The developments, and discussion of them here on the Coffee Shop forum, continue - so I have merged a couple of topics into this one definitive reference.

 
1.  I remember my pruning back some of that foliage, where it was approaching the pavement, a couple of weeks ago. Now, if only I could recall where I was at the time ... 

2.  Isn't Taunton, obviously - even to me. 

CfN. 

 
Thanks for your update post here, chipbury. 

My understanding is that railway staff can merely lean on their truck - provided they are wearing hi-viz while doing so.

 
Home (16.6.2026, 15:00) to my hotel room opposite the station in Clermont Ferrand in 26 hours. Lots of pictures, lots of stories already but forgive me banking those for the book I'll be writing. The ferry docks at 05:00 (french time) which is 04:00 UK time, so not a long night's sleep though the chairs are comfy enough.  I need a few minutes break before I head out to look around and see what impression I get in about an hour.

I tell people that travelling by train / bus / ferry is easy. And apart from the odd little challenges, it is. But I should probably not recommend quite such an intensive trip to newcomers.  I travelled by train except where noted:
to Melksham Station (walk)
to Westbury
to Fareham
to Brighton
to Lewes
to Newhaven Town
to ferry check in (walk)
to ferry (bus)
to Dieppe (ferry)
to customs hall (bus)
to Dieppe Gare (bus)
to Rouen Rive Droite
to Paris St Lazare
to Gare de Lyon (metro)
to Gare d'Austerlitz (walk)
to Bourges
to St Germain de Fosse
to Clermont Ferrand

 
Yes it was the Limpley Stoke bridge again!  I cycled past at midday and there were 3 Network Rail people leaning on their truck.

 

Thank you for your constructive suggestions, GBM and JohnM.

I have expanded the heading of this topic, in the interests of clarity and ease of future reference, as ever.

However, I have found in the past that there are problems with trying to define one board specific to Bath.  That's simply because Bath Spa is included on so many routes - London to Bristol, London to the West, Portsmouth to Cardiff, and so on.

In this case, I think posting in 'Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)' is as nearly accurate as we can get.

CfN. 

 
...as is the 11:09 Gloucester - Weymouth, although currently showing as 'delayed' for Melksham (12:43, Chippenham 12:34 'information unavailable').

 
Ah: checking Google maps there's a road closure 'till 4 pm at Hawkeridge Road south of Trowbridge, so I thought it would be that rail overbridge.

Driving the road beneath Limpley Stoke a couple of days ago was an opportunity to check that, desplte the series of bridge strikes there - and Network Rail / Wiltshire County Council both being aware of issues with signage and vegetation overgrowth, nothing has been done to address either - and indeed, after the turn off the A36, the sole warning of the low bridge ahead, mounted low on a pole containing another road sign - the undergrowth has practically covered that one.

Mark

 
I can see the 10:23 Portsmouth - Cardiff service is now diverted via Melksham (12:28).

 

 

Birds have always been an issue with overhead line electrification.   The first generation (Mk1) used on the WCML and GE had places that allowed birds to build nest, the dropping caused corrosion also the blighters shorted the system.

Large birds such as swans and geese will occasionally fly into the OLE insulators etc, they are also know to fly into pantographs even on moving trains which causes a short usually with a big bang, a dead bird and lots of singed feathers. 

 
Cancellations to services between Liskeard and Looe

Due to a fault on this train between Liskeard and Looe the line is closed.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 12:00 17/06.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
More trains than usual are needing repairs at the same time. We have an insufficient number of trains to guarantee a reliable service. This means that we have no train to run this service.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
We are working to repair this train and get it back into service as quickly as possible. We have done nothing to solve this underlying problem, which recurs frequently.
-
What are your options?
We are really really sorry, honestly [not] for the disruption to your journey today, these are the current options available to you but don't bother reading the copy-and-paste text which follows as it's unlikely to be relevant to the situation we've put you in. :
-
Option 1: If there are other rail companies or local public transport operators who may be able to help you make your journey, we will provide details here.
-
Option 2: We have requested local bus ticket acceptance and replacement road transport, once these are in place further details will be provided.
-
Option 3: If your train is cancelled, you may travel on either of the two services before, or two services after, your original train. If these are peak services or less flexible, you can still travel with your original ticket, at no extra cost.
-
Option 4: Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.

 
Please do - I just thought that the folder location would cover it, but I guess that's not always visible depending on the context. Bristol and Bath perhaps, or a separate topic for Bath-specific stuff?

 
Today is a disaster for GWR in Devon and Cornwall.
150 taken from Paignton- Exmouth double unit; maybe for Looe?
0625 out of Barnstaple a 2 car 158 then cancelled as the 0935.
The 175 training train from Exeter-Paignton cancelled maybe to use elsewhere.

GWR has never had the interests of passengers in Devon and Cornwall unless someone else is paying for it. I'd include SWR as they are/were under they same umbrella.

 
The poverty of the phrasing in the information that the industry has evolved in these comms is quite something, but I can't quite come up with an analogy that fits the root cause.

 
Perhaps start this topic heading off with "Bristol"?

 
Bristol seems to be having several train incidents this morning.
07:03 Bristol Temple Meads to Taunton due 08:09
07:10 Bristol Temple Meads to Gloucester due 08:01
07:14 Bristol Temple Meads to Oxford due 08:32
07:40 Bristol Temple Meads to Westbury due 08:29

 

Exactly as member Mark A said on April 18th! 

 
https://somersetleveller.co.uk/news/tools-and-equipment-stolen-from-clevedon-miniature-railway-site/

 
Now running, about 12 mins late.

 
...and the 5:58 Westbury to Cardiff is 'delayed'.

 
The 4:50 Fratton to Bristol Temple Meads "is running late because of engineering works not being finished on time". So the 6:46 Trowbridge departure is currently showing as 7:04.

 

 

To be fair, geese can take down an aircraft: see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Airways_Flight_1549

 
How does the new GBR livery work on units with odd numbers of vehicles as stripy triangular pointy bit faces the nearest end.  Which way will it point on middle vehicle ?

Clearly there are 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 vehicle units around network

 

I seem to recall XC have expressed an interest in those six sets, but it’s sitting with the DfT?

Get those on XC routes ASAP, then the two Grand Central ones in 2028 (and also the boost of however many sets are currently undergoing refurbishment at a time) and you’ll have enough to make a very noticeable impact and perhaps get you through to a replacement order for the Voyagers (and the XC 170 fleet) in the late 2030s.

An option that just might get the ok from the treasury?

 

Here it is - in comparison to a couple of others - a few minutes ago.







None of the passengers seem outwardly concerned at the colour of their train, nor asking if this is the new public railway.  Doesn't feel much different.

P.S. I joined the Gatwick Express train.   It's not going to Gatwick and neither am I.  I understand that I do not have to pay a premium "Gatwick Express" fare.

 
Start the process of ordering a new fleet of 9 car bi-mode trains now for delivery at the slowest possible viable rate. As they slowly enter service use any displaced Voyagers to double up other services. Given the usual delays new trains gave in entering service, by the time you’ve doubled up everything (and coped with the growth arising from the journey experience becoming something to enjoy rather than endure), those 15 years will be nearly up.

 

It's about 15 miles that are unelectrified Newbury-Bedwyn.
Of course a battery EMU could do it as extension (but aren't any yet)

Of course an IET is overkill, and totally wasteful hauling diesel engines around for that distance, when so many other lines could benefit from bimodes to replace pure diesels.  But if it really need a 120-130mph electric commuter train, instead of 110mph one is different question.

So is electrification sensible, wouldn't need new power supplies (one has already been added near Reading West).  Although would really need to continue to Frome / Bruton area if serious about electric freight.

As for practicality, some over bridges might need raising, I think there are
3 over bridges Newbury - Hungerford
3 over bridges Hungerford - Bedwyn
1 between Bedwyn station and reversing siding
Even if assume worst and all need doing (unlikely) then not impossible in practical terms.   Although never going to be in logical queue ahead of other extensions like Didcot - Oxford

 

Yes, currently sets 101-106

Grand Central still has a pair too (units 142, 143), but has nine 5car tri-mode (class 820 ?) IETs on order, so shouldn't need them once these new trains arrive, as won't need so many spares.

Really it would be economically wasteful to scrap all the voyagers (likely to be in service about another 13-16 years), but there is a strong case for using just the intermediate cars and lengthening sets to 6cars.   Fewer vehicles to refurbish, and get a pool of spare parts, engines, bogies, seats, cab fittings etc.

I am not sure if having 4 or 5 or 6 car sets is best.   
4car on their own are too short and crowded (except at fringes of route).  5car sets get far too crowded in the Midlands and less than ideal too.  6car would be better and less of a problem when run on their own.
But if start having doubled up sets of 10, 11, 12 cars do they become overkill, or cause problems at stations where platforms are under 285m (935 feet) long.  An 11car voyager is similar length to 2x5car IETs