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Great Western Coffee Shop
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts)
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [379115/19772/25]
Posted by Mark A at 19:34, 3rd September 2026
 
I'm going to sound like a complete fossil - I recall a notice on the, er, left luggage office at Teddington Station, a list of items that was positively Edwardian, I think I recall 'Gramophone' and am sure I recall 'Pair of sculls' but can't remember if the notice distinguished between those and oars. Perhaps 'Primus stove (must first be emptied of fuel)'. The last begs a question - when the railways were still accepting accompanied motorbikes carried in the guards van on long distance passenger services, but insisted that the fuel tanks be empty, what did the travelling motorcyclist do with the excess fuel?

Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)
In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379114/10737/21]
Posted by WelshBluebird at 19:22, 3rd September 2026
 
In terms of usage, it is also quite handy for gigs at the prospect building.

Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts)
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [379113/19772/25]
Posted by Noggin at 19:20, 3rd September 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!

The Portuguese even make a feature of it on the lines out of Lisbon:

https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/portuguese-railways-are-surfer-friendly

Re: Interrail UK isn't ending [updated thread title]
In "Fare's Fair" [379112/22039/4]
Posted by grahame at 18:00, 3rd September 2026
 
Interrail isn't ending, but Eurail is - to be merged in. From my email:

Interrail has always been about more than getting from A to B.

It’s the conversation with the person across the aisle. The recommendation that becomes the best part of your trip. Going to sleep in one country and waking up in another. The people, places and moments you find somewhere between here and there.

Over the years, our Pass has travelled under two names: Interrail for European residents and Eurail for travellers coming from outside Europe. 

From 9 September, we’re bringing those two names together. Interrail will become a global brand, welcoming travellers from around the world into the same community under one name.


It’s a new chapter for Interrail. But the idea behind it hasn’t changed. Cross borders. Travel deeper. Return home seeing the world and yourself differently.


Re: Batteries Included! 507001 overpowers its third rail limitation
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [379111/32451/28]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:49, 3rd September 2026
 
They could be quite useful on the Portishead Line.

Sorry. CfN.     

Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts)
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [379110/19772/25]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:41, 3rd September 2026
 
Going off on yet another of my occasional tangents:

On the RMS Titanic, in 1912, the engineer officers way below decks managed to keep all the lights on - until the final moments of the sinking.

Is there an analogy here? 

Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)
In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379109/10737/21]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:25, 3rd September 2026
 
Possibly because that huge poster was a trip hazard in the concourse? 

Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts)
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [379108/19772/25]
Posted by grahame at 15:20, 3rd September 2026
 
GWR are the archetypal zombie franchise now and have been steadily deteriorating over recent months in these areas - doing enough to keep the lights on.................just.

As Webmaster, I couldn't possibly comment ...

Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR)
In "Across the West" [379107/28982/26]
Posted by grahame at 15:16, 3rd September 2026
 
Temporary reduction in service from Monday 7th...

https://www.cornish-times.co.uk/news/train-gremlins-lead-to-gwr-announcing-cancellation-of-services-until-further-notice-942797


It seems the news IS now announced, and I can share what loos looks like pretty definite timetable changes:

Thinning out of Cornish main line services - draft timetable from GWR.   Called the "175" timetable in the file name, which rather suggests why it's being done - the lack of working units of class 175??

Posting this morning to the moderator's area as GWR have asked this not to be widely shared while they check / consult with passenger groups. This is version 2 after a meeting yesterday and I don't know if this is what will finally happen. I will move / share on a public board once I'm sure that the embargo has been lifted.

https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/K1-175-timetable-Sept26-v2.pdf

It's notable that the K1-175 timetable is dated "to 12th December 2026" and that suggests to me that the changes will be with us until the end of First's operating contract and perhaps beyond.

Edit note: Typo corrected, for clarity (and to spare grahame from any embarrassment). 

Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)
In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [379106/10737/21]
Posted by TonyN at 15:00, 3rd September 2026
 
Just walked through the subway at Temple Meads.
The new entrance was being inspected by a party including Mark Hopwood.
When I walked back a few minutes later the poster about the opening had been removed not sure why and I had a train to catch so no time for further investigation.

Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR)
In "Across the West" [379105/28982/26]
Posted by old original at 13:57, 3rd September 2026
 
Temporary reduction in service from Monday 7th...

https://www.cornish-times.co.uk/news/train-gremlins-lead-to-gwr-announcing-cancellation-of-services-until-further-notice-942797

Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR)
In "Across the West" [379104/28982/26]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 13:56, 3rd September 2026
 
According to Modern Railways, GWR has announced a plan to improve the situation.

https://www.modernrailways.com/article/gwr-revises-175-plans

Great Western Railway’s Alstom Class 175 trains must now each complete 1,000 miles of trouble-free running before they are cleared to enter revenue-earning service. At the time of writing, just two trains, Nos 175003/115, are in regular operation with the operator.

Speaking to Modern Railways, GWR Programme Director Barry Milsom explained that the fleet’s period in storage after Transport for Wales Rail replaced them with Class 197s has led to a series of unexpected problems, despite the units being refurbished at Wolverton Works.

Water ingress from corrosion in the trains’ roofs is said to be leaking into electrical equipment, with door operating system failures a major – but not the only – issue affecting the fleet. Engine and suspension air bag replacements have had to take place on some trains, and air-conditioning units are also being refurbished by Alstom and the wider supply chain before trains enter traffic.

Continues in link...


despite the units being refurbished at Wolverton Works. - so am I reading this wrong, they were refurbed and then it was discovered they had corroded, leaking roofs etc or was that addressed as part of the refurb? (in which case why do they seem to be fit for little more than the scrapyard post refurb?)

Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR)
In "Across the West" [379103/28982/26]
Posted by bobm at 12:20, 3rd September 2026
 
According to Modern Railways, GWR has announced a plan to improve the situation.

https://www.modernrailways.com/article/gwr-revises-175-plans

Great Western Railway’s Alstom Class 175 trains must now each complete 1,000 miles of trouble-free running before they are cleared to enter revenue-earning service. At the time of writing, just two trains, Nos 175003/115, are in regular operation with the operator.

Speaking to Modern Railways, GWR Programme Director Barry Milsom explained that the fleet’s period in storage after Transport for Wales Rail replaced them with Class 197s has led to a series of unexpected problems, despite the units being refurbished at Wolverton Works.

Water ingress from corrosion in the trains’ roofs is said to be leaking into electrical equipment, with door operating system failures a major – but not the only – issue affecting the fleet. Engine and suspension air bag replacements have had to take place on some trains, and air-conditioning units are also being refurbished by Alstom and the wider supply chain before trains enter traffic.

Continues in link...


Re: Same word - different meanings - public transport context
In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [379102/32449/20]
Posted by CyclingSid at 12:17, 3rd September 2026
 
7. Passenger v Customer

Reeks of consultant speak. If they are called passengers it reminds everybody what the object of the exercise is. Had similar situation in the health service, they are patients and want a medical issue sorted.

Customer tends lean towards a sales opportunity, coffee shops on stations, over-priced branches of M&S in hospitals.

5. What's the difference between reading (5a) and Reading (5b)?
. A play on words by the Kennet https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/reading-piece-303210/search/2026--works:reading-piece/page/1/view_as/grid

Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts)
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [379101/19772/25]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:40, 3rd September 2026
Already liked by Mark A, Witham Bobby, REVUpminster
 
GWR "Excuse bingo" in full force today!

But yet - if the reasons are all different, all the more of a nightmare to sort out.   Multiple problems, multiple fixes needed. I would not want to be the one trying to fix this - probably wouldn't have the ability - but then wouldn't command the sort of salary need for a problem solver either.

I do get to wondering if we have less innovative thinking to sort things out these days and more just "turn the wheels and gloss the paintwork"; whether that's a function of me becoming more cynical, of things getting harder for staff to do with more constraints on them, or a rather less or differently motivated approach by those involved.

Planned maintenance and workforce management?

Hardly radical concepts but these issues have been ongoing for years and didn't happen overnight.

GWR are the archetypal zombie franchise now and have been steadily deteriorating over recent months in these areas - doing enough to keep the lights on.................just.

Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR)
In "Across the West" [379100/28982/26]
Posted by REVUpminster at 10:19, 3rd September 2026
Already liked by Mark A
 
2Z28 arrived at Exeter and they didn't hold 2M77 the Bristol connection 10 minutes and it went 1/2 minute early.

Looks unfortunate - as I read it, that's the last train east from Exeter St David's?   Wouldn't have happened in the days that the services were through   al the way from Penzance to Bristol, but then in those days the performance figures for Bristol would have ended up worse with a late arrival.

Better late than never, as they say.

The train was late and the connecting train was not held so Penzance passengers could not get to Bristol. Perhaps GWR taxi them. Looking at the night train I thought they could wait for that but last night it went via Newbury, today it's going via Melksham!

Re: 'Surveillance pricing'.
In "Fare's Fair" [379099/32345/4]
Posted by ChrisB at 09:04, 3rd September 2026
 
Fuel surcharges thanks to Trump.....

Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts)
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [379098/19772/25]
Posted by grahame at 09:02, 3rd September 2026
 
GWR "Excuse bingo" in full force today!

But yet - if the reasons are all different, all the more of a nightmare to sort out.   Multiple problems, multiple fixes needed. I would not want to be the one trying to fix this - probably wouldn't have the ability - but then wouldn't command the sort of salary need for a problem solver either.

I do get to wondering if we have less innovative thinking to sort things out these days and more just "turn the wheels and gloss the paintwork"; whether that's a function of me becoming more cynical, of things getting harder for staff to do with more constraints on them, or a rather less or differently motivated approach by those involved.

Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts)
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [379097/19772/25]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:41, 3rd September 2026
 
09:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 14:27
09:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 14:27 will be terminated at Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par and Newquay.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

14:52 Newquay to London Paddington due 20:23
14:52 Newquay to London Paddington due 20:23 will be started from Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Newquay, Par, Liskeard and Saltash.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

Part of a story?

07:07 Par to Newquay due 07:58

07:07 Par to Newquay due 07:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

07:38 Exeter St Davids to Okehampton due 08:16

07:38 Exeter St Davids to Okehampton due 08:16 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

13:39 Plymouth to Penzance due 15:40

13:39 Plymouth to Penzance due 15:40 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

GWR "Excuse bingo" in full force today!

Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR)
In "Across the West" [379096/28982/26]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:40, 3rd September 2026
 
2Z28 arrived at Exeter and they didn't hold 2M77 the Bristol connection 10 minutes and it went 1/2 minute early.

Looks unfortunate - as I read it, that's the last train east from Exeter St David's?   Wouldn't have happened in the days that the services were through   al the way from Penzance to Bristol, but then in those days the performance figures for Bristol would have ended up worse with a late arrival.

Better late than never, as they say.

Re: Wanted - a bit of automated intelligence.
In "Fare's Fair" [379095/32442/4]
Posted by grahame at 08:10, 3rd September 2026
Already liked by Western Pathfinder
 
Going slightly off topic,Trip advisor do the forums in alphabetical order,

just wish they would change it so if your in the U.K. its at the top, at the present time  the United Kingdom is at the bottom.

Further off topic e-bay use to have a system where you could push up your views on items you were selling.

But now views are counted as one user per item you are selling. 

Largely agreed - but these are tricky calls for the software developer at times.  People like a consistency rather than a menu that keeps changing around - I've been dealing with concerns on a Facebook group (not public transport) in recent days where a quiz night and a show from last year turned up high on the display because someone liked / commented on old posts.  Nearly had someone turn up for an event 365 days ago.

I would often like more control over the order I am offered things - but then I get frustrated by the way things move around in other places and that's sometimes because I have too much data / too many options.  I don't know what the solution is.

Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts)
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [379094/19772/25]
Posted by grahame at 08:03, 3rd September 2026
 
09:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 14:27
09:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 14:27 will be terminated at Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par and Newquay.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

14:52 Newquay to London Paddington due 20:23
14:52 Newquay to London Paddington due 20:23 will be started from Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Newquay, Par, Liskeard and Saltash.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

Part of a story?

07:07 Par to Newquay due 07:58

07:07 Par to Newquay due 07:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

07:38 Exeter St Davids to Okehampton due 08:16

07:38 Exeter St Davids to Okehampton due 08:16 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

13:39 Plymouth to Penzance due 15:40

13:39 Plymouth to Penzance due 15:40 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

Re: Wanted - a bit of automated intelligence.
In "Fare's Fair" [379093/32442/4]
Posted by infoman at 07:15, 3rd September 2026
 
Going slightly off topic,Trip advisor do the forums in alphabetical order,

just wish they would change it so if your in the U.K. its at the top, at the present time  the United Kingdom is at the bottom.

Further off topic e-bay use to have a system where you could push up your views on items you were selling.

But now views are counted as one user per item you are selling. 

Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts)
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [379092/19772/25]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:08, 3rd September 2026
 
09:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 14:27
09:03 London Paddington to Newquay due 14:27 will be terminated at Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par and Newquay.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

14:52 Newquay to London Paddington due 20:23
14:52 Newquay to London Paddington due 20:23 will be started from Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Newquay, Par, Liskeard and Saltash.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

Re: 'Surveillance pricing'.
In "Fare's Fair" [379091/32345/4]
Posted by grahame at 07:05, 3rd September 2026
 

Covers EWR-LHR (Premium Economy)                                            US$376.00
...
Carrier-imposed surcharge (YQ)                                                     US$560.00
Carrier-imposed surcharge (YR)                                                     US$22.00


Looks like a case of the tail wagging the dog. $588 out of $991.  Nearly 60% of what you're asked to pay is in this "surcharge" bucket ...

Re: What's the biggest saving you can make by splitting your tickets?
In "Fare's Fair" [379090/9439/4]
Posted by LiskeardRich at 06:59, 3rd September 2026
Already liked by Mark A, Western Pathfinder
 
Can’t remember the numbers now, but my biggest two have been:

Plymouth to Manchester.
Split Plymouth to Exeter st David’s, EXD to Newport (south wales). Newport to Manchester. GWR advance tickets to Newport were under a tenner from
Exeter, TFW Newport to Manchester wasn’t much more. Avoided Voyager which would have cost in the hundreds.

Plymouth to Gatwick.
Split at Totnes or Newton abbot, and add via honiton. The via honiton option didn’t appear to have been available from west of Totnes at the time. Saved a number over hundred, avoided cross London with a Clapham Junction connection. SWR 159 more comfortable than an IET. Win win win.

Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR)
In "Across the West" [379088/28982/26]
Posted by grahame at 06:28, 3rd September 2026
 
2Z28 arrived at Exeter and they didn't hold 2M77 the Bristol connection 10 minutes and it went 1/2 minute early.

Looks unfortunate - as I read it, that's the last train east from Exeter St David's?   Wouldn't have happened in the days that the services were through   al the way from Penzance to Bristol, but then in those days the performance figures for Bristol would have ended up worse with a late arrival.

Re: What's the biggest saving you can make by splitting your tickets?
In "Fare's Fair" [379087/9439/4]
Posted by grahame at 06:06, 3rd September 2026
Already liked by Mark A
 
This topic has come up while researching "on this day" from 15 years ago ... and here we are 15 years later with the same apparently silly system still ongoing - indeed it has grown from a specialist thing that a small proportion of us use into something businesses are based on. 

Re: 'Surveillance pricing'.
In "Fare's Fair" [379086/32345/4]
Posted by 1st fan at 02:51, 3rd September 2026
Already liked by Mark A
 
FYI that site won’t sell you tickets but it will give you the fare breakdown and the ticket rules

How to buy this ticket
Tickets cannot be purchased directly from ITA Software.
Provide this information to a travel agent to help them match the fares found.
Make sure to provide the exact booking and fare codes shown.
Fare for 1 adult
US$991.50
Changes to this ticket will incur a penalty fee.
This ticket is non-refundable.
Fare 1: Carrier OS NLY00DBO EWR to LON (rules)
Passenger type ADT, ONE-WAY fare, booking code N
Covers EWR-LHR (Premium Economy)                                            US$376.00
United States Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service                    US$5.60
US International Departure Tax (US)                                              US$23.40
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF)                                                  US$4.50
Carrier-imposed surcharge (YQ)                                                     US$560.00
Carrier-imposed surcharge (YR)                                                     US$22.00
Subtotal per passenger                                                                 US$991.50
Number of passengers
x1
Subtotal for 1 adult                                                                       US$991.50

It also shows the fare construct that if you’re booking with a Travel Agent you can send them.

Fare Construction (can be useful to travel agents)
EWR OS LON Q200.00 176.00NLY00DBO NUC 376.00 END ROE 1.00 XT 23.40US 5.60AY 560.00YQ 22.00YR 4.50XF EWR4.50
Total Airfare & Taxes
US$991.50

What I often do is find a fare on ITA, look at Google Flights to find the same one, and then once found, book using the link to an airline etc. on Google Flights

 
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Although we are planning ahead, we don't know what the future will bring here in the Coffee Shop. We have domains "firstgreatwestern.info" for w-a-y back and also "greatwesternrailway.info"; we can also answer to "greatbritishrailways.info" too. For the future, information about Great Brisish Railways, by customers and for customers.
 
Current Running
GWR trains from JourneyCheck
 
 
Code Updated 11th January 2025