Wikipedia talk:WikiProject UK Railways
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Edits by Skivermac16111994
I know this is not the place to be discussing user problems, but has anyone else been noticing problematic editing by this user, specifically in edits to railway stations, TOCs, and List of companies operating trains in the United Kingdom that might seem like nonsense? I've already given them a final warning about using edit summaries, since all of their edits don't use one, but I'm not inclined to send them to an administrative venue. Does anyone have any opinions on this issue? Jalen Folf (Bark[s]) 19:06, 27 April 2024 (UTC)
- I've noticed similar issues where the user is making unexplained edits to pages that in many cases, involve introducing incorrect or nonsense information to articles. I've done my best to correct as many as possible but I do wonder if potential administrative assistance could be beneficial due to their continued failure to comply? Aaroncrudge (talk) 18:44, 6 May 2024 (UTC)
- I have already warned them of WP:CIR, but it looks like they didn't get the memo. I won't be opposed to administration taking notice. Jalen Folf (Bark[s]) 22:53, 6 May 2024 (UTC)
- I honestly think that may be the best/only option now. We've all tried to warn them on multiple occasions which have all been unsuccessful and we shouldn't have to be correcting and reverting edits that are damaging the articles impacted. I'd definitely support administration getting involved if we agreed it was the best option. Aaroncrudge (talk) 08:51, 10 May 2024 (UTC)
- Indeed as concerned, per the discussion above (now archived). DankJae 12:55, 10 May 2024 (UTC)
- I think on the basis of the opinions shared so far, involving administration to take action sounds like the best option given the users comtinued disruptive edits. Aaroncrudge (talk) 21:41, 22 May 2024 (UTC)
- The user has resumed editing over the last two days, at least one of which was reverted due to being unsourced. Danners430 (talk) 18:31, 2 June 2024 (UTC)
- I honestly think that may be the best/only option now. We've all tried to warn them on multiple occasions which have all been unsuccessful and we shouldn't have to be correcting and reverting edits that are damaging the articles impacted. I'd definitely support administration getting involved if we agreed it was the best option. Aaroncrudge (talk) 08:51, 10 May 2024 (UTC)
- I have already warned them of WP:CIR, but it looks like they didn't get the memo. I won't be opposed to administration taking notice. Jalen Folf (Bark[s]) 22:53, 6 May 2024 (UTC)
Infobox image captions
Following some back-and-forth editing on GWR loco classes, I started this thread on Talk:GWR 4073 Class (hence the GWR joke). I have moved it here as suggested by @Danners430, to get a wider perspective. For reference, here are links to WP:CAPTION and - specific to Infoboxes - MOS:CAPLENGTH: note the distinction between succinctness and brevity. Also pinging @Murgatroyd49.
Can we come to some consensus about what infobox image captions should contain? It may be assumed that the image represents the subject of the article, but a caption that just says (in effect) 'This is a picture of <subject>' isn't adding anything helpful. Also, clicking through to the image page will give more information, but not every reader knows that or wants to interrupt their reading of the article to do that. In relation to locomotives, I suggest:
- Even though 'all GWR locos look the same' (joke) , there were detail differences between members of the same class, therefore it is not only interesting, but useful, to know which specific loco is pictured. (I personally dislike pictures - eg many calendars - that do not identify the loco.)
- Individual locomotives were modified over time, so knowing the date of the picture is relevant. (Also, locos in preservation, while providing better pictures in many cases, may not be representative or may have modern modifications.)
- The location is not needed, unless it is significant to the loco (eg Caerphilly Castle at the British Empire Exhibition in 1923)
These are my opinions, which I think do not conflict with any rules or guidelines. Agree or differ as you feel moved. -- Verbarson talkedits 19:43, 2 May 2024 (UTC)
- Absolutely "GWR No. 4079 Pendennis Castle at Didcot Railway Centre in 2023" (which it was, but then reverted). Or even "4079 Pendennis Castle at Didcot Railway Centre in 2023" if we want to be as minimal as viable, because the rest is obvious and implicit, but its identity as Pendennis Castle is relevant and of interest to the reader. More so, in fact, than it being at Didcot, or in 2023 (AFAIK 2023 isn't a significant year for it). Andy Dingley (talk) 21:52, 2 May 2024 (UTC)
- 2023 is relevant, being the year it's overhaul was completed and its first return to steam after its return from Oz. Murgatroyd49 (talk) 07:03, 3 May 2024 (UTC)
- Then in that case, 2023 definitely belongs (even if the reason isn't expanded in the caption). Andy Dingley (talk) 07:29, 3 May 2024 (UTC)
- Though, as you say the reference to Didcot is superfluous. I'd recommend "4079 Pendennis Castle in 2023" as a succint caption. The GWR bit can be taken as read as that is what the article is about. Murgatroyd49 (talk) 07:57, 3 May 2024 (UTC)
- Then in that case, 2023 definitely belongs (even if the reason isn't expanded in the caption). Andy Dingley (talk) 07:29, 3 May 2024 (UTC)
- I would say it’s worth having a broader discussion about infobox captions instead of just focussing on the one example… would it be worth deciding on some kind of “standard” format? Danners430 (talk) 08:02, 3 May 2024 (UTC)
- Problem with a "standard" format is that each example is context dependent. In the above example; you don't need the reference to GWR as the article is about a class of GWR locos. However use in another article might make the identification as a GWR loco relevant. The guidelines at WP:CAPTION and MOS:CAPLENGTH should be sufficient for most purposes. Murgatroyd49 (talk) 08:10, 3 May 2024 (UTC)
- Now embodied at Wikipedia:WikiProject UK Railways/Guidelines#Infobox locomotive image captions -- Verbarson talkedits 13:13, 22 May 2024 (UTC)
- Thanks for that. Murgatroyd49 (talk) 13:25, 22 May 2024 (UTC)
I have proposed that the map in the Severn Valley Railway article should be edited to remove the excessive detail north of Bridgnorth so that it correctly reflects the subject of the article, the heritage railway. Please respond to that article's talk page and not here. Robin84F (talk) 09:47, 10 May 2024 (UTC)
Sheffield–Lincoln line station query.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Purple_arrow_down.svg/20px-Purple_arrow_down.svg.png)
Within the last year, a contributor had added Sturtom station (shown in red) that was situated between Gainsborugh North Junction and Clarborough Junction, east of Retford. Quick shows it opening on 11th July 1849 and closing on 2nd February 1959. That line section was once part of the Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction Railway.
Would it be possible for a Wikipedia article be opened on this station, as at the age of 79, such matters are beyond me.
Xenophon Philosopher (talk) 11:38, 11 May 2024 (UTC)
Done, but as Sturton railway station. --Redrose64 🌹 (talk) 17:50, 11 May 2024 (UTC)
Related XfD discussions
East Midlands Mainline (RfD) and EMR Regional (AfD) are up for discussion. Please see the pages for links to the discussion pages respectively JuniperChill (talk) 10:54, 17 May 2024 (UTC)
New titles for Northumberland Park (x 2)
Hi - not a controversial move, but I want to check the logic is correct and when this should be carried out.
Two stations in England will soon have identical names and National Rail functions. The Northumberland Line is about to open (summer, according to their website), so there's likely to be much confusion between these two – in fact, on my way here online, I found one when searching for the other:
- Northumberland Park railway station in north London
- Northumberland Park Metro station in North Tyneside (note: not in Northumberland)
From Wikipedia:Naming conventions (UK stations), the first is a "railway station" solely (no Tube), the second will be titled a "station" due to hosting both railway and Tyne & Wear Metro (as Sunderland station and Heworth Interchange do). The renovation of the North Tyneside station isn't major: an extra platform and line beside the existing Metro - see p12 here and photo here - so not really enough for a separate article as Central Station Metro station has.
In Talk:Northumberland Park Metro station, @Difficultly north suggested the above name-change and/or adding regional identifiers - I would also favour adding regions to each name. Neither station is significantly larger, "Northumberland Park (railway) station" without context can mean either one and would be confusing, as I found, and there's much precendent for a further disambiguation, such as Halifax station, Stirling railway station, Davenport railway station, Fairfield railway station, Clifton railway station.
The Wikipedia:Naming conventions (UK stations)#Disambiguation guideline says to clarify using country name (England) or "County/local community, for cases where the station name is ambiguous within the same country". So, in this case, I would use:
- Northumberland Park railway station (London)
- Northumberland Park station (Tyne and Wear)
*Ceremonial county may technically be Greater London; in practice we already have Sydenham railway station (London) and Richmond station (London). Both Northumberland Parks have 250–350 links on Wiki, but most seem to be in Templates that would be easy to edit.
Am I missing anything? And when should any changes be put into effect? The Northumberland Line isn't ready to start operating yet, and Northumberland Park won't be among its first stations to open.
Thanks, 1RightSider (talk) 04:04, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- I would leave the page names alone, and put a hatnote at the top of each one, as I did at the top of A Parcel of Rogues (album) and Parcel of Rogues (album). --Redrose64 🌹 (talk) 07:35, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- I agree that leaving the London station as is, moving the Tyne and Wear station from "Metro station" to "station" and updating the already present hatnotes is all that is required here. With one at the "station" title and both other options already unique there will no longer be a need for the existing dab page. Thryduulf (talk) 09:55, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- Is the Tyneside station really a primary topic for the term "Northumberland Park station"? If not then it should probably remain a dab. Certes (talk) 11:09, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- It will be the only article correctly titled that, and being an interchange between networks will be the more significant. A dab page means that nobody will arrive at the correct article first, whereas with the article at the base title some people will and everyone else will be only one click away. Putting it all together, I don't see a justification for not having the Tyneside station at the expected title. Thryduulf (talk) 11:22, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- Is the Tyneside station really a primary topic for the term "Northumberland Park station"? If not then it should probably remain a dab. Certes (talk) 11:09, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
Actually, hold on. Northumberland Park, Bedlington and Blyth Bebside have all been delayed until either October 2024 or until 2025. We might not need to move these yet. News reports are only saying Seaton Delaval, Newsham and Ashington will be ready when it first opens. Difficultly north (talk) Time, department skies 11:52, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- How about Blackpool North station and Birmingham Curzon Street station if the tram also serves the station? Will we rename it to those names after the tram extension opens for both? I saw this happen to Wolverhampton station, initially Wolverhampton railway station. Does it have to go thru WP:RM/TR or a proper RM? JuniperChill (talk) 18:42, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- If the tram and railway stations are sufficiently integrated that they are considered the same place (I don't know off the top of my head in either case) then they can just be moved (via a WP:RM/TR if necessary) if there is nothing the new title is ambiguous with. If the new title would be ambiguous then a normal talk page discussion to decide the best title followed by an RM will be fine in most cases. Thryduulf (talk) 19:00, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- Well, with Stratford International station, the National Rail and DLR stations are not connected (ie, being able to walk between the two without passing a gateline) but its a trip across the road. Same with Blackpool North. Therefore, it is safe to say that Blackpool North and Curzon Street will be renamed to remove 'railway' possibly without a proper move discussion. JuniperChill (talk) 19:55, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- A similar conundrum exists with Haymarket railway station (which is an interchange with Edinburgh Trams) It should really be at Haymarket station (Edinburgh), or similar in my opinion. I moved it once years ago, but someone moved it back incorrectly to railway station. G-13114 (talk) 22:02, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- Haymarket is a railway station which lends its name to a tram stop and some bus stops in the road outside. Certes (talk) 22:30, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- A similar conundrum exists with Haymarket railway station (which is an interchange with Edinburgh Trams) It should really be at Haymarket station (Edinburgh), or similar in my opinion. I moved it once years ago, but someone moved it back incorrectly to railway station. G-13114 (talk) 22:02, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- Well, with Stratford International station, the National Rail and DLR stations are not connected (ie, being able to walk between the two without passing a gateline) but its a trip across the road. Same with Blackpool North. Therefore, it is safe to say that Blackpool North and Curzon Street will be renamed to remove 'railway' possibly without a proper move discussion. JuniperChill (talk) 19:55, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
- If the tram and railway stations are sufficiently integrated that they are considered the same place (I don't know off the top of my head in either case) then they can just be moved (via a WP:RM/TR if necessary) if there is nothing the new title is ambiguous with. If the new title would be ambiguous then a normal talk page discussion to decide the best title followed by an RM will be fine in most cases. Thryduulf (talk) 19:00, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
Besides, various sources are suggesting the initial stations will open in August. Difficultly north (talk) Time, department skies 15:36, 11 June 2024 (UTC)
Greater Anglia on the Fen line?
I've opened a discussion about an issue anonymous users created on the Greater Anglia article. See Talk:Greater Anglia#Operation on Fen line?. Jalen Folf (Bark[s]) 17:36, 27 May 2024 (UTC)
Multi-lingual nameplates
Following edits by @Anamyd over at Class 197, what would be the consensus on multi-lingual nameplates on trains? 197001 and 197004 carry nameplates which are in both Welsh and English… should we keep the Welsh text as well as the English translation, given that’s what the nameplate physically says, or should we only keep the translation?
Asking here because it would probably be best to make a decision to standardise this for UK trains. Danners430 (talk) 19:05, 5 June 2024 (UTC)
- Dual language nameplates are nothing new, Some class 47s had them, eg 47772 Sir Gwynedd/County of Gwynedd. the inimitable Ian Allan ABCs always showed both, I think we should do the same. Murgatroyd49 (talk) 19:11, 5 June 2024 (UTC)
- (edit conflict) Assuming that a mention of any kind is WP:DUE, then we should stick with what the nameplates say (or what sources say the nameplates say)
- If the nameplate is in Welsh then we should include the Welsh name, if the English translation can be verified then we can include that too.
- If the nameplate is bilingual (or the loco/unit carries nameplates in both languages) then we should include both languages.
- If the nameplate is in English only then we shouldn't translate it to Welsh unless there is some particular and verifiable reason to do so. Thryduulf (talk) 19:13, 5 June 2024 (UTC)
- We should show what is actually on the nameplate. If appropriate, we may also mark up Welsh text using
{{lang|cy|...}}
. --Redrose64 🌹 (talk) 20:33, 5 June 2024 (UTC)- Agreed. We should show both languages if they are given equal prominence on the nameplate. Of course, there is GWR's HST version to consider. Some had English on one plate and Welsh on the other! Geof Sheppard (talk) 16:49, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- Agree too, seems a logical procedure. Concerning the 197s, in that case we should show both names in both languages, especially as some sources do too [1]. The Welsh should be minimally tagged as Welsh using {{lang}}, and the Welsh can be in parenthesis afterwards, unless it is argued to be a dual-name used in English (which it likely isn't). The Wrexham AFC-named trains' nameplates show both names in equal prominence on the nameplates, doesn't appear to be a translation as TfW uses the English name in its announcement, and the name isn't exactly a translation of the Welsh. DankJae 18:10, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- so for the latter two at British Rail Class 197 should it be something like:
- 197001 - Philadelphia Robin (Robin Goch Philadelphia)
- 197004 - Vancouver Red Dragon (Ddraig Goch Vancouver)
- or similar to the current, Welsh first and then English? In the end, this is English Wikipedia, non-English names are usually second unless the common. DankJae 18:16, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- If the two names have equal prominence then English first as this is the English Wikipedia, if they aren't equal then put the most prominent first. Thryduulf (talk) 18:23, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- @Thryduulf. I am guessing here they are equal? I believe so. Even if Welsh is above the English on the plate, that is standard on bilingual signs in Wales. Would an unequal scenario be like the English name being smaller, italicised, descriptive or in parenthesis on a nameplate? (or sources) DankJae 18:57, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- I've not seen pictures so I'm not offering an opinion about whether this one is equal or not, but one language being smaller or in parentheses would definitely be examples of them being unequal. Italics, a different font or colour would depend on context. Thryduulf (talk) 19:31, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- @Thryduulf, for two here, TfW (right side) has some of their own images, I assume they were the final versions as now used on the actual trains. In this case an example of equal? DankJae 19:53, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- I'd go with them as equal, yes. Thryduulf (talk) 20:06, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- @Thryduulf, for two here, TfW (right side) has some of their own images, I assume they were the final versions as now used on the actual trains. In this case an example of equal? DankJae 19:53, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- I've not seen pictures so I'm not offering an opinion about whether this one is equal or not, but one language being smaller or in parentheses would definitely be examples of them being unequal. Italics, a different font or colour would depend on context. Thryduulf (talk) 19:31, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- @Thryduulf. I am guessing here they are equal? I believe so. Even if Welsh is above the English on the plate, that is standard on bilingual signs in Wales. Would an unequal scenario be like the English name being smaller, italicised, descriptive or in parenthesis on a nameplate? (or sources) DankJae 18:57, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
- If the two names have equal prominence then English first as this is the English Wikipedia, if they aren't equal then put the most prominent first. Thryduulf (talk) 18:23, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
County Durham stations at AfD
You can find the link here: [2]. Covering Demons Bridge railway station, Simpasture railway station, Stillington railway station and Saltersgate Cottage railway station and if they are notable for an article each. 20:44, 5 June 2024 (UTC) DragonofBatley (talk) 20:44, 5 June 2024 (UTC)
- If anyone has some decent NER material which could bolster these articles, could you please add the references? Lamberhurst (talk) 21:17, 5 June 2024 (UTC)
UK heritage railway articles
I'm interested in people's views on UK heritage railway articles. From a general browse, they seem to be very inconsistent from one railway to another, with a lot of outdated / trivial / unsourced information. Before attempting any bold editing, I'd like to ensure I'm not going to make things worse!
1) What are the views on "current status"? Much of the loco information is unsourced, let alone the wagon information that appears on some pages. My view is that much of it is non-encyclopedic, and of limited interest.
2) Should pre-preservation history be in a separate article, or combined?
A few examples to illustrate, from a random survey of some of the more established / longer lines:
- the Severn Valley Railway rolling stock article is well referenced, and contains only key information - this is my personal preference for such articles. However, the article on the railway itself seems a bit unsure as to whether it's attempting to cover earlier history, preservation, or both - and some sections (e.g. the 2007 landslips) seem a bit excessive.
- the East Lancashire Railway article barely even mentions rolling stock / locos etc. The article limits itself to the preservation era.
- the West Somerset Railway article covers the entire history of the line, with the preservation era a relatively minor part of that. It has a separate rolling stock article, which to my mind has too much trivial unsourced information.
- as a volunteer, my main interest is in the Watercress line. I'd like to improve their pages, but in my opinion, they have the most issues!. The main article refers to a separate earlier history page, but then repeats much of that information (under an inaccurate heading). There is a separate rolling stock article, which attempts to record the current status of wagons (surely doomed, and almost all unsourced). However, possibly uniquely, there is also a page of locomotives formerly resident on the line - which even tries to record the current status of those - even more doomed to failure (the Severn Valley version just includes a brief bulleted list on the rolling stock page, without current status). To add to the complication, the Watercress line also has an incidents article (unique again?). Finally, the main railway article is illustrated by photos of "Tornado" and the "Sans Pareil" replica! (which I'm happy to change to something more recent and representative, but which show the number of issues to be addressed).
Forgive my rambling, I'm still a relatively new editor, this is the first time I have posted on a project page and I'm still not fully up to speed with the multitude of WP policies etc.. I want to improve some of these articles (starting with the Watercress line), but want to know if there are any general thoughts on what should / shouldn't be present. I would discuss any particularly bold editing suggestions on the individual article talk pages.
Mwsmith20 (talk) 12:53, 11 June 2024 (UTC)
- You are quite right, many preserved railway articles are a mess and could do with a radical clean-up. Murgatroyd49 (talk) 14:55, 11 June 2024 (UTC)
- I suggest that any stock information derived solely from the heritage organisation itself should not confer sufficient notability for a mention in an article. I know that this is a different issue from the stock being notable enough to have an article of its own, so perhaps a lesser level of notability should be applied. But if we rely solely on an organisation's own website/publications, we end up duplicating their stock list (and trying to keep it up to date) and that is not an encyclopedia's job. We should leave it to them. There are enough reputable railway magazines and websites for any truly notable events - restorations, new builds, significant steamings (dieselings?!) and other celebrations - to be covered by independent sources. -- Verbarson talkedits 19:58, 11 June 2024 (UTC)
A discussion is in place regarding the renaming of Haymarket railway station. Discuss this over at Talk:Haymarket railway station#Requested move 10 June 2024 JuniperChill (talk) 17:35, 11 June 2024 (UTC)