Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: For Valentine's Day In "The Lighter Side" [358329/29896/30] Posted by JayMac at 22:33, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
...and how could I forget my first meeting with you, CfN.
I spilt coffee all over your trousers. Well, partial blame goes to my dog at the time, Jess.


Re: Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway In "Shorter journeys in South and West Wales" [358328/17562/23] Posted by grahame at 22:05, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
From Wales Online
A major study into restarting a rail link in Gwynedd has unveiled a preferred route for a train-tram service. The route between Bangor and Afon Wen on the Llyn Peninsula was closed in the Beeching cuts of the 1960s.
Campaigners have long called for a line to be reinstated and a feasibility study was ordered by Transport for Wales. The North West Wales Feasibility Report by AtkinsRéalis has now been published which shows a preferred route and the many challenges any new line would face.
Campaigners have long called for a line to be reinstated and a feasibility study was ordered by Transport for Wales. The North West Wales Feasibility Report by AtkinsRéalis has now been published which shows a preferred route and the many challenges any new line would face.
We don't have a separate Afon Wen to Bangor thread ... because our discussions here have so much been looking at the complete north to south link. And the work being done by Atkins disappoints many because it's tram trained and street running - not briiant for freight and the idea of getting on a tram at Cardiff Bay, all stops to Cortyon and onwards to Amlwch would be slow and not attractive.
Re: Tickets Please ! In "Fare's Fair" [358327/29894/4] Posted by Clan Line at 20:52, 14th February 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Thanks, Clan Line. You've sent me off on one here. 
In that excellent film 'Zulu', the character of Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was played by Nigel Green. However, the actor was aged in his forties, whereas the actual Frank Bourne was age 24 at the overnight defence of the mission station at Rorke's Drift, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, 22/23 January 1879.
He died on 8 May 1945 (somewhat ironically, VE day), as Lieutenant Colonel Frank Bourne, OBE, DCM. An honorable military career.

In that excellent film 'Zulu', the character of Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was played by Nigel Green. However, the actor was aged in his forties, whereas the actual Frank Bourne was age 24 at the overnight defence of the mission station at Rorke's Drift, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, 22/23 January 1879.
He died on 8 May 1945 (somewhat ironically, VE day), as Lieutenant Colonel Frank Bourne, OBE, DCM. An honorable military career.

Nigel Green was 6' 4", Bourne was nowhere near that - one source quotes him as being 5' 5". A diminutive figure like that would not have looked the part on film !! (The actor Alan Ladd was also vertically challenged (5' 6" ish) - this led to some amusing tales about his positioning in films to make him look much taller. He made a number of films with Veronica Lake who was 4' 11")
Re: For Valentine's Day In "The Lighter Side" [358326/29896/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:45, 14th February 2025 Already liked by grahame | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Not quite in the way of Valentine's Day, but I did once form a hopefully ongoing friendship with someone on a train.

I was on a voyager (pah!) towards Taunton for my first TravelWatch SouthWest meeting there, looking out for people who I'd never met, but who I knew from online would be on that train. Entering a carriage, I saw a chap standing in the aisle, chatting with several other passengers. As I approached, he looked up and asked, "Sorry, did you want to get past?"
"No", I said: "I think I've found the people I was looking for".
I'd like to think that grahame and I have been friends ever since.

Re: Delays on Devon services - merged posts, ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [358325/28378/24] Posted by Rob on the hill at 20:32, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cancellations to services between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids
Due to forecasted severe weather between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids fewer trains are able to run on all lines.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or revised. Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth will not be served. Disruption is expected until 08:30 14/02.
Customer Advice
Apologies to customers, owing to forecasted severe coastal weather along Dawlish sea wall we are unable to stop a few of our trains at Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth. Most trains will continue to operate. Customers are advised to travel from these stations to either Exeter St Davids or Newton Abbot in order to change trains to complete their journeys.
Due to forecasted severe weather between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids fewer trains are able to run on all lines.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or revised. Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth will not be served. Disruption is expected until 08:30 14/02.
Customer Advice
Apologies to customers, owing to forecasted severe coastal weather along Dawlish sea wall we are unable to stop a few of our trains at Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth. Most trains will continue to operate. Customers are advised to travel from these stations to either Exeter St Davids or Newton Abbot in order to change trains to complete their journeys.
I was watching this on Open Train Times and the Dawlish webcams. The rescue train, a 5 coach IET (1Z99), departed Teignmouth on the down line to meet up with the stricken 2C64 at Dawlish. Meanwhile a service train was running wrong line from Dawlish Warren towards the west, and the two passed each other between Dawlish and Teignmouth, one travelling up on the down line and the other travelling down on the up line!
Having already been cancelled between Gloucester and Bristol Temple Meads because of a signalling problem, 2C64 (0700 Gloucester to Plymouth) , (5-car IET 802018) was rendered unconscious on the Dawlish sea wall by an over-zealous wave! Down services, where possible, are now using the bi-directional Up line between Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth.
** Edit ** No trains from Totnes towards Plymouth between 0841 and 1159 as a result
For Valentine's Day In "The Lighter Side" [358324/29896/30] Posted by grahame at 20:24, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
From Edinburgh Live
A loved-up couple have told how they formed their unlikely relationship after boarding an Edinburgh LNER train.
Jess, 24, and Andrew, 25, met onboard the busy train service while travelling home from Christmas in 2019. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Jess explained their encounter was by chance due to the earlier train being cancelled and Andrew hoping to get on any service he could.
Jess, 24, and Andrew, 25, met onboard the busy train service while travelling home from Christmas in 2019. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Jess explained their encounter was by chance due to the earlier train being cancelled and Andrew hoping to get on any service he could.
Has your life been changed by a chance meeting on a train?
Re: Tickets Please ! In "Fare's Fair" [358323/29894/4] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:24, 14th February 2025 Already liked by Clan Line | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Thanks, Clan Line. You've sent me off on one here.

In that excellent film 'Zulu', the character of Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was played by Nigel Green. However, the actor was aged in his forties, whereas the actual Frank Bourne was age 24 at the overnight defence of the mission station at Rorke's Drift, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, 22/23 January 1879.
He died on 8 May 1945 (somewhat ironically, VE day), as Lieutenant Colonel Frank Bourne, OBE, DCM. An honorable military career.

Re: Tickets Please ! In "Fare's Fair" [358322/29894/4] Posted by Clan Line at 19:19, 14th February 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, trainbuff | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I posted the cutting at the start of this thread as it reminded me of an incident I witnessed in Kent about 15 years back. The train stopped at a quiet country station: before it had moved off, a young couple ran into my coach, from behind me, straight into the toilet (located right by the doors).
Once the train had moved off, the guard appeared, looked up at the “engaged” sign, then did something in a panel alongside the doors. He then moved and stood out of sight of the toilet door. The instant the train stopped at the next station, the toilet door opened and the young man pushed the “open” button by the coach door – and he pushed it again, and again, and again…………the door would not open ! The guard then stepped into view with a very threatening “tickets please” - Gotcha !!!
What made this incident so memorable was that the guard was an absolute dead ringer, in appearance (uniform excluded), manner and bearing for the Colour Sergeant in the film Zulu.

Re: First Bus and passenger space heating In "Buses and other ways to travel" [358321/29892/5] Posted by didcotdean at 19:17, 14th February 2025 Already liked by Mark A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I remember in the 1980s Wilts & Dorset used paraffin heaters to "thaw out" the buses in the morning, the smell being quite distinct if you were on one just out of the depot.
Re: "Old Worse and Worse" In "London to the Cotswolds" [358320/29889/14] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 17:47, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I've caught it from Charlbury to Oxford on occasion, and there's usually a handful of people on board, but only that.
The down working in the morning (Oxford–Shrub Hill, first stop Moreton) is presumably a useful service for early morning Evesham–Worcester travellers though. I guess if you stabled the unit at Worcester overnight you might also have crewing issues to contend with for the morning trains.
Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [358319/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 17:14, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 18:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:14/02/2025 15:20
19:04 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:14/02/2025 15:20
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:14/02/2025 15:20
19:04 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:14/02/2025 15:20
Unfortunately the rail industry managed to make a balls of that too......
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyx0p18kq74o
Not all down to them - Magistrates' clerks should have spotted the issue too. I didn't know about this bit of legislation so I looked it up.
I found a common denominator between rail and justice system in the persona of Chris Grayling - remember him? Rhymes with "failing"? He introduced the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 during his stint as Lord Chancellor, along with other measures panned by Lord Pannick on behalf of the rest of us. He was moved to the transport brief, presumably in the hope that things would improve or at least not get much worse. Handing a contract for shipping to a company with no ships was a sign of misplaced confidence.
I digress. I think the issue is that the single justice procedure - allowing the case to be decided by a single magistrate on the basis of documents alone, as opposed to a bench in open court - can only be applied to summary matters not punishable by imprisonment. Some rail companies used the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 as the basis of the charge, issuing a single justice notice at the same time rather than a summons to court. Section 5(3) of that act, however, has a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 3 months. Schoolboy error. Those companies who went the old fashioned way, with the defendant being summonsed to appear before open court, did not have the same problem.
If any of the people fined by Plymouth Magistrates on 7 February are reading this in the hope of finding a loophole, sorry. That was open court. Pay up, or expect a knock on the door at an unseemly hour by a couple of people in uniform with a warrant.
Re: Renaming Stations [OTD, 14 Feb 1889 and 2014} In "The Lighter Side" [358317/29895/30] Posted by johnneyw at 16:40, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
You've reminded me that the the very recently reopened Ashley Down station in Bristol was one named Ashley Hill I believe.
Clifton Down Station always struck me as oddly named as the actual Downs are some distance from the station......even (I'm pretty certain) when it was built .
It's the busiest station on the Severn Beach line and has two working platforms and sits midway along the line's route through the city.....yet "Clifton Grand Central "is probably a bit too grandiose a name for it.....even if it's sometimes how I, tongue in cheek, refer to it.
Re: Renaming Stations [OTD, 14 Feb 1889 and 2014} In "The Lighter Side" [358316/29895/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:31, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hmm. Over the years, my local railway station has had its name changed, several times. Nevertheless, it remains (just) within the parish of Backwell village (population 4,800), whilst also serving the town of Nailsea (population 20,000 - I include Wraxall in that figure, simply because they are geographically joined).
So, overall, I'm happy to see our local station called 'Nailsea & Backwell' - NOT Blackwell, Michael Portillo, when you visited us!

Reminds me of a previous (long time ago) post on this forum: the Train Manager arrived at the front of a carriage and announced "Ticket check - please have your tickets, passes and excuses ready!"

Renaming Stations [OTD, 14 Feb 1889 and 2014} In "The Lighter Side" [358314/29895/30] Posted by grahame at 15:40, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Station renames - on 14th February 1889, Great Marlow became Marlow and on 14th February 2014, Bicester Town closed to be redone and open the folloeing year as Bicester Village. There are lots of other renames too - "Bodmin Road" to "Bodmin Parkway" in 1983, and one of what are now 2 stations in Llanrwst has been through 5 names.
What current station would you rename, and why?
Re: "Old Worse and Worse" In "London to the Cotswolds" [358313/29889/14] Posted by IndustryInsider at 15:32, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
It is indeed a passenger working - but does it serve any useful purpose? It departs Evesham at 18:51 and arrives Oxford at 19:50. The one before leaves at 18:26, the one after at 19:42, so it's not exactly filling a huge gap in the timetable.
You're certainly guaranteed a seat on it!

The set then goes to Oxford sidings ready to form 5L80 at 22:33 which is a route refresher run for Foxhall Junction for Oxford drivers (if needed) and it then stables ovenight for the next morning. So that would have to be balanced somehow if you sent it to Worcester for the night.
Re: "Old Worse and Worse" In "London to the Cotswolds" [358312/29889/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 15:30, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
but does it serve any useful purpose? It departs Evesham at 18:51 and arrives Oxford at 19:50. The one before leaves at 18:26, the one after at 19:42, so it's not exactly filling a huge gap in the timetable.
I think the useful purpose is that NR may have said that they want to take out the Down Refuge siding at Moreton in Marsh. The unit used to go in there for a while, before returning to Oxford. By timetabling the train on to Evesham, to reverse at the West Junction, may have been GWR's only way of keeping this parliamentary vestige still running for the "service" at the likes of Shipton and of Ascott-under-Wychwood
Re: "Old Worse and Worse" In "London to the Cotswolds" [358311/29889/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 15:18, 14th February 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Ahh, great stuff
So unhelpful to have these two single track sections and constrictive junction layouts at each end of the Oxford to Worcester line
The return of "the halts" train is no longer just cars to Oxford. It's a passenger working from Evesham to Oxford.
Whereas the cars used to sit over on the Down Refuge at Moreton in Marsh until it was time to return eastwards, the train now continues to Evesham, and forms an up service from there.
I suspect this was done to facilitate the removal of the Down Refuge at Moreton in Marsh
So unhelpful to have these two single track sections and constrictive junction layouts at each end of the Oxford to Worcester line
The return of "the halts" train is no longer just cars to Oxford. It's a passenger working from Evesham to Oxford.
Whereas the cars used to sit over on the Down Refuge at Moreton in Marsh until it was time to return eastwards, the train now continues to Evesham, and forms an up service from there.
I suspect this was done to facilitate the removal of the Down Refuge at Moreton in Marsh
It is indeed a passenger working - but does it serve any useful purpose? It departs Evesham at 18:51 and arrives Oxford at 19:50. The one before leaves at 18:26, the one after at 19:42, so it's not exactly filling a huge gap in the timetable.
Re: Tickets Please ! In "Fare's Fair" [358310/29894/4] Posted by TaplowGreen at 14:58, 14th February 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Ironic that train staff won't make much of an effort to move someone who is sitting in someone else's reserved seat, but will go to these lengths to detain someone sitting on a toilet seat!
Re: "Old Worse and Worse" In "London to the Cotswolds" [358309/29889/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 14:32, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
It feels that the main issue right now is the late afternoon/evening peak. The morning and daytime services seem to be largely ok (at this end of the line, anyway).
I agree.I went and looked at the use of the single track section between Wolvercote and Charlbury. Hour-by-hour, the use of this is as follows:
14:00 : 23 minutes = 38%
15:00 : 24.5 minutes = 41%
16:00 : 36.5 = 61%
17:00 : 39.5 = 66%
18:00 : 42.5 = 71%
19:00 : 48 = 80%
20:00 : 26.5 = 44%
21:00 : 27.5 = 46%
22:00 : 23.5 = 39%
The moral that I take from this is that the occupation of this section gets to be progressively more critical over the period from 16:00 to 20:00.
The big contributor to that 80% occupation figure for 19:00-20:00 is the stock of the 'halts' train, on its way back to Oxford. It's given 17.5 minutes for the single-track section.
Does it need to go back in service? Could it go back later? Could it go through to Shrub Hill and be parked ready for the next morning?
Ahh, great stuff
So unhelpful to have these two single track sections and constrictive junction layouts at each end of the Oxford to Worcester line
The return of "the halts" train is no longer just cars to Oxford. It's a passenger working from Evesham to Oxford.
Whereas the cars used to sit over on the Down Refuge at Moreton in Marsh until it was time to return eastwards, the train now continues to Evesham, and forms an up service from there.
I suspect this was done to facilitate the removal of the Down Refuge at Moreton in Marsh
Re: Incident at Trowbridge station In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [358308/29891/20] Posted by LiskeardRich at 14:12, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I’ve had it Jam before…. On a complex split ticket journey with 6 of us travelling… 24 coupons in total

Re: "Old Worse and Worse" In "London to the Cotswolds" [358307/29889/14] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 14:05, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Oddly that train (today at least) appears to sit at Oxford for a few hours and then go off for a spin around Foxhall/Didcot West Junction. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y24089/2025-02-14/detailed#allox_id=0
Re: Incident at Trowbridge station In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [358306/29891/20] Posted by grahame at 12:17, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
That looks like almost a full reimbursement through delay repay?
Indeed - I was putting that in this morning but the web page jammed on me on step 3 - uploaded the picture of the ticket, which it accepted, clicked on confirm but it would not go on to the next screen. Need to waste even more time trying again

Very very curious - this time it knew what my ticket was and the claim was submitted much more easily (it knew during the night but had still insisted on a picture and then jammed).
It will be interesting to see how the claim goes.
The morning train I was schedule to take from Westbury into London got there 17 minutes late, but my arrival was 49 minutes late due to the drop back.
The train I took in the evening was just 15 minutes late into Westbury and the train I was supposed to carry on from there to Melksham got there 1 minute early, but because I had to drop back failed connection, I was 70 minutes late.
Cancellations to services between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids
Due to forecasted severe weather between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids fewer trains are able to run on all lines.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or revised. Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth will not be served. Disruption is expected until 08:30 14/02.
Customer Advice
Apologies to customers, owing to forecasted severe coastal weather along Dawlish sea wall we are unable to stop a few of our trains at Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth. Most trains will continue to operate. Customers are advised to travel from these stations to either Exeter St Davids or Newton Abbot in order to change trains to complete their journeys.
Due to forecasted severe weather between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids fewer trains are able to run on all lines.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or revised. Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth will not be served. Disruption is expected until 08:30 14/02.
Customer Advice
Apologies to customers, owing to forecasted severe coastal weather along Dawlish sea wall we are unable to stop a few of our trains at Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth. Most trains will continue to operate. Customers are advised to travel from these stations to either Exeter St Davids or Newton Abbot in order to change trains to complete their journeys.
Having already been cancelled between Gloucester and Bristol Temple Meads because of a signalling problem, 2C64 (0700 Gloucester to Plymouth) , (5-car IET 802018) was rendered unconscious on the Dawlish sea wall by an over-zealous wave! Down services, where possible, are now using the bi-directional Up line between Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth.
** Edit ** No trains from Totnes towards Plymouth between 0841 and 1159 as a result
Re: "Old Worse and Worse" In "London to the Cotswolds" [358304/29889/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 11:49, 14th February 2025 Already liked by Mark A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
It feels that the main issue right now is the late afternoon/evening peak. The morning and daytime services seem to be largely ok (at this end of the line, anyway).
I agree.I went and looked at the use of the single track section between Wolvercote and Charlbury. Hour-by-hour, the use of this is as follows:
14:00 : 23 minutes = 38%
15:00 : 24.5 minutes = 41%
16:00 : 36.5 = 61%
17:00 : 39.5 = 66%
18:00 : 42.5 = 71%
19:00 : 48 = 80%
20:00 : 26.5 = 44%
21:00 : 27.5 = 46%
22:00 : 23.5 = 39%
The moral that I take from this is that the occupation of this section gets to be progressively more critical over the period from 16:00 to 20:00.
The big contributor to that 80% occupation figure for 19:00-20:00 is the stock of the 'halts' train, on its way back to Oxford. It's given 17.5 minutes for the single-track section.
Does it need to go back in service? Could it go back later? Could it go through to Shrub Hill and be parked ready for the next morning?
Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [358303/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 11:17, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Friday February 14
and after a good day yesterday, today we have a signals failure at Glooucester. This has resulted in
1L66 07:25 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington (10:00) via Gloucester : re-routed via Cotswold line, running non-stop from Shrub hill to Didcot.
1P20 08:15 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington (10:23) : cancelled throughout. This train arrives from Swindon via Gloucester.
Not sure why the 07:25 didn't get cancelled and the stock used for the 08:15.
Re: Delays on Devon services - merged posts, ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [358302/28378/24] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:39, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Done! CfN.

Re: First Bus and passenger space heating In "Buses and other ways to travel" [358301/29892/5] Posted by broadgage at 10:19, 14th February 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Heating a diesel bus cant be hard, there is almost unlimited waste heat from the engine. To avoid over-cooling the engine use a thermostatic radiator fan that only runs when the engine coolant reaches say 75 degrees.
In the colder parts of the UK, mains powered electric preheating should be considered.