Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Teen suffers 'life-changing' injuries at steam fair - Netley Marsh, 26 July 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363614/30497/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:42, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
From the BBC:

A young woman has sustained potentially life-changing injuries to her head while on a ride at a village fair, police have said.
The 18-year-old was taken to hospital after the incident at Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show at 22:53 BST on Saturday.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers were liaising with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
A woman, who told the BBC she helped administer first aid to the teenager, said she had experienced a "degloving injury".

The organisers of Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show have been approached for comment.
An HSE spokesperson said the incident was "local authority enforced and with Hampshire police".
A post on the fair's Facebook page said on Sunday: "Good morning from day three of the show. Despite what you may have read or seen online, we are open and look forward to seeing you all!"
Shute Shelve tunnel at Winscombe on the Strawberry Line (North Somerset) doesn't have that air of mystery, because you can see light at the end of it:

CfN.

Re: Canal has 80 tonnes of duckweed removed - Stourport Basin, July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363612/30496/51] Posted by Mark A at 14:52, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
An eutrophication symptom, right there. A year back it bit the Stourbridge flight, uphill from Stourport. The newspaper article has video from a drone.
Mark
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/environment/2024/07/29/mystery-solved-over-colour-changing-water-in-canal-which-looked-like-a-green-carpet/
We boated through Stourport yesterday. They haven't completely got rid of it but it's much better than it was. Every time I put my hand down the weed hatch it emerged with a coating of little green specks...
Re: Halifax - Keighley cycle route through tunnel? In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [363610/19192/50] Posted by grahame at 13:56, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
In terms of reusing tunnels for shared use paths, during the planning and permissions phase, not being able to see one end from the other is viewed by some as a negative - but the Two Tunnels route happily demonstrates that people who use the route come to view the curve(s) in the tunnels as a positive quality.
Perhaps Lees Moor has something going for it after all.
Perhaps Lees Moor has something going for it after all.
Indeed. Combe Down and Devonshire tunnels have a character and quality that's enhanced by their curvature in a way missing from straight tunnels.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363609/29726/18] Posted by Trowres at 13:49, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The 11:27 Weymouth-Chippenham terminated at Westbury and ran ECS to St Philips Marsh.
Re: Belmond British Pullman In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [363608/26464/47] Posted by 1st fan at 13:35, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Currently waiting for a train at Basingstoke and the Britannic Explorer went past us at speed (13:27) as 3Z10 on the way to London Victoria. Arrives at 14:50 before leaving around an hour later to Cranmore apparently with passengers as it’s listed as Unadvertised Express and not listed as ECS.
Re: Where am I? - 26th July 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [363607/30494/30] Posted by chuffed at 13:13, 27th July 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Looks more like Gallifrey complete with Tardis....and the locals were asking Graeme Who ??
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363606/29726/18] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:26, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Err ... what sort of repairs are needed to a train that can lumber into Westbury from the South West, but then not carry on North East to Melksham and Chippenham?
Cab satnav equipment failure?

The Swedes are generally law-abiding.
I don't blame the UK Government. I also wish we were more 'Swedish'....
I don't blame the UK Government. I also wish we were more 'Swedish'....
Or Norwegian ! They also are very law abiding, IME. I know a young Norwegian man who was horrified at the low standards followed by UK cyclists. The "herds of mad cyclists cycling furiously along the embankment" were Particularly remarked upon.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363604/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 10:52, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
11:27 Weymouth to Chippenham due 13:29
11:27 Weymouth to Chippenham due 13:29 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
11:27 Weymouth to Chippenham due 13:29 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Err ... what sort of repairs are needed to a train that can number into Westbury from the South West, but then not carry on North East to Melksham and Chippenham?
13:47 Chippenham to Weymouth due 15:45
13:47 Chippenham to Weymouth due 15:45 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time
13:47 Chippenham to Weymouth due 15:45 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time
Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [363603/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 10:47, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Saturday July 26
...was a good day.
Sunday July 27
19:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:23 will be terminated at Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:27/07/2025 04:49
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:27/07/2025 04:49
Re: Halifax - Keighley cycle route through tunnel? In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [363602/19192/50] Posted by Mark A at 10:06, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I would look to MarkA's opinion on what the "unusual conditions" mean **nip**
Not unknown elsewhere and of course spirals in tunnel are a thing, but for the UK, Lees Moor's ~90 degree subterranean turn is unusual (on a 1:76 incline for good measure). There don't seem to be any surface indications of construction shafts either - though one of those condition reports mention something odd in the roof at one point. As for ventilation shafts, none of those either. The engineering works needed for that route are generally... singular. Thornton Viaduct seen through a telescope from Bradford city centre with a backdrop of snow, is a thing of fantasy.
In terms of reusing tunnels for shared use paths, during the planning and permissions phase, not being able to see one end from the other is viewed by some as a negative - but the Two Tunnels route happily demonstrates that people who use the route come to view the curve(s) in the tunnels as a positive quality. Perhaps Lees Moor has something going for it after all.
Mark
Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [363601/18719/26] Posted by Timmer at 08:07, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Link to the thread discussing cancellations 27/7 that were announced towards the end of last week:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=30484.0
Repeating my summary as to where things were at 8am this morning:
Heart of Wessex line has managed to escape the worst of the cancellations/part cancellations with the Cardiff-Portsmouth bearing the brunt of the (like yesterday) cancellations/part cancellations.
There are also cancellations/part cancellations between Cardiff and Taunton/Exeter and on the Severn Beach line.
No cancellations showing Reading-Basingstoke/Gatwick Airport.
Re: Warning of train disruption on Weymouth line due to staff shortages 27 July 2025 In "Heart of Wessex" [363600/30484/19] Posted by Timmer at 08:04, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Heart of Wessex line has managed to escape the worst of the cancellations/part cancellations with the Cardiff-Portsmouth bearing the brunt of the (like yesterday) cancellations/part cancellations.
There are also cancellations/part cancellations between Cardiff and Taunton/Exeter and on the Severn Beach line.
No cancellations showing Reading-Basingstoke/Gatwick Airport.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363598/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 07:03, 27th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
10:41 Westbury to Swindon due 11:23
Facilities on the 10:41 Westbury to Swindon due 11:23.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3.
Facilities on the 10:41 Westbury to Swindon due 11:23.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3.
Frankly, I wish that was a problem. It's not - the services have been so unreliable of late that people are put off using them.
Yesterday ...

Re: Where am I? - 26th July 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [363597/30494/30] Posted by grahame at 06:42, 27th July 2025 Already liked by Mark A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I think it's Sweden - despite my previous Indian-sub-continent-themed post. 

Yes - I made it late (21:40 / should have been 21:03) yesterday evening into Gallivare, above the arctic circle, having joined the train at Ostersund, which we left on time at 07:28. A marvellous day.
2 x 2 carriage class 158 train, with the "A" end outer on both units? Sometimes to be seen in places like Salisbury ...
Canal has 80 tonnes of duckweed removed - Stourport Basin, July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363595/30496/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:37, 26th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
From the BBC:

Five grab lorries were needed to remove a "carpet" of 80 tonnes of duckweed from a canal.
Stourport Basin in Worcestershire, was turned fluorescent green by the tiny, free-floating aquatic plant, and earlier in July it was reported a dog had drowned in the canal after it went into the water.
Charles Hughes from the Canal and Rivers Trust said Stourport Basin had one of the worst incidents of duckweed growth ever seen in the West Midlands, with the entire canal and nearby locations experiencing rapid widespread growth. "We've been spending a lot of money and time trying to deal with this - it was a five day job which cost us £12,500," he said.
"Duckweed is very difficult to manually remove, because it's very small plants, but it can get quite heavy as well. Because they multiply and grow so quickly, they almost form these mats over the surface and often it can be quite deceptive, especially for people who come into an area they are not familiar with. You won't see any open water so it presents a health and safety risk," he added.

The task to remove the plant involved using a weed harvester boat, developed to specifically remove water plants. "We then remove it into a storage called a hopper before we take it away to be disposed of. We had five grab lorries worth which amounted to 80 tonnes of duckweed."
Mr Hughes said as the region experiences hotter and drier weather, it creates the perfect environment for the aquatic plant to grow quickly and invasively. "Over the last five years, we've been having to spend tens of thousands of pounds just in the West Midlands region alone. The annual costs of just managing aquatic weed can come close to the million pound mark," he said.
Re: Where am I? - 26th July 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [363594/30494/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:27, 26th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I think it's Sweden - despite my previous Indian-sub-continent-themed post.

This incident hit me hard as I’d just got home from taking a school group of 60-65 passengers to Longleat on the day it happened. I’ve never had an incident like this effect me emotionally previously.
Something that’s stood out to me in all of the news reports. There has been No mention of the driver’s condition that I have seen.
Re: Where am I? - 26th July 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [363592/30494/30] Posted by stuving at 23:08, 26th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Re: Where am I? - 26th July 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [363591/30494/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:27, 26th July 2025 Already liked by GBM | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
On the khazi ?

Re: Where am I? - 26th July 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [363589/30494/30] Posted by Timmer at 22:13, 26th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Your accommodation for the night?
Where am I? - 26th July 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [363588/30494/30] Posted by grahame at 22:00, 26th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
View from train about an hour ago ... where am I?

Full report in the morning
Re: Halifax - Keighley cycle route through tunnel? In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [363587/19192/50] Posted by grahame at 21:53, 26th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I would look to MarkA's opinion on what the "unusual conditions" mean but in general this can and has been done and without major negative safety issues ... in a number of places.
I am uninformed (guessing) if the one we're talking about is an impractical pipe dream, or something that could work well but the owner authority would much prefer to be shot of it. There have been other cases, have there not, of them being naught to try to get rid of nuisance old structure - didn't they fill a bridge with concrete and then get told to pull it out? After an episode like that, they are hard to trust.
Re: Low water levels causing canal network closures - West Midlands, July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363586/30493/51] Posted by grahame at 21:42, 26th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cropredy lock on the Oxford Canal is already closed, meaning that this canal is closed south of that lock already.
Odd choice - is the Claydon flight open?
Tardbigge top lock out of service too, I believe ... for different reasons, though it takes a lot of water that one!
Re: Low water levels causing canal network closures - West Midlands, July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363585/30493/51] Posted by grahame at 21:40, 26th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Lock restrictions in dry summers (and indeed in some places in moderate summers) have been common for a very long time. When we had a share in a boat, I can recall problems on the Napton flight were almost every year, and we had problems on Hatton at one point too. The Kennet and Avon had such problems when it re-opened that just one boat - carrying the Queen - was allowed down Caen Hill. These days it is "back pumped"
There are now more boat passages that there were in commercial days in many places - though you wouldn't think it when you see how many boats are still on their marina moorings even on a typical day in high summer. But then I suppose that if all the cars in the UK were being driven atound on the road at the same time, we would have gridlock.