Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378210/31359/18] Posted by JohnM at 18:02, 13th August 2026 |      |
...and the bus replacement will hopefully be an air-conned coach, and take quite a bit less time than the ventilation-only x34 to get to its destination.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378209/31359/18] Posted by JohnM at 17:55, 13th August 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
So might as well take my usual 17:12 Bristol-Oxford (Chippenham 17:42) and hang around for half an hour.
Yep ... that train arrives at Chippenham 7 minutes after the last alternative (not RRB) (x34) bus of the day to Melksham has left.
But never mind - I've got a shady spot on Chippenham platform and it's a good 4G+ signal here so working isn't too unpleasant.
| Re: Derailment, Lewes, 13 Aug 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378208/32362/51] Posted by grahame at 17:50, 13th August 2026 | |
Victoria to / via Eastbourne service. Still from the BBC live / helicopter feed.
| Re: Hot weather - changes for 13th August 2026 In "Across the West" [378207/32358/26] Posted by old original at 17:50, 13th August 2026 | |
Sharing for GWR and Network Rail
Ahead of tomorrow's (Thursday 13 August) anticipated hot weather and the accompanying amber weather warning, our teams are working together to ensure the vast majority of planned services operate as usual. We are advising customers to check before they travel and carry water, and we're very grateful for their patience and understanding during this period.
We are also planning some reductions in service to help minimise further disruption and reduce the stress on rail infrastructure in the extreme heat. This includes:
* In the Thames Valley, we anticipate changes to our stopping services between London and Reading/Didcot Parkway, with trains not calling at Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford.
* Services between Truro and Falmouth will be reduced to hourly from half-hourly.
* The Okehampton branch will not operate, with replacement buses running instead. Services on the Barnstaple line will run as usual.
* The local stopping service between Bristol and Salisbury will not run. Cardiff/Bristol-Portsmouth services will continue to run as usual
* The shuttle service between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood will not run. Tickets will be valid on local bus services.
More information is available on our dedicated webpage at www.gwr.com/weather, and we've also issued a joint media release which you can read here: https://news.gwr.com/news/gwr-and-network-rail-advise-customers-to-check-before-travelling-as-new-amber-weather-warning-issued
Any help you can give to make your networks aware would be much appreciated, and as ever if there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
We are also planning some reductions in service to help minimise further disruption and reduce the stress on rail infrastructure in the extreme heat. This includes:
* In the Thames Valley, we anticipate changes to our stopping services between London and Reading/Didcot Parkway, with trains not calling at Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford.
* Services between Truro and Falmouth will be reduced to hourly from half-hourly.
* The Okehampton branch will not operate, with replacement buses running instead. Services on the Barnstaple line will run as usual.
* The local stopping service between Bristol and Salisbury will not run. Cardiff/Bristol-Portsmouth services will continue to run as usual
* The shuttle service between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood will not run. Tickets will be valid on local bus services.
More information is available on our dedicated webpage at www.gwr.com/weather, and we've also issued a joint media release which you can read here: https://news.gwr.com/news/gwr-and-network-rail-advise-customers-to-check-before-travelling-as-new-amber-weather-warning-issued
Any help you can give to make your networks aware would be much appreciated, and as ever if there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
According to the Met Office the temperature in Truro is currently 24 degrees, expected to reach a maximum of 25 degrees today.
Does this really constitute "extreme heat"?
I suspect the reduction in service on the Falmouth branch is not directly heat related as there was a half hourly service yesterday until 23.30 and it was just as warm during the day, it was probably because they needed to use one of the 150s on the main line in place of a 175.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378206/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 17:39, 13th August 2026 Already liked by JohnM | |
So might as well take my usual 17:12 Bristol-Oxford (Chippenham 17:42) and hang around for half an hour.
Yep ... that train arrives at Chippenham 7 minutes after the last alternative (not RRB) (x34) bus of the day to Melksham has left. A very early time for a last bus of the day - makes working day commutes from Bristol or Swindon to places like Lacock impractical.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378205/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:29, 13th August 2026 | |
Journeycheck doesn't seem to be awake to this one - from National Rail.............
Route(s) affected
Elizabeth line between Shenfield and Heathrow Terminal 5, and also between between Abbey Wood and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead / Reading
All Great Western Railway routes to / from London Paddington
Heathrow Express between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5
Description
A failure of the electricity supply between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals / Reading means all lines are disrupted. As a result, trains will be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Major disruption is expected until 15:00.
Route(s) affected
Elizabeth line between Shenfield and Heathrow Terminal 5, and also between between Abbey Wood and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead / Reading
All Great Western Railway routes to / from London Paddington
Heathrow Express between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5
Description
A failure of the electricity supply between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals / Reading means all lines are disrupted. As a result, trains will be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Major disruption is expected until 15:00.
Now extended until 1900.
Elizabeth Line suspended between Reading - Paddington.
I pity anyone trying to travel today in these conditions with the system failing left, right and centre.
Guess what? "Disruption is expected until the end of the day".
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378204/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 17:13, 13th August 2026 | |
The last TW service to run was operated by 158762 according to Real Time Trains.
It arrived at Westbury at 11:46.
If the same source is to be believed, it was then attached to 158767 and worked the continuation of the 11:30 from Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour from Westbury scheduled at 13:03 but left at 13:16.
It is currently, again according to RTT, on its way back from the South Coast and is due to be uncoupled at Bristol Temple Meads at 17:53.
| Derailment, Lewes, 13 Aug 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378203/32362/51] Posted by grahame at 17:09, 13th August 2026 | |
BBC feed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cly5252xqdvt
Transport Secretary 'deeply concerned' about derailment
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has said on social media that she is "deeply concerned" of reports of the derailment, which took place at about 15:55 BST.
She added: "Grateful to emergency services who are on the scene supporting those impacted. We are working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to assist passengers."
Picure - Laura Arnold / X
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has said on social media that she is "deeply concerned" of reports of the derailment, which took place at about 15:55 BST.
She added: "Grateful to emergency services who are on the scene supporting those impacted. We are working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to assist passengers."
Picure - Laura Arnold / X
British Transport Police statement in full
Here's the full statement from the British Transport Police on the train derailment near Lewes:
"Officers are currently on scene close to Lewes railway station following reports of a derailed train at 3.54pm today (13 August).
"We’re responding alongside paramedics and the fire service and will provide more information as soon as we can."
Here's the full statement from the British Transport Police on the train derailment near Lewes:
"Officers are currently on scene close to Lewes railway station following reports of a derailed train at 3.54pm today (13 August).
"We’re responding alongside paramedics and the fire service and will provide more information as soon as we can."
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378202/31163/26] Posted by NickB at 16:18, 13th August 2026 | |
A genuine question: where does this come back to bite GWR ?
Why should it?
Nothing to do with GWR where any fault can be pinned. It's climate change & network Rail infrastructure. GWR are the affected customer.
Because to the passenger putting their hand in their pocket everyday they are paying GWR and expecting a train service that operates.
The point that I was trying to make was that sometimes it feels like it suits the train operator (in this case GWR) to have a reason to cancel services and not engage with the reason for their existence - ferrying passengers from A to B in the quickest possible time.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378201/31359/18] Posted by JohnM at 16:08, 13th August 2026 | |
An additional service will depart Chippenham at 18:15 and arrive at Melksham at 18:31.
EDIT that's a bus
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378200/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 16:05, 13th August 2026 | |
A series of replacement buses in both directions between Chippenham and Westbury via Melksham and Trowbridge have now appeared on Journeycheck.
Leaving Chippenham at 15:41, 18:15 and 20:41
Leaving Westbury at 16:23, 18:37 and 21:16
Plus one from Swindon at 22:31 to Westbury.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378199/31359/18] Posted by JohnM at 16:00, 13th August 2026 | |
An additional service will depart Chippenham at 18:15 and arrive at Melksham at 18:31.
EDIT that's a bus
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [378198/28982/26] Posted by eightonedee at 15:49, 13th August 2026 | |
...so does RMT think that class 175s are animate objects that will be shamed into behaving properly and starting to work under the threat of strike action? Unless they know how to fix them and can demonstrate that the powers that be are not taking the required action, what is the point?
| Re: Imber Bus Day - merged topics, ongoing events and discussion here In "Buses and other ways to travel" [378197/17260/5] Posted by bobm at 15:48, 13th August 2026 | |
As my mother used to say, even on the hottest days, "Haven't you packed a jumper/raincoat just in case." There was never a suggestion of carrying water in those days. How did we survive?
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378196/31359/18] Posted by JohnM at 15:45, 13th August 2026 | |
Looking at Bristol-Melksham options on the National Rail journey planner it's still offering the 18:30, which includes the 19:00 Chippenham-Melksham train (not bus replacement)
I was thinking about taking that as it's the first option not showing as cancelled; I'd normally take the 17:12 Bristol-Oxford service to Chippenham. Plan B is usually just get to Bath then hop on the Melksham bus, but I did that yesterday (to get home in time for the eclipse) and it was pretty unpleasant without air con. And I like the hot weather.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [378195/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 15:32, 13th August 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between Hereford and Oxford
Due to a broken down train between Hereford and Oxford some lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 120 minutes. Disruption is expected until 16:30 13/08.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
A train has broken down between Kingham and Charlbury.
Last Updated:13/08/2026 15:27
Due to a broken down train between Hereford and Oxford some lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 120 minutes. Disruption is expected until 16:30 13/08.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
A train has broken down between Kingham and Charlbury.
Last Updated:13/08/2026 15:27
Looking at Realtime Trains, it seems 6Q58 1338½ Honeybourne Sidings to Swindon Transfer might have been the cause. Went through Ascott-under-Wychwood on time at 14:27 and then Charlbury 146 minutes late. The following 1P28 1318 Hereford to London Paddington service was held at Evesham departing 137 minutes late.
And later:
15:18 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:25 was started from Worcester Shrub Hill and will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Evesham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford and Didcot Parkway.
This is due to severe weather.
15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 has been cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:23 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Evesham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford and Didcot Parkway.
This is due to severe weather.
15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 has been cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:23 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378194/31163/26] Posted by Mark A at 15:11, 13th August 2026 | |
And: this sort of thing.
https://bsky.app/profile/gwr.com/post/3msxo4xjtzy23
-⚠ Travel Update - 13/08 ⚠
Due to a fault on this train between Swindon and Westbury the line is closed.
Train services running through these stations have been cancelled.
Disruption is expected until the end of the day
That's a message that 'As is' has immediately caused everyone travelling on the GWML to burst into tears, but I've no idea if travellers between, say, Reading and Bristol, need to feel despondent about this. Would the traveller know the train to which 'This train' refers.
(Also, if a train sits down on the single line south of Thingley Junction and another train's already left Swindon and needs the line to Westbury, what's the contingency plan to avoid disruption for services to Bristol?)
Mark
| Re: Imber Bus Day - merged topics, ongoing events and discussion here In "Buses and other ways to travel" [378193/17260/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:11, 13th August 2026 | |
I agree with all of that, grahame.
I still intend to attend - with a rucksack containing substantial volumes of mineral water, Ordnance Survey maps - and a towel for mopping my heated brow.
Looking forward to it!
CfN.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [378192/28982/26] Posted by ChrisB at 15:07, 13th August 2026 | |
Jonathan Webb (Chime Publishing) tweeting that the RMT are balloting for potential industrial action over the failing 175s
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378191/31359/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 15:05, 13th August 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between Swindon and Westbury
Due to a fault on this train between Swindon and Westbury the line is closed.
Train services running through these stations have been cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
-
The train used on the Westbury to Swindon service has broken down and no spare is available. Therefore the service has been suspended for the rest of the day.
As no train is available, we cannot run a service. Customers travelling between Swindon, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Westbury can use GWR services to Bath Spa and change for connections. For Melksham customers, we are arranging arranging road transport.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [378190/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 15:05, 13th August 2026 | |
Wolverton cancelled, 003 and 006 running round empty.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378189/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 15:03, 13th August 2026 | |
Journeycheck doesn't seem to be awake to this one - from National Rail.............
Route(s) affected
Elizabeth line between Shenfield and Heathrow Terminal 5, and also between between Abbey Wood and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead / Reading
All Great Western Railway routes to / from London Paddington
Heathrow Express between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5
Description
A failure of the electricity supply between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals / Reading means all lines are disrupted. As a result, trains will be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Major disruption is expected until 15:00.
Route(s) affected
Elizabeth line between Shenfield and Heathrow Terminal 5, and also between between Abbey Wood and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead / Reading
All Great Western Railway routes to / from London Paddington
Heathrow Express between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5
Description
A failure of the electricity supply between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals / Reading means all lines are disrupted. As a result, trains will be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Major disruption is expected until 15:00.
Now extended until 1900.
Elizabeth Line suspended between Reading - Paddington.
I pity anyone trying to travel today in these conditions with the system failing left, right and centre.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [378188/31163/26] Posted by Mark A at 14:59, 13th August 2026 | |
Yes, but in day to day disruption notices it comes across as yet more filler. When it's items like railway points, or ballast, it's a couple of hundred years since railways have been in existence, and it has to be fairly common knowledge as to what those are and if it's not, is a disruption notice the best place to start educating travellers?
Also, the system that produces these doesn't seem to be able to handle location - messages are vague about that, and in a way which even puzzles everyone on this forum. Many people travelling would find location actually useful as they could then think e.g. 'The road bridge at Limpley Stoke again, that'll be about two hours if we're lucky'. They'd then be in a better position to look for a plan 'b' or 'c' (assuming that staff haven't been available to help).
Can someone remind me of the name of the drag-and-drop software to which the staff that issue these bulletins are shackled?
Mark
| Re: Imber Bus Day - merged topics, ongoing events and discussion here In "Buses and other ways to travel" [378187/17260/5] Posted by grahame at 14:55, 13th August 2026 | |
35 degrees today (13th) and I am defensibly staying at home. Weather forecast is 30 degrees tomoorow, and 25 on Saturday which should be good for the Imber Bus. I will be carrying a bottle of water never the less. Plans such that if the forecast changes and the temperature is higher than what I regard as safe for me, I'll change plans and not toddle along. Others - please judge it for your own wellbeing.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378186/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 14:49, 13th August 2026 | |
Not based on anything more than a hunch, but with the reluctance to move as few sets of points as possible for fear they will fail, I wonder if that applies to those used to get sets off a depot? They tend to be used most first and last thing when temperatures are, relatively, lower.
| Re: Hot weather - changes for 13th August 2026 In "Across the West" [378185/32358/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:26, 13th August 2026 | |
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378184/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 14:26, 13th August 2026 | |
The service now cancelled for the rest of the day with the exception of the through services to and from the Stroud Valley.
So it would seem
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Has the reason turned into an excuse??
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378183/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 14:21, 13th August 2026 | |
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
I would have thought that with the Bristol - Salisbury service canned for the day, there would have been been stand in available. Granted - there wasn't a train available at short notice for the train 2 hours earlier, but by this time ...
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
I would have thought that with the Bristol - Salisbury service canned for the day, there would have been been stand in available. Granted - there wasn't a train available at short notice for the train 2 hours earlier, nor for the one 4 hours earlier ... but by this time ...
Looks like someone's still not looking outside the box!
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
If there's a fault on this train, use another. There should be plenty of spares today NOT running from Bristol to Salisbury!
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378182/31359/18] Posted by bobm at 14:17, 13th August 2026 | |
The service now cancelled for the rest of the day with the exception of the through services to and from the Stroud Valley.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378181/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 14:15, 13th August 2026 | |
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
I would have thought that with the Bristol - Salisbury service canned for the day, there would have been been stand in available. Granted - there wasn't a train available at short notice for the train 2 hours earlier, but by this time ...
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
I would have thought that with the Bristol - Salisbury service canned for the day, there would have been been stand in available. Granted - there wasn't a train available at short notice for the train 2 hours earlier, nor for the one 4 hours earlier ... but by this time ...
