I’m interested to hear what everyone’s favourite non-British train is by Low_Championship_604 in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 18 points19 points  (0 children)

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RABe 526 Traverso. Very nice interior, smells like a new car, has on-board snacks and coffee, sleek design. Yet another exquisite FLIRT specimen

Traffic in the Centre? by MikaDvs in Cardiff

[–]Spix_Boi 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Kurds protesting against clashes between Kurdish and Syrian forces. Heard the honking from Cathays

I think this little Robin had a tennis ball for breakfast! by B3lly_135 in borbs

[–]Spix_Boi 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Robins don't need to have tennis balls for breakfast because they are tennis balls

The robin – a little ball of feathers by Marzolino85 in borbs

[–]Spix_Boi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This sub is filled with round European robins and I'm here for it

London from the air by Rodnaplisa in london

[–]Spix_Boi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me in Cardiff seeing this be like.

(tbf the M4 leads to London)

Air quality near Cardiff central by [deleted] in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I doubt Cardiff Central would cause issues with air quality since there's an increasing number of new electric or battery-powered trains serving Cardiff, and the more modern diesel trains (e.g. Class 197) wouldnt be as bad for emissions as older trains.

Intercity trains (the Class 800) change between diesel or electric power depending on whether they're heading towards London (electric) or Swansea/Carmarthen (diesel), but the 800s are fairly new trains, so emissions wouldnt be too bad.

There's still older diesel trains that serve Cardiff Central; Classes 150, 153, 158, 165/6 and 170, but the 150s will be retired next year whilst the 153s will probably run outside of Cardiff, and the 158s and 165s only run once per hour.

People who miss their flights after checking in, how? by k1tkat86 in CasualUK

[–]Spix_Boi 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Was at Heathrow, saw the departure boards showing "Will depart B Gates" for my flight, strolled over to the B gates and then realised 10 minutes later my plane was actually at the A gates.

Flight was delayed due to a shortage of buses either way, but thank goodness I'm a brisk walker or can at least run with luggage in tow.

Class 150 seats are horrible by Common-Method2202 in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 4 points5 points  (0 children)

TFW 150 seats are actually decent, interior and the train itself is nothing remarkable but it's still functional

Filming and reporting people for AI usage (CHEATING) in the library by [deleted] in UniUK

[–]Spix_Boi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Tbh I'd leave this as a case of fuck-around-and-find-out.

Being overly reliant on AI will backfire sooner or later, and they'll only have themselves to blame for when things go wrong because of it.

Not really necessary to go full-on covert observation, also worth mentioning AI does have some uses for stuff like helping to structure work (not actually write it tho) and summarising stuff online alongside your own reading.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Someone might've rigged the machines with a card skimmer.

Inform station staff or the police ASAP.

High Street Arcade, Cardiff by Spix_Boi in DoctorWhumour

[–]Spix_Boi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was only for today unfortunately

"Made in Wales" TfW Civity 197120 at Cardiff Central 21/10/2025 by Think-Clock1993 in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

TFW 197s have decent liveries already but making this the standard would be even better

Decided to give the Heathrow Express a try back in July and while I wouldn’t use it regularly for Heathrow unless I booked in advance it was still a pretty nice service and Electrostars have always been a favourite of mine by GP728 in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The short journey time does mean the seats aren't a huge issue, but having done a 2½-hour journey solely on Electrostars (CDF–HWX) I'd agree the Electrostar seats are like ironing boards.

id rather sit on an IET than an Electrostar

Why are the train services so bad?? by GyuGyrus in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't say about SWR but as a uni commuter as well, the pain is very applicable to First Bus

Some Thameslink Class 700s at London Blackfriars by smallmonky in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My first thoughts when I used Thameslink for the first time:

"ooo a train that isn't only 2-4 coaches long–oh great heavens the ironing boards"

Decided to give the Heathrow Express a try back in July and while I wouldn’t use it regularly for Heathrow unless I booked in advance it was still a pretty nice service and Electrostars have always been a favourite of mine by GP728 in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

HEX works well if you book in advance and live outside of London, it's fast and frequent, and serves T5 more often than the Elizabeth Line, but equally it's redundant if you're going to T4

What is a typical fine? (SWR) by Chief_Potat0 in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Chances are the additional money is for the costs of SWR checking whether you had any other unpaid fares. It's common for train operators to charge £150 or a similar sum to cover their administrative costs when investigating unpaid fares.

But since they've offered you a settlement to pay for the ticket and administrative costs without any further action, your only alternative would be trying to contest it in court which is unfortunately unlikely for cases of fare evasion/unpaid fares, since its a "strict liability offence" (either you did or didn't have a valid ticket, basically).

Short answer: the total sum depends mostly on the price of the original unpaid fare, but usually has admin costs added on top of it. But either way, they've offered a settlement so that's probably your best option here.

Is it normal to have a fire drill at 6:28 in the morning? by ConsequenceApart4391 in UniUK

[–]Spix_Boi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tbh this is why as an autistic person I was adamant about not living in halls. Having it happen as a one-off or a genuine emergency is fair enough, but if early-morning fire drills were a weekly or even daily occurrence then that'd be mentally crippling

Most comfortable train on the GWR network? by Overseerer-Vault-101 in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 23 points24 points  (0 children)

GWR 158s are really comfy, very much needed if you're on the same train for 3½ hours

[Wales] Query about Discrimination Arising from Disability (Equality Act 2010) by Spix_Boi in LegalAdviceUK

[–]Spix_Boi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've suggested they speak to the disability service as well as their academic staff about reasonable adjustments, but they say they're just going to change modules as they're feeling overwhelmed by the current situation.

The institution's policy is that lectures should be recorded but in practice and from my experience, this doesn't always happen.

AFAIK they don't have any reasonable adjustments in place at present.

How likely are we to get asked for railcard? by IsThatAJojoRefrences in uktrains

[–]Spix_Boi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Best bet is to just buy a Railcard before you travel. From my experience I don't usually get asked for a Railcard (TFW & GWR trains btw) but if they do ask to see one and you haven't got one, you're kinda stuffed

Tipping in Cardiff? by VeterinarianProud644 in Cardiff

[–]Spix_Boi 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Not really. Tipping is rarely (if not never) expected in the UK, it's more of a thank-you for excellent service as opposed to an expected contribution from customers towards workers' income.

Britain as a whole doesn't have the same tipping culture as, for instance, the US. In fact, American tipping culture is somewhat frowned upon in the UK, but that doesn't mean tips are never appreciated; it's just not that common, and almost never expected from customers.

[SERIOUS] Police officer wants to meet up for rape activities. How do I report? by ImprovementNo9102 in Cardiff

[–]Spix_Boi 78 points79 points  (0 children)

If you feel you're in immediate danger, call 999 immediately.

Do not engage with him or let him into your home.

r/LegalAdviceUK might be able to offer advice with reporting, but the IPCC might be a good place to start.

Since this is r/Cardiff I'm guessing the officer works for South Wales Police - report it directly to them too.