10am Paddington to Torquay

[Bodiddly]

Hi,
Quick couple of questions. Can someone tell me how busy this train usually is and what traction it uses? Also is the 10.06 via Newton Abbot a very busy train? I am travelling on Monday morning.
tia!

 

[455driver]

Both HSTs, 1000 is basically a Bristol stopper extended to Paignton, the 1006 is one of the headline fast trains (3 hours Paddington to Plymouth) and is not particularly busy in the grand scheme of things.

The 1000 gets to Newton Abbot at 1325, the 1006 gets to Newton Abbot at 1231 nearly an hour sooner than the 1000.

 

[Essexman]

We used the 10.00 from Paddington to Torquay last summer. We got some cheap First Class Advance tickets and it wasn't very full (first class -not sure about standard, but doubt that was packed). It was a relatively cheap and comfortable journey to Torquay.

It suits those who prefer not to change at Newton Abbot (quite a few elderly peopel travel to Torquay) and gives a through service to Torbay from stations between Didcot & Bath). Also stopped at Teignmough & Dawlish (and Dawlish Warren I think), stops which are less common on London trains now than when we used to go down to Devon as kids (60s & 70s).

 

[Bodiddly]

Thanks guys, i'm keen on the 10.00 simply because I class my rail journey as part of my holiday (not sure the wife agrees with me)! It's an area i've never travelled around by train so I'm quite keen on going through Bristol. I won't be doing it if I can't get a seat though!

 

[TEW]

Neither of the trains are likely to be very busy. 1000 from Paddington is not a particularly busy time of day really. It's after the morning peak but still quite early for people travelling for leisure.

 

[dk1]

In my experience the 10.00 has seat available for much of the journey so should be quite relaxed whereas the 10.06 can be busy. I avoid the 12.06 during Summer as this train can be a nightmare with all the luggage etc even though FGW provide stackers as far as Reading.

 

[jopsuk]

I'll wander in here and sound the "It's the easter holidays" note of caution

 

[LexyBoy]

I avoid the 12.06 during Summer as this train can be a nightmare with all the luggage etc even though FGW provide stackers as far as Reading.

Uh oh, I'm organising a stag do to take that train (everything later on Fridays has a bar on Groupsave). I'd hoped that it would be less bad than the later afternoon trains but reading that I'll make sure I get reservations sooner rather than later!

What's a stacker BTW? Someone to shove wedge and cram?

 

[Bodiddly]

I'll wander in here and sound the "It's the easter holidays" note of caution

Aye jopsuk, I thought it would have been mentioned by now! It's the Scottish Easter hols at the moment. When do the English Easter hols start? We are travelling back up on the Friday.

 

[TEW]

Uh oh, I'm organising a stag do to take that train (everything later on Fridays has a bar on Groupsave). I'd hoped that it would be less bad than the later afternoon trains but reading that I'll make sure I get reservations sooner rather than later!

What's a stacker BTW? Someone to shove wedge and cram?

The 1206 is one of the busiest Penzance trains from London. Trains in the evening peak are very busy too, but they tend to not be as busy for as long. FGW employ luggage stackers in the Summer months for Penzance trains. I never realised they had them between Paddington and Reading but many services have them between Penzance and Exeter over the Summer.

 

[dk1]

Uh oh, I'm organising a stag do to take that train (everything later on Fridays has a bar on Groupsave). I'd hoped that it would be less bad than the later afternoon trains but reading that I'll make sure I get reservations sooner rather than later!

What's a stacker BTW? Someone to shove wedge and cram?

Sorry mate, didnt mean to worry you. Just it can be such a scrum if its late boarding. Stackers tend to be a couple of students employed by FGW to properly stack luggage in the racks & rapidly & effitiently do their job in the 25mins to Reading. Many passengers are shockingly selfish & stupid on how they use the storage areas on board.

 

[CC 72100]

The 1206 is one of the busiest Penzance trains from London.

Indeed - I've been on that getting the last seat right at the far end of Coach A, with a fair few standing. Upon departure from Plymouth... !

When I used the 10:00 from Bath - Exeter, I found that there was a big passenger changeover at Bristol, with most obviously having taken the 10:06 and changing at Newton Abbot for stations on the branch.

 

[Searle]

I boarded the 12:06 from London - Penzance from Exeter to Newton Abbot, and I can confirm it was pretty full (not full and standing, but there weren't many empty seats). There were also 'stackers' on it after Exeter, putting luggage in the staff only section in Coach A!

 

[Kite159]

Aye jopsuk, I thought it would have been mentioned by now! It's the Scottish Easter hols at the moment. When do the English Easter hols start? We are travelling back up on the Friday.

Depending on the area it's either mid-way though the 2 week holiday (kids returning on the 22/4) or the start of the 2 week holiday (kids returning on the 28/4).

 

[Bodiddly]

Need not have worried. Came in the back entrance at Padd and walked straight on the train before it had even been announced, choice of any seat we wanted!
Will be a bit different tomorrow though, plan to head into Paignton to pick up the 14.15 back to Padd, not sure if it will be a 125 though as the 10.00 from Padd not showing up on the timetable. Any info on this one from our colleagues in the know?

 

[TEW]

The service from Paddington leaves at 09:58 rather than 10:00. They will both be an HST.

 

[Bodiddly]

The service from Paddington leaves at 09:58 rather than 10:00. They will both be an HST.

Thanks for the info TEW, appreciate it bud!