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Swansea to Paddington

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1971993

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First time poser here.

Would someone please tell me, what are the diversionary routes undertaken between Swansea and Paddington. Thank you
 
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Horizon22

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First time poser here.

Would someone please tell me, what are the diversionary routes undertaken between Swansea and Paddington. Thank you

Welcome to the forum!

Normally via Lydney / Gloucester if the Severn Tunnel is blocked. Adds about 35-45 minutes to journey times.
 

cactustwirly

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First time poser here.

Would someone please tell me, what are the diversionary routes undertaken between Swansea and Paddington. Thank you

Via Newbury, Westbury and Bradford-on-Avon to Bath and then onwards to Bristol and South Wales. Normally when the line between Didcot and Swindon or Wootton Bassett is blocked
 

Horizon22

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Via Newbury, Westbury and Bradford-on-Avon to Bath and then onwards to Bristol and South Wales. Normally when the line between Didcot and Swindon or Wooten Bassett is blocked

Of course there's lots of diversions on the English side by going via Bristol one of two other ways, but won't help if the Severn Tunnel is out of action & the standard route is via Gloucester / Hereford as above.

This weekend though, there are no diversions: https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/planned-engineering/bristol

There will be no direct train services between Bristol or London and South Wales due to track renewal work in the Severn Tunnel.

Replacement buses are planned between:

  • Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central (non-stop)
  • Bristol Parkway and Newport (non-stop, plus some services stopping at Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction)
Trains will still run from Bristol Parkway towards Swindon, Bristol Temple Meads or Gloucester, plus between Patchway and Bristol Temple Meads (Saturday only).

GWR will also operate trains between Newport and Swansea or Carmarthen.
 

Western Sunset

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Via Newbury, Westbury and Bradford-on-Avon to Bath and then onwards to Bristol and South Wales. Normally when the line between Didcot and Swindon or Wootton Bassett is blocked
Being pedantic, but the diversions miss Westbury (go via Heywood Road Jn to Hawkeridge Jn) and also miss Bristol TM by taking the Rhubarb Curve.
 

30907

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There is also the Vale of Glamorgan diversion via Barry which ISTR is regularly timetabled for route retention purposes.
 

cactustwirly

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Being pedantic, but the diversions miss Westbury (go via Heywood Road Jn to Hawkeridge Jn) and also miss Bristol TM by taking the Rhubarb Curve.
Yes ofc, although I swear some call at Bristol because they become extensions of the Bristol service?
 

The exile

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Yes ofc, although I swear some call at Bristol because they become extensions of the Bristol service?
Think that tends to be when the block affects via Chippenham services as well (ie everything going via Newbury). Of course, the first down weekday service does that anyway (reversing at both Temple Meads and Parkway having come via Chippenham)
 

tiptoptaff

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Of course there's lots of diversions on the English side by going via Bristol one of two other ways, but won't help if the Severn Tunnel is out of action & the standard route is via Gloucester / Hereford as above.

This weekend though, there are no diversions: https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/planned-engineering/bristol
This would usually be accessed by running via Filton and Charfield, to reach Gloucester then continue via Lydney. Diversions via Bristol and Gloucester aren't mutually exclusive, albeit very rare
 
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