Tributes have been paid to the chairman of the country's longest heritage railway, who has passed away at the age of 42.

Jonathan Jones-Pratt ran the West Somerset Railway since 2019 and is credited by the company with guiding it through a "challenging" period.

His partner, Hollie Bowden said she was "utterly heartbroken and shattered" by his sudden death after a short illness.

The railway said it was "deeply saddened" by the news, and added Jones-Pratt had "demonstrated unwavering commitment, resilience and dedication to the railway".

You're probably not missing anything. I was expressing something of a personal view of the pallava of claiming a small amount - the cost to both sides.  I am not a fan of "compensation society" where we're looking at small sums where we really want to have the service we have bought, and not some sort of alternative to make up.  When it get to / above a certain level, then , yes.   I guess I am so used to over 100 minutes between trains that 30 minutes feels like nothing.

Yep, that's why it's an e=x=a=m=p=l=e asking whether such a setup would be considered "better".   


Simplifying tickets - and truly doing so in a modernising way and not as a sneaky way for a general uplift of income while claiming "no rises" would be welcome. Sadly it would reduce the need for many of the skills and knowledge of members here, but that's progress.  It would also progress, with gates like they do in The Netherlands, for 99.9% of tickets rather than what feels like 80% and so the need for so much work looking after fare advise, collection and checking.

Sorry Graham, I don't understand. It's quite annoying to be delayed for 15 mins, but it's (usually) not the end of the world, and the current 12.5% of a return feels about right. If that's removed, how does it benefit the passenger?

If you just mean it's sensible because it reduces GWR's workload, then sure. But why stop at 15-29 min delays?

Apologies if I'm missing something.

Campaigners await platform extension study verdict


Conservative MP Rebecca Smith and John Pope from the Ivybridge Rail Users Group have both campaigned for a more reliable service for the town

Campaigners hoping to get a more frequent rail service at a station are "waiting anxiously" on the results of a survey looking into the possibility of extending the platforms.

On average currently only about 30% of the trains which pass through Ivybridge station stop there, a main factor of this being the short 104m (341ft) platforms.

Network Rail have conducted the £20,000 feasibility survey, which was funded by South Hams District Council into the possible expansion of the platforms, with the final costings being "undertaken and expect the report to be ready later this month".

GWR and Cross Country both support and welcome the proposals in a bid to improve rail services offered in the town.  The two platforms at the station are too short to accommodate Cross Country's trains, which are a minimum of about 110m (360ft) long, as well as GWR's express and longer trains.

John Pope, chair of the Ivybridge Rail Users Group - which has campaigned for more rail services in the area for 21 years, said there was "currently an irregular service" in the town which was "very frustrating".  He said the "timetables have not changed with the times - Ivybridge is now significantly bigger than it once was and the service has never reflected that".

"If the service was there, we are confident people would use it," Pope added.


The Ivybridge Rail Users Group have campaigned for better services at the station for 21 years

Cross Country said its trains could not fit on the platform, and its "train doors cannot be opened individually" so extending the platforms could "create the opportunity to connect this part of South Devon into our network".

While GWR said it supported the "long-term ambitions for improved rail services at Ivybridge and welcome the chance to call more services there".

Conservative MP for South West Devon Rebecca Smith conducted a travel survey where 94% of respondents in Ivybridge wanted more trains to stop there with 80% more likely to use the train more often if that was the case.

Matthew Dorsett, who was catching a train, said he would use the station more often if there were "more regular services".

"It's much easier to get here than into the middle of Plymouth - if there were more trains here you would have more people travelling."

Smith said the expansion "makes so much sense" as there is "clearly a demand" for it.  She said it would increase the number of opportunities people have to use the railway as they "can't rely on the service currently offered at the station" as it was "not reliable enough".

"All the infrastructure is already here, we just need that platform extension," Smith said.  "When I've met with Network Rail they have led me to believe that they are optimistic this can be delivered."

You set the parameters at "a general better level of service", you are getting rather specific now! 

Ticketing suggestions seem sound, and you would have thought that with one organisation rather than numerous TOCs consistency would be much easier in that context, but we'll see. I doubt anything that reduces overall revenue will gain much traction given her other comments about reducing subsidy!

Of course returning to the plan of shutting 90-odd% of ticket offices would be attractive to someone wishing to cut costs..................

I have to admit that change feels sensible

The Great Western Route has the potential to become one of the UK's most powerful drivers of economic growth, according to new findings highlighted by Joanna Grew during her opening keynote address at TransCityRail South 2026.
Drawing on insights from the Growing Places report, Joanna Grew outlined how the railway corridor stretching from London Paddington to Penzance could support thousands of new jobs, stimulate investment and unlock significant economic value across the regions it serves.
The report reveals that the Great Western Route could support as many as 238,000 jobs while generating more than £14 billion in annual economic value. The figures underline the critical role that rail infrastructure can play in connecting communities, attracting investment and supporting long-term regional growth.
Addressing delegates from across the rail industry and supply chain, Joanna Grew explored how development around stations has the potential to drive economic regeneration, create employment opportunities and strengthen local economies. The benefits extend well beyond passenger journeys, with improved connectivity helping businesses access talent, markets and investment opportunities more effectively.
The keynote also highlighted the strategic importance of continued railway investment, particularly at a time when regional growth and levelling up remain key priorities across the UK. By maximising the potential of station-led development and transport connectivity, the Great Western Route could become a cornerstone of future economic prosperity.

It depends, I suppose, on how you define "better" and how you measure "level".  

A train every 15 minutes from Bristol Temple Meads to Bath Spa, calling at Keynsham, Oldfield Park and Bath Spa. Two carrying on via Chippenham and Swindon in the hour (one each to Bedford and London) and two via Westbury to London via Salisbury (all stations to Basingstoke) and to Southampton Central (all stations).  A train every hour Swindon to Yeovil, alternating onward to or via Yeovil Junction and Weymouth.  All trains at least 5 carriages long (London trains 9 or 10) and with timings to include 15% extra recovery time at key points along the way.   ... Is that "better"?

Tickets - singles only,  any time and off peak only, with off peak being for journeys starting after 09:30 and before 16:00, and after 19:30, 7 days a week.  Season tickets to be replaced by smart ticketing, linked to your credit card  or a Cuttlefish card (an overgrown Oyster) card.   Railcards available for all, at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels offering 12%, 24%, 36% off all tickets for an annual fee.   Holiday (rover) cards available for a week in dynamic geographic areas, no time restrictions.

"No offers of a general better level of service" - sure about that?

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/25506607.mp-heidi-alexander-promises-better-buses-reliable-trains/

“No more Sundays wondering if the train will turn up. No more baffling array of ticket types and prices - a public service, where reliability is the watchword and pride is restored.

“Great British Railways is coming soon and will be run by the people for the people.”

Prof Glaister says: "When the public is hoping for a better level of service, more reliability, fewer breakdowns and lower fares, what they're really asking for is more money to be put into the railway.

Sure, that's what the public are hoping for.   But let's look

1. There are no offers of a general better level of service, though there may be some bright spots.  Indeed nothing much is said about level of service and could we be in for another Beeching, or Serpell? That could save money.  I won't give any pointers in the South West ... but I could look at East Anglia and and ask about lines such as those through Berney Arms, East Tilbury and Emerson Park, and to such places as Sheringham, Sudbury and Southminster and wonder about their economic case.

2. More reliability and fewer breakdowns could be achieved by reducing the number of services run and increasing running times, could it not?  Swiss timekeeping has an excellent reputation, but I've made a number of journeys where we have paused to make up time.  And modern technology (I've see demos) can hide that slowing down by programming the trains to run slower than they could - not awaiting time at stations but running a little slower between

3. "Fare Simplification" is what is suggested, and can be achieved, can't it, by simply scrapping some of the lower fares?  Let's get rid of super off peak - no, it's not in headlines terms putting "fares up" but it'll sure as heck make a substantial difference in our parts to weekend travellers!

That dog loves you. Or, you're the source of food. Or both. In any case, looks to be well grounded.

Mark

Fortunately DfT/GBR have plans in place to ensure that the number of claims for GWR services reduces dramatically*.

* By removing the ability to claim for 15-29 minute delays, á la Cross Country.