The scene here is the Great Western Mainline at Old Sodbury in South Gloucestershire. The village name conjures up traditional images of old pubs and village greens, the type of place sought out by Bill Bryson in his travelogue books. However, down in the cutting, the scene is ultra modern. The train is 5X91, working between Acton Mainline and Stoke Gifford, Bristol. The rolling stock is a Class 800 Bi-Mode IEP combination of two five-car sets. The foundations for the overhead masts are in place here, so this traditional scene will soon change forever. What would Bill Bryson say, I wonder?