Chris Bates

@ChimeWhistle Chiltern

Incoming ballot for strike action at one operator.

@WarriorWheeled @WestMidRailway @SpeedySticks007 @PickGS Only if their DfT management contract requires it. Chiltern & EWR services for example

@chrisbates3 @WestMidRailway @SpeedySticks007 @PickGS Nicely ignored the other bits with some deflection there. Are you also denying some TOCs are not pushing for DOO??

🚆 All aboard! This morning, our services called for the 1st time at Darlaston & Willenhall 🗺️ The stations will connect passengers to the Shrewsbury, Birmingham & Wolverhampton. ♿ They feature sheltered platforms, accessible lifts, ticket machines, and secure cycle racks.

@WarriorWheeled @WestMidRailway @SpeedySticks007 @PickGS No additional DOO has happened for years!

@chrisbates3 @WestMidRailway @SpeedySticks007 @PickGS That’s if they “see” you, who tells the conductor you are waiting for a ramp to be deployed to board? What do you think is also round the corner??? DOO is the next step! It’s already happening with some TOCs.

@WarriorWheeled @WestMidRailway @SpeedySticks007 @PickGS “Or the conductor can assist” to enable TUAG!

@WestMidRailway @SpeedySticks007 @PickGS That removes the legal right of disabled people to TUAG!!! This post is disingenuous and should be removed. DISBALED PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE TO BOOK ASSISTANCE!!

@Clinnick1 @greateranglia Deer hit reported

13 is unlucky for some! My 755 struck animals near Thetford at around 06.00. We were rescued, eventually, by a 755/4. Once inspections and safety checks were carried out, we were able to move to Thetford. The @greateranglia crew was superb. The line is currently closed.

@TheOxfordMail “Coronated”?? Really!!! It’s *crowned*!!!!

'Devastating impact' as King Charles strips OBEs and MBEs from dozens ift.tt/WwFu4r6

@chilternrailway That link doesn’t work on safari - “Forbidden”

Unfortunately, due to the emergency services dealing with an incident near the railway between Wembley Stadium and South Ruislip, the line to/from Marylebone is still blocked. Services are likely to be delayed or cancelled and some services will be terminated at West Ruislip and started back from West Ruislip so customers can connect with the Central line into/from London. For the latest information please see our journey check webpage via: journeycheck.com/chilternrailway

@TheOxfordMail For f**** sake, Oxford Mail….do you seriously think that a) that’s NEWS, and b) we want to read it? Leave the poorclass alone!

Emma Watson caught 'passionately kissing new billionaire boyfriend' at airport ift.tt/LUXZ2AH

@OverTheHill2025 Sky news has that…

Just heard that UK Destroyer unlikely to sail before next week. Is that confirmed anywhere? Nice to know we can mobilise so quickly 🙄

@NatureScienceA1 @railnigel That’s AI generated. The lunar eclipse was not visible from the uk!

Blood Red Moon rising over Stonehenge, 🔴 Absolutely breathtaking. This isn’t a scene from a movie—it is the Total Lunar Eclipse as seen tonight, over the ancient pillars of Stonehenge. For over 4,000 years, these stones have stood as silent witnesses to the cosmos, but few sights are as hauntingly beautiful as the Moon turning a deep, fiery crimson directly above them. Why is it red? During a total eclipse, the Earth blocks direct sunlight from reaching the Moon. The only light that reaches the lunar surface is filtered through Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters the blue light and leaves only the deep reds—essentially projecting the glow of every sunrise and sunset on Earth onto the Moon at once. 🌎🔥 It’s a powerful reminder of our connection to the universe and the ancient ancestors who watched these same cycles from this very spot.

We welcome @SharonHodgsonMP to the department as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention.

@pacer142 @Captain_Deltic The last one of the day still does 2314-2359. Run that 30mins earlier & it then connects with GWR via OXF

@chrisbates3 @Captain_Deltic The Birminghams are to be almost exclusively Mk5s except some peak services requiring more capacity than 5 car. This frees up DMUs to restart the Banbury service which could run to Stratford (and I think did at one point).

Interesting interview with the Royal Shakespeare Company leaders saying that the Stratford theatre is handicapped by the lack of a direct London train service. Apparently programmes in the 1960s used to give last train times. Ultra-niche open access opportunity?

@Rob_McPhee_UK @LittleRedTrain @Captain_Deltic For engineering

@LittleRedTrain @Captain_Deltic Why won't NR allow late night access to the route via Banbury? I suppose it is yet another example of the Rail Way of doing things.

@LittleRedTrain @Captain_Deltic Advance the 2314 by 30mins (so thestre finish by 2230) & it would connect at BAN with 2334 to OXF & the 0010 from there to PAD (arr 0110)

@Captain_Deltic M-F there's a 2130 to MYB (too early) and a 2314 to Banbury only. Could potentially run that through to London. No chance on a Sat/Sun night as NR won't allow late night access to the route via Banbury. Even last Chiltern train from Brum to London is a ridiculously early 2118!

@pacer142 @Captain_Deltic Doubt the Mk5 & loco are cleared for Hatton/Claverley

@Captain_Deltic If Chiltern bring back the Banbury terminator once all the Mk5s are in service, as I've seen suggested, surely extending this is the sensible option?

@TheOxfordMail That building has been sold & is no longer the council offices

Cherwell District Council approves £32.3m balanced budget ift.tt/t1IaCDv

@Roger89835988 @customer_Gwruk @ReluctantG65803 Better still, report for impersonation & trying to obtain contact details for spamming. Report & block

@customer_Gwruk @ReluctantG65803 Oh no you don't - "reach out" that is. The person is nowhere near you, so you can't. Correct alternatives are available - contact you / get in touch / exchange messages. Enough of the imported nonsensical gobbledegook.

@GWRHelp A regular customer in the early 00's, I havent ridden your new trains until now. The seat has no padding at all!? Given the extortionate ticket price I'd expect more than a hard plastic seat with a position so uncomfortably upright I'd might as well be standing! :( 🤦‍♂️

@GwrHlpTm Reported & blocked

@elniedunne @RobinMoseley778 @GWRHelp @Tanni_GT So the disabled can only board & alight at terminus stations in your world then?!!

@chrisbates3 @RobinMoseley778 @GWRHelp @Tanni_GT What have curved platforms got to do with that ? In all of the London terminus stations the front parts of the platforms are straight and parallel.

Hey @GWRHelp no one to get me off the train at Paddington so I got myself off with some help from some lovely welsh supporters

@elniedunne @RobinMoseley778 @GWRHelp @Tanni_GT And what bot of “other stations would all have to be straight platforms for your idea to be effective” did you ignore?

@chrisbates3 @RobinMoseley778 @GWRHelp @Tanni_GT Which bit of "terminus stations" did you mis read. The big stations with lots of platforms and the train ending are the best place to start.