Bikes on GWR IETs

[andylikestrain]

Morning all
I had an annoying experience the other day.
I was travelling from Forest Gate to Bristol Temple Meads, with a bicycle.
No problems on Liz line to Paddington.
At Paddington, they told me that the last train from Bristol back to London (at 2240) had no cycle spaces, but there were spaces on the 2200. I could only catch the 2240, so left my bike at Paddington. When I take the 2240, there are 4 empty bike spaces on my carriage alone and very few people on board.

I am left wondering what is going on here.
The GWR poster regarding cycles on trains states ‘Reservations on IETs are strongly recommended’, yet the departure screens at Paddington state that cycle reservations are compulsory.

Would anyone have any insight or information here? I think I’m going to take it up with GWR, but I’m not sure I’ll get anywhere!

Many thanks

 

[Bletchleyite]

Was it perhaps diagrammed 9 car but swapped for 10 last minute? That would double the number of spaces.

GWR's communications do seem rather lacking on this, though.

 

[andylikestrain]

Thank you. Is it easy to find out if it was swapped from 9 to 10 car?
Sorry for posting thread in the wrong place, and thank you for moving it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thank you. Is it easy to find out if it was swapped from 9 to 10 car?

Were the seat reservation lights on or had they been turned off? If there's a swap they're usually turned off.

It's showing as a 9 tonight though which would suggest that's what it usually is.

 

[andylikestrain]

Couldn’t say about the seat res. lights.
if it was 9 car, are there more than the 4 cycle spaces do you know?