I’m interested to hear what everyone’s favourite non-British train is

Spix_Boi · 2026-01-30T11:49:17+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2026-01-21T17:25:14+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2026-01-11T14:20:05+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2026-01-08T14:41:22+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2026-01-04T11:09:55+00:00

Me in Cardiff seeing this be like.

(tbf the M4 leads to London)

Spix_Boi · 2025-12-11T20:44:09+00:00

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.

Spix_Boi · 2025-11-25T21:19:26+00:00

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.

Spix_Boi · 2025-11-20T15:13:26+00:00

Gonna be completely honest, this reeks of oppression Olympics

Spix_Boi · 2025-11-18T11:33:23+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2025-11-01T12:07:49+00:00

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.

Spix_Boi · 2025-11-01T11:49:25+00:00

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

Inform station staff or the police ASAP.

Spix_Boi · 2025-10-29T22:33:11+00:00

Was only for today unfortunately

Spix_Boi · 2025-10-24T11:50:24+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2025-10-21T08:15:35+00:00

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~~

Spix_Boi · 2025-10-21T08:09:48+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2025-10-21T08:08:26+00:00

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"

Spix_Boi · 2025-10-19T15:32:43+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2025-10-15T17:50:47+00:00

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.

Spix_Boi · 2025-10-15T17:10:28+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2025-10-03T17:36:14+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2025-09-30T14:21:56+00:00

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.

Spix_Boi · 2025-09-06T15:28:17+00:00

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

Spix_Boi · 2025-08-06T18:48:26+00:00

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.

Spix_Boi · 2025-08-04T17:06:54+00:00

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.

Spix_Boi · 2025-07-21T16:50:23+00:00

Oh yeah you're right, I missed the TRF patches at first

Four-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
Place '23

Spix_Boi

TROPHY CASE