Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361167/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 02:48, 3rd May 2025 |      |
A summary from yesterday - of 18 calls planned, just 7 happened.
Southbound at 06:32, 20:39 and 23:12
Northbound at 07:21, 08:02, 18:52 and 21:31
Early evening calls at 19:09 and 20:22 were cancelled, even though the line had been re-opened by that time.
| Re: A very easy riddle In "The Lighter Side" [361166/30228/30] Posted by Red Squirrel at 23:28, 2nd May 2025 | |
It goes without saying, I hope, that the Lake District is a good place for a red squirrel to commune with their fellow ruddy rodents. Hence my comments about the land of my kin.
| Re: Subtle train time changes In "London to the Cotswolds" [361164/20838/14] Posted by IndustryInsider at 20:52, 2nd May 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, Mark A, Timmer, eightonedee | |
I thought I’d resurrect this old thread to report that the 08:18 WOS-PAD is going from a 5-car to a 9-car from the timetable change.
It’s a very popular train that is currently always full and standing from Oxford, sometimes very overcrowded, so great news.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361163/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 19:41, 2nd May 2025 | |
I have to ask ... why does it take so LONG to get a failed locomotive out of the way? Is it part of a more general set of things that seem for whatever reason to take fare longer to sort out when things go wrong? No backup plans? No spares/staff around? Extra Health and safety requirements? Everyone a specialist?
I'd point that question at Hopwood if I were you, after all it's his trains that are being cancelled and his customers inconvenienced. Given that, I'm sure he's all over those responsible and should be able to address your points.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361162/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 19:35, 2nd May 2025 | |
"Short" runs this evening too - the 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury and the 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa both missing out Melksham. Makes sense to be reversing TransWilts trains at Bathampton - remembering that 2 out of 3 passengers along the single line on a normal day are going through (not from or too Melksham) and so this is the best solution for them.
Oops - and sadly that's not what they have done with the evening trains after all
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Swindon.
It will no longer call at Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:05
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:05 will be started from Swindon.
It will no longer call at Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Swindon.
It will no longer call at Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:05
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:05 will be started from Swindon.
It will no longer call at Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
So "disruption until 20:00" is the operational description. Anyone who hopes to head from Melksham to Cheltenham Spa (agreed not a huge flow) at 20:25 won't get there until - what - 11 p.m. or later? [Edit - looked it up - 23:31!]
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361161/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 19:23, 2nd May 2025 | |
Cancellations to services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham
Following a broken down train earlier today between Trowbridge and Chippenham the line has now reopened. Disruption is expected until 20:00 02/05.
Train services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham are returning to normal but some services may still be cancelled, delayed or diverted.
Customer Advice
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We're sorry for the delay to your journey.
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A freight train locomotive had broken down on the line between Trowbridge and Chippenham. Engineers from the freight company fixed the locomotive and it has now been able to move clear of the line.
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We are now able to re-instate our train service, the first service from Westbury will be the 18:37 Westbury to Swindon and the first train from Swindon the 20:14 Swindon to Westbury.
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For the trains that are not running we have requested replacement road transport to run between Chippenham and Westbury via Melksham and Trowbridge. Please check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for the replacement road transport at the designated stop. Before getting in any taxi vehicle please check with the driver that they are working on behalf of GWR, the driver should not ask for payment.
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Following a broken down train earlier today between Trowbridge and Chippenham the line has now reopened. Disruption is expected until 20:00 02/05.
Train services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham are returning to normal but some services may still be cancelled, delayed or diverted.
Customer Advice
-
We're sorry for the delay to your journey.
-
A freight train locomotive had broken down on the line between Trowbridge and Chippenham. Engineers from the freight company fixed the locomotive and it has now been able to move clear of the line.
-
We are now able to re-instate our train service, the first service from Westbury will be the 18:37 Westbury to Swindon and the first train from Swindon the 20:14 Swindon to Westbury.
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For the trains that are not running we have requested replacement road transport to run between Chippenham and Westbury via Melksham and Trowbridge. Please check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for the replacement road transport at the designated stop. Before getting in any taxi vehicle please check with the driver that they are working on behalf of GWR, the driver should not ask for payment.
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| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361160/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 18:31, 2nd May 2025 | |
"Short" runs this evening too - the 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury and the 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa both missing out Melksham. Makes sense to be reversing TransWilts trains at Bathampton - remembering that 2 out of 3 passengers along the single line on a normal day are going through (not from or too Melksham) and so this is the best solution for them.
I have to ask ... why does it take so LONG to get a failed locomotive out of the way? Is it part of a more general set of things that seem for whatever reason to take fare longer to sort out when things go wrong? No backup plans? No spares/staff around? Extra Health and safety requirements? Everyone a specialist?
| Re: In memory of the Weymouth Harbour Tramway on the anniversary of last use In "Railway History and related topics" [361159/30229/55] Posted by bradshaw at 17:34, 2nd May 2025 Already liked by grahame, Mark A | |
This is what the tramway route might have been! An 1856 scheme put forward by the WSWR. The source is a hand drawn map in the National Archives that I came across when researching the line's history.
john Lucking in his book on the Weymouth Harbour Tramway (OPC 1986) writes this:-
the meeting of the Council resolved to render assistance to facilitate the conveyance of goods from the quay to the station except having a tramroad in front of the Esplanade or in the public streets(p7)
This plan explains why that decision was made. Imagine 1850s Weymouth with trains along the sea front!
| Re: Taplow-Hassocks In "Fare's Fair" [361158/30198/4] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:15, 2nd May 2025 | |
Thanks again all, paid the £51.40 in the end.
Meeting an old schoolfriend from Plymouth who's living down there now, we're visiting a new(ish) craft ale Tap room which comes highly recommended, will report back!
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361157/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:11, 2nd May 2025 | |
20:14 Swindon to Westbury due 20:57
20:14 Swindon to Westbury due 20:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
| Re: Bath Spa station - dealing with future capacity issues - ideas? In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [361156/30230/21] Posted by Mark A at 16:59, 2nd May 2025 | |
How long ago was this "preposterous" idea put forward as being the gospel truth by GWR with regards to the Cardiff - Portsmouth route ?
Until not long before Covid, which was the big nail in that coffin. Instead of that, the core Bristol<>Westbury section has had a decent capacity increase thanks to the additional trains introduced from summer ‘23.
I wholeheartedly agree with the extra local capacity and especially the doubling of services it brings to Keynsham and Oldfield Park, and the big improvements at Dilton Marsh and between Warminster and Salisbury. Excellent. What more short trains do, ironically, at Bath Spa is to boost that "hot spot" of people milling about at the top of the stops on the eastbound platform.
Radical question - if the stop boards were moved forward (as they are at Melksham) so that local trains stop away from the platform entrance, would that help spread people out?
It might enable a more orderly approach to the exits.
Playing in Bath Spa's favour is that there's a bit of space on the platforms.
After the bad experience at Paddington last year - very full, late, and very standing train arrival, people + me off it at the pointy end of the platform and I had to be first off as I was standing against the door - people getting off and mixing with passengers already on the platform, wanting to move down and board the train we'd arrived on, and then for good measure, another shorter IEP appeared as it departed from the other platform face. If anyone finds themselves in that situation, do what I didn't know to do: step off and make your way to the platform end and wait there for a bit to give things a chance to settle.
Mark
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361155/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 16:45, 2nd May 2025 | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Further Information
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Further Information
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
At least there is a replacement bus in place (scheduled to arrive Westbury 40 minutes after the train, but better than telling people to wait hours) ... not a clever day today.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361154/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 16:06, 2nd May 2025 | |
The problem is with the freight loco itself and fitters are having difficulty isolating components on it before it can be moved. A rescue loco is on site ready to move it once that becomes possible.
Thanks for that, Bob ....
18:13 Chippenham to Westbury due 18:56
An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 18:13 Chippenham to Westbury due 18:56.
Additional Information
Please check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for the replacement road transport at the designated stop. The coach is operated by Chandlers Coach Travel.
An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 18:13 Chippenham to Westbury due 18:56.
Additional Information
Please check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for the replacement road transport at the designated stop. The coach is operated by Chandlers Coach Travel.
16:23 Westbury to Chippenham due 17:04
An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 16:23 Westbury to Chippenham due 17:04.
Additional Information
There will be three MPV taxis from Bath Taxis. Before getting in any taxi vehicle please check with the driver that they are working on behalf of GWR, the driver should not ask for payment. Please check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for the replacement road transport at the designated stop.
Further Information
If you require further information please speak to our staff at the station or on the train, use the Customer Help Point, message us on X @GWRHelp or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950.
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 16:23 Westbury to Chippenham due 17:04.
Additional Information
There will be three MPV taxis from Bath Taxis. Before getting in any taxi vehicle please check with the driver that they are working on behalf of GWR, the driver should not ask for payment. Please check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for the replacement road transport at the designated stop.
Further Information
If you require further information please speak to our staff at the station or on the train, use the Customer Help Point, message us on X @GWRHelp or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950.
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361153/29726/18] Posted by bobm at 15:58, 2nd May 2025 | |
The problem is with the freight loco itself and fitters are having difficulty isolating components on it before it can be moved. A rescue loco is on site ready to move it once that becomes possible.
| Re: Bath Spa station - dealing with future capacity issues - ideas? In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [361152/30230/21] Posted by grahame at 15:49, 2nd May 2025 | |
How long ago was this "preposterous" idea put forward as being the gospel truth by GWR with regards to the Cardiff - Portsmouth route ?
Until not long before Covid, which was the big nail in that coffin. Instead of that, the core Bristol<>Westbury section has had a decent capacity increase thanks to the additional trains introduced from summer ‘23.
I wholeheartedly agree with the extra local capacity and especially the doubling of services it brings to Keynsham and Oldfield Park, and the big improvements at Dilton Marsh and between Warminster and Salisbury. Excellent. What more short trains do, ironically, at Bath Spa is to boost that "hot spot" of people milling about at the top of the stops on the eastbound platform.
Radical question - if the stop boards were moved forward (as they are at Melksham) so that local trains stop away from the platform entrance, would that help spread people out?
| Re: Bath Spa station - dealing with future capacity issues - ideas? In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [361151/30230/21] Posted by IndustryInsider at 15:02, 2nd May 2025 | |
How long ago was this "preposterous" idea put forward as being the gospel truth by GWR with regards to the Cardiff - Portsmouth route ?
Until not long before Covid, which was the big nail in that coffin. Instead of that, the core Bristol<>Westbury section has had a decent capacity increase thanks to the additional trains introduced from summer ‘23.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361150/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 14:54, 2nd May 2025 | |
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
It will no longer call at Melksham.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 7 minutes late.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
It will no longer call at Melksham.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 7 minutes late.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
| Re: Bath Spa station - dealing with future capacity issues - ideas? In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [361149/30230/21] Posted by Clan Line at 13:28, 2nd May 2025 | |
Ten preposterous ideas ...
7. Make all local trains 5 carriages long and stop them at the end of the platfom where people come on new local entries
How long ago was this "preposterous" idea put forward as being the gospel truth by GWR with regards to the Cardiff - Portsmouth route ? ....................so don't hold your breath for the "local trains".
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361148/29726/18] Posted by rogerw at 12:36, 2nd May 2025 | |
Just knock the faulty vehicle out of the train and drop it onto the North Loop to await attention from C&W. Nothing booked to run over that today. Oh. Wait.
I know, I know. If only
I know, I know. If only
Guessing on what's wrong with the train - but there IS a siding still at Thingley Junction.
Although the siding is not easily accessible from the Melksham line
| Re: In memory of the Weymouth Harbour Tramway on the anniversary of last use In "Railway History and related topics" [361147/30229/55] Posted by rogerw at 12:33, 2nd May 2025 Already liked by Mark A, bradshaw, PrestburyRoad, Kempis | |
I have fond memories of the Tramway fro my childhood days. A day trip to Weymouth always had to include watching the boat train pass along the streets. In those days it was hauled by tank engines with the locks changed just north of the main station with the addition of a banker up the bank to Bincombe box
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361146/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 12:19, 2nd May 2025 | |
Just knock the faulty vehicle out of the train and drop it onto the North Loop to await attention from C&W. Nothing booked to run over that today. Oh. Wait.
I know, I know. If only
I know, I know. If only
Guessing on what's wrong with the train - but there IS a siding still at Thingley Junction.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361145/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 12:09, 2nd May 2025 | |
12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59
12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 will be starting late from Westbury.
This is due to a broken down train.
12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 will be starting late from Westbury.
This is due to a broken down train.
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 will be starting late from Swindon.
This is due to a broken down train.
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 will be starting late from Swindon.
This is due to a broken down train.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361144/29726/18] Posted by Witham Bobby at 12:01, 2nd May 2025 Already liked by Oxonhutch, Mark A | |
Has 6A16 (Whatley Quarry to Oxford) sat down?
According to Traksy, 6A16 is still somewhere between Bradford Junctions and Melksham, at 1040
Without inside information, we can only guess. JourneyCheck was telling us about problems until the end of the day, and I speculate that a skate might be needed to get something with wheel problems out of the way. With lack of bypass loops and sidings, perhaps they are waiting for the more important lines between Chippenham and Swindon, and between Trowbridge and Westbury to become clear after service?
Just knock the faulty vehicle out of the train and drop it onto the North Loop to await attention from C&W. Nothing booked to run over that today. Oh. Wait.
I know, I know. If only
| Re: Bath Spa station - dealing with future capacity issues - ideas? In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [361142/30230/21] Posted by grahame at 11:33, 2nd May 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
So glad you didn't stray to the dark side and include a list of footfall-suppression techniques. Particularly evil would be to shape the passenger profile, minimising the numbers who would consider rail to travel with children, pushchairs, luggage, or those that for one reason or other, slow crowd movements down.
NO WAY would I [:swear:] do so. I would look to divert footfall from the current staircases and lifts at Bath Spa, and from the busier middle of the platform to the quieter ends.
| Re: Bath Spa station - dealing with future capacity issues - ideas? In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [361141/30230/21] Posted by Mark A at 11:25, 2nd May 2025 | |
The platforms at Bath Spa can get very busy indeed and the numbers of people coming in and out of the city "can only grow".
A question from my mailbox asks how the congestion we already see might be eased. I have a whole load of way out ideas
A question from my mailbox asks how the congestion we already see might be eased. I have a whole load of way out ideas
Ten preposterous ideas ...
1. Extend Bristol bound platform over bridge
2. Access ramps rise over river from south bank
3. Three track section to the west becomes main lines on outside with turnback track in centre.
4. Access lifts / escalator in Prezzo Restaurant
5. Re-instate bay plaform at London end / side
6. Make better use of level access already there to car park at London end on London arrival side
7. Make all local trains 5 carriages long and stop them at the end of the platfom where people come on new local entries
8. Could there be a travellator up from the booking hall to the front of the London platform (old bay space)?
9. Could trains run on time to reduce passenger dwell time on platform?
10. Escalator / lifts in bus station to overhead walkway to platform (and across Dorchester Street?)
So glad you didn't stray to the dark side and include a list of footfall-suppression techniques. Particularly evil would be to shape the passenger profile, minimising the numbers who would consider rail to travel with children, pushchairs, luggage, or those that for one reason or other, slow crowd movements down.
Mark
| Re: Service reduction - Coombe Junction In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [361139/30226/25] Posted by grahame at 11:17, 2nd May 2025 Already liked by RichardB | |
I've checked the situation with GWR's timetable planners and they tell me there is no reduction in the Coombe Jn service and it is simply a coding error which has led to some of the calls not appearing on journey planners or the pocket timetable pdf.
It's being put right and the correct information will appear soon.
It's being put right and the correct information will appear soon.
Thank you for that, Richard.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361138/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 11:17, 2nd May 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Has 6A16 (Whatley Quarry to Oxford) sat down?
According to Traksy, 6A16 is still somewhere between Bradford Junctions and Melksham, at 1040
Without inside information, we can only guess. JourneyCheck was telling us about problems until the end of the day, and I speculate that a skate might be needed to get something with wheel problems out of the way. With lack of bypass loops and sidings, perhaps they are waiting for the more important lines between Chippenham and Swindon, and between Trowbridge and Westbury to become clear after service?
