Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Article: 'What's wrong with an empty bus' In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378653/32404/51] Posted by Mark A at 17:21, 24th August 2026 |      |
Turning this article over in the back of my mind for a bit.
https://humantransit.org/2020/04/whats-wrong-with-an-empty-bus.html
| Re: IET's question In "Your rights and redress" [378652/32398/6] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:07, 24th August 2026 Already liked by IndustryInsider | |
Thanks, as ever, for your very detailed and helpful reply here, IndustryInsider.
Chris from Nailsea.
| Re: IET's question In "Your rights and redress" [378651/32398/6] Posted by IndustryInsider at 16:56, 24th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
In terms of route clearance for passenger services, I've attached a screenshot of the latest GWR IET Operational Restrictions file which should help.
You can also find more detail in the National Electronic Sectional Appendix at:
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/industry-and-commercial/information-for-operators/national-electronic-sectional-appendix/
There's a whole section on route clearances for different types of traction in each of the seven areas of Great Britain. In the document for the Western and Wales region it starts on Page 709. Though rather interestingly the Class 80x IET units are not included for some reason, but if you search for 'Class 80x' or 'IET' you will find lots of individual entries, usually in the Local Instructions section (starting on Page 866).
| Re: RMT union plans rail strikes over train safety concerns at East Midlands Railway In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378650/32266/51] Posted by WSW Frome at 16:48, 24th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I have just received the latest Modern Railways. It includes a detailed article by Roger Ford about the "issues" with the Class 810s. It makes quite sobering reading (and I have only glanced so far). In this case maybe the RMT are fully justified in refusing to work them when certain types of faults exist (listed in article - some appear to be "quite" safety critical).
| Re: Sunday 23/08/26 - No Crosscountry services In "Cross Country services" [378649/32397/43] Posted by IndustryInsider at 16:24, 24th August 2026 | |
What no one has considered is what they would have done in the case of an emergency - dealing with fatalities/derailment for example without a control would simply fall apart.
I very much considered it in post #7 yesterday!
| Re: Sunday 23/08/26 - No Crosscountry services In "Cross Country services" [378648/32397/43] Posted by broadgage at 16:15, 24th August 2026 | |
What no one has considered is what they would have done in the case of an emergency - dealing with fatalities/derailment for example without a control would simply fall apart.
Surely the main response to an emergency is by the ambulance service and the police force and possibly also the fire brigade, all of whom were working normally, and could be called by any passengers, staff, or passers by. Clearing the line of any debris is done by network rail, again without any need for the TOC control.
| Re: Open foot access to tracks. In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378647/32403/51] Posted by ChrisB at 16:04, 24th August 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
1. Network Rail should be fencing the rail boundary.
2. Network Rail would have been a consultee on the planning permission application.
3.Unfortunately not.
| Open foot access to tracks. In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378646/32403/51] Posted by RailCornwall at 15:42, 24th August 2026 | |
I don't want a pile on on this one and I am being deliberately tangential so the actual case isn't revealed.
Previous Situation.
1. Main GWML runs through countryside with unfenced track.
2. Nearby business open for years within their own well contained grounds.
Happy coexistence.
Change in situation.
1. Business expands, lawfully with required planning consent, resulting in its containment being lost.
2. As a result of de-containment access now possible for customers via third party owned countryside from business premises to open GWML track.
Questions.
1. Who should be dealing with this situation?
2. Should planning have addressed this issue when deliberating granting the changes to the premises?
3. Does anyone have other examples of this type of issue?
I really get on with this business but the issue is there and it needs addressing before there is an incident. I will need a lot of tactical forethought before moving to report the matter.
Guidance welcomed.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378645/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 14:53, 24th August 2026 | |
15:14 Swindon - Westbury cancelled because of a safety inspection of the track earlier today
Sadly, not jiust thay one
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
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 safety inspection of the track earlier today.
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
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 safety inspection of the track earlier today.
And has me wondering why an earlier safety inspection causes cancellations so many hours later.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378644/31359/18] Posted by JohnM at 14:47, 24th August 2026 | |
15:14 Swindon - Westbury cancelled because of a safety inspection of the track earlier today
| Re: River Bann: Is it a bus? Is it a boat? The former Citybus taking to the water In "The Lighter Side" [378643/32396/30] Posted by GBM at 13:58, 24th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I note that the Windsor venture involves a new-build amphibus, can't think why.
Mark
Hey! We didn't sink or wreck it Mark
More amphibus than usual needing repair perhaps!
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378642/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 13:35, 24th August 2026 | |
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 is being delayed at Swindon.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 is being delayed at Swindon.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378641/31359/18] Posted by ChrisB at 12:51, 24th August 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Trying to understand you here - are you saying that Oxford City Centre is like Melksham centre, some way from he station? It's about a 10 minute walk.
I'm not sure whether we're discussing Melksham or Oxford timings here.
I was referencing Oxford as being a 10 minute walk (assuming you know the route)
| Re: River Bann: Is it a bus? Is it a boat? The former Citybus taking to the water In "The Lighter Side" [378640/32396/30] Posted by Mark A at 12:30, 24th August 2026 | |
I note that the Windsor venture involves a new-build amphibus, can't think why.
Mark
| Re: Sunday 23/08/26 - No Crosscountry services In "Cross Country services" [378639/32397/43] Posted by ray951 at 12:18, 24th August 2026 Already liked by GBM, broadgage | |
What no one has considered is what they would have done in the case of an emergency - dealing with fatalities/derailment for example without a control would simply fall apart.
The power went off on Saturday evening, I think around 19:50, yet all XC trains appear to have run until close of play so that doesn't seem to have been a problem.
Derailments are quite a rare event so why not take the risk and if such an event did occur then involve other operator's control rooms, XC tracks are all covered by other operators so presumably they would know what to do in the event of an incident.
| Re: Sunday 23/08/26 - No Crosscountry services In "Cross Country services" [378638/32397/43] Posted by John D at 11:53, 24th August 2026 | |
What no one has considered is what they would have done in the case of an emergency - dealing with fatalities/derailment for example without a control would simply fall apart.
To be fair, even when control is working, when there is a problem, it often takes ages to inform passengers, or those waiting for a train, or get those disrupted to destination promptly.
Control is often so remote from the incident, that they are getting info (selective without full picture) second or third hand anyway, so questionable if better decisions are made than by those actually on front line.
| Re: Sunday 23/08/26 - No Crosscountry services In "Cross Country services" [378637/32397/43] Posted by ChrisB at 11:39, 24th August 2026 | |
What no one has considered is what they would have done in the case of an emergency - dealing with fatalities/derailment for example without a control would simply fall apart.
| Re: River Bann: Is it a bus? Is it a boat? The former Citybus taking to the water In "The Lighter Side" [378636/32396/30] Posted by Mark A at 10:46, 24th August 2026 | |
| Re: Sunday 23/08/26 - No Crosscountry services In "Cross Country services" [378635/32397/43] Posted by grahame at 09:46, 24th August 2026 | |
It is ridiculous, did nobody have a paper copy or even a PDF of the crew & stock diagrams?
Even if the missing diagrams were the root of the problem, surely it would have been possible to produce a simplified set of diagrams. They might not have been able to cover every destination or maintain the full timetable, but they could at least have operated a reduced service, maybe use a tool such as Excel!
Instead, it appears they decided the task was too difficult and simply cancelled everything.
Even if the missing diagrams were the root of the problem, surely it would have been possible to produce a simplified set of diagrams. They might not have been able to cover every destination or maintain the full timetable, but they could at least have operated a reduced service, maybe use a tool such as Excel!
Instead, it appears they decided the task was too difficult and simply cancelled everything.
I find myself agreeing that apparently having to adequate hot-linked backup looks very poor. But once the failure with no apparent standby / alternative system available, perhaps the best way to get things back to running was for the (limited number available?) specialists to set a checkpoint and work it for a restart from there? Just asking - I have no data that backs up the suggestion, but I am aware that looking for immediate fixes takes a lot of resource and can elongate the disruption.
| Re: River Bann: Is it a bus? Is it a boat? The former Citybus taking to the water In "The Lighter Side" [378634/32396/30] Posted by GBM at 09:42, 24th August 2026 | |
https://www.bigducktours.com/en/windsor/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22529776036&gbraid=0AAAAA_co4OHo1DB-_cl8cxVcCwjv7aPCy&gclid=Cj0KCQjw16_UBhCqARIsAIdOaXxsidBI4N5JxTaczHsXhdZa0C2uDJLEnJyzz_GRRs1aEntvyuBfRTgaAiU2EALw_wcB
We went on this a few years ago.
Lovely trip.
A minibus that floats!
| UK population exceeds 60 million - BBC report, 24th August 2006 In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [378633/32402/28] Posted by grahame at 09:37, 24th August 2026 | |
The BBC reported on 24th August 2006 that the UK population had exceeded 60 million - see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5281360.stm . The report was from the Office Of National Statistics for the year ended 30th June 2005.
I have looked back - in 30 year increments
33,200,000 1876 (includes Ireland)
43,400,000 1906 (includes Ireland)
47,100,000 1936
54,600,000 1966 Railway modernisation as per the Beeching report
58,200,000 1996 Privatisation
70,000,000 2026 (guestimated as of 30th June)
At Sheffield Park on Saturday, I picked up an old timetable for British Rail's Western Region dated 1965, showing services on lines lost over following years. Some were - dire - in their frequency, not fast, and looking at the "diagrams" there were a lot of trains busy doing nothing for hours on end. I find myself wondering with a 28% increase in population since then, and modern environmental concerns at the inefficiency of modern cars for transporting people (not only fuel use, but congestion and the need for road and parking capacity) how different things might have been had the population been so much greater in those days.
| Re: RMT union plans rail strikes over train safety concerns at East Midlands Railway In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378632/32266/51] Posted by GBM at 09:35, 24th August 2026 | |
The RMT always time their strike actions for when they will cause the most disruption. 
Need to make a point. Maximum effect to draw attention.
Unfortunately that's what a strike will do (as we all know).
Little point in taking a strike when a line is closed for engineering works.
| Re: Sunday 23/08/26 - No Crosscountry services In "Cross Country services" [378631/32397/43] Posted by ray951 at 08:26, 24th August 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Seems to be lack of contingency plan at work here.
Staff on the ground have mobile phones, staff at control centre could have emergency contact method if their main building is not available
Staff on the ground have mobile phones, staff at control centre could have emergency contact method if their main building is not available
They have both those....what they can't access is their software running the crew & stock diagrams, for example.
Which, if the case, in this day and age is frankly ridiculous.
It is ridiculous, did nobody have a paper copy or even a PDF of the crew & stock diagrams?
Even if the missing diagrams were the root of the problem, surely it would have been possible to produce a simplified set of diagrams. They might not have been able to cover every destination or maintain the full timetable, but they could at least have operated a reduced service, maybe use a tool such as Excel!
Instead, it appears they decided the task was too difficult and simply cancelled everything.
Perhaps they should take some advice from their sister company, Chiltern Railways. Chiltern managed to find both crews and rolling stock to operate an almost hourly service between Oxford and Birmingham Moor Street via Banbury, to fill the gap left by XC.
| Re: Animals on the line on the Circle/District line In "Transport for London" [378630/32378/46] Posted by grahame at 06:02, 24th August 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
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
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?
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?
Guessing - an (urban) fox or someone's dog?
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378629/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 05:57, 24th August 2026 | |
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster.
This is due to a fault on this train.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378628/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 05:15, 24th August 2026 | |
Google Maps suggests that it's a 17 minute walk from Melksham Station to Market Square, which I would regard as the 'town centre' of Melksham (as that's where the Town Hall is). I would say that's optimistic, assuming a fit person with no luggage. In my personal experience, lugging a suitcase, I'd say it is more like a 20 minute walk.
The 17 minute walk is 0.7 miles (according to Google). Wouldn't you assume close to 4mph for a fit person with no luggage, which would make it under 11 minutes?Anyway, the 'Spoons is only 0.5 miles
20 minutes, Town Hall to Station, is what I personally budget and that gets me to the station a couple of minutes before the train. I know I need to push it if I pass over the Town Bridge with only 10 minutes to go and sods law states that if you're short of time the train will be on time.
| Re: IET's question In "Your rights and redress" [378627/32398/6] Posted by infoman at 04:46, 24th August 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
Thank you Grahame for your reply.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [378626/31359/18] Posted by JohnM at 22:23, 23rd August 2026 | |
Google Maps suggests that it's a 17 minute walk from Melksham Station to Market Square, which I would regard as the 'town centre' of Melksham (as that's where the Town Hall is). I would say that's optimistic, assuming a fit person with no luggage. In my personal experience, lugging a suitcase, I'd say it is more like a 20 minute walk.
The 17 minute walk is 0.7 miles (according to Google). Wouldn't you assume close to 4mph for a fit person with no luggage, which would make it under 11 minutes?Anyway, the 'Spoons is only 0.5 miles
| Re: Sunday 23/08/26 - No Crosscountry services In "Cross Country services" [378625/32397/43] Posted by grahame at 21:40, 23rd August 2026 | |
Good old CrossCountry - forever hopeless.
If this had been GWR then I'm sure some of our regular posters would have quite rightly been all over it. Strange that it's only generated a handful of replies.
If this had been GWR then I'm sure some of our regular posters would have quite rightly been all over it. Strange that it's only generated a handful of replies.
Cross Country are unique in that they provide only a proportion of services at most of the major stations they serve - though they are clearly unique to certain flows. Even at Cheltenham Spa, only the 3rd (to Birmingham) and 10th (to Wolverhampton) flows are unique to them. Not a single one of the top flows at Temple Meads is unique to them, though I grant you that Cheltenham Spa and Taunton passengers (4th and 5th) won't be happy about very much longer journey times today. Add that this is a one-off today, it's a Sunday, and our board is very much regional and perhaps no great surprise as those factors come together.
| Monday 24 August 2026 - CrossCountry services back to normal In "Cross Country services" [378624/32397/43] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:32, 23rd August 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
CrossCountry to provide full service on Monday
Train operator CrossCountry will run a full train service on Monday following major disruption to services across the country.
The operator said it plans to run a "very limited number of trains" from around 18:00 BST on Sunday evening, and a full service on Monday.
It comes after a power outage affected its control centre in Birmingham, resulting in mass cancellations across the network on Sunday.
A CrossCountry spokesperson said: "Our key priority is now to restore as close to a normal service as possible for our customers tomorrow." They added: "With most facilities now reinstated, we are planning to operate a very limited number of services from around 18:00 this evening, primarily on routes towards Leicester and Derby.
"Planning is underway to support a full train service on Monday and we are working closely with National Grid and industry partners as recovery efforts continue. We would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during today's disruption."
Customers have been strongly advised by the operator to check their journey before travelling.
Customers delayed by 30 minutes or more may be entitled to compensation, the operator said, adding: "While those who choose not to travel can claim a refund from their original point of purchase."
(BBC article continues)
Train operator CrossCountry will run a full train service on Monday following major disruption to services across the country.
The operator said it plans to run a "very limited number of trains" from around 18:00 BST on Sunday evening, and a full service on Monday.
It comes after a power outage affected its control centre in Birmingham, resulting in mass cancellations across the network on Sunday.
A CrossCountry spokesperson said: "Our key priority is now to restore as close to a normal service as possible for our customers tomorrow." They added: "With most facilities now reinstated, we are planning to operate a very limited number of services from around 18:00 this evening, primarily on routes towards Leicester and Derby.
"Planning is underway to support a full train service on Monday and we are working closely with National Grid and industry partners as recovery efforts continue. We would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during today's disruption."
Customers have been strongly advised by the operator to check their journey before travelling.
Customers delayed by 30 minutes or more may be entitled to compensation, the operator said, adding: "While those who choose not to travel can claim a refund from their original point of purchase."
(BBC article continues)
