Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Plymouth: River Plym railway bridge work - 21 Feb to 9 Mar 2026 In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [373110/31637/24] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 02:38, 7th March 2026 |      |
From the BBC:
Work on rail bridge expected to finish on time
The River Plym Railway Bridge in Plymouth is set to reopen on 9 March
Work to strengthen a railway bridge so it can carry heavier trains is on track to finish on time despite poor weather, Network Rail has said.
The line between Plymouth and Totnes has been shut since Saturday 21 February for work on the River Plym Railway Bridge. About 180m (591ft) of track is being replaced among other work at a cost of about £6.5m.
Dan Parkes, principal portfolio manager at Network Rail, said the work had been "challenging" in heavy rainfall but the bridge was expected to reopen on Monday morning.
The River Plym bridge, near the A38, is on the main line between London Paddington and Penzance.
Network Rail said 134 steel rail bearers installed between existing cross beams on the bridge and 24 new rail bearers made of synthetic wood were being laid as part of the work. They are designed to last six times longer than the traditional timber bearers they are replacing.
The rail boss said some of the steel work on the bridge had become rusty and corroded. "It needs a really, really good lot of repairs and maintenance to keep it good for the future," Parkes said.
Resurfacing work on the Plymouth-bound platform at Totnes and track and drain maintenance also formed part of the project.
High water levels caused by poor weather has made the work difficult at times
With the agreement of the Marine Management Organisation and the Environment Agency, the river in Plymouth was partially dammed to help with work underneath the bridge. However, recent heavy rainfall has made things difficult.
"There was times coming in through the storms [when] the tide was rising above the parapet on the bridge, it was coming above the dam we installed," Danny Tyrie, site manager with contractor Morgan Sindall, said. "The height of the water was extremely high which obviously made it tougher to work in."
Work has been ongoing on the bridge for several months and will continue for several more when the line is back open.
Trains between Exeter and London, Cardiff and the north of England continue to operate as normal, as do services between Plymouth and Penzance, said Network Rail.
Sharon Holloway, Great Western Railway station manager for Plymouth, said: "Replacement buses will bridge the gaps, but journey times will be longer, and we urge passengers to check before they travel and allow extra time."
The River Plym Railway Bridge in Plymouth is set to reopen on 9 March
Work to strengthen a railway bridge so it can carry heavier trains is on track to finish on time despite poor weather, Network Rail has said.
The line between Plymouth and Totnes has been shut since Saturday 21 February for work on the River Plym Railway Bridge. About 180m (591ft) of track is being replaced among other work at a cost of about £6.5m.
Dan Parkes, principal portfolio manager at Network Rail, said the work had been "challenging" in heavy rainfall but the bridge was expected to reopen on Monday morning.
The River Plym bridge, near the A38, is on the main line between London Paddington and Penzance.
Network Rail said 134 steel rail bearers installed between existing cross beams on the bridge and 24 new rail bearers made of synthetic wood were being laid as part of the work. They are designed to last six times longer than the traditional timber bearers they are replacing.
The rail boss said some of the steel work on the bridge had become rusty and corroded. "It needs a really, really good lot of repairs and maintenance to keep it good for the future," Parkes said.
Resurfacing work on the Plymouth-bound platform at Totnes and track and drain maintenance also formed part of the project.
High water levels caused by poor weather has made the work difficult at times
With the agreement of the Marine Management Organisation and the Environment Agency, the river in Plymouth was partially dammed to help with work underneath the bridge. However, recent heavy rainfall has made things difficult.
"There was times coming in through the storms [when] the tide was rising above the parapet on the bridge, it was coming above the dam we installed," Danny Tyrie, site manager with contractor Morgan Sindall, said. "The height of the water was extremely high which obviously made it tougher to work in."
Work has been ongoing on the bridge for several months and will continue for several more when the line is back open.
Trains between Exeter and London, Cardiff and the north of England continue to operate as normal, as do services between Plymouth and Penzance, said Network Rail.
Sharon Holloway, Great Western Railway station manager for Plymouth, said: "Replacement buses will bridge the gaps, but journey times will be longer, and we urge passengers to check before they travel and allow extra time."
| Inside the 'chaotic' world of the UK Wife Carrying Race - Surrey, 8 March 2026 In "The Lighter Side" [373109/31716/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 02:11, 7th March 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Inside the 'chaotic' world of wife carrying
Dozens of people are expected to take part in the 2026 UK Wife Carrying Race
On Sunday, one of the UK's wackiest races returns, bringing some Scandinavian fun to the Surrey sporting scene.
About 70 people are expected to carry their wives, husbands, partners, friends and family up a hill in the UK's Wife Carrying Race in Dorking, now entering its 17th year with the winners qualifying for the Wife Carrying World Championships in Finland in July. "It's certainly chaotic," says Ian Giles, race director of the UK race. "There are a few familiar faces each year."
While the couple who won the last two years' races are back to defend their crown, competition is on the horizon with a "stacked" couple from the sport's Finnish home. Giles added: "This year we have 35 couples racing and at least another 15 on a waiting list."
Allegedly dating back centuries, wife carrying races involve people putting their partner on their back, front or over their shoulder, and completing a course of hills, hay bales and a "splash zone" of buckets of water and water pistols.
In the UK the practice reportedly links back to the Viking pillage of Lindisfarne. In sporting terms, its roots are in Finland, where the first world championships took place in 1996.
The UK Wife Carrying Race features an "out-and-back" 380m (1,246 ft) course. As with any good sport, there are strict rules to ensure a level playing field.
The course involves a "splash zone" with water buckets and pistols
Contrary to what the sport's name would suggest, you do not have to be married to carry your partner. Carrying friends, partners or siblings are all allowed, but they must be over 18 years-old.
People being carried are weighed prior to the event and must be at least 50kg (110 lbs) - anyone under that must wear a rucksack "filled with tins of flour, water or similar to bring them to the required weight".
Helmets are obligatory for those being carried - fancy dress is expected. The organisers said: "Spectators are encouraged to attend with their own water-pistols and buckets of water to staff the Splash Zone."
"You can use any one of the many recognised holds - bridal carry, piggy-back, shoulder-ride, fireman's carry (across the shoulders), the well-recognised and very fast Estonian Hold (wife hangs upside-down on man's back, legs crossed in front of the man's face) or the not-so-fast but unique Dorking Hold (the reverse Estonian)."
"I'm aware of the dangers - I don't want to drop my girlfriend on her head," says defending UK champion Stuart Johnson.
Johnson has good form despite his concerns - he and partner Hattie Cronin, from Woking, are two-time UK champions, returning to see if lightning strikes thrice.
Johnson and Cronin first entered in 2024 after friends competed the year before and recommended it to them. They come into this year's race as undefeated UK champions.
Johnson said: "The first time we practised it a few times and ran around our local park and with people thinking we were bonkers."
UK Wife Carrying Champion Stuart Johnson, with partner Hattie Cronin on his back
Cronin said: "I didn't say yes initially - Stuart signed up before asking me. Imagine being put in a washing machine, it feels a lot like that." The couple's favoured method is the Estonian hold.
As part of the prize, winners of the UK race receive £250 towards travel costs for the World Championships.
The sport is a different level in Scandinavia, though, Johnson said. "You get these gladiator humans and it looks like they weren't even carrying anything," he said. Despite returning to defend the crown, Giles says there is competition from a Finnish couple coming to upset the odds.
The Scandinavian couple came 27th in the 2025 World Championships, completing the course in one minute and 32 seconds. "I think this year there will be quite a lot of pressure - they look absolutely stacked," he said.
The UK Wife Carrying Race takes place on Sunday at 10:15 GMT at The Nower in Dorking, ahead of the Leith Hill half marathon.
Spectators are being encouraged to arrive on foot or by public transport, and bring their buckets and water pistols too, of course.
Dozens of people are expected to take part in the 2026 UK Wife Carrying Race
On Sunday, one of the UK's wackiest races returns, bringing some Scandinavian fun to the Surrey sporting scene.
About 70 people are expected to carry their wives, husbands, partners, friends and family up a hill in the UK's Wife Carrying Race in Dorking, now entering its 17th year with the winners qualifying for the Wife Carrying World Championships in Finland in July. "It's certainly chaotic," says Ian Giles, race director of the UK race. "There are a few familiar faces each year."
While the couple who won the last two years' races are back to defend their crown, competition is on the horizon with a "stacked" couple from the sport's Finnish home. Giles added: "This year we have 35 couples racing and at least another 15 on a waiting list."
Allegedly dating back centuries, wife carrying races involve people putting their partner on their back, front or over their shoulder, and completing a course of hills, hay bales and a "splash zone" of buckets of water and water pistols.
In the UK the practice reportedly links back to the Viking pillage of Lindisfarne. In sporting terms, its roots are in Finland, where the first world championships took place in 1996.
The UK Wife Carrying Race features an "out-and-back" 380m (1,246 ft) course. As with any good sport, there are strict rules to ensure a level playing field.
The course involves a "splash zone" with water buckets and pistols
Contrary to what the sport's name would suggest, you do not have to be married to carry your partner. Carrying friends, partners or siblings are all allowed, but they must be over 18 years-old.
People being carried are weighed prior to the event and must be at least 50kg (110 lbs) - anyone under that must wear a rucksack "filled with tins of flour, water or similar to bring them to the required weight".
Helmets are obligatory for those being carried - fancy dress is expected. The organisers said: "Spectators are encouraged to attend with their own water-pistols and buckets of water to staff the Splash Zone."
"You can use any one of the many recognised holds - bridal carry, piggy-back, shoulder-ride, fireman's carry (across the shoulders), the well-recognised and very fast Estonian Hold (wife hangs upside-down on man's back, legs crossed in front of the man's face) or the not-so-fast but unique Dorking Hold (the reverse Estonian)."
"I'm aware of the dangers - I don't want to drop my girlfriend on her head," says defending UK champion Stuart Johnson.
Johnson has good form despite his concerns - he and partner Hattie Cronin, from Woking, are two-time UK champions, returning to see if lightning strikes thrice.
Johnson and Cronin first entered in 2024 after friends competed the year before and recommended it to them. They come into this year's race as undefeated UK champions.
Johnson said: "The first time we practised it a few times and ran around our local park and with people thinking we were bonkers."
UK Wife Carrying Champion Stuart Johnson, with partner Hattie Cronin on his back
Cronin said: "I didn't say yes initially - Stuart signed up before asking me. Imagine being put in a washing machine, it feels a lot like that." The couple's favoured method is the Estonian hold.
As part of the prize, winners of the UK race receive £250 towards travel costs for the World Championships.
The sport is a different level in Scandinavia, though, Johnson said. "You get these gladiator humans and it looks like they weren't even carrying anything," he said. Despite returning to defend the crown, Giles says there is competition from a Finnish couple coming to upset the odds.
The Scandinavian couple came 27th in the 2025 World Championships, completing the course in one minute and 32 seconds. "I think this year there will be quite a lot of pressure - they look absolutely stacked," he said.
The UK Wife Carrying Race takes place on Sunday at 10:15 GMT at The Nower in Dorking, ahead of the Leith Hill half marathon.
Spectators are being encouraged to arrive on foot or by public transport, and bring their buckets and water pistols too, of course.
(My highlighting. CfN.
)| Person killed by Ickenham Tube was blocked from safety spot - 28 March 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [373108/31715/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 01:42, 7th March 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Person killed by Tube was blocked from safe spot
The passenger was killed at Ickenham station in west London last March
A passenger who fell onto a London Underground track was unable to avoid being hit and killed by a train due to communication cables preventing them moving to a place of safety, an investigation has found.
CCTV showed the passenger was aware a train was approaching at Ickenham station, west London, before they were struck at about 22:30 GMT on 28 March 2025.
Neither station staff nor the driver had seen the passenger, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report said. The train's brakes automatically applied as it pulled away due to its safety system coming into contact with the passenger, who was then discovered.
Transport for London (TfL) said it "fully supported" the investigation.
The passenger, whom the RAIB described as vulnerable, lay undiscovered for two minutes on the track after losing their balance. Before being struck, they tried to move from the track bed to the under-platform recess but this was blocked by communication cables.
The platform lighting created a sharp contrast with the darker track bed and the passenger was dressed in dark clothing, making them harder to detect, investigators found.
The passenger took nearly four minutes to descend the stairs, falling six times
Last year, an inquest ruled that a man who had been run over by seven Tube trains at Stratford station died accidentally. The coroner later said that two years on from his death "there is no clear evidence to demonstrate that risks of fatal harm have been mitigated".
On this occasion, the RAIB made three recommendations to TfL:
- Review and update safety standards for under‑platform recesses so they can reliably provide a safe space
- Complete platform‑specific risk assessments
- Identify and evaluate safety measures to reduce platform‑fall risks
Ickenham station first opened in 1905
London Underground policy states that drug and alcohol testing of staff should occur "as soon as possible after a dangerous incident" but the testers arrived at 01:05, one minute before the train operator's finish time.
The investigators wrote: "By the time the testers arrived, the train operator's manager had already arranged for a taxi to take the train operator home, at the end of their shift, in the interests of their welfare. While there is no evidence that the train operator was impaired by drugs or alcohol, RAIB observes that London Underground did not follow its own processes for testing staff following a serious accident."
Nick Dent, TfL's director of customer operations said his thoughts were "with the family and friends of the person who sadly died" and it had conducted its own internal investigation. He said: "We are considering the recommendations from the RAIB and will be taking forward action to address them, along with the recommendations from our own internal review. Safety remains our top priority and we are acting to ensure that our customers are safe when travelling on our network."
The passenger was killed at Ickenham station in west London last March
A passenger who fell onto a London Underground track was unable to avoid being hit and killed by a train due to communication cables preventing them moving to a place of safety, an investigation has found.
CCTV showed the passenger was aware a train was approaching at Ickenham station, west London, before they were struck at about 22:30 GMT on 28 March 2025.
Neither station staff nor the driver had seen the passenger, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report said. The train's brakes automatically applied as it pulled away due to its safety system coming into contact with the passenger, who was then discovered.
Transport for London (TfL) said it "fully supported" the investigation.
The passenger, whom the RAIB described as vulnerable, lay undiscovered for two minutes on the track after losing their balance. Before being struck, they tried to move from the track bed to the under-platform recess but this was blocked by communication cables.
The platform lighting created a sharp contrast with the darker track bed and the passenger was dressed in dark clothing, making them harder to detect, investigators found.
The passenger took nearly four minutes to descend the stairs, falling six times
Last year, an inquest ruled that a man who had been run over by seven Tube trains at Stratford station died accidentally. The coroner later said that two years on from his death "there is no clear evidence to demonstrate that risks of fatal harm have been mitigated".
On this occasion, the RAIB made three recommendations to TfL:
- Review and update safety standards for under‑platform recesses so they can reliably provide a safe space
- Complete platform‑specific risk assessments
- Identify and evaluate safety measures to reduce platform‑fall risks
Ickenham station first opened in 1905
London Underground policy states that drug and alcohol testing of staff should occur "as soon as possible after a dangerous incident" but the testers arrived at 01:05, one minute before the train operator's finish time.
The investigators wrote: "By the time the testers arrived, the train operator's manager had already arranged for a taxi to take the train operator home, at the end of their shift, in the interests of their welfare. While there is no evidence that the train operator was impaired by drugs or alcohol, RAIB observes that London Underground did not follow its own processes for testing staff following a serious accident."
Nick Dent, TfL's director of customer operations said his thoughts were "with the family and friends of the person who sadly died" and it had conducted its own internal investigation. He said: "We are considering the recommendations from the RAIB and will be taking forward action to address them, along with the recommendations from our own internal review. Safety remains our top priority and we are acting to ensure that our customers are safe when travelling on our network."
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373107/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 21:46, 6th March 2026 | |
20:06 off Westbury this evening ... left a minute late to maintain a connection with the 18:36 from Paddington; sensible decision. At Melksham, 10 off and 12 on which is very much more than I might have guessed; I did not walk through the train and have no idea of what the through count was. Our trains seem to be getting busier.
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373106/31713/4] Posted by Surrey 455 at 20:16, 6th March 2026 | |
SWR have a Mixing Desk too. No idea if it will still be around in the future.
https://tickets.southwesternrailway.com/sw/en/JourneyPlanning/MixingDeck
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [373105/569/25] Posted by grahame at 20:11, 6th March 2026 | |
Route proving train for the Looe branch planned for this afternoon (06/03/26)
From Social media, public post ...
Don't need a snorkel anymore then
reply from one of the crewit's as dry as a Ginsters pasty..
| Re: Storing petrol In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [373102/22213/51] Posted by broadgage at 19:03, 6th March 2026 | |
Last time heating oil increased substantially in price, a rumour was spread that electric heating was cheaper (it was not).
Large numbers of sheeple used multiple electric heaters instead of oil central heating in the forlorn hope of saving money.
As a result numerous power cuts occurred as the distribution system was overloaded.
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373100/31713/4] Posted by Kernow Otter at 17:58, 6th March 2026 | |
The story is that it's a forced change for GWR (and some others) as their supplier, Wordline IT, is withdrawing from this market. However, Wordline do use the same engine on their own booking site, respottedhanky, at least for the time being.
Dare I ask if this change will stay into 'nationalisation', or will GWR customers have to migrate onto another state run booking system in due course?
| Re: Australian question In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [373099/31714/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:34, 6th March 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
Hmm. I rather think you will be unlucky in looking for any forum which deals 'exclusively' with 'Australian train issues only', infoman.
Here on the Coffee Shop forum, where we have always been based on railway issues in the south and west of England and Wales in the United Kingdom, we nevertheless also cover 'train issues in Australia'.
A 'Google search' offers some suggestions for you.
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [373098/569/25] Posted by a-driver at 14:59, 6th March 2026 | |
Route proving train for the Looe branch planned for this afternoon (06/03/26)
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373097/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 13:39, 6th March 2026 | |
Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it 
Presumably it is front two or possibly three coaches for Melksham on an IET?
All the first coach, all the second coach, and front door only on third carriage?
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373096/31713/4] Posted by Clan Line at 11:49, 6th March 2026 | |
Many thanks for the responses. Redspottedhanky has it ! I'll keep RTT in mind if RSH vanishes too.
| Re: Storing petrol In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [373095/22213/51] Posted by Sixty3Closure at 11:26, 6th March 2026 | |
I bought 600l of heating oil 10 days ago for 56p a litre. Current quote is well over 100p a litre. The local facebook page also has people complaining that some suppliers have been trying to put prices up on existing orders and threatening to cancel them if they don't agree.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373094/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 09:53, 6th March 2026 | |
Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it
Presumably it is front two or possibly three coaches for Melksham on an IET?
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373093/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 08:54, 6th March 2026 | |
...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"...
...and now cancelled. But there's a fleet of SUVs on the way, apparently...Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it
Not a perfect evening - but good to see better measures coming into place when things go wrong.
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373092/31713/4] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:37, 6th March 2026 | |
I find the LNER website very good for ticket purchase - also remembers your seating preferences etc - and they are excellent when it comes to delay/repay payments - often within 48 hours.
https://www.lner.co.uk/
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373091/31359/18] Posted by matth1j at 07:34, 6th March 2026 Already liked by grahame, Mark A | |
...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"...
...and now cancelled. But there's a fleet of SUVs on the way, apparently...Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it
| Australian question In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [373090/31714/52] Posted by infoman at 05:56, 6th March 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Would any one known of any forums(Australian based) that deal just with Australian train issues only?
Thanking you in advance.
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373089/31713/4] Posted by Hafren at 22:34, 5th March 2026 | |
I find Realtimetickets (same place as Realtimetrains) useful for seeing actual ticket types.
| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys In "Across the West" [373088/31709/26] Posted by broadgage at 22:33, 5th March 2026 | |
I would hope when they are retired we get the ones Mr Rule hinted at, but then didn’t deliver.
Sorry this is your view, but we've not sought to hide it. Staff started looking at and giving feedback on the plans for the new trains around three years ago.
I think many of the concerns you mention are based on the idea that somehow we think we can deliver this service with something similar to the current trolleys. We can't.
There are plenty of more sophisticated trolleys on the market that keep things hot, and keep things cool, and even serve a proper cup of coffee. A quick google will give you some idea.
Edit note: Quote marks fixed, purely for clarity. CfN.
A cynic like me might suspect that FGW "have generally not been very good at articulating what we intend to offer in terms of food and drink" because they wanted to conceal the fact that the new trains don't have buffets, until it was too late to alter this.
For some year on these forums I have offered as an opinion, and more recently I have stated as a fact that "the new trains wont have buffets"
Many respected members of these forums felt that such views were unduly negative.
"of course they will have buffets"
"they will probably have buffets"
"a buffet could be installed if the TOC want one"
"a buffet could be retrofitted"
And eventually an admission that they don't have buffets.
I too share the doubts expressed by others as to how precisely hot food is to be served in standard class from a trolley, I also have doubts about the sufficiency of trolley stocks of chilled beer. I have observed very substantial volumes of beer being sold on some trains and doubt that a trolley could cope.
For some year on these forums I have offered as an opinion, and more recently I have stated as a fact that "the new trains wont have buffets"
Many respected members of these forums felt that such views were unduly negative.
"of course they will have buffets"
"they will probably have buffets"
"a buffet could be installed if the TOC want one"
"a buffet could be retrofitted"
And eventually an admission that they don't have buffets.
I too share the doubts expressed by others as to how precisely hot food is to be served in standard class from a trolley, I also have doubts about the sufficiency of trolley stocks of chilled beer. I have observed very substantial volumes of beer being sold on some trains and doubt that a trolley could cope.
Sorry this is your view, but we've not sought to hide it. Staff started looking at and giving feedback on the plans for the new trains around three years ago.
I think many of the concerns you mention are based on the idea that somehow we think we can deliver this service with something similar to the current trolleys. We can't.
There are plenty of more sophisticated trolleys on the market that keep things hot, and keep things cool, and even serve a proper cup of coffee. A quick google will give you some idea.
Edit note: Quote marks fixed, purely for clarity. CfN.
And after TEN years what has happened ?
Improved trollies has changed from a commitment, to an aspiration, and now sunk without trace.
Hot food in standard class, also sunk without trace (after a brief trial that produced the expected result that it was uneconomic)
| Re: Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373087/31713/4] Posted by stuving at 22:30, 5th March 2026 | |
The story is that it's a forced change for GWR (and some others) as their supplier, Worldline IT, is withdrawing from this market. However, Wordline do use the same engine on their own booking site, respottedhanky, at least for the time being.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373086/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 21:57, 5th March 2026 | |
All happening tonight!
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 is being delayed between Stonehouse and Gloucester.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 is being delayed between Stonehouse and Gloucester.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
| Re: First Bus pulling out of Cornwall, 14.2.2026 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [373085/31133/5] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 21:24, 5th March 2026 | |
I'm currently indirectly benefitting from First's withdrawal from Cornwall, as many of the buses have been transferred to the optimistically-named Berkshire and Thames Valley area (really Slough and surrounds). They now have more buses than they know what to do with and have introduced 2 frequent new routes forming a High Wycombe-Uxbridge-Slough triangle in a fight to the death with GoAhead's Carousel operation.
| Ticket Booking sites In "Fare's Fair" [373084/31713/4] Posted by Clan Line at 19:40, 5th March 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I have long used the GWR Mixing Deck booking site to buy my train tickets. This now seems to have vanished. Can anyone tell me of another site which tells me exactly what TYPE of ticket I am buying for my money/planned journey ? Is Mixing Deck still available - I fear not, its too simple and gives too much useful info away !
Every other site I have tried so far gives me a fare but doesn't detail whether it's "anytime", "off peak", "super off peak", "evening out" or what ever.
What I am trying ascertain is: if I turn up at my station to catch the 0740 to ?? what is the cheapest ticket I can buy for that service at that time ? That would be handy to know - in case I need a bank loan for when I get there !
Mixing Deck told me that, clearly and simply - the "new" websites are very glitzy but don't tell me what I wish to know
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373083/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 18:36, 5th March 2026 | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
It will no longer call at Melksham but will call additionally at Bath Spa.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 12 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
It will no longer call at Melksham but will call additionally at Bath Spa.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 12 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373082/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 18:18, 5th March 2026 | |
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [373081/31359/18] Posted by matth1j at 18:13, 5th March 2026 | |
...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"...
...and now cancelled. But there's a fleet of SUVs on the way, apparently...