Search results

Passing through Cardiff yesterday, I noticed a packed ATW 2 coach 150 Sprinter loading passengers for the 16.21 to Chester. This train (1W18) had started as the 15.10 from Swansea. Surely this is an unsuitable train for such a long journey and just reflects the dire shortage of suitable diesel...

What Booking Websites let you print your own tickets immediately after getting your debit card information? Can you travel immediately once you have the home printed 'ticket'? When you print your own tickets, presumably you present to staff a printed sheet of A4 paper? What Booking Websites...

A couple of TV programmes about trains will be shown on the Japanese English Language Channel (NHK) on Sunday 28 December, 2014. 'Train Cruise' = 11.10am & 17.10 will be a journey to the coast by tram & local train. 'High Speed, High Safety' = 15.10 & 21.10 will be about the Shinkansen high...

A programme about the Shinkansen Bullet trains is being shown on TV today - Boxing Day 2014. It is on the Japanese English Language channel - NHK under the title 'Japanology Plus' at 12.30 (lunchtime) or you can see it at 18.30. Freesat 209. Sky 516. Virgin 625 but this 'mean' lot will only...

2017 will see the start of FGW HSTs being withdrawn from service. Does anyone know what will happen to these trains? Will they go to strengthen the Cross Country fleet, be sold abroad, be stored and brought out to cover special events such as football matches or simply scrapped?

Cardiff's new bus station will be on the north-east side of the Central Rail Station. So, rail passengers leaving the Central Station will now have this forming something of a barrier (with buses/coaches coming & going) as they make their way to the main shopping areas. A direct pedestrian...

I see big differences in the clarity of printed timetables. Arriva Trains Wales seem to print one of the faintest timetables with tiny print. They also use letters to denote final destinations of trains such as 'D' for Birmingham International. Goodness knows why they can't use the standard...

In view of the major changes planned for land both north & south of Cardiff Central Station, I am starting this forum on the subject. On the north side, the present bus station is to go and be replaced by a new HQ for BBC Wales. Surrounding 1960's office blocks will also be demolished to make...

I looked into the cab of a 158 the other day and it looked really cramped. I can understand that laterally room is made for the connecting corridor but why make the space so tight longitudinally? Surely, anyone of above average height would suffer from a lack of legroom?

I see that Arriva Trains Wales often use Pacers on their Cheltenham to Maesteg services. That is a total distance of 91 miles that a passenger could endure on a Pacer. If we just take the mainline section from Cheltenham to Bridgend, it is 83 miles / 2 hours. Goodness knows what customers...

Major disruption on the Marches Line today (21 October 2014) due to yet another broken down freight. It seems to be that passengers are taking a calculated risk in using this route!

The IEP (Intercity Express Programme) moves forward with the first train arriving in the UK early 2015. Hitachi call it the 'Super Express'. Surely, we need a name for these trains? Any ideas?

This morning (6 October 2014), the Great Western Railway is virtually shutdown as only about 25% of services are running. This is due to engineering work damaging signalling equipment between Reading & London. The disruption has spread far & wide with, for example, many HST's carrying commuters...

I have heard it suggested that in order to get the greatest value out of the GW Electrification project, that the Portsmouth > Cardiff diesel service might terminate at Bristol ™. Whilst this would be a sad loss of a through service, I can see some merit in the idea as electric trains would link...

I see that Trans Pennine Express have got their Club 55 scheme up and running again. I wonder whether Virgin (in failing to match the scheme), lose much business once north of Wigan? http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/tickets-offers/offers/club-55/ (PS. Scotrail have a similar Club 55 offer at the...

Looking to buy a Bristol Temple Meads to Plymouth return for today, I see that I can pay £55 return and use either the 8.44 Cross Country departure from Bristol or the 9.13 FGW and any train back. What I would like to know is that when two operators operate on the same route, how do they know...

On Sunday 21 September 2014, a freight train failed on the Marches Line near Abergavenny - presumably on the incline between the Skirrid & foothills of the Black Mountains. The northbound line remained blocked for several hours which leads me to ask the question about the provision of rescue...