Timetable trivia - through train Bristol TM to Gunnislake

[davetheguard]

I was on Teignmouth station this lunchtime and was surprised to see a 12.06 departure to Gunnislake shown on the station departure board. It turns out that this is, in fact, a through service departing Bristol Temple Meads at 09.55. The train only operates through to Gunnislake for a few weeks, until 29th June 2018.

Has the Gunnislake branch proper (as distinct from the former SR mainline to Waterloo via Okehampton) ever had any through trains to/from beyond Plymouth before; and if so, is Bristol the most distant point of origin?

 

[iantherev]

There was/is a Liskeard - Gunnislake working. The 09:55 actually starts back from Cardiff Central (depending on which trains NR are allowing to run between the Tunnel and Cardiff). Before the timetable change it ran to Penzance

 

[ValleyLines142]

It actually comes from Cardiff. I think it's a timetable change.

This is the 0900 from Cardiff (although lately it's been departing at 8.52 due to the Newport/Cwmbran upgrade). It used to go to Plymouth, then it went to Penzance but now it goes to Gunnislake. I bet it's regularly confused those at Cardiff who probably don't have a clue where Gunnislake is!

 

[davetheguard]

Thanks for the replies. There's probably a few people in Plymouth who haven't heard of Gunnislake; as DanTrainMan185 says, I can imagine the comments in Cardiff - where's Gunnislake?

I might have to have a trip on it, just for fun.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Thanks for the replies. There's probably a few people in Plymouth who haven't heard of Gunnislake; as DanTrainMan185 says, I can imagine the comments in Cardiff - where's Gunnislake?

I might have to have a trip on it, just for fun.

You're brave - I think it's booked for a 150!

 

[Kite159]

You're brave - I think it's booked for a 150!

At least there is less chance of landing a 150 with awful 3+2 high density airline seating now

 

[WelshBluebird]

At least there is less chance of landing a 150 with awful 3+2 high density airline seating now

At least it isn't a pacer anymore! Doing South Wales Valleys to North Devon on 3 pacers (one into Cardiff, one down to Exeter, one upto Barnstaple) was not fun, though it was pretty damn cheap compared to the normal fare!