Matthew Fennell-Fox

My #PWC2023 for @PatchBirding next year, be nice to get 100pts but think it unlikely unless the tiny reservoir turns something up! Includes a couple of areas I don't always go to so they might turn up something different :)

@FUT_Accountant 10 evo chain for Botta now just need to get a CDM evo for a full Libertadores evo team

@tfwrail why is the TFW 0744 running fast through Wellington and not stopping? "More trains than usual needing repairs" that you've given as the reason is clearly not why is it. You repeatedly do this and it causes significant overcrowding on @WestMidRailway services

@WestMidRailway can you confirm why the buses are only running to Telford and no other stations?

@tfwrail Shouldn't it be listed then, and every subsequent service this unit forms that is 2 carriage instead of 4? Was the same for parts of last week as well when it wasn't listed, and the service board at WLN no longer says "this service is shorter than usual today".

@matthewrfox Hi Matthew, this is not something I am aware of. We continue to do all we can to ensure as many carriages as possible are available. We're currently rolling out our new trains; when they're all in service, this will significantly increase the number of carriages available.^Meg

@tfwrail is the reduction of the 07.44 WLN to BHI (0730ish ex SHR) from 4 to 2 carriages permanent? Not listed on your short notice formation changes

@tfwrail @WestMidRailway sort your trains out at New Street it's absolutely ridiculous. 1726 WMT to SHR cancelled, 1721 TFW to Llandudno 2 carriages instead of 4 and many unable to board. 30 mins wait for absolutely no reason. It's rush hour and people want to get home!

@WestMidRailway Thanks. From what I can see from your service updates a lot of the Shrewsbury line today is reduced from 4 to 2 carriages, including both rush hours. Why?

@matthewrfox Hi Matthew, I'm sorry to hear about the overcrowding experienced. I'll flag this to the relevant team. -James

@WestMidRailway is there a reason the 0704 WLN-BHM is now a 2 car service most of the time when it was a 4 car service before (and was 4 again yesterday)? Very busy by the time it leaves WLN and TFC let alone WVH.

@AvantiWestCoast the 1710 from Carlisle to Wolverhampton is cancelled, what are my options? Neither the one before or after go to Wolverhampton, is there ticket acceptance beyond Crewe if I am able to get one of those services?

@woodlandbirder @MarkAvery @JackShutt8 @Alexander_Lees Very rare I find any Chaffinch in a 280ha native woodland in Shrops. 1 specific loc i know there's 1 pair, and if I get 1 in the gdn it's a mega day, only had 2 in 4 years. Very sad to see. Have feeders still at the mo but really only get 30+ House Spar, just the one BT each day

@WestMidRailway Thanks. Will the timetable be the same as the current Saturday engineering timetable? NRE is still showing trains running.

@matthewrfox Two coaches will operate each services - with additional standby buses available if needed. ^JR

🚧 Due to a landslip in the Wellington area, services are suspended between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton until further notice. 🚌 Road replacement transport will be in place between Shrewsbury - Wolverhampton, calling at all stations. ℹ️ Full details > orlo.uk/N3vNK

@WestMidRailway Is that going to be available before Monday morning please? As I'm going to have to make alternative arrangements otherwise as I do have to get to work, and there's more than a coach capacity that gets on every train in Wellington let alone those coming from Shrewsbury.

@matthewrfox Hi Matthew, our teams are finalising the plans and more details will be released in due course. ^JR

@WestMidRailway Is what you've put out the 'plan'? No trains turning round at Telford, everyone got to hope a bus turns up at rush hour that has space on it and if not wait another hour? Journeys of 1hr becoming journeys of 3+ hours with traffic, but for the same price! Not really a plan is it.

@matthewrfox Good afternoon, apologies about this, we are currently in the process of formulating a plan and information pack regarding this and the rail replacement services in operation. This will hopefully be out this afternoon. Apologies for any inconvenience - Jonty

@WestMidRailway there are several social media posts suggesting no trains on the Shrewsbury line until April due to the landslip nr Oakengates. Can you confirm if this is the case or if there will be any/some trains from Monday? NR only shows TFW services as canc at the moment

@WestMidRailway Thanks for the swift reply. Hoping for a solution that doesn't mean getting out of bed at 5am every day!

Not doing big garden birdwatch until tomorrow but typically 14 Long Tailed Tits, biggest flock ever seen in the garden just now feeding on my homemade suet cakes, wondered what had been eating them!

Wonderful to see today that for the second winter running we have a male Blackcap in the garden. Sudden explosion of species numbers today, presumably due to the cold. 3 Goldfinches which I very rarely record, and a Long Tailed Tit.

Despite the significant growth in Wren numbers and it being our most common bird, we've just had one in our garden which is just my fourth record in 4 years. Nice to see

@Claire__Bratley I'd walked up from home, was on the top waiting by 7.20 and at least 20 people there before me. There were lots coming down even as I was going up as well. Saw a single person in 3 and a half hours on the Ercall after!

@matthewrfox It was very busy (expected) but I was surprised how many were so early. I arrived at the foot of the hill just after 7 and there were cars everywhere.

Happy New Year from currently the most peaceful seat on the hill 🥳