How busy will my train to Cornwall be?

[OLJR]

I am taking a holiday to Cornwall and am looking forward to the rail journey that will take me past the Dawlish sea wall. This will be my first time on FGW since 2007.

I will heading out be on the 10:06 service from Paddington to Truro on a Tuesday in mid-August and heading back on the 14:41 service from Truro to Paddington on the Friday before the bank holiday. I will be seated in 1ST.

How busy do you think that my train is likely to be on these days and at these times? This will be my first time on FGW since 2007 and as a regular East Coast traveller am hoping that it will be a nice change!

 

[TheEdge]

Probably heaving, especially as you get close to the West Country.

 

[91103eastcoast]

I'd advise you to board the train as soon as it is announced at Paddington.

 

[PHILIPE]

Be prepared for stampede down the platform as soon as Platform announced.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

I'd advise you to board the train as soon as it is announced at Paddington.

In first class on a midweek off peak journey???

 

[SephenWorceste]

Are these trains reservable. A seat reservation should help guarantee a seat. Do try the first class lounge at Paddington. Part of it is a fine Victorian room with lovely high ceilings.

Best wishes, Stephen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dmncf]

Reserving seats would be a good idea. You may also be able to beat the stampede by waiting for the train to be announced on the overbridge mid way down the platforms, rather than on the concourse.

 

[higthomas]

Last time I went down last summer I was Standard on the 1206. Standard was absolutely packed, but first had quite a few seats available, although there was no Pullman due to crew illness.

I'd guess you should be ok in 1st, though if you want much choice of seat I'd recommend getting there early, and possibly asking around to try and pre guess which train it will be.

 

[ainsworth74]

Reserving seats would be a good idea. You may also be able to beat the stampede by waiting for the train to be announced on the overbridge mid way down the platforms, rather than on the concourse.

Not for first class I would have thought? If they were travelling standard I'd agree but for first concourse is probably best. That being said at Kings Cross the overbridge is good no matter where you're sat in the train.

I'd go with the above, get some seat reservations to be on the safe side but in first class on a midweek service it shouldn't be that busy in first. The Friday service might be busier though!

 

[LexyBoy]

In first class on a midweek off peak journey???

The lack of Weekend First will mean it's unlikely to be packed, unless perhaps you get a train with only 1 FC coach.

I would assume OP has Advance tickets and thus booked seats anyway - if not they are still available at ~£100 less than the First Off Peak Return.

 

[stut]

In first class on a midweek off peak journey???

In August, yes, very possibly. I've done this journey a few times at this time of year - in FC, midweek, off-peak (although usually around midday) and the carriage has been full on departure from Paddington.

Assuming you've got seats booked, your main worry is luggage space (including the overhead racks) - although people do neglect the space between back-to-back seats.

 

[higthomas]

I've just realised, how's the fgw first class carriage reduction going?
Is it all trains done, none or a mix, and what are their chances either way on this train?

 

[OLJR]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I have bought Advance tickets with seat reservations. I have coach L in both directions, with 12B ex-Paddington and 15B ex-TRU. Does anybody know whether or not these are window seats?

 

[ATW Alex 101]

I echo the others, having used the London-Truro route 4 times in the last 2 years. They will be packed and it will get very busy on departure from Paddington. By Truro it should be reasonable, but still cosy.

 

[stut]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I have bought Advance tickets with seat reservations. I have coach L in both directions, with 12B ex-Paddington and 15B ex-TRU. Does anybody know whether or not these are window seats?

Both window seats on a table of 4, according to this:

http://help.thetrainline.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4238/~/first-great-western-seating-maps

 

[jon0844]

Were those diagrams drawn by hand in some cheap 'Microsoft Paint' package, or actually in Microsoft Paint? If so, boy must that have taken a long time and making corrections would be a nightmare!!

 

[Xavi]

1406 off Paddington was full and standing midweek a couple of weeks ago all the way to Exeter where I left the train. The Berks & Hants route is exceptionally busy and yet wires will end at Newbury for the time being and no confirmation of anything other than HSTs for foreseeable future. Two trains per hour fast / semi fast and full electrification is a must ASAP.

Class 222s off the midland main line would be a disaster in terms of capacity and quality for this prime route. The only route in the country that warrants a full dining service if you didn't know....

 

[TheEdge]

I see the new FGW anti gravity Mk3s have been introduced!

 

[jon0844]

They look very relaxed after the train rolled over.

 

[91103eastcoast]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but does anyone know how busy the 0706 Paddington to Paignton and 0927 St James Park to Penzance will be during the summer in standard class?

 

[TrainNut11]

Well from my experience, as I have caught the 09.27 on numerous occasions on day trips in my spare time from home to Cornwall, its normally heaving. The 0706 from London connects with the 0927 to Plymouth and Penzance at Exeter and even in the middle of the week out of season it can get very busy! Whatsmore the 0927 service is normally only a 2 car 150 sprinter and as it goes down the line it usually stays rather cosy!

 

[91103eastcoast]

Thank you. I'll avoid the 150 worked train - I hate those seats.

 

[OLJR]

The trains in both directions were configured with 1.5x 1ST carriages. 1ST was at about 75% seat factor and STD looked to be at about 50% seat factor.

I took K4B westbound and K1B eastbound. Fortunately nobody sat opposite me in either direction!

It was a great trip and the sea wall was amazing!