Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Electric Buses for Wiltshire In "Buses and other ways to travel" [378386/31785/5] Posted by John D at 07:21, 18th August 2026 |      |
On Sunday saw one of the new Yutong electric single decks working D1 Bath - Trowbridge - Warminster
Have also seen one of the Wrightbus repowers (refurbished buses with diesels replaced by batteries and electric drive) on D1X Bath - Trowbridge
Made me think, and after bit of internet sleuthing, I discovered a batch of new Yutong double deck buses is bound for Bristol, 35 were loaded on Prestige Ace ship at end of July at port of Yantai, China. Vessel tracker suggests due to arrive at Bristol (Avonmouth) 3rd September. There is photo on link
https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/279213189/shandonghorizon-homemade-electric-double-decker-buses-exported-from-yantai-port-of-e-china
Then I discovered the D1X route is actually on list of routes getting 160 electric buses on a First Group news story
For Info the routes are :
Bristol Hengrove and Lawrence Hill:
1 Cribbs Causeway <> Broomhill
2 Cribbs Causeway <> Stockwood
2a Brentry <> Stockwood
3 Cribbs Causeway <> Bristol City Centre
4 Cribbs Causeway <> Bristol City Centre
6 Bristol City Centre <> Kingswood
7 Bristol City Centre <> Staple Hill
41 Avonmouth <> Kingswood
44 Bristol City Centre <> Cadbury Heath
45 Bristol City Centre <> Cherry Cardens
46 Bristol City Centre <> UWE Frenchay Campus
47x Bristol City Centre <> Fishponds
48/x Bristol City Centre <> Emersons Green
49/x Bristol City Centre <> Lyde Green
50 Bristol City Centre <> Frenchay
74 Hengrove <> Bradley Stoke
Bath:
3 Weston <> Bathford
4 Weston <> Odd Down
5 Bath City Centre <> Whiteway
21 Newbridge Park & Ride <> Bath City Centre
31 Lansdown Park & Ride <> Bath City Centre
41 Odd Down Park & Ride <> Bath City Centre
D1x Bath <> Trowbridge
U4 Bath University <> University of Bath
X39 Bristol <> Bath
https://news.firstbus.co.uk/news/first-repowers-west-of-england
So it appears a little bit of West Wiltshire will get electric buses.
Trowbridge - Bradford on Avon - Bath by quiet electric buses, or a knackered 35 year old diesel train with dodgy air conditioning. Will GWR bother to upgrade to compete (silly question)
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378385/19772/25] Posted by REVUpminster at 07:08, 18th August 2026 | |
Member 'broadgage' here is an exponent for the right of surfboards to travel by train, but I suspect, due to his build, he doesn't ride one in the surf itself these days. 
CfN.
CfN.
I'm elderly and frightened of falling over when walking so wear a helmet. I don't want to look silly so I carry a skateboard.
| Disabled bus pass hours to be extended to 24/7 from 1/4/2027 In "Fare's Fair" [378384/32380/4] Posted by grahame at 06:13, 18th August 2026 | |
From the BBC
Disabled people in England will be able to travel by bus for free at any time of day from April, the government has announced.
Currently, disabled bus passes are only eligible for use between the hours of 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays, making it difficult for people to get to work or attend later evening events. They can be used at any time of day at the weekend and on bank holidays.
Currently, disabled bus passes are only eligible for use between the hours of 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays, making it difficult for people to get to work or attend later evening events. They can be used at any time of day at the weekend and on bank holidays.
| [otd] 18th August 1911 - Industrial action by rail workers / Llanelli In "Railway History and related topics" [378383/32379/55] Posted by grahame at 06:06, 18th August 2026 | |
From History points
On 18 August 1911 an express train was stranded at Llanelli station by rail workers who extinguished the steam locomotive’s fire. Trade-union leaders had ordered members across Britain to stop work, after talks on 17 August over pay and conditions broke down.
Many other workers were discontented that summer too. In Llanelli large crowds of pickets, from various local industries, gathered at the level crossings each side of the station on 18 August. Home Secretary Winston Churchill sent extra troops to the town – part of a deployment of 58,000 soldiers tasked with protecting railway assets around Britain.
On 19 August a determined effort was made to send a train through Llanelli, but pickets west of the station halted the train. The Riot Act was read, and the troops fired at the crowd. Two 20-year-old men were shot dead: Leonard Worsell and John John (known as Jac). The troops then returned to the station, their stronghold. Enraged local people rioted, and four of them died after a rail wagon loaded with explosives blew up.
The strike finished the same day, after the nervous government called managers and union leaders to talks. Trade unions were still not officially recognised by the railway companies, but the 1911 strike had demonstrated the power of collective action by workers.
Many other workers were discontented that summer too. In Llanelli large crowds of pickets, from various local industries, gathered at the level crossings each side of the station on 18 August. Home Secretary Winston Churchill sent extra troops to the town – part of a deployment of 58,000 soldiers tasked with protecting railway assets around Britain.
On 19 August a determined effort was made to send a train through Llanelli, but pickets west of the station halted the train. The Riot Act was read, and the troops fired at the crowd. Two 20-year-old men were shot dead: Leonard Worsell and John John (known as Jac). The troops then returned to the station, their stronghold. Enraged local people rioted, and four of them died after a rail wagon loaded with explosives blew up.
The strike finished the same day, after the nervous government called managers and union leaders to talks. Trade unions were still not officially recognised by the railway companies, but the 1911 strike had demonstrated the power of collective action by workers.
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378382/19772/25] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:21, 17th August 2026 | |
Member 'broadgage' here is an exponent for the right of surfboards to travel by train, but I suspect, due to his build, he doesn't ride one in the surf itself these days.
CfN.
| Animals on the line on the Circle/District line In "Transport for London" [378381/32378/46] Posted by 1st fan at 23:05, 17th August 2026 | |
District Line is suffering this evening with a track fault and animals on the Line at St James Park.
https://tfl.gov.uk/tube-dlr-overground/status/#district
Minor delays:
Entire line
Part suspended:
Turnham Green Richmond
District Line: No service between Turnham Green and Richmond while we fix a track fault at Richmond. MINOR DELAYS on the rest of the line while we deal with an animal on the track at St. James's Park. Tickets are being accepted on London Buses.
Entire line
Part suspended:
Turnham Green Richmond
District Line: No service between Turnham Green and Richmond while we fix a track fault at Richmond. MINOR DELAYS on the rest of the line while we deal with an animal on the track at St. James's Park. Tickets are being accepted on London Buses.
Does anyone have a clue as to what animals they are, given this is a central London station which is under the former London Transport HQ?
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378380/19772/25] Posted by REVUpminster at 22:49, 17th August 2026 | |
Seriously the 769/9s are still out there and might have been already in service if Alliance Rail had been given permission.
Do I sense that's a bit tongue-in-cheek given they're probably the one unit that would have been even less reliable than the 175s as they'd be forced to run on diesel 100% of the time?!
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378379/19772/25] Posted by TaplowGreen at 22:02, 17th August 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Erm ... we are in danger of stirring Coffee Shop forum member 'broadgage' into action again ... 
Is he a surfer?
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378378/19772/25] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:49, 17th August 2026 | |
Erm ... we are in danger of stirring Coffee Shop forum member 'broadgage' into action again ...
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378377/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 21:21, 17th August 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a safety inspection of the track between London Paddington and Reading some lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 22:00 17/08.
Customer Advice
-
We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today.
-
What has happened?
-
A track defect has been reported affected one of the two lines towards London Paddington in the Hanwell area.
-
| Leighton Buzzard Railway told to replace 'flagmen' at road crossings In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [378376/32377/47] Posted by grahame at 21:14, 17th August 2026 | |
From the BBC
A heritage railway is getting rid of its volunteers who hold "stop" flags where trains cross public roads and replacing them with flashing lights.
The Leighton Buzzard Railway, in Bedfordshire, opened in 1919 to serve quarries, and has used "flagmen" along its three-mile route.
It said it was served with improvement notices from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) meaning it must now install "Wig-Wag" colour light signals at three road junctions.
Ian Hale, the railway's operations manager, said although some volunteers see it as a "loss of tradition, health and safety has to be the prime mover".
The Leighton Buzzard Railway, in Bedfordshire, opened in 1919 to serve quarries, and has used "flagmen" along its three-mile route.
It said it was served with improvement notices from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) meaning it must now install "Wig-Wag" colour light signals at three road junctions.
Ian Hale, the railway's operations manager, said although some volunteers see it as a "loss of tradition, health and safety has to be the prime mover".
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378375/19772/25] Posted by ChrisB at 20:40, 17th August 2026 | |
Only on the local services - not on the IETs though
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [378374/31371/14] Posted by ChrisB at 20:29, 17th August 2026 | |
There was a safety check of the line which blocked between Evesham & Honeybourne at one stage this afternoon, reported on National Rail & Journeycheck
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [378373/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 20:09, 17th August 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between Oxford and Worcester Foregate Street via Evesham
Due to a safety inspection of the track between Moreton-In-Marsh and Honeybourne the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Train services between Oxford and Worcester Foregate Street via Evesham and Worcester Shrub Hill may be cancelled, delayed or diverted.
Due to a safety inspection of the track between Moreton-In-Marsh and Honeybourne the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Train services between Oxford and Worcester Foregate Street via Evesham and Worcester Shrub Hill may be cancelled, delayed or diverted.
At the time of posting it seems there's been no services running since shortly after 5pm.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378372/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 18:58, 17th August 2026 | |
From National Rail.....
Description
A safety inspection of the track between West Ealing and Southall means that trains have to run at a reduced speed on some lines. As a result, trains running between Acton Main Line and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead may be cancelled, or revised.
Disruption is expected until 21:00.
Customer advice:
Passengers requiring Heathrow from the eastern route between Shenfield and Stratford are advised to change at Whitechapel for a Heathrow Terminal 4 service.
Passengers can travel for free between Heathrow Terminals. Change at Heathrow Terminals 2/3 for Heathrow Terminal 5.
Ticket acceptance:
You can use your ticket at no extra cost on the following alternative train and underground services:
London Underground services via any reasonable route
Great Western Railway services between London Paddington and Reading
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378371/19772/25] Posted by chuffed at 18:33, 17th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I read that GWR advises that it does not carry surfboards to Newquay. Don't anyone suggest to the Swiss they stop transporting skis.... in pairs...and ski poles!
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378370/19772/25] Posted by IndustryInsider at 18:09, 17th August 2026 | |
Seriously the 769/9s are still out there and might have been already in service if Alliance Rail had been given permission.
Do I sense that's a bit tongue-in-cheek given they're probably the one unit that would have been even less reliable than the 175s as they'd be forced to run on diesel 100% of the time?!
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378369/19772/25] Posted by RailCornwall at 17:45, 17th August 2026 | |
We are nine months away from full Mid Cornwall Metro working, allegedly, without reliable rolling stock the new service will not gain the usage it is intended to encourage. I suspect in the mire of GBR that the MCM start will be postponed. There also has to be a possibility that through Falmouth - Newquay services will be indefinately.
| Re: Derailment, Lewes, 13 Aug 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378368/32362/51] Posted by ChrisB at 17:08, 17th August 2026 | |
Clear up to take at least 10 days
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378367/31355/51] Posted by JohnM at 16:49, 17th August 2026 | |
It was properly raining in Keynsham as we passed through at about 7:40 this morning, and I had my brolly up for the walk from Temple Meads to the office 10 mins later. A very pleasant change
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378366/19772/25] Posted by REVUpminster at 16:21, 17th August 2026 | |
GWR have already used 142003 for a jolly to Portishead in May. A project that GWR isn't paying for. Maybe they could use it at Newquay.
Seriously the 769/9s are still out there and might have been already in service if Alliance Rail had been given permission.
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378365/19772/25] Posted by IndustryInsider at 16:19, 17th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Yes. But.
Oozzz gonna pay for them?
Oozzz gonna pay for them?
The taxpayer. But at least it might reduce those pesky 'Delay Repay' payouts the taxpayer forks out for.
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378364/19772/25] Posted by GBM at 16:17, 17th August 2026 | |
Are there any way-out ideas that could help GWR - "More trains than normal requiring repair at the same time" is becoming a sick joke. "Normal" IS that lots of trains require repair; perhaps "More trains than we expected requiring repair at the same time" would be more accurate and one wonders if there's the odd TC set, Hastings Diesel or Inter7City units available for hire for a few ... weeks? Months?
Oozzz gonna pay for them?
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378362/19772/25] Posted by grahame at 15:16, 17th August 2026 | |
A general shortage of trains in Cornwall ...
Richard Trevithick would have sorted that one out.
Jesting apart (and, yes, I laughed) I'm noting that Hastings Diesels have 2 out of 2 units in operation at present, including one on the Sheffield Park to East Grinstead line which is standing in for the local operator of that line who's unable to run his normal motive power at the moment. And I also noted a couple of years ago that a heritage train was used on the Oxenholme branch.
Are there any way-out ideas that could help GWR - "More trains than normal requiring repair at the same time" is becoming a sick joke. "Normal" IS that lots of trains require repair; perhaps "More trains than we expected requiring repair at the same time" would be more accurate and one wonders if there's the odd TC set, Hastings Diesel or Inter7City units available for hire for a few ... weeks? Months?
| Re: Imber Bus Day - merged topics, ongoing events and discussion here In "Buses and other ways to travel" [378361/17260/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:34, 17th August 2026 Already liked by grahame, GBM, JayMac | |
Those are the ones which haven't been 'converted' by being driven under a railway bridge.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378360/31355/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:30, 17th August 2026 | |
From BBC weather:
Rain on way for UK with temperatures to drop to overnight lows of 3C in some places
That's quite a drop in temperature: my digital clock shows that my study is now at 26.7c, with all the windows open.
CfN.
| Re: Imber Bus Day - merged topics, ongoing events and discussion here In "Buses and other ways to travel" [378359/17260/5] Posted by JayMac at 14:26, 17th August 2026 | |
That is a famous viewpoint of the annual event, but the first time I have seen an open top bus.
Open toppers in 2024.
| Re: Virgin Cross Channel? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378358/32375/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:09, 17th August 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
No problem, GBM: here is probably the best Coffee Shop forum board to post about journeys starting (or proposed to start) in the UK.
CfN.
| MOVED: Virgin Cross Channel? In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [378357/32376/28] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:01, 17th August 2026 | |
This topic has been moved to The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom.
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=32375.0
No problem: that's probably the best board on which to post anything about journeys starting in the UK.
CfN.
