First Great Western December 2011 plans

[devon_metro]

So your train empties out at Westbury

Taunton server a large part of North Devon
Tiverton serves a large catchment area of Devon including Exeter
Newton Abbot serves Torbay and Dartmoor
Totnes see above

 

[asylumxl]

Yes. Then i have a train to myself for the rest of the journey .

On a more serious note, I don't get why Padd->Plym trains stop at Ivybridge. I mean, no offence to anyone in the area, but it's a relatively short bus journey between the two.

 

[devon_metro]

Main reason is because the DfT havn't given FGW enough stock to provide an adequate local service!

 

[thefab444]

That's fine with me, but we should get something west on summer saturdays, even if it means it only goes to Westbury where we can change for a connection further west it would be a step forward.

On a slight U-Turn from previous policy, we could probably extend 1tpd of the Westbury/Taunton service to Weymouth, although this may cause some diagramming problems!

 

[tbtc]

On a slight U-Turn from previous policy, we could probably extend 1tpd of the Westbury/Taunton service to Weymouth, although this may cause some diagramming problems!

Interesting idea.

Whilst the SWT service would probably be faster from London, I'm sure there'd be some demand from Reading etc to the seaside...

Would the competition rules allow it though?

 

[TheWalrus]

Ah, but most Bedwyn pax go to east don't they? I thought it was a commuterville?

Yh they do but so do Newbury...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

As a regular user of the Plymouth service, I think it should go.

London Paddington -> Reading -> Westbury -> Exeter St Davids -> Plymouth

But i'm a tad bit unrealistic . It'd be great if it took less time, I get bored and end up spending 2 or 3 hours staring out the window.

I would probably have one that went: London>Taunton>Exeter>Newton Abbot>Totnes>Plymouth.

Just out of interest, which London-Plymouth train do you get on?

 

[asylumxl]

I would probably have one that went: London>Taunton>Exeter>Newton Abbot>Totnes>Plymouth.

Just out of interest, which London-Plymouth train do you get on?

None in partciular, I just frequently travel to Plymouth to see my girlfriend using the services.

 

[LilLoaf]

I have an idea how about making the stopping patterns a bit better by doing this.

Penzance or Plymouth alternates between to two.
xx06 - non stop to Taunton, Tiverton, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Plymouth then stations to Penzance.

Exeter
xx18 - Slough, Reading, Thale, Thatcham, Newburry, Hungerford, Persey, Westburry, Castle Cary, Taunton, Tiverton, Exeter.

Paignton
xx52 - Reading, Newburry, Westburry, Taunton, Exeter, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torquay, Paignton.

NO trains would run via Bristol to get to Taunton, exeter etc.

There would still obvously be a Bristol service every half hour, certain times to Weston.

Wales service more or less the same.

 

[thefab444]

That's a nice idea in theory, but where you gonna get the stock for all these extra Paignton services?

xx:52 is also right behind the xx:50 service to Oxford, which calls at Slough so this service is going to be a bit slow all the way to Reading. Also, if it leaves any later than xx:52, it is in danger of delaying the xx:55 Heathrow Express service. Lastly, unless it is looped by the xx:06 at Westbury, it will be virtually on top of the said service at Taunton!

 

[LilLoaf]

hmm might be an idea to have the Paignton service leaving at xx38 therefore not being in the way of the airport express service and being just behind a wales service through to Reading. It would therefore have no westbound services either directly in front or behind it. It would probably only run every 2 maybe even only 3 hours.

This is another idea i had for a London - Fishguard service (i've no idea if it connects with a ferry or not). I just came up with this when i was bored the other day, kept me amused for an hour or so. I tried to slot it between other trains on the South Wales mainline. I ran it the useual way from London to Neath, then via the Swansea station avoiding line, and around the Camerthen station avoiding line, (i hope them lines are still there !). This was to avoid a reversal. Crew can change over at Cardiff instead of Swansea.


LONDON PADDINGTON - 0910 -----------FOLLOWS 0900 LONDON - BRISTOL
READING - 0935 -------------------------------FOLLOWS 0900 LONDON - BRISTOL
BRISTOL PARKWAY - 1032 ----------------FOLLOWS 0845 LONDON - SWANSEA
NEWPORT - 1053 ------------------------------ FOLLOWS 0845 LONDON - SWANSEA
CARDIFF CENTRAL - 1109 - 1112 ----------FOLLOWS 0730 MAN PICC - CARMARTHEN
NEATH - 1155 ----------FOLLOWS 0730 MAN PICC - CARMARTHEN
LLANELLI - 1221 ----------FOLLOWS 0730 MAN PICC - CARMARTHEN
PEMBRAY - 1228 ----------FOLLOWS 0730 MAN PICC - CARMARTHEN
WHITLAND -1304
CLARBESTON ROAD - 1320
FISHGUARD - 1350


FISHGUARD -1555
CLARBESTON - 1617 ------------FOLLOWS 1510 MILFORD HAVEN - MANCHESTER
WHITLAND - 1640 ----------------FOLLOWS 1510 MILFORD HAVEN - MANCHESTER
PEMBRAY - 1715------------------FOLLOWS 1505 PEMBROOK DOCK -SWANSEA
LLANELLI - 1722 ------------------FOLLOWS 1505 PEMBROOK DOCK -SWANSEA
NEATH - 1758 ------------------- FOLLOWS 1729 SWANSEA - LONDON
CARDIFF CENTRAL - 1837-1845 -----FOLLOWS 1729 SWANSEA - LONDON
NEWPORT - 1902 -------------------------FOLLOWS 1729 SWANSEA - LONDON
BRISTOL PARKWAY - 1925 -----------FOLLOWS 1729 SWANSEA - LONDON
READING - 2026 --------------------------FOLLOWS 1729 SWANSEA - LONDON
LONDON PADDINGTON - 2055 -------FOLLOWS 1729 SWANSEA - LONDON

What do you think, is it possiable. I just made it up for fun, expect there will be something i over looked.

 

[devon_metro]

0910 is a HEX departure.

The current FGW tt is adequate.

 

[JonG]

The current FGW tt is adequate.

Indeed. Yes, quite adequate as it is.

 

[LilLoaf]

So why don't FGW run a Fishguard service ? (just out of interest)

Also why does the Carmarthen train not leave London until 1745, surely 0945 or something like that would be better in order for people to have a day in Camarthen.

Just wondering

 

[devon_metro]

They do in summer.

 

[thefab444]

hmm might be an idea to have the Paignton service leaving at xx38 therefore not being in the way of the airport express service and being just behind a wales service through to Reading. It would therefore have no westbound services either directly in front or behind it.

How about the xx:40 Heathrow Express?

The Fishguard Harbour service got pulled a few years back, can't remember the reason. The summer service runs to Pembroke Dock, Mr Yates.

 

[anthony263]

I think the Excuse that FGW gave at the time of withdrawing the London - fishgaurd service was that it was really carrying much passengers, although i have seen the lunchtime departure from fishguard pass through port talbot packed to teh rafters with only a single class 150 or class 158

there is talk of running a train between swansea & fishguard hbr every 2/3 hours once the single line section through gowerton is restored to double track and a new station at Fishgaurd & Goodwick

 

[LilLoaf]

How about the xx:40 Heathrow Express?

The Fishguard Harbour service got pulled a few years back, can't remember the reason. The summer service runs to Pembroke Dock, Mr Yates.

How many tracks are there out of Paddington, a lot ! There is 2 mins between the departure of the Heathrow and my proposed Paignton, plenty of time for the amound of tracks out of Heathrow. Anyway the Heathrow turns off just after Hayes, its hardly going to be up the back of the Paignton for long anyway.

 

[devon_metro]

Not that there is any need for such a service. Its far faster to change at Newton Abbot rather than calling at every lamp-post between Reading and Taunton!

 

[thefab444]

How many tracks are there out of Paddington, a lot !.

There's only one down fast.

It would work some of the time, but only if the xx:38 could be guaranteed on time within 30 seconds!

 

[43106]

The Fishguard Harbour service got pulled a few years back.

According to my records, the last Paddington - Fishguard service ran circa May 2003

The summer service runs to Pembroke Dock.

From Paddington, or have I missed something?

As well as Fishguard, I reckon Pembroke AND Milford Haven deserve a daily service to/from Paddington.

 

[thefab444]

Indeed from Paddington.

Not sure about Pembroke/Milford needing a daily London train though.

 

[anthony263]

Indeed from Paddington.

Not sure about Pembroke/Milford needing a daily London train though.

Milford haven used to have a daily service to London Paddington when the service was operated by Intercity. i think it was an extension of the present 1 trip per day carmarthen - london paddington service

the pembroke dock service is very well used during the summer i have been told so i will be taking a trip down to pembroke dock on a hst later this summer

 

[flymo]

From Paddington, or have I missed something?

According to the summer 09 timetable, Saturdays until 5 Sept


dep Padd 0845 - arr Pembroke 1414
dep Pembroke 1455 - Arr Padd 2032

Not a bad day out all in all,

 

[tbtc]

I have an idea how about making the stopping patterns a bit better by doing this.

Penzance or Plymouth alternates between to two.
xx06 - non stop to Taunton, Tiverton, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Plymouth then stations to Penzance.

Exeter
xx18 - Slough, Reading, Thale, Thatcham, Newburry, Hungerford, Persey, Westburry, Castle Cary, Taunton, Tiverton, Exeter.

Paignton
xx52 - Reading, Newburry, Westburry, Taunton, Exeter, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torquay, Paignton

Three trains an hour from London to Exeter via Taunton, as well as the improved Waterloo - Exeter service may be slight overkill?

Okay, a couple of paths out of Paddington will be freed up when Crossrail happens, allowing a recast GWML service, but I can't see the need for Taunton to have a better London service than Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Norwich etc
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

As well as Fishguard, I reckon Pembroke AND Milford Haven deserve a daily service to/from Paddington.

If it's an extension of a morning train from Swansea/ evening train to Swansea, then fair enough, it's not taking resouces away from the main line.

However, there's a "me too" attitide to daily trains to London that sees lots of towns competing to have the this status. If Pembroke, Milford Haven AND Fishguard each have a daily service to London, then we'll have demands for a London service to/from Merthyr, and why doesn't Barry Island have one, and...

A bigger and more achievable improvement would be to get the Swansea to London service doubled (by extending trains that currently terminate at Cardiff)...

 

[LilLoaf]

If it's an extension of a morning train from Swansea/ evening train to Swansea, then fair enough, it's not taking resouces away from the main line.

However, there's a "me too" attitide to daily trains to London that sees lots of towns competing to have the this status. If Pembroke, Milford Haven AND Fishguard each have a daily service to London, then we'll have demands for a London service to/from Merthyr, and why doesn't Barry Island have one, and...

A bigger and more achievable improvement would be to get the Swansea to London service doubled (by extending trains that currently terminate at Cardiff)...

Not sure if i've quoted that correctly.

The reason why Fishguard, Milford, and Pembrook would benifit from direct train to London is, they have to travel 2 hours or so on a local service to get a service to London, would also be an extra train along the South Wales mainline.

Why Barry have one well its only about 30 - 40 mins on a direct service to London connecting at Cardiff. Thats why i don't see why Grand Central are wanting to go to Bradford its only 15 mins on a Northern train to Leeds and a half hourly train to London. Actually i do know why they are doing it, to tap into NXEC market and make as much money as possiable, same appies to the proposed Harrogate service.

 

[anthony263]

Swansea really does get a half hourly service to london because u have the manchester services deaprting at 55 minutes past the hour and arriving into cardiff central at 47 minutes past the hour unless they have to stop at pyle because the swanline service hass been heavily delayed or cancelled where it will arrive into cardiff central at 50 minutes past the hour.

i am sure that there used to be a morning deaprture from Pembroke dock to london paddington on summer saturdays, i believe it used to leave pembroke dock around 8am

 

[16CSVT2700]

How many tracks are there out of Paddington, a lot ! There is 2 mins between the departure of the Heathrow and my proposed Paignton, plenty of time for the amound of tracks out of Heathrow. Anyway the Heathrow turns off just after Hayes, its hardly going to be up the back of the Paignton for long anyway.

14 platforms > 6 lines > 4 main lines.

Not sure where your "amount of tracks out of Heathrow" is about..

 

[LilLoaf]

14 platforms > 6 lines > 4 main lines.

Not sure where your "amount of tracks out of Heathrow" is about..

Oopes meant out of Paddington. There is plenty of time and track space for 2 express trains leaving within 2 mins of each other

 

[tbtc]

The reason why Fishguard, Milford, and Pembrook would benifit from direct train to London is, they have to travel 2 hours or so on a local service to get a service to London, would also be an extra train along the South Wales mainline

I agree that these towns in south west Wales are a long way from a direct train service to London, but I think we'd be better to concetrate on an improved local service to Swansea and an improved Swansea - London service.

Similarly, Kyle of Tongue and Oban are a long way on a local service to get a daytime service to London, but we really don't need a direct service to the Capital from all local lines do we?

 

[LilLoaf]

I agree that these towns in south west Wales are a long way from a direct train service to London, but I think we'd be better to concetrate on an improved local service to Swansea and an improved Swansea - London service.

Similarly, Kyle of Tongue and Oban are a long way on a local service to get a daytime service to London, but we really don't need a direct service to the Capital from all local lines do we?

Well who would have thought Sunderland needs a direct link with London, (and it doesn't), just jams up the mainline when they start breaking down.

The reason i suggested it is also becasue it might be nice if South Wales stations had an HST running through them to take passengers to Swansea, Cardiff, and since FGW would be running it why n ot run it to London. Also it would fill in a gap between local services. I may be wrong but i don't see ATW running more services along the South Wales coast. So yes i do think an improved local service would be a good option but left to ATW i don't see it happening.

With reguards to a better Swansea service, how much better can it be (every 15 mins). There is a direct FGW leaves xx.29 most hours + extra peak services, the rest of the time there is a ATW at xx.55 connecting with the FGW at Cardiff, 1 change easy. Other than running additional HST at xx15 and xx45 providing a every 15 mins service i don't see how it can be better. Does Swansea need an every 15 min service to London. Thats just how i read the situation i may be wrong.