New Belmond train in England & Wales

[TPO]

This morning the Britannic Explorer caused a 31 minutes delay to the Heart of Wales service train, Llandovery-Swansea was delayed 31 minutes at Llandeilo. All because the charter train departed Haverford West 30 down and stayed late all the way- so the service train had to wait at Llandeilo for half an hour for the charter to get through the Pantyfynnon-Llandeilo single line section.

I have serious misgivings about the regulating decision which gave the token to the charter at Pantyfynnon rather than prioritising the service train. There's only a handful of trains on the HoWL as it is, and that one is typically rather busy taking people to work in Swansea. The unit also then forms the stopping service from Swansea to Cardiff, covering all the small local trains- that will also suffer knock on delays. So two socially important service trains delayed due to a charter leaving late from Haverford West.

So TfW's local services again have taken a hit.

Not a good look. Rich people on the Belmont given priority over local working people. If the timings were so tight (relative to the time through token sections) that delaying the charter train would cause issues later on, then it's a poor path in the first place IMO. Maybe time to look at the level of access that charters get.

The Darwin display says "this service has been delayed by congestion." No, it has been delayed by a late running charter.

TPO

 

[Harpo]

This morning the Britannic Explorer caused a 31 minutes delay to the Heart of Wales service train, Llandovery-Swansea was delayed 31 minutes at Llandeilo. All because the charter train departed Haverford West 30 down and stayed late all the way- so the service train had to wait at Llandeilo for half an hour for the charter to get through the Pantyfynnon-Llandeilo single line section.

I have serious misgivings about the regulating decision which gave the token to the charter at Pantyfynnon rather than prioritising the service train. There's only a handful of trains on the HoWL as it is, and that one is typically rather busy taking people to work in Swansea. The unit also then forms the stopping service from Swansea to Cardiff, covering all the small local trains- that will also suffer knock on delays. So two socially important service trains delayed due to a charter leaving late from Haverford West.

So TfW's local services again have taken a hit.

1Z65 would have needed to be recessed somewhere before Pantyffynnon for an hour as trains can’t cross at Pantyffynon. Then, instead of crossing 2V22 at Llandeilo if would have needed to cross 2V24 at Llandovery as 2V24 in turn crosses 2M08 at Llandeilo.

So, was there somewhere suitable to hold 1Z65, a passenger train, (i.e. not a goods loop) for an hour without impacting on anything else, and did crossing at Llandovery instead of Llandeilo need any additional risk assessments and/or operating instructions? Without those answers, criticism of what operators did on the day is lacking facts.

In my past, most CWL charters tended to be overlength for the loops so needed to hold both tokens for the front of the train to pass the stop board and for the back end to arrive complete with tail lamp in the loop and surrender the rear section’s token. This usually needed a competent person (e.g. MOM) to oversee it.

Not a good look. Rich people on the Belmont given priority over local working people.

Maybe time to look at the level of access that charters get.

Are you sure it’s the operational stuff you’re actually annoyed at?

 

[Forty29]

Correct me if l'm wrong, but at Pantyffynnon isn't there the old colliery line( sorry can't remember the name) it could reverse or pull forward on to to clear the 'main' line. Or is it out of use? Would an MOM whatever that is be needed or could the signalman do it. I'm right in thinking there is a manned signalbox there? Just a thought!

 

[BRX]

Are you sure it’s the operational stuff you’re actually annoyed at?

It seems a reasonable objection - whether it's caused by decisions on the day, or the initial decision to allow the path, if charter trains are more than rarely delaying local services on sparsely served lines, then that's a problem.

 

[Richard Scott]

Was it this train I saw near Bracknell about 8.30 this morning? 66744 on the rear. Saw a glimpse from the road.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Was it this train I saw near Bracknell about 8.30 this morning? 66744 on the rear. Saw a glimpse from the road.

Yes

 

[Baxenden Bank]

This morning the Britannic Explorer caused a 31 minutes delay to the Heart of Wales service train, Llandovery-Swansea was delayed 31 minutes at Llandeilo. All because the charter train departed Haverford West 30 down and stayed late all the way- so the service train had to wait at Llandeilo for half an hour for the charter to get through the Pantyfynnon-Llandeilo single line section.

I have serious misgivings about the regulating decision which gave the token to the charter at Pantyfynnon rather than prioritising the service train. There's only a handful of trains on the HoWL as it is, and that one is typically rather busy taking people to work in Swansea. The unit also then forms the stopping service from Swansea to Cardiff, covering all the small local trains- that will also suffer knock on delays. So two socially important service trains delayed due to a charter leaving late from Haverford West.

So TfW's local services again have taken a hit.

Not a good look. Rich people on the Belmont given priority over local working people. If the timings were so tight (relative to the time through token sections) that delaying the charter train would cause issues later on, then it's a poor path in the first place IMO. Maybe time to look at the level of access that charters get.

The Darwin display says "this service has been delayed by congestion." No, it has been delayed by a late running charter.

TPO

In a worse manner, on Tuesday 30 June two through service trains were cancelled in order to accommodate the delayed excursion train. Not their fault in this case, a signal box west of Carmarthen failed to open on time. The excursion left Haverfordwest 88 minutes late and stole / was given the path of the service train.
The 0729 from Swansea departed Bynea on time but arrived at Llangennech 77 late and was then terminated at Llanwrtyd. So no service north from there. The corresponding southbound train (they would normally cross at Llandrindod) was terminated at Llandrindod and went back to Shrewsbury. So no through southbound service either.

 

[EyeKay]

Perhaps if the charter takes a path of a service train, they should take the passengers. I’m sure the regular service passengers would be happy to see how the other half (or perhaps 1%) live!

 

[50002Superb]

I see from the website that there is a Lake District charter due to run on Friday, does anyone know which of these that is likely to be please?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:VIC/2026-07-10/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=ZZ

I assume it no longer goes via the MML and Toton?

 

[37069]

Due to the Bransty tunnel closure, the Cumbrian trips have been on TRUST as STP - so it doesn't appear to be listed yet. The Friday evening leg is usually pathed as 1Zxx Victoria - Keighley.

 

[50002Superb]

Due to the Bransty tunnel closure, the Cumbrian trips have been on TRUST as STP - so it doesn't appear to be listed yet. The Friday evening leg is usually pathed as 1Zxx Victoria - Keighley.

Yeah I thought they were normally pathed to Keighley hence the confusion, will keep an eye on it as keen to see it in the East Midlands

 

[LA50041]

I see from the website that there is a Lake District charter due to run on Friday, does anyone know which of these that is likely to be please?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:VIC/2026-07-10/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=ZZ

I assume it no longer goes via the MML and Toton?

I don't think it will be any of those listed as they are Q paths. Currently most Charters only appear downstream a day or two beforehand, some literally the night before

 

[50002Superb]

I don't think it will be any of those listed as they are Q paths. Currently most Charters only appear downstream a day or two beforehand, some literally the night before

That makes sense @LA50041 thank you, I’ll look again tomorrow evening

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