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Whites to West Berks! (which is the reality from what I've seen)

That would also include the proposed station near to Devizes once it's built.

I thought pan-up was supposed to be done in an area where the OLE has been modified (strengthened?) for that purpose. As far as I know the pan-up area on the B&H is at Kennet Viaduct (the same place as pan-down in the down direction)? There are line-side signs that indicate it in the area of the...

The pan down area is at Kennet Viaduct, a bridge just at the start of Newbury Racecourse's long straight (look to your left from the train) when heading west. I haven't checked exactly but that must be about 1.5 miles before the wires actually run out west of Newbury Station. Linespeed changes...

If you watch the recently released GWR "last day of HST Plymouth-Paddington" in-cab video on YouTube, you can see the lineside "pan up" signage just east of Newbury Racecourse at Kennet Viaduct. The linespeed drops from 110 to 100 (eastbound) at the same place.

If you watch the recently-released GWR in-cab video of the PLY-PAD last HST last year, the linespeeds along the whole route are clearly visible.

This can be clearly seen on the in-cab video that GWR have released of the first "superfast" run between BTM and PAD on 16/12/19:

I've done the Transalpine in NZ aswell. Some of the loaded coal trains from the west coast have up to 7 loco's (4 or 5 bankers) for the run up through Otira tunnel to Arthur's Pass. The ventilation system for the tunnel is a work of engineering in itself!

On longer journeys (like yesterday) I'm usually on my own and travelling for business in a reserved seat. So a buffet is of little use. Trolley would be great if they turned-up. Having said all that, I do miss the chance to stand and have a beer in the buffet of an HST on a late train out of...

I ride IET's quite a bit in GWR-land but yesterday found myself on a day trip KingsX to Leeds and back. The up journey was on a 2*5 Azuma and back was on a 91/Mk4. To me the Azuma was quieter, smoother (although I was sat above a bogie on the 91), brighter and more spacious. Yes, the seats are...

I witnessed it being enforced by an GWR TM at Newbury a few days ago. Youngish girl with bike denied boarding and left asking "what do I do now?" as TM nodded disapprovingly and walked off down platform. Train looked to be lightly loaded, but whether the bike spaces were free I don't know.

Thatcham! Everyone who lives locally and has to use it has their personal record for how long the barriers can be down continuously - mine is 23 mins.

Saw this on the move near Slough yesterday afternoon, had a bit of a double-take seeing 387's in silvery HEx colours and logos. Towing loco was in ex-Northern Belle colours.

Great to have IET's on the Paddington Bedwyn's now, but not so great on the 1K15 when I got to Reading this morning and the doors couldn't be opened. Took about 15 mins to get 1 door at the rear of the train open. Puzzled looks from passengers waiting to get on and exasperation from (some of)...

As forecast, at least during this morning's busy period, all 1Kxx's on the B&H were IET's (including 1K04/1K11 as a 9-car) In addition, at least one RDG-BDW run (2K36) and also at least one NBY-RDG stopper (2K27 was the example I saw) were also 5-car IET's!

Not saying it will make a difference, but the clamour will only increase now that LNER have introduced the Azuma into service with a buffet (and trolley).

On the face of it not many more seats on the 800, but so many more will be usable compared to the 3+2 across in most of a 165, where it's quite rare to actually see 5 people squeezed in across 5 seats (in my experience). Based on the demand I often see at that time of the morning on the B&H...

Good news, although as usual I expect the preceeding 1K09 will continue to be busy, as the first off-peak into PAD (from my home station anyway). At least it will now presumably also be a 5-car IET rather than a rammed 3-car Turbo. Looking forward to trying these new services on the B&H next week.

The 0923 Newbury-Paddington 1K11 is also (currently) a 4-car 387, and has been since they started - is that changing to IET also?

Similar story at Frouds Lane (between Midgham and Aldermaston on the B&H) when I passed a few days ago. Site pretty-much cleared, which has only happened over the last few weeks.