Received interesting introductory training today on the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The group I was part of expressed some perhaps valid views about the cost of administering a system where practically anyone can ask anything for any reason, and I think hard-pressed front line workers probably left feeling like a whole other weight of paperwork was heading their way.

However, I can't help but feel slightly optimistic about this. I know that there is a ton of data floating around the organisation that I work in which could be useful to me - let alone curious or concerned members of the public. I just don't know how to get it, who holds it or how recently it was updated. A new focus on records management within the council is going to hopefully mean that I can find this out easily. The concept of 'publication schemes' - an open list of everything which is made available and how to get it in various formats - is also welcome.

On a more selfish level, I hope I can look at the career opportunities such changes to how public bodies manage data could bring. As I mentioned to a colleague just a few days ago I'm never happier than when I'm up to my elbows in data trying to work out how to make it do what I want!

Set out to wander locally, once again on a Wessex Rover. Planned to start at Newport and maybe head over to Westbury or up to Gloucester depending on how things progressed. Time for much needed coffee at Temple Meads, and onwards to Newport, where I joined quite a crowd at the end of the platform. Ended up staying all day...

In the first hour or so, lots of activity - mainly Class 60s on a variety of workings. Lots of movement on and off Godfrey Road too. Kept busy dashing around to see everything.

Around lunchtime, some more familiar faces arrived. Settled in for the afternoon and had a pleasant and sociable time. Finally saw 158961 - the three car hybrid Wessex Trains unit, along with several of the newly repainted First Great Western power cars inherited from Midland Mainline earlier in the year.

Resolved to head back on one of the numerous diverted Voyagers we'd been seeing all day. Spent a little longer at Bristol before heading back to Weston behind yet another newly repainted power car. A friendly driver was also very keen to show us the cab and instruments of the Class 180 he was about to take off to the depot. A busy and pleasant day all in all, despite not getting very far from home.

Despite having to endure a lot of questioning and related ridicule when explaining why, managed to square things with colleagues to sneak out for an early lunch today. Arrived at the station just in time to see 67002 arriving with the empty stock of the Dunster by Candlelight railtour courtesy of Past Time Rail. Last time I saw 'Special Delivery' it was arriving at Inverness with the sleeper from London Euston. Its rare enough to see anything different at Weston during the winter, and it was pleasant to see a tour operator considering Weston as a starting point. With the attractive place settings for lunch on board, I was only sorry I'd soon be returning to the office.

Back to work and resigned to the remainder of a rather dull and irritating day. Got one or two bits of policy work approved which was heartening, and a major IT job hopefully finished. Time will, of course, tell. Headed home expecting a quiet night.

But then noticed messages on SWRG about 37896 heading from Barton Hill to Taunton as 0Z33 to help 67002 which was low on fuel. Watched the situation develop before heading out around 2200 to see what was happening. Friendly station staff confirmed situation on TRUST. Eventually, 37896 thundered in with 67002 dead in tow.


Seems even the least promising of days can have interesting endings...

The first week for a while where I haven't had somewhere specific to be at the weekend. It had been an odd week too - as ever, a rollercoaster at the office - so I hadn't really managed to sit down and work out what to do today. As it happened, there seemed to be quite a bit happening out on the rails not a million miles from here.

So, out onto the 0829 Voyager to Bristol. I'd bought a ticket for Newport with the intention of popping over to see what was happening later in the day. First though, was the departure of City of Truro on a one-way trip to Plymouth with the bonus of BR Green 37261 following close behind in case of problems. Arrived at Temple Meads to find 37261 in the bay having shunted the stock in. Finally, after some confusion City of Truro steamed in from the North to join the stock, which was then shunted around to platform 3 by both locomotives.

I'm still uncertain why passengers couldn't board the stock whilst it was in the bay. Soon after City of Truro's departure, the unmistakable sound of a Tractor from the other end of the trainshed heralded the coming of 37261, which passed at speed and stormed southwards with lots of noise and clag!


Next part of the plan was to head over to Newport, and hope to spot Wessex's newly formed three-car Class 158 en route - the first of eight such sets intended for the Cardiff-Portsmouth route. Easier said than done, as everything heading towards the tunnel was wedged solid. Finally settled for the 1120 Milford Haven service, which also filled to bursting point a minute before departure.

Not much of note at Newport, so after a quick look at Godfrey Road decided to head back on nicely refurbished 158749. Still no three-car 158, but noticed a convention of Freightliner 66's at Kingsland Road. Arrived back at Temple Meads in good time for the afternoon's main event - 73096 on the Cathedrals Express. Lots of familar faces out and about. Chatted to a few of them whilst waiting. 73096 suprised us by arriving slightly late on platform 7.


Lurked for a while longer, resisting the temptation to wander up to Barton Hill. With the sky darkening I decided to head back to Weston, feeling strangely sleepy. Refreshing to stay local after a few weeks of being busy elsewhere.