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Great Western Coffee Shop
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Copyright of images - do you need to check your old posts?
In "News, Help and Assistance" [370733/31403/29]
Posted by grahame at 09:23, 8th January 2026
 
In keeping the posts on-topic of copyright in this thread, I have not re-iterated other reasons you cannot post even your own images.  You may need the permission of people whose pictures you publish, or of their parents / guardians if they are children. You may not post indecent images, or images that incite or show violence, for example.

Re: Copyright of images - do you need to check your old posts?
In "News, Help and Assistance" [370732/31403/29]
Posted by grahame at 09:13, 8th January 2026
 
That all makes sense.

Where do you/the poster stand when all a post does is to quote another webpage? I'm guessing the same? I think confirmation of that might help members?

Otherwise, we can provide a link to the original content where viewing can take place.

Yes, Chris - the same applies - "If you source images directly or indirectly from ..." in the original post that stared this thread.

The issue has arisen to be flagged up on the Coffee Shop NOT because of something that's happened here, but because of an article on the Daily Mail website about a rail issue, which was then copied onto a user group web site.  It seems that the Daily Mail had licensed an image for their article which, however, did not allow it to be copied onward by the user group.  The "oy" came not from the Daily Mail, as I understand it, but from the licensing company representing the original photographer who had made in available to them, probably to monetarise his/her picture.

If in doubt, provision of a link is a good idea.

Re: Storm Goretti
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370731/31405/25]
Posted by ChrisB at 09:03, 8th January 2026
 
There will be no services operating on Cornish branch lines from late afternoon today. 

I would also expect some disruption tomorrow morning whilst route proving is undertaken.

This INCLUDES the Devon branches too, according to Journeycheck. Complete journeys before 1800

Re: Storm Goretti
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370730/31405/25]
Posted by John D at 08:54, 8th January 2026
 
A few in our area

GWR
Oxford - Hereford
Forecasted severe weather between Oxford and Hereford means from 15:00 there will be no train service between Great Malvern and Hereford, and from 18:00 services will be cancelled between Oxford and Hereford. These alterations will continue until the end of the day.

Cross country
CrossCountry will reduce frequency on the following routes to hourly from 15:00:
Manchester Piccadilly - Birmingham New Street
Birmingham New Street - Reading
Birmingham New Street - Bristol Temple Meads

There is also a reduction in service on the Nottingham - Birmingham New Street / Cardiff Central route from 15:00.

SWR
The following trains have been cancelled. Please be aware that across the network, trains that do run may be delayed, cancelled or altered at late notice due to the severe weather.
19:20 Weymouth to London Waterloo
21:35 London Waterloo to Weymouth
22:18 Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier
22:35 London Waterloo to Poole
22:36 Lymington Pier to Brockenhurst
23:32 London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour
23:36 London Waterloo to Bournemouth

TfW
The following routes will be suspended today:
Between Maesteg and Ebbw Vale Town:

Starting from approximately 15:00 the following routes will be suspended:
Between Liverpool Lime Street and Chester:

The following routes are also affected but we don't have any additional information as of yet:
Between Bidston and Wrexham (Borderlands line)
Between Llandudno / Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog (Conwy Valley line)
Between Shrewsbury and Swansea via Llandrindod (Heart of Wales line)
Between Carmarthen and Whitland / Pembroke Dock / Milford Haven / Fishguard Harbour
Between Treherbert and Cardiff Central

Starting from approximately 15:00 the following routes will have a reduced service:
Between Merthyr Tydfil / Treherbert / Rhymney and Cardiff Central:
Between Coryton and Cardiff Bay:
Between Cardiff Central and Penarth / Barry Island / Bridgend
Between Cardiff Central and Carmarthen:

The following routes are also affected but we don't have any additional information as of yet:
Between Manchester and Chester
Between Holyhead and Shrewsbury
Between Crewe and Shrewsbury
Between Crewe and Cardiff Central
Between Birmingham International and Shrewsbury
Between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth
Between Gloucester and Cardiff Central




Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370729/569/25]
Posted by a-driver at 08:47, 8th January 2026
 
There’s a lot of work that needs to be undertaken, possibly two weeks worth if not more.

There’s also planned engineering work closing the line from Monday 23 February to Friday 6 March

Re: Copyright of images - do you need to check your old posts?
In "News, Help and Assistance" [370728/31403/29]
Posted by ChrisB at 08:44, 8th January 2026
 
That all makes sense.

Where do you/the poster stand when all a post does is to quote another webpage? I'm guessing the same? I think confirmation of that might help members?

Otherwise, we can provide a link to the original content where viewing can take place.

Re: Storm Goretti
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370727/31405/25]
Posted by a-driver at 08:39, 8th January 2026
 
There will be no services operating on Cornish branch lines from late afternoon today. 

I would also expect some disruption tomorrow morning whilst route proving is undertaken.

Thanks for that update - noted.    I also note that at the time of writing, the Cornish main line service I still in place for normal service.

I suppose it allows them to focus resources on one particular area but I still think that could be an optimistic hope

If it’s as bad as the forecasters are making out, and depending on when high tide is, I can’t see them keeping Penzance open.

Re: Delivering South West England’s New Economy - Greenguage21 Report
In "Across the West" [370726/31402/26]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:34, 8th January 2026
 
How much would it cost?

Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370725/569/25]
Posted by ChrisB at 08:31, 8th January 2026
 
That will depend on the work assessments needed on the bridges damaged

Re: Storm Goretti
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370724/31405/25]
Posted by ChrisB at 08:30, 8th January 2026
Already liked by a-driver
 
National Rail need to update their GWR Storm info page then - Only the North Cotswold changes noted currently

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/storm-goretti-gwr-20260107/

Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026
In "London to the Cotswolds" [370723/31371/14]
Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 08:21, 8th January 2026
 
Thursday January 8

Cancellations to services between Oxford and Hereford
Due to forecasted severe weather between Oxford and Hereford fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
-
Storm Goretti is forecast to arrive from the Atlantic Ocean and hit the UK later bring strong winds and heavy precipitation. As the storm moves inland north of the M4 corridor the rain is forecast to turn to snow which could cause disruption
-
What are we doing about it?
-
In anticipation of the snow train services maybe amended. As it currently stands Network Rail have advised there will be no trains west of Great Malvern after 15:00 and no trains west of Oxford after 18:00. This could change as the storm moves closer and the forecast changes so please keep up to date by checking this line problem and journey planners for live information.

[...]

Last Updated:08/01/2026 07:55

Re: Storm Goretti
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370722/31405/25]
Posted by grahame at 08:18, 8th January 2026
 
There will be no services operating on Cornish branch lines from late afternoon today. 

I would also expect some disruption tomorrow morning whilst route proving is undertaken.

Thanks for that update - noted.    I also note that at the time of writing, the Cornish main line service I still in place for normal service.

Storm Goretti
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370721/31405/25]
Posted by a-driver at 08:06, 8th January 2026
 
There will be no services operating on Cornish branch lines from late afternoon today. 

I would also expect some disruption tomorrow morning whilst route proving is undertaken.

Re: Copyright of images - do you need to check your old posts?
In "News, Help and Assistance" [370719/31403/29]
Posted by grahame at 07:22, 8th January 2026
 
The whole thorny question of "what images can I post" has arisen (again) and it's worth a refresh of the situation. 

What's the issue?

Basically, people go out and take pictures, or create images using their own skills. They can also create audio (music), moving images (videos), text (including works of fiction, explanation and news).  They can then make that information available in ways which includes putting it onto web sites. But that doesn't mean anyone else can copy and use it - the originator wants, perhaps, to use it to attract people to his web site, or to have people pay if they want a copy or reuse it.  After all, they may have to earn a living / have re-reimbursement for the cost of production. This is copyright

What images can I post?

[advice from an AI engine] You can post images you took yourself (you own the copyright), public domain images, or those with a Creative Commons license allowing reuse. Otherwise, you generally need permission (license) from the owner, though fair use for commentary/education might apply. But it's risky. Even with credit, reposting others' work is often infringement unless licensed. Always check the image's source or license, or create your own.

Who is responsible for Coffee Shop posts?

The person who posts is responsible.  That's part of the forum agreement you checked when you signed up (reference copy ((here))) - it has been like that from post no. 1 on 28th January 2007, and no-one can post without having agreed. The Coffee Shop is what I thing is described as a "common carrier" - we carry content for the poster.  In the same way, a train driver is not an accessory to a theft if he carries a robber leaving the town where he has burgled, even with the items stolen.   Where we do have a responsibility in the admin / moderator team is if something comes to our attention which contravenes certain laws, protecting privacy and vulnerable people for example, and we'll go further where we feel it's appropriate to help protect our members and our forum's  position. 

What if I am concerned as I post?

Please consider what you are about to post against the suggestions above. Our team are not legal experts and if in doubt you should seek advise for an expert - or simply not post. You are also welcome to ask what the admin / moderator team think, but what we say is just to help you work things out for yourself.

What if I am concerned about something already posted?

If it's your recent post you are welcome to go back and edit it if you wish. For some time after you post, you are able to go back and edit your own posts, but in due course it's considered archived and you'll need to seek help from an admin to make changes.  If it's someone else's post that concerns you, please raise the matter by personal message with the original poster or with the admin team.

And finally

We are looking here at concerns over a very few / small proportion of posts, but a single social media (and we are) post can make for problems.  Our team is very much aware of lots of the issues and we have come forward over the years in how they're handled.  We characterise it as "helping you post safely" and we'll continue to give the very occasional nudge if we're worried about something.  We do not want to make a mountain out of a molehill - please carry on posting the 99.9% of content that's AOK!

Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370718/569/25]
Posted by grahame at 06:44, 8th January 2026
 
Due to flooding between Liskeard and Looe the line is closed.

Train services running to and from these stations have been suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 10/01/26.

What it does not tell us is what happens after 10th January ...

Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370717/569/25]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 05:54, 8th January 2026
 
Due to flooding between Liskeard and Looe the line is closed.

Train services running to and from these stations have been suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 10/01/26.

Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)
In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [370716/10737/21]
Posted by stuving at 22:42, 7th January 2026
 
This photo was taken in April 2021:

April was when work on the roof started. Work on foundations for the massive scaffolding platform started over Christmas 2020, with the platform itself going in during March 2021. All the work was then scheduled to finish in 2023, but you know what happens when you start grit-blasting a can of worms...

Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)
In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [370715/10737/21]
Posted by johnneyw at 22:26, 7th January 2026
 
This photo was taken in April 2021:

Image not available to guests



Tempus fugit!

Copyright of images - do you need to check your old posts?
In "News, Help and Assistance" [370712/31403/29]
Posted by grahame at 21:56, 7th January 2026
 
The online world has changed in the nearly-20 years since the Coffee Shop forum was started.  The rules and regulations around what we all (and that includes posting members) post has changed somewhat, and is taken far more seriously.  Our moderator and admin team, for example, now have to keep an eye out for the 17 (yes, 17) types of post / content that the law does not allow and requires us to remove, and we have a couple of admin tools that will pick out search engine naughties, grooming, under age activity. We are very, very fortunate and thank you - our members - for respecting protocol - so much so that it's rare for us to have to take any action.

Although we look our for these things, at the end of the day it's your responsibility as members to post content which is "legal, decent and honest".  It always has been - the forum agreement that everyone has to agree before they post includes:
You agree, through your use of this forum, that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, adult material, or otherwise in violation of any International or United States Federal law. You also agree not to post any copyrighted material unless you own the copyright or you have written consent from the owner of the copyrighted material.

[snip]

You remain solely responsible for the content of your posted messages. Furthermore, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the owners of this forum, any related websites to this forum, its staff, and its subsidiaries.

I am writing a reminder here about copyright - and specifically copyright of images. There have been no reported transgressions on the Coffee Shop that I am aware of and have caused a problem. However, incidents elsewhere and reported to me have suggested that a reminder of image copyright is prudent.  If you source images directly or indirectly from the likes of Alamy, iStock, Getty, Adobe, Shutterstock and PA, and that is not a complete list, you need to check and probably pay them or someone for a license if you are publishing them via the Coffee Shop.

Concern has been expressed to me about some images posted here, by one of our the posters. Over 14,000 messages have images in them (in total) on the Coffee Shop. To give all of our members an opportunity to review / reconsider images in their posts if they wish, I have tweaked the code so that only logged in members can see most images within posts.  That means that they are no longer being published (which - dictionary checked - means "made available to the public").  If you are logged in and viewing on the "coffeeshop", no difference, but if you are not logged in or looking on the read-only pages you'll mostly see a message saying that images are not available at present.

I'll be leaving the temporary image restricting in place at least until the weekend ... and maybe beyond.  The action taken to restrict them is to provide protective cover while we think this one through and look further forward - a balance between a freedom to post in public and providing a safety net to help protect our members.  I will follow up tomorrow with further comments on copyright and how images can be safely posted - the vast majority here already fit that description, but a single error can be expensive.

If you have any doubt about your images, please ask me for an (unprofessional but with some knowledge) opinion and suggestion.  If you need an old post editing, let me know.

Delivering South West England’s New Economy - Greenguage21 Report
In "Across the West" [370711/31402/26]
Posted by ChrisB at 21:19, 7th January 2026
 
Greenguage21 latest report

Greengauge 21’s latest report sets out the case for a transformational economic opportunity across Devon and Cornwall — and the vital role that resilient transport connectivity must play in securing it.

As Jim Steer, Director, Greengauge 21 explains; the report “shines a light on the prospect of a huge regional-scale economic stimulus in Devon and Cornwall.” But he cautions that this opportunity “could be squandered if the region’s transport links are left in their current fragile state.”

The analysis identifies three powerful economic forces now converging in the South West: rising housing demand and supply, the growth of new industries, and significant investment in nationally important defence assets. Combined with the shift away from five-day office attendance, these trends are encouraging people and businesses to see the merit of living and operating year-round in Devon and Cornwall.

To capitalise on this moment, the report argues that dependable, all-weather rail links are essential. The South West’s vulnerability is stark: Plymouth is the only city of its size and significance without a motorway connection and is reliant on a single, sometimes fragile, rail route to the rest of the country.

Greengauge 21 sets out a practical and deliverable solution — the creation of a second rail connection to Plymouth, restoring Tavistock to the national rail network and transforming resilience across the region. The success of reopening the Exeter–Okehampton line four years ago, which has exceeded expectations, demonstrates why the next stage onward to Plymouth is now so critical.

The report also highlights the urgent need to strengthen rail routes east of Exeter, ensuring that both the Paddington and Waterloo corridors are fit for purpose. With road investment schemes on the A303 and A358 abandoned, “make-do and mend has run its course.” A resilient railway is essential to support both passenger growth and increasing rail freight demand.

For the Salisbury–Exeter route, the report notes that private sector investment is already lining up to fund the necessary improvements — underlining that solutions exist and that the time to act is now.

You can read the full report here:
http://www.greengauge21.net/wp-content/uploads/Delivering-South-West-Englands-New-Economy.pdf

Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)
In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [370710/10737/21]
Posted by Red Squirrel at 20:32, 7th January 2026
 
This photo was taken in April 2021:

Image not available to guests

West Coast Mainline £61m Carlisle signal replacement complete - Jan 2026
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370705/31401/51]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:10, 7th January 2026
 
From the BBC:

£61m train signal replacement complete

Image not available to guests
A new train signalling system has been installed in Carlisle

A £61m project to upgrade a train signalling system has been completed, on a route which is undergoing a series of upgrades.

The Kingmoor resignalling project on the West Coast Main Line at Carlisle, in Cumbria, has seen 1960s systems modernised, including brighter signal lights and new systems, Network Rail said.

Work began in April, but went live after a seven-day closure of the line between Carlisle and Lockerbie for "final installation, testing and commissioning".

It is as the line between Preston and Carlisle is also closed for the demolition and replacement of the Clifton railway bridge, which is expected to reopen on 15 January.

Network Rail said journeys would be more reliable after the "once-in-a-generation overhaul of the signalling system".

Work carried out by principal contractor Siemens Mobility included:
- 26 lightweight LED signal heads replacing traditional bulbs
- New detection systems to monitor train movements
- Upgrades to track and points for the new systems
- Overhaul of signalling power supplies
- New control panels installed for signallers in Carlisle signal box
- Digital operating systems installed in the signal box relay room
- Upgraded CCTV at Floriston level crossing

Image not available to guests
Brighter LED signals would be easier for train drivers to see, Network Rail said

Buses are running between Oxenholme and Carlisle until 15 January, with a shuttle rail diversion running on the Settle to Carlisle line between Preston and Carlisle.

Meanwhile, the M6 will shut between junction 39 at Shap and junction 40 near Penrith over the weekend, from 20:00 GMT on 9 January to 05:00 on 12 January, so a new bridge can be put in place.


Lorry stuck on slope after smashing through fence in Nottingham - 7 Jan 2026
In "The Lighter Side" [370704/31400/30]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:46, 7th January 2026
 
Noting that the lorry driver suffered only minor injuries, I'm posting this here on The Lighter Side.

From the BBC:

Lorry stuck on slope after smashing through fence

Image not available to guests
The lorry crashed into an industrial unit in Wingate Close on Wednesday

A lorry became wedged on a steep bank after it left the road and smashed through a fence at an industrial estate in Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire Police said it was called at 04:15 GMT on Wednesday after the lorry and its trailer left the road and crashed into an industrial unit in Wingate Close.

The driver, a man in his 60s, was freed from the wreckage and taken to hospital, where he is being treated for injuries not believed to be life-altering.

The lorry is now stuck between the industrial unit building and the slope leading up the damaged fence while police inquiries continue.

Image not available to guests
Pictures from the scene show the lorry getting stuck after going through the fence

Pictures of the scene show the rear end of the lorry's trailer bent upwards on a steep slope while the cab had gone through the fence and ended up near a warehouse building.

It is currently unclear what caused the vehicle to leave the road.

A police spokesperson added: "An investigation into what happened is ongoing."

Image not available to guests


 
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