May is proving an excellent month for new rail links. From Monday, direct trains between Bristol, Bath and Oxford are restored after 23 years. Passengers between these fine cities will enjoy smoother and faster journeys – except oddly, on Sundays. The overseas tourists who have to default to the clunky change at Didcot Parkway may be surprised to learn that one reason is that train drivers do not have to work on Sunday. I agree with GWR managing director Mark Hopwood, who says: “The economic and social benefits are clear, and we are confident that these new services demonstrate the value of rail in driving economic growth.” At the risk of raining on the parade, though, I must lament the fact that due to dreadful decisions taken a decade ago, the restored link must use diesel trains power for almost half the journey, thus undermining it slightly. Plans to electrify the line to Oxford and to Bath and Bristol were dropped after the botched project went wildly over time and budget.…