen in due course.
All passenger services operating under contracts with the department are expected to return to public ownership by the end of 2027 and will eventually be integrated into Great British Railways.
All passenger services operating under contracts with the department are expected to return to public ownership by the end of 2027 and will eventually be integrated into Great British Railways.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [374912/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 13:16, 8th May 2026 | |
The 12:17 from Westbury to Swindon ran and is now sat in the bay at Swindon awaiting its next working.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [374911/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 13:13, 8th May 2026 | |
It is Limpley Stoke.
Awaiting a bridge examiner.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [374910/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 13:12, 8th May 2026 | |
12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge.
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge.
The bridge strike is "in the Freshford area" which probably means at Limpley Stoke.
| Re: On tour, May 2026, Grahame In "The Lighter Side" [374909/31997/30] Posted by grahame at 13:08, 8th May 2026 | |
Could try somewhere a bit more challenging
| Re: On tour, May 2026, Grahame In "The Lighter Side" [374908/31997/30] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 12:55, 8th May 2026 | |
That could be Rotterdam ,or anywhere but Home …
| Re: Outage of Coffee Shop this afternoon, 7.5.2026 In "News, Help and Assistance" [374907/31996/29] Posted by Fourbee at 12:27, 8th May 2026 | |
It would appear that the company who hosts the server had been unable to collect their monthly fee ... don't know why, perhaps a glitch somewhere;
Bit of a long shot, but I know Halifax are changing their credit cards from Mastercard to Visa and any Continuous Payment Authorities may need updating with the new details. I believe if the card scheme stays the same (e.g. an expiring Visa card is replaced with another Visa card) companies can use Visa Updater (or the Mastercard equivalent) to get the new details (so not the case here).| Re: Advance fares - hardly the most robust offering In "Fare's Fair" [374906/31978/4] Posted by Fourbee at 12:14, 8th May 2026 | |
The 16:39 from Melksham ran on time ... then an hour to wait in Swindon for the 18:04 to Paddington. Good job I am "robust" as at around 17:30 that flagged up as "delayed". No indication why, no indication by how much ... and so a quick trip to the staffed counter where they told me it hadn't yet left Gloucester
Glasd they provided an answer to the meaning of "delayed" - train not moving yet towards destination & until it does, we are unable to work out an estimate of the amount of delay....just still getting later basically.
, so if/when it starts moving. Personally I think "delayed" can impart a lot of false hope.| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374905/31999/26] Posted by ChrisB at 12:00, 8th May 2026 | |
Well, AI is mistaken in those dates dates quoted.
Core term expired 22 June 2025; contract end date not until 25 June 2028.
According to the TSSA Union's website....
| Re: 13th December 2026 - Great Western returns to public ownership In "Across the West" [374904/31999/26] Posted by JohnM at 11:52, 8th May 2026 | |
AI says it is, so it must be true
The timing for Great Western Railway (GWR) returning to public ownership is based on the government's phased nationalization schedule under the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024.
While specific dates for later transitions can occasionally shift based on the exact end of franchise periods, the December 13, 2026 date aligns with the expected expiration of GWR's current contract.
Why this date?
* Contract Expiry: The government is bringing operators back into public hands as their existing private contracts expire to avoid paying compensation to the private firms. GWR's current agreement with the Department for Transport (DfT) is scheduled to conclude in late 2026.
* The Three-Month Rollout: Since the 2024 Act, the government has been nationalizing roughly one operator every quarter. For example, South Western Railway transitioned in 2025, and West Midlands Trains followed in early 2026.
* Autumn 2026 Window: Official projections and timelines from the DfT and major news trackers (such as The Guardian's nationalization tracker) place GWR in the "Autumn 2026" bracket, specifically targeting mid-December to coincide with the winter timetable change—a standard point for major administrative shifts in the rail industry.
The final operator, CrossCountry, is currently projected to be the last to transition in late 2027.
While specific dates for later transitions can occasionally shift based on the exact end of franchise periods, the December 13, 2026 date aligns with the expected expiration of GWR's current contract.
Why this date?
* Contract Expiry: The government is bringing operators back into public hands as their existing private contracts expire to avoid paying compensation to the private firms. GWR's current agreement with the Department for Transport (DfT) is scheduled to conclude in late 2026.
* The Three-Month Rollout: Since the 2024 Act, the government has been nationalizing roughly one operator every quarter. For example, South Western Railway transitioned in 2025, and West Midlands Trains followed in early 2026.
* Autumn 2026 Window: Official projections and timelines from the DfT and major news trackers (such as The Guardian's nationalization tracker) place GWR in the "Autumn 2026" bracket, specifically targeting mid-December to coincide with the winter timetable change—a standard point for major administrative shifts in the rail industry.
The final operator, CrossCountry, is currently projected to be the last to transition in late 2027.
