Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361925/1219/28] Posted by grahame at 16:46, 3rd June 2025 |      |
I don't believe that this has only just been classified as an England & wales project at this stage - so why complain only now?
Complain now because you're now in the role of representing the people of your constituency which wasn't a role you were in when the project was initially classified, perhaps?
And the previous incumbent didn't notice that?
Don't know ... but new MPs are not committed to the views and policies of previous ones.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361924/29726/18] Posted by bobm at 15:23, 3rd June 2025 | |
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system
With the power to the signalling at Newbury restored, the latter pair above have now been re-instated.
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361923/1219/28] Posted by ChrisB at 15:02, 3rd June 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Thanks for correcting my typo!
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361922/1219/28] Posted by grahame at 14:53, 3rd June 2025 | |
Anyway, I'm off on Friday to the new station at Wilmslow, to check it out for accessibility.
Winslow I suspect or has Cheshire been getting rebuilds?
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361921/1219/28] Posted by ChrisB at 14:46, 3rd June 2025 | |
Anyway, I'm off on Friday to the new station at Wilmslow, to check it out for accessibility.
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361920/1219/28] Posted by ChrisB at 14:45, 3rd June 2025 | |
I don't believe that this has only just been classified as an England & wales project at this stage - so why complain only now?
Complain now because you're now in the role of representing the people of your constituency which wasn't a role you were in when the project was initially classified, perhaps?
And the previous incumbent didn't notice that?
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361919/1219/28] Posted by grahame at 14:40, 3rd June 2025 | |
I don't believe that this has only just been classified as an England & wales project at this stage - so why complain only now?
Complain now because you're now in the role of representing the people of your constituency which wasn't a role you were in when the project was initially classified, perhaps?
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361918/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 14:38, 3rd June 2025 | |
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system
Something looked odd here ... then I found it ... the fault isn't even on our line ...
Cancellations to services between Newbury and Westbury
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Newbury and Westbury all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Newbury and Westbury all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361917/1219/28] Posted by ChrisB at 14:37, 3rd June 2025 | |
I don't believe that this has only just been classified as an England & wales project at this stage - so why complain only now?
| Re: East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [361916/1219/28] Posted by grahame at 14:32, 3rd June 2025 | |
From The BBC
There is anger that a multi-billion pound project to build a railway line between Oxford and Cambridge has been classed as an England and Wales project.
The £6.6bn line will see no tracks laid in Wales, but because of the way it has been classified, it means the country will not benefit from any extra cash.
David Chadwick, Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, told Radio Wales Breakfast it was "HS2 all over again", while former Welsh Labour transport minister Lee Waters called for Westminster colleagues to "fix" the system.
The £6.6bn line will see no tracks laid in Wales, but because of the way it has been classified, it means the country will not benefit from any extra cash.
David Chadwick, Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, told Radio Wales Breakfast it was "HS2 all over again", while former Welsh Labour transport minister Lee Waters called for Westminster colleagues to "fix" the system.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361915/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 14:28, 3rd June 2025 | |
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system
| Re: Uber plan trains through The Chunnel In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361914/30316/51] Posted by ChrisB at 13:54, 3rd June 2025 | |
No one has been able to compete until the exclusivity clause for Eurostar using HS1 (or is it the Channel Tunnel?) expires
| Re: Uber plan trains through The Chunnel In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361913/30316/51] Posted by IndustryInsider at 13:06, 3rd June 2025 | |
It is amazing how quickly the phrase 'Book an Uber' took off amongst the young in London, so having them associated with a venture like might help it get over the line and finally offer some competition to Eurostar.
| Uber plan trains through The Chunnel In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [361912/30316/51] Posted by Witham Bobby at 12:15, 3rd June 2025 | |
https://www.gmx.com/travel/11548536-uber-to-rival-eurostar-operating-cross-channel-tra.html#.1730814-stage-set3-6
London and Ebbsfleet, under the English Channel, to Paris and other unspecified destination(s)
The ride-sharing firm has thrown its hat into the ring by offering its own cross-channel services from the UK to Paris and beyond.
Uber has signed a partnership with Gemini Trains to co-brand the services.
The locomotives won't just be departing from St Pancras in London, as they will also be stopping at Ebbsfleet International in Kent to offer more options for passengers around the UK.
The collaboration will be similar to the partnership that Uber currently has with Thames Clippers boats in London. In this case, the company brands the boats with their logo along the side, but they are operated by Thames Clipper.
Although customers can book tickets on the Uber app for Eurostar services, this is the first time that they can book and travel on an Uber-branded train.
The company started offering new modes of transport in the UK in 2023 as users are now able to book inter-city trains, coaches, Lime bikes, nationwide car rentals and even flights via the app.
Andrew Brem, general manager at Uber UK, said: "We've seen amazing momentum since we began launching new modes of transport in the UK, and this collaboration with Gemini Trains is our latest step in how we're helping people get to where they want to go."
Adrian Quine, CEO of Gemini, added: "Innovation and value are at the very heart of what we do, so it's really exciting to be teaming up with Uber, an instantly recognisable brand which has revolutionised the travel industry.
"Now passengers will be able to enjoy the same value and comfort on brand new 'cutting edge' trains at the touch of a button."
Uber has signed a partnership with Gemini Trains to co-brand the services.
The locomotives won't just be departing from St Pancras in London, as they will also be stopping at Ebbsfleet International in Kent to offer more options for passengers around the UK.
The collaboration will be similar to the partnership that Uber currently has with Thames Clippers boats in London. In this case, the company brands the boats with their logo along the side, but they are operated by Thames Clipper.
Although customers can book tickets on the Uber app for Eurostar services, this is the first time that they can book and travel on an Uber-branded train.
The company started offering new modes of transport in the UK in 2023 as users are now able to book inter-city trains, coaches, Lime bikes, nationwide car rentals and even flights via the app.
Andrew Brem, general manager at Uber UK, said: "We've seen amazing momentum since we began launching new modes of transport in the UK, and this collaboration with Gemini Trains is our latest step in how we're helping people get to where they want to go."
Adrian Quine, CEO of Gemini, added: "Innovation and value are at the very heart of what we do, so it's really exciting to be teaming up with Uber, an instantly recognisable brand which has revolutionised the travel industry.
"Now passengers will be able to enjoy the same value and comfort on brand new 'cutting edge' trains at the touch of a button."
| Re: Sodium-ion batteries and battery swapping stations In "Looking forward - the next 5, 10 and 20 years" [361911/30315/40] Posted by Oxonhutch at 11:52, 3rd June 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
In my experience, 30 seconds in the railway world is faster than the speed of light
| Re: German experience - not quite as punctual as its old reputation would suggest In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [361910/30313/52] Posted by RichardB at 11:04, 3rd June 2025 | |
I had just the same issues with DB on my Interrail pass trip last February/March. ICE Amsterdam - Koln cancelled - put on local trains (at least it kept us on the move). Working down through Germany, I had a 15 min connection at Mannheim from an Inter City train into an ICE for Basel. My train into Mannheim was 15 mins late and the "connection" wasn't held. An hour and a half to the next one.
Coming back, all fine from Basel to Mannheim but chaos there - I was heading for Brussels via Koln and had set off straight after breakfast to ensure I had plenty of time. In the end, went to Koln via Frankfurt (after another hour at Mannheim). Couldn't get on the ICE at Koln so took a local to Aachen and managed to get on the next ICE from there.
All good fun! One day they will get it sorted.
Mannheim is a nice station but I wouldn't mind if I never saw it (except from a train) again!
| Sodium-ion batteries and battery swapping stations In "Looking forward - the next 5, 10 and 20 years" [361908/30315/40] Posted by grahame at 10:38, 3rd June 2025 | |
From The BBC
The sheer number of two-wheelers in Asia paves a promising pathway to achieving economies of scale. In China alone, around 55 million electric two-wheelers were sold in 2023 – nearly six times the number of all pure, hybrid and fuel-cell electric cars combined sold in the country that year – according to Shanghai-based consultancy iResearch.
Scale production was the goal of Yadea. Zhou said at the talk show that the firm was seeking to bring sodium batteries to tens of millions of ordinary commuters by not only fitting them into two-wheelers, but also building a charging ecosystem to enable people to use these models without stress.
To test the waters, in 2024 Yadea began a pilot programme with 150,000 food delivery couriers working in Shenzhen, a mega city of 17.8 million people in southern China, reported Shenzhen News. The goal was to enable them to hand in a spent Yadea sodium-ion batteries at its partners' battery-swapping stations in exchange for a fully charged one within 30 seconds, Yadea said.
Scale production was the goal of Yadea. Zhou said at the talk show that the firm was seeking to bring sodium batteries to tens of millions of ordinary commuters by not only fitting them into two-wheelers, but also building a charging ecosystem to enable people to use these models without stress.
To test the waters, in 2024 Yadea began a pilot programme with 150,000 food delivery couriers working in Shenzhen, a mega city of 17.8 million people in southern China, reported Shenzhen News. The goal was to enable them to hand in a spent Yadea sodium-ion batteries at its partners' battery-swapping stations in exchange for a fully charged one within 30 seconds, Yadea said.
The story is about scooters and road vehicles, but I do wonder about local battery trains exchanging a spent cell for a fully charged one in 30 seconds at each intermediate station
| Re: German experience - not quite as punctual as its old reputation would suggest In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [361907/30313/52] Posted by johnneyw at 10:34, 3rd June 2025 | |
This may sound a bit "when I were a lad" but....when I were a lad, our annual rail journeys on the Holland-Scandinavia Express from Hoek van Holland to Hamburg (and back) where always pretty much on time...... rather important on the home leg when there was an overnight ferry to connect with. Even the London-Harwich links ran pretty much on time.....I can recall only once the service from Liverpool Street station to Parkeston Quay running a little late but we made the sailing okay.
Now that was the 60s and early 70s and what struck me a little later in life was how in reality the distance from Hoek to Hamburg was far less than the half day train journey felt like. It's a very different European network now, faster and undoubtedly more complicated so it comes as no surprise that line repairs and enhancements regularly need to happen.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [361906/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 08:16, 3rd June 2025 | |
Tuesday June 3
A points failure at Cheltenham Spa has meant that train 1G01 0632 Swindon to Shrub Hill was terminated at Gloucester.
This train forms 1P20 08:18 Shrub Hill to London Paddington. But:
08:18 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 10:25 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a points failure.
Will be formed of 5 coaches.
Last Updated:03/06/2025 07:50
This is due to a points failure.
Will be formed of 5 coaches.
Last Updated:03/06/2025 07:50
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361905/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 06:36, 3rd June 2025 | |
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Just noticed ...
06:50 Westbury to Weymouth due 08:25
06:50 Westbury to Weymouth due 08:25 will be reinstated.
It will be starting late from Westbury.
This is due to a fault on this train.
06:50 Westbury to Weymouth due 08:25 will be reinstated.
It will be starting late from Westbury.
This is due to a fault on this train.
So is that 2 trains with faults at Westbury this morning, or a fault on the train planned to run to Weymouth and then a decision to use the one planned for the TransWilts service for the Weymouth instead?
| Re: German experience - not quite as punctual as its old reputation would suggest In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [361904/30313/52] Posted by grahame at 06:16, 3rd June 2025 | |
We spend a lot of time on the Coffee Shop logging delays and cancellations and we spend very little time logging trains that are on time. Although that's natural, and the news, and it's important to highlight issues to be fixed, it's never the less a biased picture that's out of proportion to the number of trains that [should] run.
There's a bit of a message in my original post that says "look, folks - we know there are problems in the UK but there's no magic wand to fix them and other countrys struggle too.
The advise from Mark Smith to allow 45 minute connections makes sense. My own approach would, rather, be to allow 15 minutes PLUS having a fall back plan to the next train. Arriving into Warnamunde / Kiel we had dropped back - in fact we had taken the view that we would get to Hamburg and when we got there decide on what was the next train onwards, and whether we were hungry and wanted a food break.
Here are three samplings of the departure boards at Berlin Hbf on three different days - not photographed really to show the delays, so a bit random. And of course for long distance trains starting from that region, the picture painted in rosier than the overall picture with so many delayed, yes, by engineering works, on the way.
Now in France, and I had a series of trains planned from 09:23 ... which however was cancelled at short notice. Blew the whole plan as some of the trains here have even longer gaps than I am used to from home. They seem to run in the peak hours with a reasonable service and then have long gaps during the day.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [361903/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 05:29, 3rd June 2025 | |
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: German experience - not quite as punctual as its old reputation would suggest In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [361902/30313/52] Posted by Surrey 455 at 23:10, 2nd June 2025 | |
In 2024, DW also reports:
The German rail network company Deutsche Bahn (DB) has once again smashed the myth of German trains running on time, according to statistics published by the company on Friday.
Just 64% of long-distance trains reached their destination on time — meaning less than six minutes late — last year. This was a similar share to 2022 when 65.2% could be considered punctual.
For regional trains, the rate of punctuality was much higher, with 91% reaching their destination on time.
Why are so many trains delayed in Germany?
DB said that the reason for the widespread delays was the increasing number of short-term works and repairs on the rails.
According to the rail operator's own data, around 75% of all long-distance trains had to slow down for construction sites by the end of the year.
The prospects for 2024 don't look much better, with works on the tracks continuing and even ramping up.
By 2030, Germany aims to have renovated dozens of routes into high-speed corridors that should eventually speed up journeys across the country. It has however warned that this could lead to things getting worse before they get better.
Just 64% of long-distance trains reached their destination on time — meaning less than six minutes late — last year. This was a similar share to 2022 when 65.2% could be considered punctual.
For regional trains, the rate of punctuality was much higher, with 91% reaching their destination on time.
Why are so many trains delayed in Germany?
DB said that the reason for the widespread delays was the increasing number of short-term works and repairs on the rails.
According to the rail operator's own data, around 75% of all long-distance trains had to slow down for construction sites by the end of the year.
The prospects for 2024 don't look much better, with works on the tracks continuing and even ramping up.
By 2030, Germany aims to have renovated dozens of routes into high-speed corridors that should eventually speed up journeys across the country. It has however warned that this could lead to things getting worse before they get better.
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-a-third-of-long-distance-trains-delayed-in-2023/a-67964403
That article is dated 01/12/2024 (US format) and when I cut and paste it, I get 01/12/2024 January 12, 2024.
| Re: German experience - not quite as punctual as its old reputation would suggest In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [361901/30313/52] Posted by Surrey 455 at 22:58, 2nd June 2025 | |
The German rail network has been in a bad way for some time.
From The Independent in 2024:
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/german-rail-delays-connections-frankfurt-b2593820.html
But even without the latest shutdowns, rail passengers in Germany are encountering a wide range of problems this summer:
Now, a leading expert has warned against assuming standard train connection times will work.
During his latest trip across Germany, Mark Smith – known as The Man In Seat 61 – recommended allowing extra time to change trains when planning trips online because so many services run behind schedule.
“Always change ‘Transfer time’ from ‘normal’ to 45 minutes when using bahn.de,” he wrote on X.
- Missed connections due to late-running trains
- Sudden cancellations or re-routings
- Inadequate or incoherent information
Now, a leading expert has warned against assuming standard train connection times will work.
During his latest trip across Germany, Mark Smith – known as The Man In Seat 61 – recommended allowing extra time to change trains when planning trips online because so many services run behind schedule.
“Always change ‘Transfer time’ from ‘normal’ to 45 minutes when using bahn.de,” he wrote on X.
Almost half of German long-distance trains were at least six minutes late at some point in their journey in June 2024.
Deutsche Bahn blames outdated track infrastructure, intensive engineering work and sheer traffic density at key hubs including Frankfurt, Cologne and Stuttgart.
Deutsche Bahn blames outdated track infrastructure, intensive engineering work and sheer traffic density at key hubs including Frankfurt, Cologne and Stuttgart.
| Re: ITV West feature on West Somerset railway In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [361900/30311/47] Posted by grahame at 20:25, 2nd June 2025 Already liked by Timmer, johnneyw, Witham Bobby, Western Pathfinder | |
And they are still waiting…
Minehead ... Portishead ... Go-op ... Corsham ... Tavistock ... threre are so many schemes that would benefit form a JFDI approach. Thinking as applied at Workington North and for rail-road interchange at Tiverton Parkway.
| Re: Railway Benefit Fund - auction of experiences (now until 7 July 2025) In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [361899/30314/47] Posted by ChrisB at 19:43, 2nd June 2025 | |
One for you here.....
Guided Tour of Knorr-Bremse UK Headquarters – Melksham, Wiltshire
Available (1) Bids (0)
STARTING BID
£50
Go behind the scenes at Knorr-Bremse’s UK rail headquarters in Melksham, home to its RailServices operations. This facility plays a vital role in the maintenance, overhaul, and support of rail vehicle systems that help keep trains running safely and efficiently across the UK and Ireland.
Knorr-Bremse is a global leader in rail systems, supporting technologies such as braking, HVAC, door systems, and sanitary solutions.
The tour is for a maximum of 6 guests. To be arranged on a mutually convenient date within a year of purchase.
Kindly donated by Knorr-Bremse.
Available (1) Bids (0)
STARTING BID
£50
Go behind the scenes at Knorr-Bremse’s UK rail headquarters in Melksham, home to its RailServices operations. This facility plays a vital role in the maintenance, overhaul, and support of rail vehicle systems that help keep trains running safely and efficiently across the UK and Ireland.
Knorr-Bremse is a global leader in rail systems, supporting technologies such as braking, HVAC, door systems, and sanitary solutions.
The tour is for a maximum of 6 guests. To be arranged on a mutually convenient date within a year of purchase.
Kindly donated by Knorr-Bremse.
| Railway Benefit Fund - auction of experiences (now until 7 July 2025) In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [361898/30314/47] Posted by grahame at 19:31, 2nd June 2025 | |
https://go.eventgroovefundraising.com/auction2025/Campaign/Details
RBF Auction of Rail Experiences
RBF's virtual Auction of Rail Experiences features a range of amazing money-can’t-buy rail experiences.
The auction is key event in our fundraising calendar with a target of £25,000 to raise.
Bidding in our auction helps us to support railway people and their families facing hardship across the UK.
RBF's virtual Auction of Rail Experiences features a range of amazing money-can’t-buy rail experiences.
The auction is key event in our fundraising calendar with a target of £25,000 to raise.
Bidding in our auction helps us to support railway people and their families facing hardship across the UK.
| Re: ITV West feature on West Somerset railway In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [361897/30311/47] Posted by Timmer at 17:48, 2nd June 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, broadgage, Witham Bobby | |
Days I remember very well indeed. When the WSR had the purpose of being a useful public transport link for the people of West Somerset, and remembered all those people who queued for hours at Minehead station a couple of years earlier to buy shares that they'd been told would bring their Taunton trains back.
And they are still waiting… 